Chapter 22 – VENOM
Chapter
Twenty-Two
VENOM
Considering the plane ride was Ivy’s first time flying, she did rather well for our trip from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Although the constant pressure of her fingers digging into my arm might suggest something different. It was amusing and rather enjoyable.
“Here, Evelyn picked this out for you,” I tell Ivy as I deposit the garment bag on the lounge chair in our hotel room.
“What do you think of it?”
“Don’t know. Haven't seen it.”
“She gave me this.” She holds up a bag of what I assume is makeup and hair products. “Hopefully, I can make myself look less beastly and fit among the wealthy,” she says with a smile but stares at the floor.
I grab her chin, making her meet my eyes.
“Darlin’, no matter what room you enter, you will never fit in.
Be proud of that. You will always stand out like the flame of a flickering candle in a dark room.
You are luminous,” I say as I stroke the freckles scattered on her cheek.
“Your glow could lure even the most resolute men to burn in your eternal flames.”
A tension-filled silence grows between us as our eyes lock. Her mouth slightly parts, but before she can speak, I walk away.
She gathers her things and walks to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. As she’s getting ready, I dress into my black-on-black suit and wait.
After nearly an hour, the bathroom door opens. I stand from the sofa and turn her way.
My gaze catches first on her bare leg, then travels upward along the curve of her thick thigh to the high slit in her emerald gown.
The fabric clings tight over her hips, lined with shimmering crystals that draw the eye to her slimmer waist. Sheer panels trace her sides before the dress widens again at her chest, cleavage spilling in a way that makes my mouth dry.
With her copper hair pinned up, her neck and shoulders are bare, exposed, vulnerable. I fight the urge to lean in and mark her beautiful flesh as mine.
I finally meet her tender eyes. Pieces of her hair frame her face in loose waves as the rest sits high in a bundle of flames. My breath hitches as I take her in, lost for a moment in her.
I step closer, drawn to her intoxicating allure. Her makeup is light enough that her freckles still show, a detail that makes my chest tighten. A flush of pink warms her cheeks, and the dark liner framing her eyes makes them blaze, tempting me to drop to my knees before her.
“My, my. So, the beast becomes a beauty. You are a sight to behold.”
With flushed cheeks, she whispers, “I can’t get the zipper completely up on the back though.”
“Allow me.” I move behind her, zipping the rest of her gown up. It’s lower cut in the back and strapless so some of her scars are still visible. I gently trace one with my finger.
She moves to step away, clearly uncomfortable as she fidgets with her hair and stares at the floor.
She meets my eyes but seems unable to form the words.
I pull her to me. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.” Moving to her back once more, I trace another thick scar with the back of my finger.
“Suffering can teach one so much. These are your story.” I press a kiss to one and a visible chill runs through her.
“Your scars are signs of resilience, and you shouldn’t ever feel ashamed of that, little beast. Just as the freckles on your face mark your beauty, so do these.
You’ve been through the fires of hell and yet still bloomed.
” I trace a few more and press another kiss to a scar before coming to stand in front of her again.
“Oh, and one more thing. You will wear these.” I pull out a set of serpent earrings, showing them to her.
Her face lights up. “They’re beautiful.”
I move to place them on her myself, brushing a finger along each ear.
“So, I really look alright then?”
“More than alright. Dare I say you look like a little viper, ready to sink your teeth into your prey. You are deadly, darlin’.” I press a gentle kiss to the inside of her wrist. She smiles wide as I release her. Taking a step back and raising my arms, I add, “Now, how do I look?”
“Absolutely venomous.” She smirks.
“Perfect,” I purr. “Let’s go to a ball.”
After passing through the valet, Ivy and I ascend the front steps of the Georgia mansion belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Beck, passing by glowing pumpkins, candles of various heights and burgundy and orange mums.
How kind of them to open their home to the public for this charity ball. Although, they should have been more careful about who they let in.
