Page 34 of Deception
“Oh, no. Danny was two husbands ago. I’m talking about Craig. He’s a son of a bitch, and I need the insurance money.”
Even though they haven’t talked in years, it hurts to know she’s been married twice since he last saw her. “You got married again?”
“Twice. It was going to be three times, but the guy before Craig died in his sleep. Heart attack.”
“And you never thought to reach out to me? You didn’t even want to let your son know?”
She waves a hand in the air. “You’ve been to all the others. I figured that after seven husbands, you wouldn’t really care anymore.”
Danny made husband number seven, which means Craig is lucky number nine. His mother really gets around, doesn’t she?
“I have to get home, so—”
“You owe me. Don’t you dare forget that,” Raena says and pokes him in the chest. A long, fake nail pops off as she jabs his chest. “Damn, these cheap press-on nails.”
“No—”
“I knew when I got knocked up with you that you were trash. Evil. Everyone told me to get rid of you, but I didn’t. Rather than have an abortion, I gave birth and raised you. No matter how terrible you were, I was there.”
You’ll never amount to anything.
You’re dirt. You hear me? Nothing but dirt.
No one will ever love you.
You’re not even a person. You’re a thing. A disgusting thing, and that’s why you can’t find your way. The world would be better off without you. God help us all if you ever decide to procreate.
The things you’ve done can never be forgiven. You’re sick.
It all comes rushing back, and Venom can’t help but feel worthless. “What are you thinking?”
“We’re staying at the hotel. It’s fucking expensive here, but I can get him out back. Just call the room when you’re there, andI’ll make up an excuse. You can take him out there. I’ve got drugs to make it look like a deal gone bad.”
Nodding, he climbs on his bike. “What room number?”
“Four-oh-three.”
“Got it.”
All excitement about coming home disappears as he drives to the house. His mind and his heart conflict with each other, and he reminds himself that his mother is the only family he has left. No matter how terrible of a human being she may be, he loves her. And he wants her to love him.
“You’re home!” Marnie calls when he walks in the front door.
She wears a robe and looks like she just got out of the shower as she smiles at him. If he hadn’t been stopped by his mother, he could have joined her.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have to go do something,” Venom says, his voice flat.
Walking towards him, she reaches up and cups his face. “What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing—”
“I thought we promised not to lie to each other anymore.”
He licks his lips, but he can’t meet her eyes. How does he tell her he’s about to kill a man he doesn’t even know for his mother to collect insurance money? “I have to do something for… my mom.”
Her hands drop, and she steps back like he’s about to bite her. “What do you have to do?”
