Page 57 of Venomous Vows

This night was supposed to be to gain some perspective if I wanted Kira to be a part of my future.

But leave it to Elena to fuck it up for me.

16

ELENA

“She’s on the balcony.She won’t come inside, Zane.”

I roll my eyes, keeping my chin tucked into my chest to keep some warmth about me. I didn’t want to be inside my place right now, but I knew I had to stay. I had to make sure that Zane knew what happened so that they could do whatever it was they needed to do.

I’m not condoning killing for this.

But I know that Zane and Adrian would want to know. So I’m doing my part and then I’m going to shop on Amazon for heavy-duty lock devices.

“How long ago was this?” I hear Zane ask in my front room, probably attempting to gain as much intel as possible so that he knows how to handle me.

It wasn’t allthatbad. I should’ve been more careful.

My father was messing with a gang and, for some reason, when Adrian did what he did to take back my sister, I didn’t think of the consequences. I stupidly went on with my day-to-day and didn’t look back.

Yes, I had a new title—Adrian’s whore—but that was low-key, under wraps.

No one was going to know.

But tonight was an eye-opener for sure. And it’s no one’s fault but the man who got Marcella and me mixed into this shit.

Dad.

“Piccola diavola.”

No.

I specifically told my sister to call Zane because I knew that Adrian had his wife-hunting dinner and I didn’t need his help.

I opted out of that when I took the mistress position over the wife.

He had his own thing to do, and I understand that.

I just don’t want him to consider me a burden and hover it over my head like the asshole he is.

Craning my head upward, Adrian’s brows are already knitted into a mixture of annoyance and confusion, but when he gets a full look at my face is when he absolutely bulges with fury.

“What thefuck?” he barks, stepping forward and dropping to his haunches in front of me.

His fingers gently cradle my cheeks, and I immediately feel uncomfortable and strange. “Adrian, stop. I’m fine.”

“Explain the fat lip, then.”

“Please,” I drawl, with a short little glance at the sky. “I’ve been hit hard in high school.”

It doesn’t break the tension between us nor the way Adrian looks like he’s ready to go on a manhunt.

“Who did this?”

I swallow, already aware that the answer is going to piss him off. But it’s not my fault. “The Disciples?—”

Adrian drops my face but remains where he is. His light green eyes lock onto mine when he asks, “What was the message?”

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