Page 211 of Tempting Venom
“Best friend?” His tone is a bit cold.
“Uh-huh. He’s my ride or die. Kane, too, but, like, Jude and I have always been a bit more similar, you know.”
“You’re not. Your personalities are worlds apart.”
“Yeah, but we had the same shitty upbringing, with a dash of mommy issues, sponsored by a sprinkle of stoic daddies.”
“I have that, too.”
“You have what? Anormalmom?”
He narrows his eyes. “A stoic dad. In fact, it’s worse since he’s never wanted me.”
“Maybe it’s for the best.” I swallow. “I know you probably can’t avoid coming into our world, but you’re older and big enough, so you can defend yourself.”
He watches me for a beat, and I bite the inside of my cheek, then blurt, “You should watch out for Serena. Yes, she’s your sister, but familial relationships mean zilch in Vencor. I mean, look at Grandma. She’d offer me to witches if she believed she could get a better heir.”
“What?”
“Yeah. Old hag thinks I’m a disgrace to the Armstrong name, and she’s not entirely wrong.” I wave it off. “Anyway, Serena’s not bad per se, but she’s besties with my uncle Atlas and Julian… Oh, Julian is Jude’s older brother, and he’s like a proper psychopath who’s obsessed with power. The three of them are, so if she approaches you with anything, just be careful, yeah? She’d sacrifice you to the devil to get where she wants to be.”
His lips curl in a wide grin.
“What are you smiling about? I’m dead serious.”
“I like that you’re worried about me.”
“Who?Moi?” I pretend to search my surroundings as heat rises to my neck.
He chuckles softly, but he doesn’t push it. “Serena and I have an agreement, but you’re right, she’s changing the terms. I know how to deal with it, though.”
“How?”
“Dad. I believe he’s the only one who can stop her from hurting Mom.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But I truly hate asking him for anything.”
I don’t like this internal struggle within the Osborns that Marcus is caught in the middle of. I don’t like it atall.
Serena is known to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to her. What if she decides Marcus isn’t an opportunity but a hindrance? Then what?
Then she’ll be visited by my nastiest demon, that’s what.
But as Kane says, that’s just reactionary and doesn’t help if she buries Marcus in the foundation of one of her family’s buildings.
What can I do to prevent that outcome?
Marcus is staring at me, his head tilted, and the look in his eyes makes me shiver.
“Why are you looking at me so intensely?” I ask in a low voice.
“I’m admiring you.”
Jesus.I can feel the heat spreading all over my face. I betternotbe blushing like a little bitch. “Haven’t you admired me enough?”
“No. Never.”
Well, fuck. Now, I’m sure I’mblushing. Jeez, when did he learn to be so charming?
Theasshole.
