Sweet Venom (Crazy in Love #1)

by Kirsty-Anne Still

  “I’d break your heart a thousand times to save your life if I had to,” she admits, meeting my eyes with a teary gaze. “I know people won’t understand that, but I really would break your heart if it meant you got to see another day.”

  “You wouldn’t have survived any longer than you did with a broken heart,” I admonish, watching her face. “Or the guilt.”

  “I told myself it was okay to let you live your life,” she rebukes the facts. “The guilt was worth it for that fact alone.”

  “What changed?”

  Eden looks to her left, straight at Ashley as she dances with Frazer, evidently laughing at his bad jokes.

  “She did,” Eden states, but doesn’t look away. “I could’ve ended her a long time ago.”

  “Then, why didn’t you?” I ask, finally wanting an answer.

  She looks up at me, her eyes wide, her pupils dilating. “Because of you,” she admits, furrowing her brow. “Don’t you get it?” she asks, confusion smothering her. “I realized the night I saw you on the balcony that if I killed her as I had planned, then I would only hurt you.”

  It now makes sense to me. The blond that both stole my heart and broke it is now the one most willing to not hurt me any more than she already has.

  “I’ve hurt you enough for one lifetime,” she admits, solemnly.

  “You came back,” I tell her, trying to make her see sense.

  “And look where we ended up Lawson,” she starts, looking around. “We’re at yet another black masquerade, but this time because Liam is dead. The one guy that kept us both together while we were apart is gone, and there is no changin’ that. Had I not come home-”

  “My dad would’ve killed him anyway,” I state, cutting her off before she can finish that. “He told me not to go near Ashley. I was meant to just take her on jobs with me. I didn’t listen. I let myself think with my penis. That got us here … not you, not her, but for me.”

  She chews her lip before she shakes her head

  “He’s really gone, huh?” she asks, leaning her head against my chest.

  I breathe in the scent of her, stealing memories for myself.

  “Yeah,” I finally admit, my unwillingness ignited in my voice. “He’s really gone.”

  “I’d do anythin’ for it to be a lie,” she whispers, her grief showing more and more.

  I’m not the only one ripped apart by the loss of Liam. Eden is just as widely affected by the fact as I am. I remember how tender he was with her in that video. He handled her with care, yet was a force that wouldn’t relent. He advocated for me when she was against me seeing her. He was always the only one that had my back even when I didn’t think he did.

  “I wish it were too,” I agree, my fingers curling around her a little, holding onto her tighter. “But here we are … surrounded by people who probably know what happened to you and what happened to Liam but won’t ever say a word about it.”

  I feel Eden move; her hands move up my back, her head tilting upward, so her lips are against my ear. I say nothing, let her run this moment however she needs to.

  “Look around,” she whispers as we pull closer. “What’s on every table?” she asks, taking the lead for a moment to make sure I look around the room. “Do you see?”

  My breathing hitches for a moment as I take in the orchids dotted on all of the tables. I take back control and continue to look around at every surface. Somehow, she managed to give out death threats without anyone even so much as guessing.

  “I’ll rain down petals before I rain down hell,” she vows, a sweet seduction in her voice. “That still remains.”

  “But how?” I ask, pulling apart to look at her. “How did you manage it?”

  “A lot of things may have changed, Lawson, but there are some things that never will,” she tells me, grinning viciously at me. “I’m done holdin’ back. I’m done lettin’ my father’s death go unpunished. Especially now, I know that Langdon is behind it … and your father has to suffer, Lawson. Leo has to realize that when he chose to not to react to what happened that night didn’t mean no one else would.” I can see how passionate she is about this. “Our own tried to kill us … until our own did kill one of our own.”

  That’s the bottom line - our own tried to kill us … until our own did kill one of our own.

  That’s the very reason I declared war on New Orleans.

  “You said we could have some fun,” she says, her tone changing. She loses all elements of hurt and pain. “I say tonight is the first night we get to illicit even just a little bit of fear into people.”

