Page 37 of Beautiful Venom

The joke’s on her because I’d do the same.

She gave up a lot for me, and it’s my turn to pay her back.

Vi used to say kids like us were always meant to be at the bottom of the food chain, a fringe of the system, a cog in the machine. Our lives, suffering, and trauma don’t matter.

No one cares.

But that’s where she’s wrong.

She matters more to me than the entire world.

I want to tell her that I’m close. That I’ve infiltrated the organization where that scum is. I’ll find him, and, mark my words, I’ll make him pay even if it’s the last thing I do.

But I don’t.

In fact, I’ve never spoken to her about my plans so as not to agitate her. I only share good news and tell her I miss her.

The nurse from earlier pushes the door open, the frown still etched on her face.

“Did you find anything on the footage?” I ask, my blood pumping.

“That’s the thing. The cameras in the hallway and elevator have somehow been disabled.”

9

KANE

“Callahan!”

The coach’s voice grinds the scrimmage to a halt.

As usual, Jude has just flattened Price against the boards and skated away with the puck as if it’s perfectly normal.

Coach Slater is a veteran of the game, born and bred in the town and a proud product of Graystone University’s unmatched hockey program.

He’s tall, lean, balding, and has a beer belly. Although he’s strict, his understanding of team harmony and execution style is top-notch. He’s known for pushing players beyond the limits they think exist.

Not Jude, though.

That motherfucker has no limits.

Instead of helping Price up, Jude glares at him for daring to interrupt his flow.

Coach stares at him from the bench, his skin turning red. “I told you not to touch my fucking players, Callahan. Save the destructive energy for the other teams.”

Jude lifts his shoulder in pure disdain. “I thought this was a scrimmage and we were supposed to play as if it’s a real game.”

“Did you miss the part about minimizing the risk of injury?”

“Minimizing is not eliminating.”

“Off the ice. Number 71, five-minute major for boarding.”

“Come on, that was hardly a two-minute penalty,” Jude argues with a murderous face.

“Off my rink. Now.”

Jude makes a face as he skates to the penalty box.

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