Sweet Venom (Crazy in Love #1)

by Kirsty-Anne Still

  As I read, I can’t help but smirk. I wondered how long it would take for the pills to get out of her system and leave Eden a mess. She’s been addicted to Vicodin for such a long time that her dependency is going to prove a killer.

  Which upsets me really.

  I wanted to end her life, but apparently, it’d be more fun to watch her tortured by the withdrawal of her own sinful cravings. Shame. She is living proof of what your sins will do to you. Every inch of her – mind, body and soul – is scarred with living proof you never get paid for working for the devil.

  I’ve seen Lawson has markings too, watched his soul torment itself.

  I’m yet to see what all my sins will make of me.

  Hearing him shift, my eyes go back to watching Lawson.

  I can’t lie to myself; Lawson has been my favorite.

  Out of them all, I won’t forget him in a hurry – or the life he’s allowed me to enter into. He presented me with an underworld in which I could start to become a little crazy in without picking up detection from anyone.

  Obviously, that’s now changing and all because of Eden.

  If she won his heart over and ended me, then what would become of my fortune?

  Tilting my head, so it’s leaning against the back of the armchair, I wonder how easy it will to exact this new plan of mine. I know Langdon Smith is a very protected man, but that never stopped me before.

  I know for now my only plan can be Lawson – he has to be my main focus.

  “Shit,” he groans, clamping his eyes shut moments later. “How much did I drink?”

  “Nearly two bottles,” I state, remaining where I am. “Neat.”

  “Fuck,” he moans, taking a pillow and pushing to his face.

  In his defense, I helped, and the first bottle was already opened. I call it small mercies, but he doesn’t see it like that. So, I move, getting up to cross the room to lower the blinds and pull the curtains shut to allow the room to black out. I then walk over to him, perching gently onto the edge of the couch and reach for the cushion. He’s reluctant at first, but show’s trust as he lets me take it.

  “I got you some Advil ready,” I tell him, giving him a small smile. “And some water.”

  Leaning away, I grab both and bring them over to him. He pushes himself up, begrudgingly, and takes the pills from me first. Tossing them into his mouth, he then takes the drink washing them down with the glass.

  “Thanks,” he says as I take the glass back. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  I smirk, the term seeming quite comical seeing as Eden’s slowly falling apart at my will.

  “I mean it,” he says, taking my hands once I put the glass on the coffee table and turn back to him. “I don’t know what I’d have done had you not been here.”

  “Drank three bottles?” I quip, trying to win him over with sarcasm. He releases a half-hearted laugh. “Maybe four.”

  “Probably four,” he replies, a slight elevation in his voice. “I didn’t have a savior like you before. I had my dad. Yeah, he gave me a purpose again after Eden, but somethin’ was always missin’. With you here, I don’t feel like that.”

  “A piece of you will always be missing because of her,” I tell him,” I say, applying an understanding tone. “You can’t lie about that. I just cushion the blow this time around.”

  He looks up at the ceiling, squinting his eyes. “Maybe you’re right,” he agrees, then looks at me. “But she’s finished me, now. I stupidly let her back in without even a second of real thought. How foolish was I?”

  “Not foolish per se,” I start, pursing my lips thoughtfully. “Just … how shall we say? You were just a man in love.”

  “Obviously with the wrong woman,” he gripes, shaking his head with his disappointment. “I can’t believe I thought she was just like me. We never ran from anything.”

  “She had a lot of demons,” I state, watching him nod. “Sometimes you can’t save someone from everything.”

  “I always wanted to,” he says, his tone rough with his desolation. “But I never could.”

  “Ever thought you just hadn’t met the right woman?” I ask, letting my head fall sideways as my eyes drop to his hand. “Maybe you just chased the wrong girl to give your heart to.”

  “I think you’re right,” he says sitting up, matching my posture. “I was just too blind to see that.”

  “And now?” I ask, deliberately biting my lip.

  This is make or break – for him, for me, for us.

  “Now?” he asks, I nod. “Well, now, I think it’s time I gave my chance to discover who you are to me.”