  “Is that why you wanted the cyanide pills?” I ask her, knowing how her mind works. I watch a small smile grow on her lips.

  “You just have to pick who the victim is,” she tells me, all of her tender edges suddenly become jagged. “Who deserves to be number one?” she asks, looking around. “We can’t touch Langdon yet … that’s for sure.”

  “We need to find out who was there the night you were hurt,” I say, looking between the throngs of people, trying to catch Langdon’s men. “If Langdon was to do with it then his men were those that attacked you.”

  “I would’ve known them,” Eden argues, pulling that idea apart. “They wouldn’t have gotten me by surprise.” There’s a moment of silence; her brow twitches with thought and then she gasps.

  “What?”

  “Michael,” she utters just as he comes into my eye line, standing near Langdon like any good bodyguard. “He was at the bar I went to. He tried to get me to go into the alleyway out the back, make me forget about you. He followed me into the street, argued with me because I wouldn’t give into him.”

  “You think he had something to do with it?” I ask, unable to quell the anger raging.

  “When they cornered me, they said they’d been tryin’ to find me,” she tells me, her voice becoming heightened with agitation. “They wanted to do the hit behind the back of O’Reilly’s, Lawson. He was tryin’ to get me into position.”

  The music ends, and Eden pulls away. I can see she’s in turmoil relaying all of the events from that evening. How it was and how it could’ve been. I know she realizes that had she listened to Michael her father would’ve been alive, but she would’ve ended up hurt worse than she was.

  “Swap partners,” Frazer announces as he comes over. “One dance for one lady, another dance for the another.”

  He’s holding up his end of the bargain, but he’s stopping me from putting the pieces together. I oblige, unwilling to upset Ashley. I take her in my arms, watching as Frazer safely takes Eden.

  “You look troubled,” she states, her hand leaving mine to touch my face. “What’s going on?”

  “We think we might have worked out a bit more of what Langdon actually had planned for Eden and me,” I tell her, making sure she feels as much a part of this as any one of my men. “Looks like he used his cronies to lure her into an alleyway. They just forgot how hot-headed Eden is all of the time.”

  “I don’t understand,” she starts.

  “We only turn on our own when lessons are meant to be taught,” I tell her, keeping my voice lowered. “It’s to teach others that insubordination isn’t wanted.”

  “And yet you still disobey?” she asks, giving me a pointed look. “Seems a bit stupid.”

  “I always wanted to rebel, but Eden allowed me to finally take the jump,” I admit, not allowing myself to hold myself off to a girl who deserves to know. “She made me do so without fear of consequence. I guess our fathers let us do it to let us experiment. I don’t think they expected us to enjoy the freedom of the game so much.”

  “But your father didn’t order the hit on you two,” she remarks, trying to piece the pieces together.

  “No, and I don’t think he expected it,” I tell her, swallowing hard. “But Langdon Smith doesn’t appoint lessons; he only dishes out punishments … most are of the deadliest sort. He had two royal bloods’ wreaking havoc, and he didn’t know what to do with them
but end them.” I sigh, seeing how misguided we were. “We wouldn’t come back to The Firm; we were just loose cannons.”

  “So, why discipline you when he could just kill you,” she murmurs, showing her understanding. “Lawson?” she asks, softly, waiting for me to look at her. “I’ve not even seen your dark side yet, have I?” she questions, and I can see from the look on her face. “You’re holding back.”

  “It’s not that I’m holdin; back,” I tell her. “I just don’t trust myself. There are a lot of things I hated about myself back then. A lot I promised I’d never do again. This time I want to put more thought into it. This time I want to be prepared.”

  “So, meeting with Langdon … falling for me …” she starts rattling off things. “Eden.”

  “They all work in this so well,” I finalize, interrupting her. “Before I never used to put any thought into anythin’ I would do. This time I want to be less reckless. There are more lives at risk now.”

  “Boss,” Frazer breaks the moment. “I need you to keep an eye on Eden.”

  “Why?” Ashley asks, looking passed Frazer.