“There are a lot of people here,” Ivy says as we enter the grand ballroom that’s overly decorated to fit the Halloween theme.
“Yes.”
Ivy continues saying something, but my attention falls elsewhere as I scan the dimly lit room, looking for my target. “Venom?”
“What?” I ask, looking back at the beautiful woman by my side.
Her green lace mask embellished with tiny ruby and clear crystals covers the top half of her face.
The color of her mask matches her dress perfectly, making the golden rays in her green eyes stand out even more.
She holds up two glasses of wine that someone already came by with.
Perfect. I take the glass flute from her and swing back the liquid in one go.
“Are you alright? You’re acting a bit weird.”
“Me? Acting weird? When have I ever been normal?”
“True, but you just don’t seem like yourself right now. Is it all the people?”
I look back around the room, everyone wearing some sort of mask, but I’d still recognize who I’m here for. “Not quite enough. I think we’re missing some.”
One in particular.
“Right.”
Ivy signals a waiter passing by with a platter of something wrapped in bacon. She grabs two of them and the man hands her a napkin before continuing on. “Here,” she says, holding up the food by the toothpick stuck through it.
I take it from her, then bring it to her mouth. “Open.” She opens up for me while maintaining eye contact and once the snack is in her mouth, she brings her teeth together, and I slide away the toothpick and place it between my lips.
A woman walks past me, brushing my shoulder.
She looks back, powder blue eyes shining through her rabbit mask, and smiles at me.
Although I’m used to grasping the attention of women, this one seems different.
She’s not the blonde I’m looking for here, but something about the way she just looked at me, like she knew who I was, stirs a curiosity through me.
The mysterious woman keeps walking, the tops of her rabbit ears disappearing into the crowd.
I push away the urge to follow and find out who she is. I can’t let myself get distracted; she’s not the one I’m here for.
Looking back at Ivy, who is still curiously taking in the large room of people, I smile. “Let's get you another drink, darlin’.”
IVY
Glancing around the grand room, I take in the dark elegance.
I have to say, whoever did the decorating deserves an award.
Tall windows are draped in black and gold velvet, and dim chandeliers cast a mysterious, intimate glow.
Red and black candles flicker everywhere, their clove-and-apple scent mingling with other spices while shadows dance on the walls.
Pumpkins glow on the floor and tables, with tiny ones floating overhead like eerie lanterns.
Guests drift past in flowing gowns and tailored suits, each wearing a mask—animals, demons, or simple gilded designs. The anonymity of it all makes every passing glance feel like a silent appraisal, unsettling and electric.
To my left, a low fog seeps from a hidden machine, adding to the gothic haze.
When I look up, a man in a wolf mask is already watching me.
He gives a wolfish grin before disappearing into the crowd.
I brush off the chill and let my eyes wander over cobwebbed tables covered in lace, vases filled with dark crimson roses, and a masked live band playing a slow, haunting melody that completes the Halloween ball’s spell.
Across the room, I spot Venom. I watch him as he mingles with the colorful people around him.
Next to them, they blur as he stands out like a carved shadow.
The black-on-black suit sharpens his wide shoulders and narrows at the waist. Sharp and sleek.
His pale hair, slicked back, gleams against the darkness, and his snake mask covers half his face without dulling his beauty.
Even half-hidden, he radiates danger—the kind of temptation that ruins you while you crave it all the same. Heat blooms through me.
As I sip my red wine, his eyes lock on me. Even from a distance, they strip me bare, pinning me with my own truth. His gaze slides down my body and back up, a slow, deliberate stroke. When our eyes meet again, he smirks.
Fine. Since he likes games so much, let’s play.
I swallow back the rest of my wine, set the glass on a table then turn to the nearest man and strike up a conversation.
He could be handsome to some under his black raven mask, but truthfully, no one in this room compares to Venom.