  He kisses me, tenderly and greedily all at once. It’s like he can’t survive without me. His hands cradle my face, warm and hard as they frame me, not letting me go. Every emotion I had burning through is forgotten. They had so much color, so much clarity, but now they’re nothing but misshapen blurs swirling around us. When he eventually pulls away, it’s only to place his forehead against mine.

  “Thank you for savin’ me last night,” he tells me, leaving the taste of liquor on my lips.

  “Not needed,” I tell him, sitting up. “Now … go and brush your teeth,” I say, giggling as I push him away. “I’m going to make you breakfast.”

  He gives me a goofy grin, and for a moment my entire plans seem so non-existent compared to him.

  “Now she’s gone, I feel like we can finally do this,” he says, taking my hand. “And when I’m done … I’m done.”

  Doesn’t mean I will be.

  As I get out of the car, I look up at the warehouse, and I can’t help the smile that takes control.

  Everything’s so still here.

  It’s pure bliss.

  Sighing, knowing the silence will soon end, I walk toward the entrance of the warehouse, now aware that Tony must have moved the SUV inside like I ordered. I know he’s too good to me, willing to sleep in an SUV in an abandoned warehouse to watch a girl like Eden.

  Slipping into the large space, I walk around the parked SUV and find Tony leaning against the side, watching Eden with a scrutinizing gaze. When he hears movement, he looks around, relieved to see it’s me. Tony is my most obedient helpers. He’s also the ugliest with a large scar down his face and a thuggish aura to him.

  I guess he would have the most luck intimidating Eden.

  “How’s she been?” I ask, looking over at Eden as she lays balled up on the cold floor.

  “Boring,” Tony remarks, looking back at her. “She’s withdrawing from something. She’s spent half the night throwing up.”

  “Yeah, she’s hooked on downing Vicodin,” I state, looking across at Eden. “But don’t worry … I’ve got it handled.” I smile at him. “I’ll get James to swap with you … I don’t know how long this will take,” I say, taking in the appreciation he has for me as I grant mercy. “Until I can get him here, drive my car inside … I don’t want to draw any attention.” I toss the keys at him, and he leaves my side. I take a moment to narrow my gaze onto Eden. “Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!” I cheer, advancing toward her.

  There’s no movement. None that I can see until I’m close enough to see that even though Eden is curled up in the spot where I left her, she is shivering hard. Glee fills me at her suffering, and I stand mere feet away from her, hands on hips, waiting for her to move.

  She doesn’t.

  She doesn’t even look like she’s noticed me.

  “What?” I start to say, walking closer. “No hello this fine, beautiful morning?” She still doesn’t reply so I decide to up the ante. “I can’t lie, Leo did me a favor with Liam,” I sneer, waiting for her to react. “He was never a fan of me. He always thought something was off … he’d be a real issue if Leo didn't land that bullet between his eyes that’s for sure.”

  Even that didn’t get her to react, so I decide to move her myself. I go closer, using my toe to get her to roll over.

  “Jesus, look at you!” I declare as she falls onto her back. She groans, but h
er arms remain curled around her waist. “I guess you want these?” I ask, shaking her orange pot at her. “Tony’s had them all night,” I torture her with the lie.

  She looks at the pot and flares her nostrils. Slowly, she starts to move, halting when she’s on her hands and knees, and I listen to her mumble something about wanting the pills.

  Shame. I wasn’t here to hand them over to her.

  “I wish I’d just confiscated these earlier,” I say, shaking them only to watch her greed take over. I was hoping she’d lunge at me, but she doesn’t – disappointingly. “Would’ve made life so much easier.”

  She concedes quickly, giving in to the fact I’m not here to grant her any ounce of kindness.

  “Nice gash,” she heaves, finally looking up at me. “What story did you spin to Lawson for that one?”

  “I told him the truth!” I exclaim, crouching down before her. “I told him how you hit me around the head in a little frenzy. I, also, told him how I fought to stop you leaving, Eden, but you were so hellbent on leaving.” I tilt my head, taking in the woman that was once a threat. “He read the letter,” I tell her and I see her eyes light up. I laugh as I realize it’s from hope. “He tore it to pieces.”

