Page 60 of Venomous Vows

“Work requirements?” I ask. “Should she be off for a few days?”

He shakes his head again, which annoys me. “No. Just light duty. She’ll be all right.”

I’m not sure how I’m going to limit her lifting, but I’ll have to ensure the security detail that I have on Elena helps. It’ll also assist with her eating habits, which are barely a thing.

If she is going to be my mistress, I need her to be fucking alive to fill that position.

“Is there anything else that we need to keep an eye out for?”

The doctor glimpses over his shoulder at me, silvery gray hair drooping into his eyes when he shakes his head with a weak smile. “No, son. Just keep an eye on her pain levels.”

I nod and Zane gives me a light slap on the back as the doctor continues to pack up his things. When he’s done, my brother escorts him out and returns to me—still staring blankly in the air at nothing.

“What are you doing, Adrian? You called off the arrangement of marrying Elena, so why?—”

“Don’t concern yourself with what I’m doing,” I snap back, obviously aware that, if I tell himwhyI’m still around Elena, he’ll punch me in the fucking head. “You knew I’d come.”

“I did,” he replies solemnly. “But it’s best that the two of youdon’tcontinue being around each other. There’s never been a time where you’ve gotten along. You only stress her out, brother, and?—”

“And she never stressedmeout?” I glance over at him and glower. “You got this all fucked up when you were too busy being her best friend andIgot to worry about her being kidnapped and sold off. I was the bully because she wasn’t going to listen. And you didnothingto help.”

“Dad would’ve murdered?—”

“And you would’ve risked that? That he’d even be able to find her?” I turn my body to fully face him, already done with the conversation. “I wasn’t. Elena was the last thing I wanted on my conscience and she didn’t need to be around.”

“You just said she was my best friend,” Zane presses back with a scowl. “So yeah…I was going to keep her around. And I never would’ve let anything happen to her.”

A cold slice of jealousy rips through my veins and I stare back at my brother like he has a secret and I’m just learning more and more about what lies behind this wholefriendshipthey had.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” I profess, stepping closer to him because if we come to blows, I think we’re way past due.

Especially when it comes toher.

“Yeah,” Zane states confidently. “I’m not a fan of you around her. I loathe it. You’re nothing but a fucking asshole and she deserves better. She was doing just fine without us. Let’s keep it that way.”

Too late.

I’ve already latched on to Elena and I don’t plan on letting go anytime soon.

However, he’s not wrong. But I didn’t ask her to come to me. I wasn’t involved in her life. When our father packed us up, I left her alone. She’d be safe without us there, anyway.

But now, she’s stepped right back into the snake pit of what our life is and what consists of it.

“That’s unfortunate,” I claim evenly because it’s too late now. “Because now The Disciples know exactly who she is.”

“When this is over?—”

“Don’tconcernyourself, brother,” I clip out because I’m seconds away from throat-punching him. “She’s a big girl now. She can figure out who she wants to be with when this is all over.”

Zane gives me an incredulous look. “You think she wants to be with you?” He scoffs then. “Don’t start sounding delusional now, Adrian. The guys might vote you out for sounding out of your damn mind.”

I’d love to rub it in his face that I’ve already made her come on my fingers. That I’ve had her flush up against me while she was writhing with pleasure, but I keep it to myself.

I haven’t fully been able to enjoy that just yet.

But I will.

With or without my brother’s blessing.

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