Page 154 of Sweet Venom

He smiles.

Freely, just for me.

In that moment, I know that with him beside me, nothing can hurt me. Nothing can kill me.

Nothing.

Except losing him.

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

THE ONE THAT’S MINE

Azariel

“Even if it ends in ruin, I’ll still choose you in every lifetime.” — P

The cool night air brushed against my skin as I stood in the shadows, watching the streetlights flicker and the dim glow of the city beyond. The soft hum of the phone in my hand was the only thing that broke the silence. My mother’s voice came through, hard but gentle too.

“My sun,” she began, a soft smile on her face. “I’m so proud of you.”

I leaned back against the cold brick of the alley wall, listening to her words. The tension in my chest tightened, not from her question but from the weight of everything else. The anger that had been simmering in me for days since the attack on Poe, the worry for her, the frustration that I couldn’t make it all go away… It was all too much.

“For what, Mom?” I asked, my voice low.

“For finally seeing your worth. My beautiful boy you let love in…”

I didn’t respond immediately, her words lingering in the air. I loved Poe in ways I couldn’t fully express. But happiness? That seemed frightening. I’ve lived my life pushing her away because I was too afraid of hurting her like I hurt so many people before her. I was afraid that the darkness in me would hurt her but I know now that both me and my darkness would give everything up for her.

Before I could respond, I saw movement in the alley across the street—a man walking with a careless gait, oblivious to the watchful eyes on him. The same man. The one who had put his hands on Poe. I felt the familiar fury surge within me, cold and sharp.

My breath caught, and I didn’t even let my mother finish whatever she was saying before I ended the call with a quick click of the button. She wouldn’t understand, not now, and right now, I didn’t have the luxury to explain myself.

I slipped my phone into my pocket and moved quickly, silently, the darkness a perfect cloak. My body became a shadow, slipping through the alley with practiced ease. The man had no idea he was being followed, no idea that the monster who had caused Poe so much pain was now walking directly into his fate.

I tracked him for several blocks, my anger growing with every step he took, the image of Poe’s frightened eyes flashing in my mind. How dare he? How dare he lay a finger on her?

I didn’t wait for him to reach a secluded spot. I struck swiftly. Stepping out of the shadows, I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the cold, unforgiving brick of the nearest building. His eyes went wide with shock, and he tried to fight, to flail, but I was too quick. A single punch to the gut took the wind from him, and another to the jaw left him dazed, his legs buckling under the force.

I watched him crumble to the ground, unconscious before he could even understand what had happened. The fury was still there, smoldering beneath the surface, but I knew I needed to move quickly.

I grabbed him by the arms, dragging his limp body to the back of my car. I didn’t care if anyone saw me—I wasn’t trying to hide. This was justice, and the man had a debt to pay.

Once I had him securely in the trunk, I climbed into the driver’s seat and sped off into the night, my mind focused on the next step. I wasn’t going to let him get away. Not now, not ever. He had made a grave mistake, and I was going to make sure he understood that.

The drive was long, the headlights of my car cutting through the darkness as I made my way to one of my abandoned buildings on the outskirts of the city. The isolation of the place suited my purposes—no one would hear the screams, no one would ask questions.

I pulled into the parking lot of the old warehouse, the broken windows and rusted doors only adding to the grim atmosphere of the place. I slammed the car into park and climbed out, walking around to the trunk where the man was still unconscious.

I hauled him out of the car with ease, his body limp in my arms. His head lolled to the side, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before he woke up. When he did, he’d regret everything.

I dragged him inside, through the empty, echoing hallways, and finally into a small, dimly lit room at the back. I shoved him into a chair and tied him down, ensuring there was no way he could escape. When he regained consciousness, I would be there, waiting.

I stood over him, watching as his eyelids fluttered, his body jerking slightly as he stirred. The moment he opened his eyesand saw me standing there, all he would feel would be fear. Because this time, there was no escape for him.

Not when it came to Poe. Not when it came to anyone who dared to hurt her.

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