Page 79 of Venomous Games

“Do not kill him, Boston. The hunt will continue. Don’t make me put your wife in it in his place.”

I tense at Soren’s words, turning my head to see him staring at me.

“If you put her in as prey, I’ll go and pay your fucking wife a visit. How do you like the sound of that?” Boston shoots back. The air feels like it’s being sucked from the forest at his threat. Everyone goes completely silent. I guess no one really talks to Soren that way. Least of all about his wife.

He takes a deep breath and pins Boston with a hard look.

“I have always respected you, Boston, but like Rolland here so clearly displays, you are replaceable.”

Boston barks out a cruel sounding laugh. “I’m not replaceable, but you know who is?” He lifts his gun and points it at Soren. “You! So don’t threaten my wife again.”

“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.