Page 60 of Sweet Venom

I looked forward to it.

“Where are you taking me?”I asked, running my fingers through Prince’s soft fur like he’s some kind of emotional support demon. Which, honestly, he kind of was. I needed his dark, unbothered energy right now to survive whatever hell Azariel had planned.

“You’ll see.”

“That’s not a real answer,” I shoot back, narrowing my eyes at him.

“That’s the only one you’ll get.”

Of course. Why did I think he’ll give more?

“You know you’re hard to swallow.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Are you losing your insulting touch?”

“Never,” I said with full offense.

“Good.”

Good?

My eyebrows tried to climb into my hairline. I stared at the back of his head, like maybe if I focused hard enough, I’ll develop telekinetic powers and launch one of my boots at his face. I didn’t, unfortunately. I swear, this man was like an unsolvable puzzle. But not one of those fun ones with satisfying clicks and a finished pretty picture at the end. No. He was one of those puzzles with a thousand identical gray pieces, missing instructions, and probably cursed.

We didn’t say much else as Azariel led me through the empty, silent streets, I followed like a shadow chasing a darker one. His strides were long and fast, and I could barely keep up.

Not that I’m sure I wanted to. I mean, survival instinct says, “slow down and rethink your life choices,” but here I was, speed-walking with my cat in arms behind a man who looked like he could kill someone with just his cheekbones.

I still didn’t know why I’d said yes. Why I’d grabbed my cat, stuffed my laptop in a bag, and walked out the door with him.

We walked for what felt like forever. My boots echoed against the pavement while I tried to push down the growing weight in my chest. The further we went, the more I realized I had no idea where we were going. And worse—I was trusting a man I despise on good days.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a tall, black gate with no signs, no numbers—nothing.

Azariel didn’t even hesitate. He pulled out a sleek black card and swiped it through a hidden slot. The gate creaked open without a sound. Now the feeling of maybe this wasn’t a goodidea sinks in as I watch the gate open wide inviting us to enter whatever waits for us inside.

“Where are we?” I asked, trying to sound more confident than I felt. My voice cracked somewhere between panic and curiosity.

He didn’t answer right away. Just kept walking.

“I know you heard me!” I said, exasperated now.

“Patience,” he said over his shoulder, his voice soft and smooth like he was enjoying this far more than he should. A total contrast to how he was acting before. He seemed almost… eager.

I decided against further questioning and instead, quietly shared my location with my cousins. Not my parents—they ask questions. My cousins would just text me a clown emoji, mock me and keep it pushing

We followed a narrow path lined with trees that looked like they came straight out of a horror movie. All tall and twisted, their branches curled like fingers waiting to grab you if you get too close. It felt like we had stepped into a different world, one where it was just us

Then, we rounded a corner and everything stopped.

A jet.

But not just any jet. This one looked like it had been carved from the night itself—sleek, massive, and completely matte black, like something from a James Bond movie. It gave off a quiet kind of power, the kind that didn’t need to brag because it already owned the room. It looked expensive. Dangerous. Like it didn’t just fly through the clouds—it hunted. It gave off an Azariel vibe. Same elegant yet murderous energy as his ridiculously hot blue car.

I stopped breathing. For a second, I thought I was dreaming all of this. My aunt has a similar one. It’s kind of cute that both mother and son have matching jets.

“Is this…” I started, eyes wide, words caught somewhere between awe and disbelief. I knew Azariel was rich— like filthy rich enough that his kids’ grandkids wouldn’t have to ever worry about money but this confirms it.Wow. Pride swelled in my chest because from a kid who had nothing but his anger now he’s a man who might as well own the world. I knew deep down in my heart that he would do great things.

Azariel turned to me, his eyes calm, unreadable. “Yes,” he said, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “My jet. Come on.”

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