Page 61 of Making Choices

I’ll fight him to the death to keep her for myself if she ever indicates she wants me.

Which is why I have to take my feelings for her to the grave.

As stealthy as a drunk with a cowbell around their neck, Bear and Joker close the door to Venom’s room, then they try to sneak into mine. Aware of their presence, Venom cups Honey’s tit. My rage spikes at the sight while my heart rejoices. He’s crossed a line I never thought he would.

If Cherub ever found out…

In the same moment as I allow myself to dream about an alternative future, I’m reminded that this was my scheme. My plot. My tactic. I’m entirely responsible for any heartbreak that Cherub will feel if this situation ever becomes public knowledge.

I love Venom like a brother, yet I set him up to fail her.

We banter back and forth as we try to sell this scene to the two interlopers.

I don’t know what we say, but it’s clear neither of our hearts are in it.

So, we both bite back sighs of relief when Bear chuckles. “Didn’t think you had it in you, Venom. Guess that’s a bet I’m happy to lose.”

As quickly as our reprieve sets in, it dies.

Joker has a spring in his step as he strolls over to the bed and quips. “Think I’ve got enough photos to prove you lost that grand, fair and square.” He angles his phone toward Venom. “This’s only collateral. The pics won’t go any further as long as you vote with us when Brutus takes his plan to church.”

“Why the fuck would I do that?”

My best friend’s voice is filled with outrage. I freeze above Honey, tightening my grip on her mouth after she tries to whine to alert Bear and Joker to our ruse. Thankfully, they don’t realise what she’s trying to do since Joker decides to compound his taunts with a follow up remark that has my rage surging to the forefront.

“You’ll do it to save little Cherub from the embarrassment of knowin’ you couldn’t last longer than two weeks before you fell back into your old ways. A girl like that, carryin’ the damage she does, won’t cope with feelin’ like her pussy is interchangeable. Fuck, man, she might even start slicin’ herself up again.”

How the fuck does he know about Cherub’s cutting?

Venom’s on his feet in the next instance, and after smashing the phone, he voices the same question that’s bouncing around my head. “How do you know about Lily’s cuttin’?”

I know the second that our scheme backfires.

Joker’s eyes widen.

Honey tries to roll onto her side.

Bear takes off at a sprint.

While Venom gets into it with Joker, I seize hold of Honey’s throat. Pinching the sides of her windpipe, I keep her flat against the mattress while she struggles to free herself. I’m relentless, determined to put the bitch to sleep, so we have one less problem to deal with for the foreseeable future. Once she’s comatose, I tap Venom on the shoulder.

“I hate to interrupt this little tête-à-tête, but Bear’s disappeared.”

My statement makes Venom whirl around. He takes in the other occupants in the room, then takes two strides as if he’s going to chase Bear down. The rumble of Harley pipes in the near distance tells us both it’s already too late.

“Guess he’s decided to skip the drama.” After pulling on my jeans, I sling Honey over my shoulder. “Try not to put a bullet in him before I get back. We need answers, and he’s the only one we’re gonna get ’em outta tonight.”

The Shamrocks have a concrete bunker beneath the laundry that we call the freezer. I carry Honey down the stairs into it, stopping only to secure her left wrist to the railing that’s fixed to the ceiling. Stretched out with her toes barely scraping the floor, she quickly regains consciousness.

“Cover yourself up,” I command when she starts thrashing to free herself. The blanket I toss at her hits her in the face, but she awkwardly catches it. “It gets cold down here.”

“You can’t leave me here.”

Shaking my head, I sneer, “I can and I will.”

“Slash! Slash!” Honey shouts after me.

I ignore her.

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