Page 191 of Beautiful Venom

I guess he really brought me up well.

“Kane…” a small voice whispers in the midst of the blood-soaked silence.

So small and calming.

So small and…sad.

I look up and freeze. Dahlia looks at me with tears streaming down her cheeks, dripping to her collarbone.

Right. She saw me do that unsightly thing.

She must think I’m a true monster now.

Her chin trembles and she whispers, “I’m so sorry.”

And then her head falls forward and she passes out.

33

DAHLIA

Adeep voice swirls around my head.

A very familiar rough voice that only softens for me.

My eyes flutter open, adjusting to the dim light illuminating the room. My body’s heavy, and everything aches against the soft sheets beneath me. They’re cool against my skin, smelling faintly of cedarwood and fresh detergent.

Where is this place…?

Recent memories slash through my psyche.

The torture. Kane’s father.

Kane’s words.

Kane.

I startle into a sitting position.

Am I in his old room? It’s surprisingly simple aside from the luxurious cream wallpaper. The furniture is sleek, minimalist—everything sharp edges and clean lines. No clutter, no personal touches, except for the faded scent of him lingering in the air, a mix of something dark and woodsy.

That’s when I see him.

Kane’s standing by the window, staring at the night staking its claim on the Japanese garden while talking on the phone in a low, hushed tone.

A breath spits out of my lungs.

And I breathe.

For the first time since I was cornered by his father, I inhale and exhale a large gulp of air, fill my lungs with it, completely flounder in it.

He’s okay.

He looks like himself—vicious chaos contained in a thread of calm.

“You prepared the boat?” he asks, then listens, his index finger twitching against his thigh. “No crew members, correct.” More listening, more staring out at the horizon. “I’ll be there shortly.”

I pull the soft black sheet to my chin.

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