Page 9 of Sweet Venom

“All right, enough of that mushy stuff,” he said with a wink. “Call me every day, okay? Text me throughout your day. I don’t care if it’s just to tell me you had a coffee or that you miss me.”

“I will, I promise. And you better text me, too, or I’ll come find you.”

He chuckled. “I will. Don’t stress and take good care of yourself, baby. Remember—your mother and I are only a phone call away.”

“I know, Dad,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. “Thanks… for everything.”

He pulled me into one last hug before heading for the door. But as he opened it, he noticed something.

A bouquet of roses lies on the floor.

He bent down, picked them up, and raised an eyebrow. “Is there something I need to know?”

I frowned. Who would send me roses? How would they even know I was in the city?

“Maybe it’s Kaisen?” I murmured, confused. “But he doesn’t know my address…”

He handed them to me. We both noticed—no letter. No card. No name.

Nothing.

His phone buzzed again. Urgent. I could tell it was about Cassian. I urged him to go.

“Love you, baby,” he said, stepping out. “I’ll make sure I have access to the building’s cameras. That way, I know you’re safe.”

“Okay, Dad.” I didn’t love being monitored, but if it gave him peace of mind, I could deal with it.

He nodded and walked out with one last look. The door closed softly behind him.

Silence settled in.

It was just me now.

I glanced down at the roses. They were such a deep red, they almost looked soaked in blood. But something else caught my eye—a thin blue string tangled among the stems, winding through the thorns like a secret.

A chill crept down my spine.

I didn’t know it then, but I wasn’t alone.

Not in this apartment.

Not in this city.

A heartless prince had always been there…watching.

Just like he always had.

Chapter

Two

THE HEART THAT BURNS COLD

Azariel

“I’d rather be called heartless than fall for the lie that love is all we need. Bullshit.” –A

Months ago

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