Page 13 of Beautiful Venom
Kane
Are you free tonight?
My heart thunders so loudly, I can hear it in my ears as I type:Hi! Yes.
Then realize it sounds too desperate, so I delete it.
Me
Why?
The initiation is tonight. In two hours.
Oh God.
That came sooner than I expected. I didn’t think I’d get a save-the-date card or anything. But a two-hour notice?
I’m not even mentally prepared.
Will you be there?
Yes. Where?
I’ll send you a location. Be there in an hour and a half.
Okay. Thank you.
I think the conversation has ended as he sees my text and doesn’t reply, but then a single word appears on the screen and my heartbeat quickens.
Dahlia.
Yes?
Red. Say that word now and this nightmare won’t happen. If you don’t, you won’t have a chance afterward.
My eyes fly over what he’s written again and again. Just like when he learned about my interest, he’s offering me a way out.
But he doesn’t know that when my mind is set on something, I won’t stop until it’s done.
Someone in Vencor was behind my sister’s attack and subsequent coma. I lost my only family because of them, and I won’t rest until they’re six feet under. Hopefully, after they suffer.
So no. Even if I’m going to die, I won’t take the out that Kane’s offered.
I like that he’s putting the option on the table, though.
I’ll be there.
There’s a long stretch of silence from his end before he sends one final text.
Dress comfortably. It’s going to be the longest night of your life.
4
KANE
This isn’t the first, the second, or even the hundredth time I’ve faced such a scene.
It won’t be the last either.