  “Leave them be, but Langdon wanted a dance with her.” He gives me a warning look, sensing my mood changing. “He said he meant no harm. I thought it would help if she showed a little willin’ … Eden agreed.” I can see how anxious he is about this, but I can see how he was trying to help. “I’m going to make sure Harrison and Nate are near,” he finishes, waiting on my head nod.

  After I give it and he scurries away, I turn my attention to Ashley.

  “Always remember, you have to dance with the devil to get anything’ you want in this life,” I disclose and resume my hold on her. “I know you’ve been thrown into this lifestyle, but you’re doing a good job at being in it.”

  “Anything for you,” she says, holding onto me tighter.

  I kiss her forehead, and as I pull Ashley close, I make sure I’m watching Eden in the arms of a man she despises. We dance, and my eyes don’t fall away from the pair of them. I can only imagine what sort of chaos Eden is looking at the man that scarred her for life.

  “You can’t take your eyes off her,” Ashley comments without moving her head from my chest.

  “It’s because she’s dancin’ with him.” I look down at her, smiling apologetically when she finally looks up. “Sorry.”

  “I don’t understand how The Firm really works,” she admits, a natural blush builds on her cheeks. “She’s dancing with the guy who’s ultimate game was to kill you both.”

  “Not everythin’ always makes sense,” I tell her. “Like how we’re here at a memorial for Liam when his killer stands and watches over it all.” I look over at my father at the top of the stairs. He notices me and gives me a curt nod of his head. “Everyone knows my father killed Liam … but not one of them will condemn him for it.”

  “Which is where you come in,” she says, her hands moving upwards to sit on my shoulder blades. “I think I understand you a little more now, Lawson.”

  “How’s that, Princess?” I ask, growing curious.

  “You’re like a vigilante,” she starts, a mirthful tone to her voice. “Your morals are right because your heart begs for it to be that way … you know how your father runs the game isn’t completely honest and right. What you and Eden did was to free yourself from his ties even if it wasn’t done with good ethics.”

  “There weren’t any ethics,” I tell her.

  “But there are now,” she says. “You want to make this city beg for forgiveness to make right the wrongs you’ve had to overlook,” she tells me, a sense of pride lifts her words. “You said you weren’t a hero, but I think you’re wrong.”

  “I’m no hero,” I grumble, unwilling to wear that title. “Not with all the bad things I’ve done.”

  “Well,” she starts, reaching up to straighten my bowtie. “I’ve not seen anything that calls for any other title. You’ve done everything you should so far. You’re noble, loyal … all mannerisms you’d find in a hero in any story.”

  “Because like you said, I’m holdin’ back,” I tell her, smirking devilishly at her.

  My eyes are torn from Ashley’s as Langdon’s hand slips onto Eden’s ass and I watch her withhold her ire at what he’s doing to her. He leans in, and Eden croons her neck away, fighting for him to leave her be as he whispers something into her ear.

  “You sick fuck,” I hear her hiss across the short distance and hit Langdon square in the chest.

  “I can’t do this,” I say, pulling away from Ashley. “I can’t watch this happen anymore.”

  Leaving Ashley alone, I bolt across the small distance, my body heating up with the rage consuming every inch of my being.

  “Hey, Langdon!” I call out, uncaring of who will turn to watch this.

  The moment he looks, letting Eden go a little, I ball my fist. When I’m close enough, I pull my arm back, and I land a firm punch square against his jaw and watch as he falls to the floor. I put my arm out, catching Eden and draw her into my side.

  “I guess you enjoy all forms of torture, huh?” I ask, leering down at him. “Wasn’t good enough you wanted her scarred for life, but now you have to make her dance with you when you know exactly what you did to her!”

  “Ah, so the golden girl told you,” he asks, nursing his jaw as he lays on the floor. He chuckles. “Of course, she did.”

  “What else did you expect?” I ask him. I don’t even back down as his men come over and pick him up off the floor. “The truth was always going to come out. Nothin’ ever stays hidden in The Firm.”

