Page 269 of Craving Venom

“I can explain,” I blurt.

“You can explain?” She looks at Zane who lifts his mug and takes a casual sip. “Explain what? That you’re in bed with him? With this—” She gestures to Zane. “Is this a kidnapping situation? Did he drug you? Blink twice if you need me to call the cops.”

“Tria!” I shout, cheeks burning.

She stares.

I throw the blanket tighter around my chest, as if that’ll undo everything. As if the bruises on my thighs, the hoodie clinging to my skin, and the scent of him all over me don’t scream louder than I ever could.

Zane clears his throat. “I think this is getting awkward.”

I glare at him. “You think?”

He shrugs. “She interrupted.”

“I wasn’t—” I start, then cut myself off, turning redder. “Nothing happened.”

Zane grins.

Tria blinks. “Are you serious right now?”

“I hate everyone in this room,” I groan, dragging the blanket higher.

Zane lifts his mug in mock salute. “She doesn’t hate me.”

“I do,” I snap.

“Then stop looking at me like you want to fuck me again,” he says, sipping.

I throw a glare so sharp it could decapitate. “Stop talking.”

Tria hasn’t moved.

She’s still frozen near the door and her eyes are darting from me to Zane to the bed, trying to decide whether to call for backup or set the whole dorm on fire.

“If you’re done, can you please go?” I peek at Tria from under the covers.

“No. No. I’m not done yet.”

“Please be done.”

She crosses her arms. “Do you want to know why I actually came up here?”

“I assumed it was to interrupt the worst moment of my life.”

“No. I came because you sent me a peace emoji.”

“…What?”

Tria steps forward. “A fucking peace emoji, Faith. One you never use. Who the hell are you ever at peace with?”

I poke my head out from under the sheet, frowning. “I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did.” She shoves her phone into my face. “See? Right here. You were texting me normal updates, ‘All good, don’t wait up,’ ‘Still with Sebastian,’ ‘I’m under his protection, I swear’ and then this.” She jabs at the screen. “That goddamn peace sign. You never use it. It freaked me out.”

I blink. “Tria. I didn’t send that.”

She goes quiet.

---