Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Boston…” Arlo says, stepping forward. He raises his hands as he steps in front of Soren, who looks ready to kill. “Put your gun down. You know he didn’t mean your wife any harm. The same way you don’t mean any to his.”
“If he thinks his wife is the only one protected just because he’s the Lord, he’s a fool.”
“I agree.” We all turn at Reon’s voice. He grips the axe menacingly, and Soren shakes his head at him.
“Of course you do,” Soren says sarcastically.
“Stop fucking threatening wives. If you do, then we’ll leave yours out of it,” Reon adds. Rolland starts laughing and then points to me.
“She killed three of your members. Three,” he announces. “Crazy little bitch, she is. You know the one they call Venom? Well, that’s her.”
At his announcement, every single pair of eyes lock on me. I can tell they’re not sure whether or not to believe him. I slowly raise my hands in the air, a sinister smile curving my lips as I stare back at each and every one of them. Boston has stepped back to stand at my side, and I feel like with him having done that, he just gave away the answer, so I bow and give them a wave.
“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Plus, I can’t be that bad if you all wanted to hire me.” I wink.
“Oh fuck!” I hear Victor say.
“Fuck is not the right word, big man,” I say.
I note that Reon’s attention has strayed from Rolland, and I take the opportunity to unsheathe my knife and fling it straight between Rolland’s eyes. It lands perfectly, and he drops straight into the dirt. His eyes are wide with surprise as everyone around us curses.
“What’s the prize for the hunt?” I ask. “Since I won.”
“Lord,” someone says.
“Stay the fuck away from my wife,” Boston says as one masked member brandishing a machete comes at me. Boston intercepts him before he can reach me, disarming him and then using the guy’s own weapon to slice his fingers off. The member drops to his knees with a scream, and Boston throws the machete to the ground beside him.
“I do have an announcement,” I say, clapping to get their attention. “Or more like a question. If anyone would like to hear it.” I look around, noting all the angry faces. I smile, meeting Soren’s gaze.
“Dynamite,” Boston warns.
“Little Assassin, you should probably run.” This comes from Victor, but I ignore them both.
“Why did you hire me to kill one of your men, then send that video to Boston, knowing what I would do in return?” I ask.
Boston says something, but it doesn’t register as my attention is focused solely on Soren. The man with the slow, deliberate smile spreading across his face, his eyes glittering with satisfaction.
And in that moment, it’s undeniable…
He orchestrated it all.
FORTY-FOUR
BOSTON
No fucking way.
There is no possible way Soren was behind this. I know he likes to meddle in things that aren’t any of his fucking business, but as the Lord, sometimes he takes it a bit too far. My gaze slides from Maven to Soren to see him grinning back at her.
Is he fucking kidding me?
How did I not pick up on it sooner?
Not possible.
Everyone seems to be as confused as I am. But one thing they don’t seem so confused about is my wife. She could probably kill all of them and not break a sweat. And that’s so fucking hot.
She stands poised in her red heels, blue hair shifting in the light breeze, and looking like a fucking goddess as she stares down one of the most powerful men in the country with not an ounce of fear. That’s something that attracted me to her initially. She’s not afraid of powerful men. I doubt she’s really afraid of anything, apart from someone hurting those she loves. I saw it in the way she stayed with me when I was shot.
“Venom is a man,” someone argues, and she turns in his direction.
“That’s an insult.” Her hand goes to her heart. “But you should ask your Lord. He knows. Since he hired me.”
“She’s lying, and you’re so wrapped up in that bitch that you can’t even see it,” another mutters.
“She speaks the truth,” Soren says. “You were the best of the best, Maven. I’ve had people trying to track you for years. Clearly, you run a very tight ship. But then I got word of you, and I had to find out more. So I invited your sister to an event, and thankfully she brought you along.” He smiles. “Though, I can’t say I saw this coming—one of my most trusted and loyal members falling in love with you.”
“You set her up?” I growl.
“Bailey, Marcus, and Edgar were dirty. All of them were working with Rolland. So your wife did her job, and she also did the Forsaken a service.”