Page 68 of Venomous Desires

A sleek black car sat parked in the driveway. And beside it, another white one I’d seen earlier.

Kyle opened the passenger door.

“Inside,” he said.

I hesitated, scanning the dark road like there might be an escape waiting for me somewhere. There wasn’t. My fingers tightened around my bag, but I slid into the seat anyway. Kyle got in beside me and started the engine.

The mansion disappeared behind us as the car pulled into the night. I adjusted my glasses, hands unsteady, trying to slow my breathing.

Maybe I should’ve learned to fight. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so helpless sitting here.

Kyle kept watching me.

I had no proof it was Judas, and it didn’t feel like I needed one. The man was cruel, and it wouldn’t be a surprise. It was written on his face, hidden behind his cruel smile, his piercing eyes.

I loved to torment myself. And he successfully had.

And it was the last time, it had to be the last time, because I didn’t know… how’d I face him next time.Screw the money, screw the contract.

“You shouldn’t have seen that,” Kyle said suddenly, and I paused in my back-and-forth motion. I slowly looked at him and swallowed hard.

“See what?” I muttered. “Him having sex or him covered in blood?”

I watched as his eyes darkened, but he didn’t look at me. I didn’t know what it was supposed to do. He sighed and made my skin crawl.

“Both.” He took a sharp turn, his eyes focused on the road.

My heart pounded in my chest, every instinct screaming at me to run, but I was trapped. I had stumbled into something far bigger and more dangerous than I could have ever imagined.

“I didn’t mean to,” I stammered. “I just... I didn’t know.”

My flesh shivered as his lips curled into a cold, humourless smile. “Ignorance is bliss, Ms. Rosewood.”

It was. But now I felt like crossing the line I couldn’t uncross.

He reached into his jacket, and for a split second, I thought he was going for a gun or something. Instead, he pulled out a small phone. His fingers moved swiftly over the screen, sending a text message.

I swallowed hard, averting my eyes to the familiar streets. It was the road to my dorm. And I didn’t know how to feel about that. Too easy, like I said.

“Here’s some advice for you,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

I glanced at him warily, bracing myself for whatever twisted wisdom he was about to impart. His eyes glinted with a cold, knowing light. “Keep your head down and your eyes open,” he continued. “You never know what you might stumble upon in the dark. People are deceiving.”

I nodded.

My throat suddenly felt dry, and I cleared.

A movement happened in my periphery, and Kyle bent down and retrieved a bottle of water from the compartment, throwing it at me. I barely caught it as it hit my nose, and tears formed in my eyes.

I eyed the bottle and twisted the bottle, uncapped it, and greedily gulped the water like a thirsty boar.

Taking deep breaths, I closed the cap and mumbled. “Thank you.”

The car suddenly pulled to a stop, and Kyle opened the door, gesturing for me to step out. I stumbled out of the car, my legs barely able to support me. We were in front of my dorm.

He bobbed his head at the building. “Hope to see you again, Ms. Rosewood.”

I clenched my fists and turned around, looking around, hoping to catch sight of the stalker for the first time. I wished I’d see him. I wanted to believe it wasn’t Judas.