Page 79 of Going Home

"And you just get to make this decision? You get to play God?"

Throwing her hands up in the air, she lets out a deep breath and shakes. "You think this is what I wanted? To be in charge of something that gives my brother true validity to hate me even more than he already does for simply existing on this planet? Yeah, that's been my fucking dream. If you really think I want to kill your wife and force my niece to bury her mother, you really have no idea who I am."

"You can change your mind right now, and we can have a few more months with her. But you won't. That's playing God, bitch."

"This isn't about you!" Lex screams. "This is what Lane wants. She made the decision when she was of sound mind, and how the hell was I supposed to say no? I don't want this. I don't want any of this, but I have to do what she wants. This isn't about you, and it isn't about me. It's about her. So, no matter how pissed you are at me, I made a promise to her. I gave her my word, and that may not mean shit to you, but it does to me."

"You're a fucking bitch!" Zane shouts. "I hate you. I wish you'd never been born! Your mother should have swallowed you before walking in front of a fucking bus! That cheating whore got to live happily ever after when my mother didn't, and you're just a product ofmyfather's poor judgement."

Ky's fist connects with Zane's jaw, and Venom wishes he'd been the one in front of the man rather than the one holding him back. "Don't you ever talk to Lex like that."

"Fuck you, Ky. Just because you want a shot to fuck her now that your wife got smart and left your ass doesn't give you the right to get involved in family business."

Another fist hits him, and Venom releases him, letting him fall to the ground as Ky hovers over him. "That girl is like my sister. I've been more of a brother to her than you've ever been, and she's done more for me and the rest of us than you ever will. She's doing you a favor, and I swear, I'll knock out every one of your fucking teeth if I hear you talking to her like that again. I don't give a shit if it's your wedding day or not. Go find your wife or your daughter and stay the hell away from Lex."

"Considering you were shit brother to your own sister, I can see how Lex would seem like a good option. She's good at taking a beating."

"I guess it takes a shitty brother to know one, huh?"

"Just because you're wearing my father's patch doesn't mean you can tell me shit, you second-rate wannabe."

Venom's finally had enough, and he grabs Zane by his leather, lifts him up, and slams him onto the hood of Cinder's car. "We haven't officially met, so let me introduce myself. I'm the new resident crazy."

"I'm supposed to be scared of the pseudo-Psycho?"

"Imagine what he'd do to you if he heard what I just did. Got that image in your head? Good. Now, I want you to imagine that scenario, only three times worse. That's what I'll do you if I ever hear you talk about her that way again. Got it?"

He snorts, and Venom slams him back on the car, making sure his head bounces. "What the fuck, dude?"

"One last thing. Youeverraise a fist to her again, I'll cut your fucking hand off. I don't give a fuck if you touch her or not. Your hand's gone, motherfucker. Hope you can drive your bike with a hook."

Zane's eyes widen with actual fear, and Venom just smiles at him.Yeah, you better be scared, asshole.

"You're gonna regret this," he says, pushing Venom back and off the car.

"No, we won't," Ky says. "Go to your wife."

He stumbles inside, and Venom turns to Lex who wraps her arms around her waist and crouches down. "Lex, I know we promised—"

"Don't, Venom. It's okay. Thank you," she says with a shake in her voice.

"What he said isn't true," Ky says, bending down to cup her face. "You know that, right?"

Tears fall as she looks at him, and it breaks Venom's heart. "No matter how much I think I've healed from my childhood, Zane knows just the words to say that rip the scabs off before they have a chance to scar. I wish I'd told Lane no when she asked me. I think she overestimated just how strong I am."

"No, she didn't," Venom says. He reaches out for her hand, and she takes it, letting him guide her to stand. "You're the strongest person in this place. And I for one am fucking glad you're here. I think a lot of us are. Don't let that motherfucker break you. He's not worth it."

"I just want my brother to love me," she admits, more tears appearing as she looks into Venom's eyes. "It's just really hard to accept that it'll never happen. I love Lane, and I'll do anything for my family, but I really wish I'd never taken that call. This might be the one thing that finally shatters me."

Pulling her into his arms, Venom nods towards the clubhouse for Ky to get Colt. "No, it won't. I won't let it. Neither will any other man in that room."

"Snake might," she says, her arms holding him tightly.

"Yeah, fuck that motherfucker."

Colt runs outside with Ky, and Venom releases her to hand her to her husband. "What happened? I was talking with Jennings in the office."

"Zane," Ky says through clenched teeth. "Said some pretty fucked-up shit to her. I've heard him say a lot, but this was some of the worst."

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