Page 45 of Venomous Games

“I’m Cressida, by the way.”

“Hi.” I nod to her.

“You have amazing hair. Is it hard to maintain?” she asks.

Boston’s hand drops from my back, and he walks off with Soren, leaving me standing with a woman I don’t fucking know.

I suck with people.

“Yes, it is.” I glance around, looking for the nearest bathroom. “I’ll be back.” I turn and leave her there. A part of me wants to run away, while the other knows that would be stupid. So I walk calmly to the bathroom, pull out a lip gloss, and apply it. I force a smile at my reflection before I go out to find Boston.

I spot him standing with a group of men. Men don’t intimidate me, so I walk straight over. They stop talking as soon as they see me. Boston steps back and puts his arm around my waist.

“Married,” one says.

“Lucky, right?” I say, and I know I’m laying it on thick as I lean up and kiss my husband on the cheek. I give them a little wave before I say to Boston, “Just going to get a drink.” I feel him watching me as I saunter away. And this time, I don’t move to another part of the room, I actually leave.

Take that, asshole.

TWENTY-FOUR

BOSTON

“Think she’s doing a runner,” Reon says with a chuckle.

My cheek starts tingling, and I wipe at the spot where she kissed me, coming away with a sticky residue. Sniffing it, I can smell the peppermint.

Turning from the group without saying a word, I go straight after her. Just as she flags down a cab, I slide my arm around her waist and pick her up.

“What are you⁠—”

Carrying her back to the entrance, I place her down but keep my arm around her. She smirks at me, as if she thinks she won this round.

“Peppermint?” I growl.

“I was hoping you were more allergic than you let on,” she says with an eye roll.

“No, you can’t get rid of your husband that easily. It would take a lot more than a kiss to the cheek to stop me from going after you.” I press her against the wall. Her hands are at her sides, and my hands are on her waist. Her lips shine with what I can only assume is a peppermint gloss. Being this close to her, I can smell it.

Lifting my arm, I wipe her lips with the back of my sleeve, smudging her makeup in the process. Though even with that, she’s still the most beautiful woman here.

“Now, play nice and come meet the wives. You’ll like at least one of them, I’m sure. She’s as crazy as you are.”

“I’m not crazy,” she says proudly as I drop my hold on her and step back.

“Yes, you are,” I inform her. “Crazed little killer.”

“And you want to share a bed with me,” she says, and rolls her eyes.

“Not want. I will be. Now, let’s go.” I take her hand and tow her back inside, and Lilith is the first person we run into. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t like me. Or anyone other than her husband for that matter.

Her attention locks on Maven where she stands behind me. “Are you being held against your will? If you are, I’ll stab him in the eyes, and you hit him between the legs,” Lilith says, her gaze slicing to me, then back to Maven.

“Is this the crazy wife you said I’d like?” Maven asks, and Lilith flashes me a glare.

“Yes.” I don’t bother lying. They both have their own brands of crazy.

“I’m Maven.” Maven holds out her hand to Lilith, and Reon’s wife takes it, shaking it before she turns to me.