Page 158 of Beautiful Venom
“Which is?”
“I’m going to throw Grant a bone, give up some influence in the upcoming business deal I’ve been planning in secret in exchange for him staying away from Dahlia. I want you to approve it.”
“Fucking fool.” His voice vibrates with disapproval. “If Grant knows you have a card up your sleeve and you’re willingly giving it up for her, you’ll prove that she’s not only a weakness but also someone he can use to manipulate you.”
“By that time, I’ll be out of his control.”
“Highly improbable. If anything, once you reveal a card, he’ll be extremely wary of you.”
“Doesn’t matter. I know how to deal with him. Just tell me, will you help?”
“Suit yourself.” There’s movement on the other end.
A low male voice carries from my uncle’s side, and I assume it’s Gareth. “Who are you talking to this early?”
“Nephew,” Kayden says in a softer voice, and I can almost see his smile.
My uncle doesn’t smile, not much anyway, but he seems to be always in a good mood if Gareth is around.
“Go back to sleep, baby,” he says in a low, gentle tone.
“Mmm. Not alone.” Gareth’s husky, sleepy voice sounds closer. “Hey, Kane. How are you? Still kicking ass in hockey?”
“Yeah, as usual, Gaz,” I say with a smile. I like him, mostly because he makes my uncle happy, despite all the shit they went through.
“His name is Gareth,” Uncle grumbles in my ear.
I had a bit of a whiplash when I met them for dinner one time. My uncle—who people compare to a stoic, emotionless robot—nearly chased me away because his man was talking to me longer than he liked.
Which was five minutes tops.
I hear a rustle from his side and a small hum before he says, “We’ll talk again at a reasonable hour. In the meantime, think carefully about the clusterfuck you’re getting yourself into because of a girl you’ve only just met. Is she worth it?”
After my uncle hangs up, I stare at the town for what seems like hours, contemplating his last question.
Logically, Dahlia is not worth it. She’s a hassle and brings nothing to the table.
She’s not even part of Graystone’s elite, like Isabella or any of the other girls vying for my attention, who I could use in my power play.
But fuck if I can use logic when it comes to her. I tried that before and it only backfired.
My phone lights up with notifications from the group chat.
Jude
Pres? What did you do to Osborn?
@Kane Davenport, why the fuck did you leave him to his own devices? I’m absent for two fucking hours and all hell breaks loose?
Why did I leave him again? Right. I lost access to my logic and forgot the simple fact that Preston has been volatile as fuck lately, specifically since the forest hunt.
Preston
Reporting live from the latest crime scene, bitches.
Jude
JFC, what the fuck did you do now?
