Page 24 of Making Choices

Nothing’s changed on Cherub’s behalf.

It’s all on me.

I’m thinking about things I shouldn’t.

Things that’ll get me shot if I act on them.

“You smell nice,” she murmurs a little while later. I stop staring at the screen with unseeing eyes to look down at her. “Is it new?”

“You smell like Venom,” I reply without thinking.

“I know… I like to wear his cologne when he’s not around. Makes me feel safe.”

Like a dagger straight to the chest, her honesty makes my errant heart bleed. My arms tighten around her to the point where she notices and glances up at me with confusion in her eyes. I scan her beautiful but battered face for any signs that she’s wavering in her devotion to Venom, even though I know I won’t find them.

They simply don’t exist.

“I’ve gotta get back to the hospital.”

My lie must ring true since she doesn’t call me on it as she climbs off my lap and helps me back to my feet. “Sure. I should help with dinner preparations anyhow.”

Cherub leads the way out of the den. I feel like a lost puppy as I trail behind her. When she stops outside the kitchen doors and smiles at me, I keep walking without saying goodbye. All the way through the dining room, I can feel her surprised gaze hot on the back of my head.

My gut clenches with regret.

I continue putting one foot in front of the other.

She doesn’t say anything, yet I’m drowning in the urge to explain my behaviour anyway. To lay my cards on the table and let the chips fall where they may. That compulsion chases me all the way to the hospital where I run into Bebe Du Bois and her blatantly hungry gaze as she’s leaving Fret’s room.

“I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon.”

“It’s my job.”

“You’ll be here overnight?” When I nod, she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and peers up at me with carnal promise in her eyes. “I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but so am I.”

“Maybe we’ll run into each other.”

Her porcelain skin flushes. “Maybe.”

As she walks away from me with a provocative swing in her hips, I ponder my options.

Sleeping with the good doctor could be the perfect way to get my head back on straight.

It might also backfire.

I owe her a job for which she’s promised me a marker.

Mixing business with pleasure is dangerous.

Even so, it’s still safer than loving your best friend’s girl.

6

LILY

“I’m not sure if you know, but Toker’s my cousin,” I inform Delia as the gravel path crunches beneath our shoes. After pressing in the security code, I yank open the door to the gun range, and beckon her inside. “He’s a bit of a loose cannon. He’s also the best person to teach you to shoot.”

“He’s the big, blond guy who hangs around with Venom and Slash,” she offers. I nod, then bite back a smile when she adds. “The funny one.”

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