Page 137 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Which is why she makes me bristle every time I see her interact with Beau. Brushing him and his unfettered and unwarranted devotion off.
Beau is a brother to me—the man has literally saved mine and Gideon’s lives more times than I can count. Just as Gideon and I have for him.
Beau is by far the most charming of the three of us—kind, considerate, generous, funny. Not to mention the prettiest. Fucker looks like he stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad.
When I first met him, I hated him out of jealousy because who the fuck has the audacity to be so charming, happy-go-lucky, and genuinely optimistic?
But he earned my loyalty by being the most supportive and selfless human being I’ve ever met, next to Gideon—who isn’t half as charming. If you were to describe me as a character from pop culture, I’m pretty sure it would be something along thelines of the Grinch or Oscar the Grouch. Gideon is easily Aragon—calm, reserved, stoic. Beau, on the other hand, is fucking Rainbow Brite—if Rainbow Brite carried a sniper rifle and had a country-as-fuck accent.
And for some reason,Gertrudethinks she’s too damn good for him.
I wear a thin mask to cover my disdain for her, if only to avoid pissing Beau off.
“Woman, this man’s been celibate for you for nearly three goddamn years when he could be with any woman he wants?—”
I pause, cutting myself off from admitting the fact that before her, Beau has pretty much already hadeverygirl he could ever want; had a different woman warming his bed every damn night until Gertie arrived.
“So, yeah, I’d say it can change a man. Though why he still fucking bothers with you is beyond me.”
Beau gives me a look that can only be described as annoyance, as he shakes his head at me, his large hand landing on my shoulder, squeezing. “As much as I appreciate the sentiment, if you don’t tone it the fuck down, you won’t be leaving here without a black eye and a busted lip, brother.”
I grunt.
“And an apology to the lady would be nice.”
I frown.
Goddamn it.
Gertie rolls her eyes in a scoff. “Don’t bother.”
Beau curls his arm around her shoulder to prevent her from walking off.Heaving a sigh, I muster patience. My gaze remains locked with Beau’s. The apology is for him. Not her.Shedeserved every word. And a lot fucking more. He knows it.
“Sorry.”
A corner of his mouth tilts. He knows he won’t get anything more from me. When he releases my shoulder, my gaze finallyfalls on Gertie, and the sad expression on her face gives me the tiniest pang of guilt. I’d expected her to hurl a few snarky insults at me, like she usually does. Instead, she looks like I just took the wind right out of her high-falootin’ sails.
Gertie nods in acceptance, looking towards Beau. “He’s right, Beau. I don’t know why you put yourself through this.”
Beau’s eyes slide briefly to mine, all good humor evaporating. What stands in its place is a hint of the monster within, peeking its slumbering eyes open to look directly at me.
I stare back.
I said I was sorry.
Beau redirects his focus to Gertie. “Gertie, I’d spend the rest of my life celibate if it meant I could spend it with you.”
Gertie snorts. “Yeah, okay.”
His brows leap. “You think I’m joking?”
She shakes her head. “There’s no way.”
Beau smirks. “I didn’t say I’d be happy about it. I’d spend every damn day trying to persuade you otherwise, but if Ihadto... then there’s no fucking question.”
Gertie’s face scrunches up with emotion—a smile and a frown. Her eyes begin to glisten. Beau wraps a strand of her hair around his finger?—
Annnnd this is where I make my exit.
