“You’re absolutely desperate, aren’t you?” I asked. “You know that you can never win this war with the Kings. You’remaking desperate moves now. Doing stupid shit that will only get you killed that much faster.”
I really should’ve kept my mouth shut. However, it wasn’t in my nature to allow bullies to have the upper hand. I’d always been quick to call someone out for their shitty behavior. I couldn’t stop now.
Noah chuckled. He sipped his drink, eyeing me with cold derision. “You’ve got quite the attitude. I can see why Stray likes you so much. Might want to bite your tongue, or I’ll have Colt cut it out.”
“Oh yeah? You can’t do the dirty work yourself?” Silently I dared Noah to make a move. Not because I wanted him to, but because I didn’t believe that he would.
My mistake.
He moved fast. Without spilling his drink, he snatched the knife from Colt’s hand and brutally dragged it along my cheek. I felt the skin split. The blood warm as it spilled down my face and dripped onto my lap. Afraid that the next slice would be across my throat, I kept my mouth shut.
“What’s wrong, Codie? Got nothing to say now? I guess I’m not as gutless as you thought. Have you forgotten what we do? I’ve killed people for less than what you’ve done.” Crouching down to stare right into my face, Noah shocked me further by licking my blood from the tip of the knife.
What the fuck was wrong with this guy? It was becoming increasingly clear to me that there were different levels and types of psychotic. Noah was definitely a psychopath.
My chest grew heavy. Adrenaline had my heart pounding in my ears. In my mind, I prayed that Stray would come. That he wouldn’t leave me here alone with them much longer.
Noah stabbed the knife into the chair right between my legs. “I hope you’re ready to stay quiet and stop pissing me off.If you think this is bad, just wait until Stray gets here. Tonight is going to be a blast.”
I didn’t dare speak. Not even when Colt buried his face in my hair and took a big sniff. The thought of him smelling the strawberry vanilla perfume I’d worn for Stray made me sick.
“You smell tasty,” he said, sounding like the creep he was. “Should I taste you? Where should I start?”
Colt dragged his tongue along the shell of my ear. My entire body quaked with revulsion. That only seemed to encourage him. He licked across my lips, trying to shove his tongue between them. I wanted to scream.
Noah had turned his attention to his phone where he watched the security cameras outside the warehouse for Stray’s arrival. He didn’t seem to give a shit what Colt did to me now. A whimper escaped me. This was too much. I was forced to accept that not every dangerous situation was exciting. I got no rush from this.
I considered begging and pleading. Trying to bargain with them somehow. That was only my panic talking. I knew trying to bargain with them would be useless. They already had enough power over me. I wouldn’t give more away.
Colt forced his tongue into my mouth. I’d never wanted to throw up more. There was no fighting or getting away. He smelled like cigarettes and stale beer. A smell that would haunt me long after this night if I survived it.
“Stop pretending you don’t like it,” he admonished, pressing a finger against the gash on my cheek. “I know what kind of girl you are.”
In that moment, I was ready to watch the Kings kill him. No wonder Rebel had killed River. I’d never understood it before. Now I knew that it had to be done. Venom had to be stopped.
“That’s enough for now, Colt.” Noah glanced up from his phone with a smile. “Stray is here.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
STRAY
By the time I arrived at the Venom warehouse, I was itching for a good fight. The urge to feel someone’s bones break beneath my fingers drove me. Noah had gone too far this time. Since River’s demise, Noah had been acting as the leader of the group. No doubt he was the one who decided to come for Codie. A decision I would make him regret.
I suspected they had cameras watching the place before I spotted one above the entryway. Just for good measure, I flipped it off as I approached the door. Not telling Rebel and the others about this may have been a mistake. I wouldn’t know until I got inside and saw Codie.
Nothing mattered more to me than making sure she was safe. I already knew that I would do anything Noah demanded if it meant protecting her.
I opened the warehouse door and strode inside to find Noah holding a gun to Codie’s head. Fuck that shit. Nobody held a gun on my girl except me.
Wary of doing anything to encourage him to pull the trigger, I approached slowly. “What the fuck is going on here, Noah? Are you trying to piss me off?”
“Don’t take another step unless you want to watch me blow her brains out.” Noah nodded to Colt. “Go make sure he’s unarmed.”
Goddammit. I figured they would check me for weapons. Too bad they weren’t more incompetent than that.
Holding a gun of his own, Colt gestured for me to turn around. “Make any sudden moves and I blow out both of your kneecaps.”
Remaining perfectly still, I waited while he checked me for weapons. He immediately found the gun tucked into the back of my pants. There was also a small knife in my pocket that he took as well. I had nothing left but my fists and sheer willpower.
