Page 165 of Sweet Venom

Enzo broke the silence with a rough laugh. “You’re your parents’ child, Azariel. I fucking like that about you. You didn’t think that we would make this easy for you, did you?”

No.

I just didn’t think it would be this obnoxious to have to deal with Poe’s uncle.

Valentino gave a curt nod, his gaze steely. “How far are you willing to go for my child?”

I stood there for a moment longer, the tension thick in the room. I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. My message had been made clear. And if they thought they could stop me, they were in for a rude awakening.

“I’m never letting her go, and I’m not backing down,” I said, my voice unwavering. “So, make your choice.”

I could feel the weight of Valentino’s stare, his gaze sharp and piercing, as he took a step closer. He crossed his tattooed arms, his expression hard, eyes never leaving mine. The tension in the air thickened, and I knew he wasn’t done with me just yet.

“Why should I trust you with my daughter’s heart?” His voice was low, controlled, but there was a quiet threat hidden in the way he asked. “What makes you think you’re worthy of it?”

I didn’t blink. I didn’t flinch. I looked him dead in the eye, my voice unwavering. “No one has ever and will ever love another person the way I love your daughter,” I said, my words clear and absolute. “I would sacrifice the entire world if only that made her smile. I know I’m fucking broken but she puts me back together every fucking time. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe and happy. Nothing— even dealing with you two. That’s why.”

Valentino didn’t say anything immediately. His bearded jaw tightened, his blue eyes narrowing as he processed what I just said. For a long moment, he didn’t speak, his silence thick with unspoken thoughts.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked toward an empty desk. He grabbed a worn, leather-bound book from the top of the pile. It looked old, the pages slightly yellowed, the black cover scratched and bent.

Valentino didn’t look at me as he handed it over, just extended it in my direction with one slow, deliberate movement. “This is the first book she has written. She wrote this when she was a teenager who thought the world of you even when you treated her like she wasn’t worthy of your time,” he growled like a father offended on his daughter’s behalf.

Fuck.

I looked down at the book, guilt consuming me even when I tried hard to right my wrongs.

“You hurt my little witch,” he said, his voice low but filled with quiet menace, “I promise that’s the last thing you’ll ever do.”

The threat hung in the air, but there was something else in his eyes— a sadness that meant that a father was letting go of his little girl.

With a nod, I took the book from his hand, my fingers brushing against the worn leather, feeling Poe’s heart beneath my touch. I didn’t say anything in response, I didn’t need to. My promise to love his daughter was already made, and I intended to keep it until the day I die and even then I’ll still keep it.

So yeah, more words were not needed.

I said everything I needed to say.

There was only one last thing I needed before I headed back to Poe.

I turned to Enzo, who was still watching the exchange with amusement and wariness in his eyes. “I will ask you to tattoo me now.” I said, my voice flat.

He blinked, clearly surprised by the sudden shift in mood. His eyes flickered to his twin, who stood there with his arms still crossed, looking bored. Enzo’s grin stretched wider, like a psych ward patient who’d just been handed a new killing toy. “Well, well…” he said, letting out a low, amused laugh. “You really are full of surprises tonight, huh, boy? Where do you want it?”

Without hesitation, I lifted my left hand and extended my ring finger, the one I haven’t inked yet. I wanted her name inked there. It was a gesture that meant something in my world, and I wanted it on me forever.

She was already inked into my soul, so it only felt right to have her inked on my skin too.

Enzo’s grin faltered for just a second, his eyes flicking to his brother to make sure it was okay with him— but there was a gleam in them that almost looked like pride.

Valentino, however, had a different reaction. I saw his eyes darken, his lips pressing into a thin line. He shook his head slowly, his gaze sweeping over me like he was deciding whether or not he should step in. His voice was quiet, almost resigned. “You won’t give up, will you?” he asked, his tone edged with that same warning from before. He knew, just as I did, that I wasn’t going to give up on the dream of making his daughter my wife. Getting her name inked on my ring finger wasn’t just a statement— it was a claim, a vow, a way to make my love for her permanent.

I didn’t answer him.

The look in my eyes was enough.

The silence stretched and the air between us felt thick with tension, like the calm before a disastrous storm. Enzo glanced between me and Valentino, still grinning like a psycho.

But then he stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves, ready to start.

---