  And just like that, the light goes.

  “Did you really think he’d read that and pin it to the fridge?” I ask, mockingly. “That he’d look at it and realize that you love him? You gave him your goodbye!” I laugh, watching my ridicule bully her weakened state. “He isn’t even looking at where it is you could’ve possibly run to.”

  “Good,” she murmurs, her defeatist attitude not letting me believe she believes that one four letter word. “That’s how I wanted it.”

  “But it’s not,” I reply, catching her out on her lie. “We both know that you wished he’d read between the lines and sense something was wrong.” She looks at me, trying to keep a bravado. “You were hoping he’d save you this time.”

  She struggles with words and emotions. She doesn’t know whether to cry or deny the truth, but it’s clear that to do one would mean the other would quickly follow.

  I decide to grant her one more mercy – I change the conversation.

  I spent so long being sickly sweet and innocent, but now I can fall into the girl I love being. I can be harsh and cruel and not feel any remorse. Love blinded me, momentarily, but Eden was the wake-up call I needed.

  “Now … let me break it down to you,” I start, rubbing my hands together. “With you gone, I can focus on Lawson. I’ll make him see that I can pick up the pieces and be strong and bold. I’ll be everything you never were.” I keep an even tone, a straighter face, while inside I’m enjoying every shard I push through her dying heart. “He’ll love me … because he’ll need me. I know it’ll be a rebound, but I can deal with that if it means I get to be closer to him.” I watch her eyes glaze over heavily, the tears unable to be kept at bay. “I’ll sleep in his bed at night, and I’ll keep him loved. I’ll fill that void in him.”

  “Only to kill him,” she deadpans, her voice dry. “You’re going to have to fool more than just him for the entire time.”

  “The worry on their faces last night when they saw me tells me that shouldn’t be too much of a worry,” I grin, remembering how they rallied around me. “They’ll forget about you very quickly.” I snicker thinking of Harrison, Frazer and Nate paired against men like Tony. “Plus … I have my own guys; they’ll help me pick them off one at a time.”

  I get no verbal reaction and only have a split second to step back as she vomits. From the mess on the floor around her, I can tell she’s been doing that all night.

  “Such a hot little mess!” I chide, walking around her.

  Eden curls up, groaning no less against the excruciating pain she must be living through. I did a quick little Google search last night while Lawson slept. The pain alone will make her either want the biggest high or the sharpest blade. That paired with nausea, the vomiting, the anxiety is only going to make her more hostile the longer the drugs wean from her system.

  “Please,” Eden breathes, trying to forget about her agony. “Kill me.” She looks up at me, her eyes – while tired – are doleful. “You said you’d grant me mercy.”

  “A girl can change her mind,” I grouse, deliberately standing over her. “I didn’t realize how much fun I’d get out of your suffering.” I can’t help the laughter that just falls from me at watching Eden become this pathetic. “But I’m willing to strike a deal.”

  Popping the lid, allowing it to hit the floor, I take a pill out of the pot, throwing the pot aside, discarding of the remaining pills.

  “No!” Eden screams, watching all of her pills scatter around the room. She crawls for one, but the chain goes taut, giving her the only freedom it’ll allow. “No! No! NO!”

  “Here … I kept you one on purpose,” I say, standing in front of her, cutting her off from all the other pills. Crouching down once more, I hold the lone pill up to her. “You take this,” I start to tell her. “And then I owe you no mercies.” I start to hold it out, seeing how the pill has caught her undivided attention. “Choice is entirely yours, Eden … you take the pill, and I don’t grant you an easy death.” Her eyes widen with greedy hope and then die with the enormity of that option. “Or …” I start, watching her red and dilated blue eyes look at me with eagerness. “You don’t take the pill, and I’ll kill you outright … right now.”

  She reaches for the pill, no hesitation.

  “I knew a part of you wouldn’t refuse the pill,” I say, giving it to her. “Because a part of you believes you’re still worth saving.”

  She gasps a hand against her dirtied mouth, soiled from blood and dirt and fresh vomit. As her hand falls, the little white pill now gone I know she will find extremely little relief in that one tablet, but she took it hoping for a miracle.