Sweet and dangerous. There’s no doubt in my mind he could have any woman in this mansion and my god, even with their faces partially concealed, it’s clear there’s so many really beautiful women in here.
My stomach twists at the thought, then eases when I realize his eyes are still on me, and I like how that feels.
“Great event, huh?” I say to the man.
Gosh, I don’t even know how to make small talk. I feel awkward as hell right now, but I sneak a glance at Venom, who’s lost his smile and is looking very intently at me and my new friend.
“Great event for a great cause,” he says before letting his gaze linger too long on my chest.
“My name is Ivy.”
“John.” He holds out his hand.
I slip mine into his. “It’s nice to meet—” Before I can finish, someone grabs my wrist, pulling my hand away from John.
“Excuse us,” Venom says with a hint of annoyance as he pulls me away. I can’t help but start laughing all the way until he pulls me down a dark hall and pushes me against a door.
“Something funny, darlin’?”
“That really didn’t take long,” I say while giggling like a tipsy schoolgirl.
“You were purposely trying to make me jealous?”
I nod, staring at his black mask adorned with three snakes. “It worked. Rather quickly, I might add.”
“Let me make things very clear, little beast. Be careful with your childish games, because any man you allow to touch you tonight will end up dead before the evening ends. Understand?”
“No punishment for me?” I ask with a raise of my brow.
His eyes darken to that hungry hue again. “I didn’t say that now, did I?”
“Maybe I—” Another voice draws our attention. Venom goes rigid at the woman's voice reprimanding someone over broken glasses.
“You know what? Just get out of here. You’re fired,” the voice from around the corner says.
Venom, like a moth drawn to a flame, slowly walks toward the way we came, where the woman is. I round the corner and find him just standing there, staring at the woman’s back. When she turns around, I spot Venom’s hands clenching at his sides.
What is happening right now?
The older blonde, wearing a fox mask, saunters toward us before realizing we’re standing here.
“Oh, excuse me. I apologize if you had to hear that. Incompetence is everywhere.”
Venom doesn’t respond, but he slips off his mask while staring at the mysterious woman. Suddenly her expression changes from confusion to surprise. She pushes her mask up, eyes wide.
“Marcus? Is that you?”
I think Venom’s not going to respond again when he finally speaks.
“Mrs. Beck.”
“Oh, please. We don’t need formalities.” She waves her perfectly manicured hand in the air.
“Caroline,” he says flatly.
“That’s better. It’s truly you, isn’t it?” She takes a step back, looking him up and down, nearly salivating, then steps closer once again. “Well, you have certainly grown, Marcus. More handsome in every way.”
Why is that name familiar?
“Mmm. Wonderful charity event you’re hosting.”
“Helping young lost souls find their way is dear to my heart. I never forgot our time together, you know. I was glad I could help you. How long has it been since I last saw you? Must be well over ten years now. Perhaps we could reacquaint ourselves again, properly and privately. Find me later?”
Oh my god. This bitch. It’s her. The Caroline. The first woman to sexually assault him.
“Perhaps,” he says.
Perhaps?
What the fuck.
Caroline’s red lips form into a smile, and when she walks past Venom, she strokes a hand down his arm, and I nearly lose my motherfucking shit. I step to go after her when Venom grabs my arm, pulling me back against him.
“Now, now, beastie. None of that.”
“What? But why? Fuck that bitch!”
“Unfortunately, that’s been done.”
“Don’t make those kinds of jokes, Venom. This is fucked up. She’s fucked up. Did you know she was gonna be here? Is this why we came?”
“Yes. Now, keep your voice down and get back to the ballroom.”
“Please tell me you’re here to kill her?” I whisper.
“Now you approve?”
“She deserves it!”
“I do love your enthusiasm regarding murder, darlin’.”
“Her murder.”
“Go on now, entertain yourself. I need to take care of something long overdue.” Venom walks away from me; toward the direction Caroline went.
My heart slams so hard it feels ready to burst out of my chest.