Page 162 of Beautiful Venom
“No.”
“Why? Are power and money more important than your well-being?”
“It’s not about power and money. What I have in mind is more valuable.”
She palms my cheek. “There’s nothing more valuable than yourself, Kane. Why can’t you see that?”
I take her hand and slowly lower it. Partly because I’m not entirely used to her touch and it’s burning my skin.
“I have it under control.”
She makes a face. “I hate that word. I also hate that you’re so closed off sometimes.”
“You hate so many things about me and yet you still want a relationship with me?”
“I know, right? I’m thinking about changing my mind.”
“Too late. You’re not going anywhere.” I lift her chin and kiss her. Slowly. I take my time, not feeling the imminent urge to fuck her just because I’m touching her.
I’m only staking a claim.
Proving that this girl is mine.
To answer Uncle’s question, she’s, without any shadow of a doubt, worth it.
Even if it destroys me.
28
DAHLIA
“Honey?”
“Wake up. It’s time to go, Dahl.”
Mom…?
Vi?
They’re both standing in a blindingly white distance, their shadows spilling on the ground, but not touching my feet.
Blood gushes from Mom’s forehead, slides down her arm, and slithers onto her hand that’s holding Vi’s.
My dad appears on Vi’s right and takes her other hand in his disfigured, bloodied one.
I step forward, but I’m jolted in place by invisible chains, unable to move.
They walk in the distance, their tall, distorted shadows retreating until I can only see their backs and the blood trails left behind.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
“Where are you going?” I scream, tears cascading down my cheeks. “Come back. Don’t leave me alone. You promised, Vi!”
They come to a halt and Vi looks back, her face pale, eyes sunk in, her hair having lost its shine. She looks like a ghost of herself with crimson blood dripping from her delicate fingers.