  “I suppose not,” he says, grinning at me. While he might show kindness, his eyes scream with the anger he’s reeling with. “I’ll let you get away with this because of Liam,” Langdon starts, pulling down on the arms of his jacket. “Count yourself lucky.”

  “Count yourself lucky all I did was one punch,” I announce, unable to stop myself.

  “Was that a threat?” Langdon asks me, snickering. “After our business meeting the other night, Lawson, I thought we were finally gettin’ somewhere. Clearly, I was wrong about you.”

  “Maybe you were,” I tell him, allowing him to get incensed by the thought of me defying him. “But know that I am loyal as fuck to those who deserve it. Right now, I’m not quite sure why The Firm bows at your feet.”

  “Because I am The Firm!” he roars, coming up close, so his face is inches away from mine. He heaves on solid breaths, his skin reddening from the vessels under his skin heating up. “You’d be good to realize that without my family, and without me The Firm would collapse.”

  “No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I believe that without men like my father and Joseph Roberts The Firm would collapse. Without men who give a damn this firm is nothin’.”

  Langdon howls in my face with laughter, looking back at his men who join in. I know I shouldn’t vouch for my dad after what he did, but I can’t deny that he had more of a hand in The Firm than Langdon ever did. It wasn’t until recently that Langdon even wanted to be in the foreground of The Firm his family built. He was a coward until what he did to Eden and her father.

  “He gave a damn so much he took your beloved Liam,” he mocks, pushing me. “He gave a damn so much he couldn’t stop Eden from becomin’ a real monster and her father from dying. He really gives a damn.”

  “Least he doesn’t set out to maim the ones we’re meant to protect,” I say, wanting to grab Eden and protect her. “He may have killed Liam, but that doesn’t forgive for the things you did.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” Langdon says, looking around as embarrassment overwhelms his entire persona. “As I said … I’ll forgive you for this because of Liam, but any other transgression and your head’s mine.”

  “Fine,” I say, all but shaking on that ultimatum.

  Langdon leaves and takes that as my cue to do the same. I turn to my left to find Ashley gone, turn to my right and find Eden gone too. Frazer nods his head, telling m
e she went in that direction. I go in search of her, finding her standing at one of the tables, away from the crowd. It’s only as I get closer that I notice the white pot in her hand, rolling it around in her palm while she nurses a glass of champagne.

  “Eden,” I say, advancing toward her. “Eden.”

  “Michael,” she utters nothing else.

  “What?” I ask, coming to stand opposite her.

  “Michael,” she states, looking at me, a slow grin meets her eyes. “He should be the first.”

  I’ve seen the defiance burn many times in her eyes, but not like this. She looks completely solid on her choice of victim.

  “What did he say to you?” I ask her, wondering what made her settle on Langdon’s top guard.

  Pulling her lip into a straight line, she downs a large gulp of champagne. “He said he watches the recordin’ of them throwin’ acid on me repetitively.” She looks at me, while tears form, she doesn’t look grief-stricken by the idea. “He especially loves the part where I wailed for you and my father. I didn’t know they recorded it.” Turning, Eden pops a cyanide pill onto her hand and drops it into the champagne. “I’m done playin’ nice when they’re all so ready to use everything against us.”

  It fizzes, swirling around caught in the bubbles racing around the glass.

  “How do we know this will work?”

  “We don’t,” she remarks, looking over at him. “But I’m sure it’ll be fun either way.”

  “What are you two playing at?” Ashley asks coming over, looking flustered. “You’re hard to keep up with.”

  “We’re sorting things,” I say.

  Eden turns back to face the party with two glasses of champagne. “You need to take these up to the table where Langdon’s men are … you’re after Michael … he has a tiger tattoo on his neck.”

  “Why me?” she asks, looking horrified as she stares at me.

  “Because you’re currently fair game,” Eden strikes, pursing her lips. “If I go near Michael, he’ll smell us out right away … now if you go over, fresh meat, he’ll lap it up.”

  Ashley doesn’t look pleased by the nickname, so I jump in. Taking the champagne from Eden, I hand them to her.