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

The crowd is buzzing with infectious energy, chanting the Vipers’ names, getting drugged by the team’s perfect play.

Led by Kane.

Today, he’s an absolute star. He’s scored the most, more than any offensive player, and has been the best defenseman as well, smoothly cutting off the opposing team’s offenses, and forcing their players to commit penalties and get sent to the penalty box.

He’s bringing his A game.

Absolutely smashing it.

Leading his team to new heights.

Making the crowd go wild whenever he touches the puck.

Even Megan, who’s mainly here for Ryder, has been screaming her head off whenever Kane is gliding on the ice like an unstoppable gladiator.

I’ve been screaming, too. I brought my online energy to real life and have been cheering him on from start to finish.

But I still suffer from a minor heart attack whenever he points at me, usually after he scores.

Between periods, as the others head to the bench area, he skates toward me and taps the plexiglass with his stick while smiling wide.

If only we didn’t have this barrier, I’d jump him and kiss him for the whole world to see.

When I first got back to town, I thought I’d stay a bit mad at him.

That I’d try to punish him a bit more. Even if out of pettiness.

But the thing about Kane? He truly knows how to treat me.

He’s the only one who recognizes the right buttons to push and the way to my heart—my sister.

Not only did he arrange for Vi to attend college next semester, but he also paid for it. In full.

He also got her an apartment. I mean, it was for me, but Kane and I basically live together now, so it’s hers.

I really didn’t want to leave Vi alone, and I try to spend a couple of nights a week with her.

And even though I know he’s not a fan, Kane doesn’t complain, fully understanding my need to keep an eye on her in her current fragile state.

He says he gets it because he has to watch over Preston as well, especially after the car incident, and, to a lesser extent, Jude.

I swear those two will make his hair turn white one of these days.

In the midst of all of that chaos with his troublemaker friends and the mess he’s had to deal with after his father’s alleged ‘accidental death,’ Kane still looks out for me the most.

Vi’s college tuition as well as the apartment are only scratching the surface of what he’s doing for me. He somehow managed to have me whitelisted at the Callahan labs and hospital so that I can pursue my career.

These reasons and more are why I just had to accept and go along with it, because Kane did it for me.

He helped Violet because she’s my family.

Because he cares about my happiness, and Violet’s well-being is my happiness.

Despite the relative peace, Violet still feels off and often zones out. She refuses to attend any of the hockey games with me, no matter how many times I try to convince her.

Hell, I have to watch my mouth and not talk about the team when she’s around, which is hard as hell, considering I’m a shameless Kane fanatic now. The queen of trolling people online for the Vipers. I have a great following as well due to my trolling skills.

Anyway, I know part of the reason why Vi’s like this; she’s still scared of Jude despite Kane’s guarantee that he won’t hurt her.

And honestly, with Jude’s nature, Kane can’t control him.

No one can.

Not even Julian Callahan, who I suspect is the Devil in a suit.

Kane scores again when the clock is ticking down toward the end. Megan and I hug each other as we jump up and down.

I love seeing Kane happy.

Smiling.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still not often, but ever since his father died, he’s been more relaxed.

As if the weight is slowly lifting off his shoulders.

And I’ll do everything in my power until it’s completely gone, just like he helped with everything concerning Violet.

Kane said that this is his last season. He never intended to go pro anyway, no matter how many offers are flowing his way.

So he intends to enjoy it to the fullest. To get the Vipers the national championship—even if he has to kill Marcus for it.

There have been a lot of threats to kill Marcus lately—especially from Preston. Pretty sure that one still hates me, though he’s stopped threatening me.

Anyway, with Grant’s death, both Kane and Helena are free.

On the other hand, his relationship with his mother is still not the best, but it’s not the worst either. He has visited her twice these past two weeks, but only because I’m playing the role of mediator.

Now that Kane is the head of the Davenport family, he’s easily fallen into his role and seems to be in complete control. But it’s not the type of control where he suppresses himself and caters to others’ expectations.

It’s more about his natural ability to lead and effortless knack for solving crises. In a short time, he’s been able to demand everyone’s respect for his new role.

