Page 89 of A Girl and HER Prince
“That tattoo you have on your ankle… those are ants,” Venice hissed. “What have you done?”
Achilles straightened. “You’re really going to harp on about that?”
“Yes, I really am.” Venice wasn’t playing around, even though he was fast losing blood. She recognized that pained look that was sucking every bit of color out of his face. “We’re done with this charade,” he said. “You’re with the Myrdons!”
Achilles snorted. “So what are you going to do about it, huh?”
The shock stung her when he didn’t deny any of it, and now the duke could see for himself Venice was weak after being stabbed. Achilles could cut them both down and finish what he’d started at the fishbowl.
Her soul screamed out at the injustice. Venice was prepared to sacrifice everything for his duty—a comfortable life, true love, and now after all that, his future would be ripped away? They’d had such a beautiful beginning. Only moments ago, Livvy thought she could accept the fates that they couldn’t be together, but now she’d do anything for more time with this wonderful man, to see what it would be like between them without all these obstacles in their way.
And now Achilles would just dash it all to pieces because he wanted something as frivolous as a crown?
It was nothing to what she and Venice could have.
Chapter Thirty
Venice had never felt fear until now.
He wasn’t sure how it had happened, but Livvy had become everything to him, and now that they faced down the man who’d relentlessly tried to end his life in the caverns, he was terrified she’d be killed in all this.
His anger burned through him, not just because Achilles was now a coldblooded creep who’d only pretended to be his friend, but he didn’t care about taking down the sweetest girl Venice had ever known, and just because she was in the way.
And for what? Power?
He still had that gun tucked in his jeans. He took a deep breath. This would take some fast talking. “This is quite the family reunion, isn’t it?” Venice tried to keep his voice even, so Achilles would never guess how much this betrayal hurt him. “You knew your mother joined my uncle. You knew they lived here on this island in some sick, twisted love nest.”
“Spare me your lectures,” Achilles hissed. “Your father killed mine.”
No, he didn’t! He wouldn’t!Pain knotted his insides. So, this was about revenge then? “Whoever you’re talking to is a big fat liar,” Venice said. “Don’t think I don’t know who’s got your ear.”
“I’m not an idiot,” Achilles said. “I have proof.”
Doubtful. His uncle would twist anything to make his innocent brothers seem guilty. “Even if you believed that,” Venice said, “why would you ever blame me for it?”
“I never did,” Achilles snarled.
Somehow that hurt more—that Achilles knew his best friend was innocent, but still went after him for the throne, hiding behind that mask while he stabbed Venice like he was smashing a cockroach. Venice reached for the gun behind him, trying to distract Achilles from what he was doing. “What’s your plan now?” he asked. “Take us to the boat and drown us like rats?”
Achilles let out a scornful laugh. Venice recognized that sound because it usually meant he was trying to hide something from him.
“You forget, Achilles,” Venice said. “I always know when you’re lying.”
“Stop talking like a suspicious idiot. Just because your father’s a deranged murderer doesn’t mean I am. I’m not going to try to kill you. C’mon! I haven’t changed that much.” He advanced on them.
Venice stopped him with the gun. He’d wanted the truth out of him while that coldblooded traitor thought he had the upper hand, but he couldn’t let him get any closer to Livvy.
“Where’s Bris?” Venice spat. “Are you going to try to kill her too?”
Achilles glowered at the gun pointed at him. “No, stupid. She’s safe… fromme, at least.”
A pang of worry hit Venice. Killing her off might raise too many questions after Venice’s untimely demise. “What are you planning on doing then? Marry her? Is that how you’re getting your crown?”
Achilles froze. He ran his tongue over his lips. “That brat? No one can melt that ice princess. I’d never touch her.” The duke’s eyes went back to the gun and his eyes gleamed in a sudden stormy challenge. “You reallywouldhave to kill me first.”
So, that is a “No.”
And his fear was realized when Achilles took a step closer, calling Venice on his bluff that he wasn’t sure was one. “You’re not looking good, buddy. Let’s argue about who’s going to kill who when we get you out of here.”
