Page 236 of Tempting Venom
I might have asked her to remove it like a dick, which she does hesitantly.
A gust of air makes my hair fly back as I flip it and rotate the mechanism that holds the plate at the back until it opens.
As the two plates lay side by side, it confirms my suspicion. Inside, there’s a crescent moon and a sun, matching the symbol on my ring.
I trace the initials carved next to the symbol. W.J.A.
That old man?“Jesus fucking Christ. What the fuck is this?”
“I don’t know,” Violet whispers from her seated position next to me, her body trembling. “This is the first time I’ve seen that. I…didn’t even know it could be opened.”
“This explains a lot of shit.” I stare at her. I’ve always thought she looked familiar, and really, it’s in her eyes. They’re the identical shade of blue as Grandpa’s and Dad’s heterochromatic blue-green eyes.
I was thinking she might be Dad’s illegitimate daughter, but that would be so out of character for him. He’d never be so sloppy as to spawn kids outside of marriage.
I know because Lilith tried her best to trap him with a child during the years they were dating, but none of her attempts succeeded. Miley was born exactly a year and a half after their marriage.
Grandpa, however, has always loved getting his dick wet, and he’s not as careful as Dad.
There’s a reason why the Armstrong empire thrived more under Dad’s rule instead of Grandpa’s. Robots do it better.
The family needs to know about this. Maybe Dad will be proud of me for once in his life if I tell him the news.
Wishful thinking, I know.
I stand up, gripping the bracelet in my hand. “I have to go.”
“Wait.” Violet stands, too, and Detroit follows, frowning at me.
“I’ll give it back later,” I say. “If I can.”
“It’s not that.” Violet slides in front of me. “Is that symbol common? If it’s really valuable, maybe Mom stole it…”
“She would’ve never been able to steal my grandfather’s bracelet. So that means he willingly gave it to her.”
“G-grandfather?”
“Yes, Winston James Armstrong. This belonged to him at some point and has his initials. My father and uncle have similar ones. They’re usually offered by the father to his offspring, so I’m supposed to get one after graduating. Grandpa said he lost his a long time ago, but that doesn’t seem to be the case?—”
“Vi, watch out!” Dahlia’s scream echoes around us as the loud revving of an engine follows.
I see it first. There’s a man on a motorcycle, dressed in black and wearing a matching helmet.
There are actually two of them, but I’m staring at the first guy.
Because for a moment, a fraction of a second, I ignore the gun he’s pointing at us.
For a moment, I believe it’s Marcus.
He came for me?
If he forgives me this time, I won’t be a prick again. I mean, knowing me, that’s kind of a reach, but I’ll try.
Seriously this time.
Of course, I’m fucking delusional, because the guy on the bike is about to shoot Violet.
Not sure how or why it happens.
