Page 116 of Sweet Venom

Then I heard him.

“Little fox…”

Azariel’s voice slithered through the garden, deep and teasing. The man had the kind of voice that promised both danger and ecstasy in the same breath. My body was on fire just by the sound of his voice. I didn’t even feel the cold from the rain.

“You think I won’t find you, baby?”

Baby.

He’s never called me that. It feels… possessive.

A grin curled across my lips.

Azariel loved the chase.

And so did I.

“I can hear your heartbeat. It sounds so beautiful. So mine,” he murmured, closer now. “It’s singing for me.”

So cocky…

My blood pulsed with adrenaline. The thrill of the hunt had me vibrating with energy. He wasn’t the only predator here—he just didn’t know yet.

“You like this, don’t you?” he said, almost to himself. “You’re enjoying the way the shadows kiss your pale skin. The way your pulse races when I get close.”

I didn’t move. I wanted him to work for it. But his words were driving me mad.

“I fucking love it too,” he continued, tone shifting into something molten. “You know how this ends, don’t you?”

I do. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.

I leaned slightly around the statue, just enough to see the shimmer of silver chains against his black shirt as he moved through the garden.

He was getting closer.

He looked beautiful and brutal.

And mine.

“Tick-tock, little fox,” he said, voice dripping with a dark promise. “The longer you make me wait, the rougher it’s going to be when I catch you.”

My smile deepened.

I hope so.

I slipped from behind the statue and darted silently across the garden path, heading toward the roses. Thorns scratched my gown.

His laughter followed. Low. Dangerous.

“I can smell you, baby.”

I stopped just beyond the statue of me as a siren and called back, voice sweet and taunting: “You’re now that great at this game, Little Prince.”

The air shifted.

I could feel him turn toward me.

“Run.” He growled.

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