Beautiful Venom: A Dark Hockey Romance (Vipers Book 1)

Kane has made good on his promise.

He hasn’t looked at me since he ended things a little over a week ago.

Not even once.

Not even when I made sure I was in his field of vision during practice and the head doctor’s checkups and briefings.

So I matched his energy.

Kane who? I don’t even like the asshole.

If he’s going to give me the cold shoulder and erase me as if I never existed, he’ll receive the same treatment.

But I’ve been finding myself becoming irrationally angry lately, especially since Isabella came back into the picture.

I thought she’d spend the rest of the year hiding after Kane somehow made her disappear, but apparently, I was wrong.

Not only has she started showing up at the arena, using her brother as a pretext, but she also rubs herself all over Kane any chance she gets.

And he lets her.

So you know what? I’m going to make him regret it like I promised.

It’s not even about him being my way in anymore. It’s about my pride. I won’t allow that dick to walk all over me and get away with it.

I’m not someone he can simply use and then discard as if I lack any form of human emotion.

Besides, I’ve been following the Gavin, Ryder, and Hunter lead. And while I still haven’t been able to obtain Hunter’s DNA, I’ve gotten close to Ryder. Mainly because I helped him with a strain in his shoulder.

He now frequently stops to say good morning, oftentimes accompanied by a silent Hunter. Gavin is less welcoming and doesn’t talk to me, but he doesn’t glare at me the entire time either. Probably because everyone heard about my official banishment from their stupid organization.noveldrama

In any case, I’m pretty sure I’ll be invited to the next party that will be thrown at Hunter’s place, if not by Hunter, then by Ryder, and that will be my chance to gather the DNA sample.

In the meantime, I pretended to need access to the team doctor’s records for paperwork, and searched for the one from September 20, but it didn’t mention anything about their ‘unknown injury.’

So I tried talking to the doctor, but I’m pretty sure he’s related to Vencor or, at least, pretty close, because when I asked about the ‘unknown injury’ entry, he said, “That’s what we put sometimes when players miss practice due to a hangover. Don’t overthink it.”

Yeah, right.

I didn’t push, though, because that would only make him suspicious.

But I’m still holding on to hope about Hunter’s DNA. If it’s a positive match, I can finally find out who hurt Violet.

In the meantime, I’m focusing on building a friendship with Ryder.

One of the perks of joking around with Ryder is him telling me about the coffee shops and bars the team members hang out in. He also invited me over once, but then withdrew it.

After a talk with Kane.

Fuck that asshole. It’s not like I was dying to be in the same space as him.

Anyway, turns out Ryder was also getting close to me for a reason—Megan. He’d wanted my ‘cute’ friend’s number ever since he saw us together at a coffee shop.

As I’m walking off campus, I call Megan and tell her about the news.

She screams in my ear for, like, a minute before saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for finally giving me what others have. I prefer Jude, but I’d ride Ryder any day. Or, like, he rides me? You know, like his name?”

“So that’s a yes?” I ask.

“Heck yeah, baby.”

“Shouldn’t you think this through? I think he’s associated with the people controlling the town.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s only sex.”

“All right, but be careful, yeah?”

“I will! Do a girl a favor and don’t make me look desperate.”

“I got you. I’ll say you don’t know about it, and I’m doing him a favor. Act surprised when he texts.”

“I’ll be the queen of drama. Gosh, what am I wearing? I want to borrow that hot green dress of yours, but my ass won’t fit. How about the stretchy pink one? Can I borrow it?”

“No. I told you I’m sending them back with the others.”

“You already did and they were returned to you.”

“I’ll donate them to charity, then.”

“Me!” she says, offended. “Donate them to me.”

“I don’t want to see them, Megan. If I give them to you, he’ll think I kept them out of sentimental value.”

“D, honey, this shit can bring you at least a hundred K if you sell them. You can keep the money for physical therapy once your sister wakes up. Quit with the stupid pride. Since that boy broke your heart, you get to keep all the shit he gave you. That’s the rule.”

“He did not break my heart.”

“Totally believable with the way you’ve been acting this week.”

“I’ve been acting just fine.”

“You’ve been a grumpy mess and have been cursing Kane out of the blue as if you’re possessed. That’s a broken heart right there.”

“Nope. I’m just planning my revenge.”

“Another sign of a broken heart. I warned you to stay away from the Vipers.”

“And yet you’re excited about Ryder.”

“I don’t catch feelings for dick. I’m excited to fuck him, not date him. Anyway, want me to help with selling the clothes and shoes?”