The other night, he was telling me about his plans to reform Vencor from the inside, and to do that, he needs to further strengthen his influence and then help Jude and Preston snatch power in their families so that the three of them can team up.

He has a lot of plans about bringing back banished family members, especially his uncle, as soon as his position is solidified enough to do so. He was so passionate, I was in awe.

But I also know that his plans might start a riot in the dangerous depths of an organization like Vencor.

The prospect of him having a target on his back scares me, but Kane said he’ll be fine and only asked me to be by his side.

Which I agreed to. No matter what. He’s stuck with me whether he likes it or not.

As the final buzzer sounds, our crowd goes wild, cheering, whistling, and clapping.

I cup my mouth and call Kane’s name.

He turns my way, removing his helmet, as if he can single out my voice from the thousands of spectators.

As if I’m the only one in the crowd.

He looks mouthwateringly gorgeous with his damp hair sticking to his temples and his eyes reflecting the ice but somehow warm, soft.

For me.

Only me.

Preston headlocks him, and the other players drag him with them.

He laughs as they all gang up on him.

And I record that laughter in the depths of my soul. I’m totally saving the game video later and keeping it in my folder that’s full of everything Kane.

As the players start trickling out of the rink, I also rush out and head to the tunnel that leads to the locker room.

I’m still the team’s intern so I have an access badge. I’m also basically Kane’s personal physical therapist.

Though that pervert starts out by asking for a massage, then ends up stripping me naked and fucking me in all possible positions.

Sitting on his lap, against the wall, on the island, in the bathtub.

And that’s when he’s not chasing me and taking me like an animal in heat.

I love our little games.

I love it when I arrive at the penthouse and the lights are off, and I don’t know when he’ll start to hunt me.

But I also love when he wakes me up with kisses or while eating me out.

When he fucks me slowly just to set my world ablaze.

I honestly thought I only liked rough sex and that gentle sex only gave me lukewarm orgasms. But that was before Kane.

Before that time he took my ass so slowly and with so much care. Since then, he’s been alternating between a hunt and slow sex.

The unpredictable pattern and the inability to figure out what he has planned always keeps me on my toes.

When I arrive near the locker room, where many players are filtering in, their chatter and voices are so loud in the confined space. I crane my head to catch a glimpse of him to no avail.

After most of them disappear inside, his tall frame staggers out. He’s still in his gear, minus the helmet and gloves.

Kane kills the distance between us in a few steps and wraps a hand around my waist, the other one above my head as he cages me against the wall.

Suddenly, my senses are filled with him, his woodsy scent, those sharp eyes, and the absolutely gorgeous mouth that’s now set in a line.

“Hi,” I breathe.

“What are you doing outside a room full of naked men, Dahlia?”

I reach my hands out and slip them in his hair, ruffling and running my fingers through it until it’s messy but somehow more beautiful. “I’m only here for one naked man, though.”

A groan falls from his lips as he wraps a hand around my throat, slightly squeezing. “Don’t tempt me or I’ll fuck you here and now, my wildflower.”

My insides tighten, but I still whisper, “We’re in public.”

“Didn’t stop me before. So go ahead. Tempt me.”

I trap my lower lip between my teeth and it takes an effort to not actually tempt him.

It’s impossible to keep any rational thoughts when I see those ice-blue eyes that look at me with so much heat. So much warmth and affection.

As if I’m his entire world.

He’s also mine.

The man I never knew I needed by my side.

So I get on my tiptoes and seal my mouth to his, then suck on his bottom lip before releasing it. “You were amazing tonight. I just wanted to give you an after-the-game kiss.”

His glistening lips pull in a slight smile. “I’m going to need a fuck as well.”

“You’re so greedy.”

“When it comes to you, yes.”noveldrama

“Only me?”

“Only you.”

“Maybe I’ll come over after Violet goes to sleep tonight.”

There’s a frown between his brows, but it quickly disappears, and he says nothing.

“Come on.” I palm his cheek. “I have to check up on her.”

“I know.”

