Page 68 of Lovely Venom

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He assesses me. “Then you can say I’m just like every other man. So fucking predictable.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I swallow. “But while we’re on the subject, you should know that I have plans on Saturday, and I’ll be gone all night. Maybe that would be a good time for you to take Tiffany out to the alleyway. That’s where she likes to get down and dirty.”

He gives me an unimpressed stare. “For a wife who’s planning on stepping out, you seem far too invested in what your husband does with his cock.”

“That joke was only funny the first time,” I tell him. “Now it’s gotten old.”

“Does he know what he’s getting himself into?”

“What?” I ask bitterly. “Please enlighten me on what he’s getting himself into.”

He drags his thumb over my lips, pupils flaring when he smears my lipstick. “Il bacio della morte.”

“What does that mean?” I let out a shaky breath.

He leans down, and the warmth of his words ghosts over my lips. “It means being with you has consequences.”

Before I can wrap my head around that, he releases me, slipping back into the cold composure I’ve come to expect from him.

“Your friends are waiting for you.”

He turns and heads for the door, but I can’t stop myself from asking.

“What kind of consequences, Cristian?”

He glances over his shoulder, jaw tight as he delivers the blow without emotion.

“Certain ruin.”

“What the hell, Chantel?” Lucia plants her hands on her hips.

“What?” I frown.

“You’ve been keeping secrets from us. Why didn’t you tell us you were a headliner?”

“Or that you could sing,” Gabi chimes in.

“Or that you can do the actual splits.” Abella raises her brows. “How some man hasn’t wifed you up yet is beyond me.”

“Well, I think she could have her pick of them.” Valentina eyes Andreas and Elias across the club. “Are they Greek?”

“Yes,” I answer, not bothering to explain that I actually know them.

“Figures.” Serafina sighs.

Andreas and Elias often work as a pair, and I know from experience neither of them are big talkers. Since Andreas has been with Kenzie, I’ve had more interactions with him. But I doubt Elias and I have exchanged more than a handful of words, even when they provided me safe passage from New York to Seattle.

I suspect the reason they’re both keeping an eye on me now is because of the powder keg of tension in the room. That tends to happen whenever the Greeks and Italians are forced to coexist.

“Men just like the idea of the stage personality.” I turn my attention back to my friends. “The real version is never quite as exciting.”

“She’s right.” Kenzie approaches, bumping her hip against mine. “If he likes you in feathers and sequins but not in leggings and a messy bun, then he doesn’t really like you at all. That’s our motto around here.”

“If that isn’t accurate, I don’t know what is.” Lucia laughs. “You must be Kenzie.”

“That’s me.” She does a performative little bow. “So weird when worlds collide. I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to meet Chantel’s other friends.”

“You should come out to the island sometime,” Abella suggests. “We can make a day of it.”