Page 51 of Venomous Games

“Marcus was talking about it on the phone that night. What is it?”

“Food first. Then we can talk.”

“Do you plan to kidnap me?”

“Only if you make it necessary.”

He walks around the car and opens the passenger door for me, and I get in. Once he settles back behind the wheel, he starts the engine and then pulls away from the curb.

We pass a few cafés, and I say nothing. That is, until he drives into a parking lot and parks right in the middle of it. Behind us is a large building, and in front of us is a river. The very same river I was looking out over not that long ago.

“This is not a café,” I deadpan.

He unbuckles his seat belt, then turns to me. “You cannot kill any more Forsaken members; do you understand?”

“What?”

“Everyone you met tonight is a part of a secret society.”

“Including you?” I ask.

“Yes, including me. Tell me you understand.”

“Why can’t I kill them?”

He huffs in frustration, then takes a deep breath, eyes closed, as if he’s gathering himself. His eyes open, and he locks them on me. “Do not kill any more members.”

“Why are we married?” I ask. “You tell me why we’re married, and I’ll answer you.”

He groans. “It was either marry you or kill you. Would you prefer I’d taken the other option? Because right now I’m contemplating it.”

“Why would you have to kill me?”

“Because what you did carries a sentence of death, not just by my rules, but the Forsaken’s as well.”

“You could have just let me go. And if someone worked it out⁠—”

“If someone worked it out, trust me, a prison cell is not where you would end up.”

“Where would I end up?”

“Dead! As I said, you killed two members of the Forsaken Society, that I’m aware of at least.”

“I never confirmed two. You only know of one for certain.” I grin.

“Dynamite,” he grumbles.

“Fine, two,” I say with an eye roll.

“Thank you. Now, if the Forsaken had found out what you did, they would have done worse and then killed you.”

I lean in close to him. So close that I hear his intake of breath. “Want to know something interesting about me?” I ask, not waiting for an answer before I share, “I’m harder to kill than most.”

“I’m aware. I know about all your training. How skilled you are.”

“Thank you.” I preen.

“The Forsaken wants to hire you,” he tells me.