“Do whatever you want.”

“Including borrowing the pink dress?”

“You can keep it.”

“OMG. Love you. I’ll consider it my commission. Got to go.” There’s a sound of shuffling on the other end. “Make me seem like the hottest girl ever when you talk about me to Ryder.”

“He’s already smitten. You don’t need it.”

“We always need a bit of a morale boost. Laters!”

I shake my head as I hang up.

A body slams into mine and I pause as pink pumps stop in front of me.

“Watch where you’re going, Charity.”

I inhale deeply as I raise my head and smile sweetly at Isabella. “Me? Seems you’re the one who has no sense of direction.”

One of her minions is about to say something, but she holds up a hand. “Don’t waste your breath on a nobody who was dropped so fast, no one remembers her name.”

My hand fists around my phone, but I remain silent, my smile still in place.

I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me fall.

“If you’re done wasting my time.” I start to walk past her.

“Don’t take it personally,” she speaks close to my face. “People like you come and go all the time. You could’ve never competed with me. Kane has always been mine.”

“Funny because I swear you disappeared from his side for weeks after you tried to drug me and he got you kicked out of the organization. He either threatened or hurt you, I’m not sure which, but what I am sure about is that your feelings aren’t reciprocated.”

“And yours are?”

“Probably not. But I’m not delusional.”

“Maybe, but you sure are jealous. You’re always glaring at me—it gives me the creeps.” She smiles. “Got to go and get ready for meeting my Kane later. Try not to commission a voodoo doll and curse me, Charity.”

I won’t punch her in the face.

I will not stoop that low for some asshole.

As she walks away with a sway to her hips and mocking laughter, however, I bring out my phone.

Isabella and Kane can go to hell for all I care, then have tiny babies blessed by Satan himself.

But I meant it about him regretting this.

Two can play his sick game.

And, yes, I’m petty.

Me

Hi.

Ryder

Thorne! You got me the number?

Maybe. If you tell me where you guys are hanging out tonight.

Man. Captain will kill me for this. He made it clear that you’re not to be invited anywhere he’s at.

I draw a circle on my thumb and try not to be affected. Thinking it is one thing, but actually knowing the truth feels as if I’ve been stabbed.

Is it supposed to hurt this much?

No, this isn’t pain. It’s anger.

It has to be anger.

I’m not asking you to invite me. Just tell me the place. No one will know.

You’re so lucky you have a hot friend. Here’s the address.

He sends me a location and I reply with Megan’s number.

Sweet!

Also, don’t let Captain know I sent the address. He’s already a pain in the ass these days. Don’t want to get on his bad side.

Don’t worry.

I exit the chat with Ryder and open a new one with the contact titled, “Two Week Mistake.”

Me

Are you in the mood for some drama?

Two Week Mistake

Always.

Later that night, I arrive at the club with my arm wrapped around Marcus’s.

It was his choice to come here, knowing it’s full of the Vipers, but if there’s one thing I’m sure about when it comes to Marcus, it’s that he doesn’t give a fuck about anyone.

Me included.

He’s only here to stir up chaos like he does wherever he goes.

The club pulses with life, a low hum of music vibrating through the walls and under my skin. The air is thick with an overpowering mixture of alcohol and perfume.

Neon lights flash above, cutting through the smoke that hangs in the air and casting the room in shades of green and red. It’s crowded, packed with bodies swaying to the bass-heavy beat that thumps from the speakers, loud enough to rattle the glass bottles lined up behind the bar.

I step through the door, the click of my heels drowned out by the music, and I can feel eyes eating my skin.

Megan managed to turn me into a swan again. Thick eyeliner, smoky shadow, and red lips. She also insisted I wear the green dress she couldn’t fit into. It clings to my body, the silky fabric sliding over my skin with every step. It’s bold, with a plunging neckline, an open back, and a slit that teases more than it reveals.

It’s meant to be noticed.

It’s also meant to be a message—I’m wearing the dress he bought me while I’m with another man.

And not just any man.

Marcus Osborn is the archnemesis of the entire Vipers team and a reminder of their recent humiliation.

His presence is solid beside me, but it’s all for show. His hand rests possessively at my waist, and I let it. His body heat presses against mine as he leans in to whisper, “Is it just me or do you now make more effort to look so fucking hot.”

“Should’ve kept me when you had me instead of trying to share me with your friends.”

He laughs, the sound drowned out by the thrumming music as we stop by the bar. It’s dim, mostly lit by a purple neon glow, and animated by people shouting over the music.

