Page 45 of Beautiful Venom
There’s a possibility he’s the attacker, but he did save her by bringing her to the hospital, so that possibility is small. That man is still probably the only witness to what happened.
I asked the police to look into medical professionals or those with access to hospital drugs, because it struck me as weird that whoever sedated Vi went for an anesthetic agent instead of opioids or something more widespread in the market. However, Detective Collins made it clear that I had no place getting involved in the investigation.
Which is why I started my own revenge journey after seeing Violet’s journal. In that journal, I found a few entries where she mentioned someone following her.
In one particular entry, she mentioned a black ring on his index finger with unintelligible symbols she couldn’t see from far away.
Then she wrote ‘them,’ which made me think it’s a group.
But the clear evidence that made me go after the Vipers were these words:
I saw him today. The man who’s been following me. On the local channel in the bar where I work. I never watch sports or pay attention to what’s on TV, but I did today, and he was there on the screen, in his hockey gear, glaring at the camera. Apparently, he plays for the Vipers, a college hockey team from the neighboring rich town.
But even with the clues Vi’s journal gave me, my revenge isn’t going well.
After Kane terrified the hell out of me in that forest three days ago, I’ve stayed away.
For some reason, I thought he would fuck me and then kill me, and no one would be the wiser.
So I’ve redirected my attention to Violet.
Every day, after I finish school and my part-time job at a local grocery store, I go to spend the night by her side.
I take my laptop and study most of the night while watching over her. It’s been almost a week since that potential attack, and I’ve been surviving on three hours of sleep and nasty energy drinks.
Tonight, however, I have to trust the officer to keep her safe.
Because I’m going to a party.
“I can’t believe you’re finally living a little!” Megan hugs me to her side as we saunter up to Drayton’s house in the town center.
Gavin Drayton is the Vipers’ goalie and one of the insiders. He’s also a Vencor member, judging from the serpent necklace I’ve caught a glimpse of a few times.
Following the team’s away-game win, he’s throwing an open-house party for the campus students and townspeople. And while Drayton is part of the system, considering his dad is the town’s mayor, he’s a small fish.
The actual powerful families hold the town and beyond in the palms of their hands, and they’re usually more detached from the townspeople.
The Davenports are pioneers in a centuries-old trade business, and they handle an extensive imports and exports network.
The Armstrongs control energy production and resource management from oil to various alternative sources.
The Callahans own the largest pharmaceutical company in the country and other massive medical complexes, including the town’s hospital.
The Osborns are the aces of real estate, construction, and urban development.
They’re benefitting from each other while maintaining a monopoly in their respective fields.
“Thanks for letting me join and for lending me this,” I tell Megan and tug on the tight little black dress.
The stretchy fabric clings to me like a second skin and barely covers my ass. The strapless design shows more cleavage than what I’m usually comfortable with.
But then again, I don’t have party dresses, so I’m thankful to Megan. She even lent me a golden purse and spent about an hour doing my smoky eye makeup that highlights their hazel color and my bold red lipstick.
“Anytime. You look hot as fuck.” She narrows her eyes at my white sneakers. “Would look hotter with heels, though. Too bad we don’t wear the same shoe size.”
Thank God. It’d be embarrassing since I don’t know how to walk in heels.
The Draytons’ house stands proudly in the heart of the town center. A massive colonial-style home that exudes old-money charm with its white columns, dark-green shutters, and perfectly manicured lawn.
