Page 123 of Lovely Venom
Head spinning, I say, “What happened to Griffin?”
“Poor Griff.” He tsk tsks. “Hehadto marry Ava. There was no getting around it. But I challenge you to tell me after you meet them that they’re not in love and happy.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to get married,” I say softly. “I just got fired from the DEA. That was supposed to be my future.”
“Once we settle this business with Tahiri, and you’re not in anyone’s scope to be killed, you can do what you want.” He kisses me. “Within reason, of course.”
“Meaning no going back to law enforcement.” I sigh.
But I fucked that up myself. And it could be worse. Icould be struggling to make ends meet. I have a roof over my head and a man who’s crazy about me. He’s willing to stand up to the head of the Irish Mob to be with me.
Okay, it’s his brother, but killing a brother in the mafia is not unheard of.
Connor doesn’t want a princess or a showpiece. Noel would undoubtedly keep whores on the side.
Connor would never be so low as to keep a mistress and whores. That’s the vibe I got from him. He didn’t even sleep with anyone else in the months between us being together.
“What’s going through your brain, Venom?”
I just shake my head. “I’m trying to make sense of what you told me last night. How Tahiri’s been lying to me.”
AndValdrin, but there’s no point in bringing him up and making Connor hunt him down, too.
“No one expects you to figure it out right now.” He hugs me, and his hold feels so good. So warm. So safe.
I’m not safe because of me. Not because of anything Connor’s done. I got myself into this mess, and all he’s wanted to do is untangle it for me.
“Hey, let’s finish watching that movie.” I look up at him.
We return to the sofa, where I curl against his chest. Exhaustion and warmth lull me not to sleep but to a place of peace and satisfaction.
I don’t fight it when my body betrays me, and my heart is not far behind at this point.
Because for the first time in years, maybeever,I don’t want to run.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Raina
On Sunday afternoon, I fidget with the hem of the tight green dress Connor picked out for me. It’s not me. It’s too delicate, too polished. But he said it brings out the color of my eyes, and I want to make a good impression on his family. Especially since they all know I was sent to kill him.
Whoops.
Connor steers me to his Ram pick-up idling at the curb, and we drive off with Blade and Jett following us in the Denali.
I marvel at the steel trusses and ornate towers of the bridge into Queens. The gritty borough. After a few turns and passing a lot of warehouses in Long Island City, we cross into Astoria.
Three weeks with Connor, and I’ve gathered quite the treasure trove of details about this little provincial city. Most notably? Three major crime families run the place.
The O’Rourkes are an Irish clan with seven brothers and one sister. They share Astoria with the Koslov Bratva. Two of the O’Rourke brothers married the pakhan’s only daughters. And the Cosa Nostra is currently led by Salvatore Gallo, who took over when Kieran O’Rourke killed the previous don.
All without one visit from law enforcement.
“Were you born in Astoria?” I ask at a red light that I’m surprised Connor stopped at.
“No. We were all born in Waterford.”
I nod. “Oh right, the accent.”