“If it wasn’t for that brute Jude trying to kill her…”

“I don’t think he ever wanted to kill her, to be honest.”

I pause. “What do you mean?”

“Forget it.”

My phone vibrates and Kane steps away when I open the text from my sister.

Violet

You forgot your umbrella, Dahl. It’s raining. I’m in the arena’s parking lot near Kane’s car. Come pick it up.

Me

Aw, thanks, Vi. You didn’t have to.

Of course I did. I don’t want you to catch a cold.

On my way.

I look back at Kane. “Vi’s brought me an umbrella. I’ll wait for you by the parking lot?”

“You can go home with her if you like.”

“And miss the victory party? No way in hell.”

“You’re getting a bit too addicted to those.”

“I love seeing my man being the center of attention.” I smooch his mouth. “See you in a bit.”

Kane smacks my ass and I gasp in mock horror before I hurry outside, pulling the hoodie over my head. The parking lot is starting to empty out from all the spectators, and the rest are running to their cars to escape the pouring rain.

I can’t find Vi in the midst of the chaos, so I try calling her, but she doesn’t pick up. I go back to where Kane’s car is parked. Not here. The area is practically deserted now except for some players who are heading to their cars, chatting amongst each other.

A flash of movement catches my attention from a corner near the building.

I inch toward it in case Vi chose a secluded place to hide. She doesn’t really do well with crowds and always finds a corner.

My lips part at the scene unraveling before me.

A large, muscular body is flattening my much smaller sister against the corner. His right arm is on the wall above her head while the other clutches her chin in what looks like a painful grip.

Jude.

When the hell did he even leave the locker room?

An open yellow umbrella lies on the ground and the rain pours down, drenching them both, rivulets forming on his leather jacket, her hair sticking to her pale face as she stares up at him. I’m not sure if it’s rain or tears that stream down her cheeks. Or a mixture of both.

He leans down and whispers something in her ear. His muscles are tight, his posture stiffer than usual.

Vi’s eyes widen as he speaks and I march forward, about to rip him a new one.

Slap.

I freeze.

Did Vi just…slap Jude? The Jude Callahan, whose name she trembles at the mere mention of?

What the hell did he even say to make my sister, who’d never hurt a fly, slap him?

Jude’s lips pull in a smile as he strokes his cheek where she slapped him.

Jude smiling? I’ve never seen him do that. Like never.

I snap myself out of my daze.

Before he can retaliate, I rush over to my sister and pull her to my side. She’s trembling all over, and something tells me it has nothing to do with the rain.

“Go away, Jude!” I hug her closer as I glare at him.

He glares back as if he wants to bash my head on the ground for daring to interrupt whatever the hell he was going to do.

But he casts one last dark, cryptic look at my sister, and she stares back. Vi rarely looks at people directly. She usually stares at her shoes or anywhere but the other person.

Jude finally walks away, and she releases a long exhale as if she forgot to breathe.

I grab the umbrella and hold it over our heads. “You okay, Vi? I swear I’m going to kill Jude one of these days.”

“It’s nothing.”

“That didn’t look like nothing.” I study her. “Did he hurt you?”

“No. I’m all right.” She forces a smile. “Now that I brought your umbrella, I’m leaving.”

“Want me to come along?”

“Stop worrying so much, Dahl. I’ll be fine.” She motions behind me. “Your boyfriend is waiting.”

As she walks away, her movements are stiff, and I frown.

A strong arm wraps around my waist before Kane’s soothing voice rushes into my ear. “What’s wrong?”

“Jude was cornering Vi. He whispered something I couldn’t hear. She slapped him and he was…smiling. What’s up with that?”

“Hmm,” is all he says, his expression neutral.

“What type of response is that?”

“Just stay away from whatever foreplay they have going on.”

“Foreplay? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Probably nothing.” He presses me against his rock-hard chest. “More importantly, can I have your attention now?”

I grin. “You always have my attention.”

“Damn straight.” He lifts my chin. “I need that proper kiss now.”

And then his lips devour mine.

Until I completely forget we’re in public.

Until he’s my entire world.

And I’m his.