Page 65 of Craving Venom

Mark frowns. “Dr. Do-Gooder?”

I give him a pointed look.

Realization dawns. His eyes widen, and then he lets out a low laugh. “Wait. That therapist Faith?”

“Wanna-be psychologist,” I correct.

He looks at me the way someone might if I’d just announced I was running for president. “You’re talking to her?”

“Yep.”

Mark shakes his head. “That’s not even remotely fucking believable. What the hell do you two even talk about? Therapy? Your feelings?”

I snort. “You think I’d waste my time on that shit?”

“Then what?”

I glance at him. “Hypothetical murder, mostly.”

“How the fuck are you even going to pull this off?”

I give him a flat look.

He blinks, then huffs a laugh, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Right. You’re a Valehart.”

“My last name had nothing to do with this.”

Mark raises a brow. “Then what are you doing?”

“You know Kyle?”

Mark scoffs. “The guard?” He shakes his head, a disgusted look crossing his face. “Yeah, I know that power-tripping asshole. He thinks wearing a badge makes him untouchable, but I swear to fucking God, he’s two seconds away from catching a beatdown.”

“Yeah, well, I cut a deal with him.”

“What kind of deal?”

“The kind where he sneaks me out of here for a few hours.”

Silence.

“No fucking way. You’re shitting me.”

I don’t respond, just meet his gaze and wait for the realization to hit.

It does.

His face drops. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious.”

“That’s the dumbest fucking idea I’ve ever heard. And I’ve heard a lot of dumb shit in my time, but this? This takes the goddamn cake.”

“Didn’t ask for your approval,” I chuckle.

“You didn’t need to, dumbass. I’m giving it anyway.” He starts pacing, muttering to himself before looking back at me. “Zane, this is fucking insane. You think people aren’t going to call your bluff? You’re in prison. People don’t just walk out for a joyride.”

I roll my shoulders. “Have you ever heard the story of the lost keys?”

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