  Her eyes close, thankful for that one tiny piece of solace.

  I strike, catching her in the midst of waiting for ease. “I’m glad you took that pill.”

  “Why?” she squawks, gulping hard, swallowing the pill.

  “I decided on a new plan,” I tell her and watching as fear grasps its sharp talons into her. I go to her, happy she’s too weak to get away from me and I grab her by the face. “Don’t worry my deal with you still stands,” I start to say, holding her face in a strong grip. “But I’ll make sure you and he don’t live a single moment on this earth without the other. Regardless that you’re apart … the moment you die, he does, too.”

  I watch the turmoil ravage her eyes as she looks at me.

  She knew my end goal was always to kill Lawson, but now I’ve bound them both so tightly together, and that’s my greatest gift to myself – watching a girl with a broken heart, fear for a guy who’s one with her.

  She would do everything to save his life.

  While he would do absolutely nothing to try and save hers.

  “I’ll give you that one promise,” I say, squeezing her face tighter. “The moment Tony drops a text to say you’ve died from going cold turkey, I’ll end Lawson. How’s that sound?” I ask and toss her aside.

  She hits the ground, unable to protect herself from the fall.

  “See … I do have a heart!” I declare, all too happily. “To be honest, Lawson always did annoy me with his hot and cold behavior. I didn’t understand it at first … but then I met you.” I narrow my gaze on her, hoping she gets every inch of my hatred. “You were the reason he never got close to me like those before him. You were the reason he was on guard and closed off.” I throw my hands up in the air. “And then just as I start to break him and start to wheedle my way into his life, you turn up and ruin everything!”

  “You should’ve done your research better,” Eden snarls, albeit weakly.

  “Oh, Sweetie!” I start to say, enjoying myself now. “I did do my research … but not on Lawson. He just happened. I had to rush to get my intel on him.” I indulge in her shock. “You see that night Bryce was going to sell
me was a total blindsight,” I tell her, pacing as I pretend to tell her all. “I had no idea he was planning that and nor did the few people who work with me. Then I saw Lawson kill him and all the plans I had carefully plotted were gone. Lawson was the first one to impress me.” I sigh, remembering that night all too well. “And, admittedly, scare me.”

  When I woke up in that car, I did panic. I was suddenly with strangers, unaware where we were going, and then I got a closer look at Lawson. My heart did skip a beat for him, and I let it because, for the first time, I was a sinner to my own deals.

  “Lawson was an unseen avenue,” I merely state, allowing her to have the insight. “And I wanted him to believe so much in me and give me a chance. I will admit playing the innocent act is tiring at the best of times, but for him, it seemed right.”

  “I already called you delusional,” Eden murmurs, her arms curling around her waist again. “Now, I firmly believe it.”

  “Why?” I ask, my tone almost bitterly sweet. “Because I outsmart you?”

  “No,” she remarks. “Because you’re taking on The Firm.”

  “Honey, all I’ve seen is a lot of men running their mouths and you throwing out threats.”

  “Don’t second-guess them,” she tries to tell me. “Leo doesn’t like to show all of his skills in one hit. He’s cunnin’ like that. That’s how Lawson was taught. They keep everythin’ hidden … it’s all veiled behind business suits and fuckin’ Hennessy addictions.”

  “Why do you think I’ll believe even a single second of what you have to say?” I ask, pitying her attempts.

  “Because I know The Firm,” she grouses, meeting my gaze with a sudden darkness in her. “They’re taught to be inconspicuous. It’s how they’ve survived for so long without trouble.” She heaves, clearly as another hit of nausea washes over her. “They keep a low-profile and help corrupt cops stay in power. It’s a shady business. You’ve not witnessed it yet.”

  “I know enough to know I can survive by Lawson’s side a little more,” I tell her, keeping a stern hold on my voice. “Plus I’ve picked up more in my short life than you’d ever pick up in yours. You allow people to get the better of you. I allow people to get the better of themselves.” I give her a wink. “Now, be good,” I start, standing up straighter. “And don’t give my new guy as hard a time as you have Tony.”