Page 48 of Venomous Games

“Yes. Maybe you should ask your husband what he does for the society,” Cressida says. I turn to look at her as she sits back and eyes me. Changing the subject, she asks, “What is it you do for work?”

“Freelancer. You?”

“Reporter.” She winks.

“They allow a reporter in here? Isn’t all this supposed to be a secret?”

“Oh, Cressida was sneaking in even before she was with Soren,” Cora says, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“What type of freelance work do you do?” Lilith asks.

The women seem friendly enough, I’ll give them that. But telling them what I do for work? I don’t trust them that much.

“I get hired to do jobs that others don’t want to do. It pays extremely well,” I reply.

“Interesting,” she says, nodding.

“The wedding. Tell us all about it,” Cora chirps. “Did you wear white? Lilith wore red.”

“That’s because during our first marriage, I wasn’t conscious for the ceremony,” Lilith explains.

“What do you mean?” I turn to her.

“One of the rules of the Forsaken is that wives are off-limits. So Reon married me without my knowledge to protect me. He knew I never wanted to be married again since my first husband cheated on me.”

Before I can utter another word, Arlo stops behind Cora’s chair. He sets his hand on her shoulder, then leans down and kisses her cheek. He has the beads wrapped around his hand, and she reaches up and touches them.

“Ladies, if you don’t mind, I may have to pull my wife away soon.” He glances at all of us and then locks eyes with me. “Maven, if you ever need to talk, ask Boston for my number.” I stare at him, confused.

“He’s a therapist. The best,” Lilith says.

“I don’t need a therapist, though it seems Boston does. So you should offer your services to him,” I say, to which he smirks, then kisses his wife’s cheek again before he tells me the offer is always there and walks away.

“He’s actually very good. One of the hardest in the country to get a booking with. But I guess since you’re married to Boston now, you’ll have access to things like that,” Lilith tells me. I turn and see him speaking with Boston, who looks back at me. Our eyes meet and hold for several beats before he looks away.

“Nice to meet you all. If my husband asks where I am, tell him in the bathroom,” I say to the women as I stand.

“Are you leaving?” Lilith asks. I’m not sure if I should tell her the truth. But she stands anyway. “I know the back way. Let me walk you out.” She winks.

“Lilith,” Cora warns.

“What? I always love a good chase,” she says with such enthusiasm that I don’t think she’s lying. “Let’s go. Don’t make eye contact with anyone, especially my husband.” I take her word for it, and we walk side by side through the middle of the floor until we reach a set of doors that appear to lead to the catering area. When she pushes one side open, I see waitstaff and chefs. She pulls me along, my heels clicking on the tiled floor, until we reach the back door. Pushing the door open, she gives me a serious look.

“It won’t take him long to find you,” she warns.

“That’s fine. I just need a few hours by myself.”

“I can tell. And, Maven?” I glance at her as I step outside. “Ask him about the hunt.” Then she closes the door.

The hunt?

Yes, I do wonder what that actually means.

TWENTY-SIX

BOSTON

“Members are on edge,” Soren says.