Page 134 of Lovely Venom

“It’s not anything emergent,” I say, stunned that he dropped everything to answer my call. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize⁠—”

“Don’t be sorry.” He steps out into what looks like a corridor. “Tell me why you called.”

“Cristian, please go back to your meeting. I’ll talk to you tonight.”

“Chantel.” His voice deepens, taking on that authoritarian edge I like entirely too much.

“I was just going to ask if you had Tiffany fired. It can wait until you get home.”

A flicker of satisfaction washes over him at the mention of the word home—like it’s ours now. Heat flushes beneath my skin as that Freudian slip settles between us, but fortunately, Cristian doesn’t call me out on it.

“To answer your question, yes,” he says. “I did have Tiffany fired.”

“Why?”

“Because she fucked with you.” His eyes flash. “And nobody fucks with my wife.”

My heart skips a beat, and I will it to calm the hell down.

“You really are committed to that bit,” I mumble, not knowing what else to say.

There was no love lost between Tiffany and me, and after what she did, I’m not sure I should find it in me to care. But there’s also way too much to overanalyze here.

Is this a romantic gesture? Protective? Or did she just annoy Cristian too?

I have no idea.

“Was there anything else?” he asks.

I drag my teeth over my lip, not wanting to take up more of his time, but of course, he notices.

“Tell me,” he insists.

“Are you having someone intercept the notes from the stalker?”

“When more arrive, they’ll be delivered to me,” he confirms.

“So there were none today?”

He registers the concern in my eyes and does his best to reassure me. “Not today. But we’ll find him soon.”

“It’s weird, though,” I point out. “He’s been leaving them consistently, and now nothing. Do you think he figured out there are cameras?”

“No,” he answers without hesitation. “He’ll never find those.”

He seems confident, and I’m sure it’s because the Vitales have access to surveillance I’d rather not think about.

“Okay, well I’ll let you get back to work. Sorry for interrupting you.”

“You saved me from an endless monologue. Feel free to do it again.”

“In that case, you’re welcome.” I offer him a soft smile.

“I’ll see you tonight.” His voice dips. “And, Chantel?”

“Yes?” My pulse stutters.

“Be good today.”