Page 24 of Lovely Venom

It doesn’t make sense, and I have no right to whatever this feeling is. So I force it down and lock it away. But then I notice something.

That logo is from the club, but that bar top was replaced a few years ago, which means this is an old photo. I stare at it in confusion, trying to figure out what that means.

Then comes his reply.

Bran: Sleep well, little thief. Tomorrow’s a new day.

4

CHANTEL

“This is why you really lured all of us out here, isn’t it?” Lucia eyes the costumes laid out in Abella’s suite.

“Of course not.” Abella feigns innocence. “It’s just an added bonus. Since when do we shy away from group activities?”

“Since it involves preparing for childbirth.” Gabi grimaces, clearly terrified by the idea. “If I’m not having a baby, can I be excluded?”

“The way your husband paws at you, I wouldn’t be so sure.” Serafina gives her a pointed look.

“How exactly does this help with childbirth?” Lucia asks.

“It conditions the muscles,” Abella explains. “But it’s not just for that. It will be fun, I promise.”

“You can count me in.” Rafe, one of the other Vitale brothers, pops his head in the door. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my future nephew.”

Abella casts him a suspicious glance. “The hot belly dance instructor is here, isn’t she?”

“You mean my future wife?” He smirks.

“In your dreams.” Abella rolls her eyes. “Where did you leave the poor woman?”

“She’s outside on the patio setting up. But don’t worry, I’ll keep her company.”

Mariella shakes her head as he strolls off, whistling his way down the hall. “He’s an incurable flirt.”

“So?” Abella beams at us hopefully. “Are we doing this?”

“I’m game.” I grab the black-and-gold ensemble, which consists of a sheer chiffon skirt, matching coin bra, and a belt.

Mariella shoots me a look.

“What?” I shrug. “I’ll use the stability ball. No ankle involvement, I promise.”

It’s actually feeling much better this morning, but I know it won’t take much to aggravate it again. So I’m not tempted to try my luck.

While the girls pick out their outfits, I venture into Abella’s massive closet to change into mine. Pretty soon, the others join me, and the room breaks into a chaotic scene of laughter and jingling coins as they test out their costumes.

When my phone rings and I see I have an incoming video call from Kenzie, I step out of the room to answer it.

“Hey.” I smile at her when her face pops onto the screen. “Just give me a minute to find a quiet place.”

“Okay.” She nods, chewing on her lip in that nervous way she does.

Kenzie is a younger dancer at the club who’s been through a lot, and we bonded over our shared experiences. She’s been confiding in me recently, trying to navigate her way through many of the same emotions I have. I’ve become a safe space for her, and I want to make sure I’m there when she needs me.

I wander down the hall and into the family library, taking a seat on one of the oversized chairs.

“Okay, I’m all yours.”