“You’re still mad about that, Dahlia? I told you I don’t do relationships. They’re a fucking drag, and I let you go, didn’t I? But maybe I’ll try to seduce you again tonight.”

“That train has left the station.”

“I can see that. Davenport is such a boring choice, though. You could’ve gone for someone more interesting.”

“What’s your idea of interesting?”

“The prince.” He grins as he raises his glass to the second floor. “On second thought, anyone but the prince.”

My ears prickle and I can feel heavy eyes stripping me naked and clawing at my skin.

When I follow Marcus’s field of vision, I see almost the entire Vipers team in the VIP area above. Some are dancing, but many of them are standing by the glass barrier, all scowling at Marcus.

All except for Preston, who looks bored as he sips from his drink. And Ryder, who winces at me.

But the one who’s glaring the most? The one who seems to be on the verge of exploding?

Kane.

He looks so cutthroat and domineering in black pants and a white polo shirt with his hair slicked back. He watches me with cold intensity, his fingers tightening around his glass.

And Isabella is standing by his side, running her claws all over his collar.

But his entire attention is on me.

Eyes burning.

Lips slightly snarling.

I can almost feel his hand wrapping around my throat, squeezing as he whispers hot, angry words in my ear.

And I smile.

This is me making him regret what he said. What he’s done.

If he doesn’t care about me like he said that day, why would he look like he’s on the verge of decapitating my date medieval style?

“Whoa.” Marcus laughs. “I can feel the hostility. Oh my. They hate me that much, huh?”

“In their defense, you’re the hate-inducing type.” I look at him and pretend to smile at what he’s saying.

“I am, right?” He grins. “So why isn’t he hating?”

“Who’s he?”

Abandoning his drink, Marcus grabs my arm. “Let’s give them the show we’re here for.”

He drags me to the dance floor, wraps his arms around either side of my waist, and crushes me to his chest as we sway to the music.

I push him back a little. “This is only an act. Don’t get carried away.”

“Shh…” He lifts my hand and places it on his chest. “I thought you wanted revenge, so show him how much he’s missing.”

You know what? He’s right. The entire point of this little plan is to mess with Kane as much as he’s messed with me.

I sway to the trendy song, then turn around and rub my ass all over Marcus.

The music thrums, a deep bass line that resonates in my chest as I glide my fingers into my hair and give it my all.

Marcus’s hands wrap around my hips, flowing in sync with me.

When I look back, he’s smiling with a manic edge. “One.”

“What are you counting?”

He spins me around and palms my cheek. “Two.”

“What are you doing?”

“Three.”

He leans down.

I step back and whisper-yell, “Don’t kiss me.”

His breaths dance along my skin. “Four.”

“Marcus!”

“Five—”

He barely finishes saying the word when an arm slashes through the air, coils around his throat, and yanks him back with raw power.

Preston is the one who did that, immobilizing him. But the one who’s grabbing his arm and twisting it in the air is Kane.

Cold lines stretch across his face and his nostrils flare.

“My, oh my.” Marcus laughs and doesn’t attempt to fight. “I’m honored by the warm welcome.”

Kane twists harder.

“Don’t,” I say once I recover. “Let him go.”

“You defend him again and I’ll break his arm.” Kane doesn’t look at me. “Just say one more fucking word, Dahlia, and I swear he’ll never play another game in his life.”

I purse my lips.

“I’m so scared.” Marcus looks back at Preston, grinning. “Save me?”

“You better shut the fuck up if you know what’s best for you,” Preston says in a deadpan voice.

“My heart is pounding…from absolute boredom. Hey, sweetheart.” Marcus licks his lips. “I think we should get out of here. You said you couldn’t wait to ride my cock.”

Preston strangles him harder at the same time that Kane twists his arm.

Goddamn it. That asshole Marcus doesn’t seem to care about his life.

I’m not sure whether Preston will choke him to death or Kane will break his arm first.

I certainly don’t want to be the reason Marcus loses his career, especially since I was the one who invited him to the vipers’ den.

There’s nothing I can do about Preston, but Kane…

I release a dramatic sigh. “This is such a hassle. I’m going to find someone else.”

And with that, I walk out as Marcus’s laughter echoes around me. I’m not sure if Kane follows, but I keep my head high as I push through the crowd.

A few seconds later, a strong hand grabs my wrist, and Kane swings me around in one swift motion.

His face hovers so close to mine as he growls out, “You truly fucked up, Dahlia.”

I yelp as he throws me over his shoulder and walks out of the club.