Page 82 of Lovely Venom

“No. I’m staying at the penthouse tonight.”

I’m tempted to tell her I’ll go with her just so I can avoid Cristian, but I don’t.

“I’ll walk you out.”

Cristian doesn’t look happy with that plan. In fact, he seems downright irritated.

At some point during the night, he took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and loosened his tie. My mind is quick to supply a reason for his appearance, but if this is what he looks like after sex, I can’t imagine it was very good.

“He’s in a mood.” Mariella confirms my thoughts once we’re on the porch. “Him and Angelo have been bickering like crazy.”

“Why?”

“Something to do with a deal they’re working on.” She hitches a shoulder. “They’ve both been on edge, so it must be important, whatever it is.”

I nod, wondering if it has anything to do with Jolie. Then I decide it’s better I don’t know.

“Well, thanks for hanging with me.” I offer her a sleepy smile. “Sorry I wasn’t more lively.”

“No apology necessary. I’ll see you this weekend.”

We say our goodbyes, and I venture back inside the house. Even though I’ve been home for a while, I didn’t have a chance to go through my nightly routine with Mariella here. I’m also more anxious than usual, so it takes me longer to check the door and windows. I feel Cristian’s gaze on me while I do it, but I avoid looking at him altogether.

It isn’t until I’m sealed inside the privacy of my room that it feels like I finally take a breath.

This tension is unbearable, and there’s only one way to get it off my mind.

Saturday can’t come soon enough.

18

CHANTEL

Nervous energy pulses through me when I read Bran’s confirmation that he’ll meet me tonight.

We’ve been texting throughout the week, and it’s been a welcome reprieve from the chaos inside my head. But now…it’s real.

This is going to happen, and it’s what I wanted. Yet for reasons I can’t explain, I still feel tormented by the man currently occupying too much of my space.

We’ve hardly spoken since the night at the club, and logically, I know it’s for the best. But, of course, when the time comes for me to leave and I try to slip out unnoticed, he’s in my living room.

He glances up at me mid-conversation with someone on the phone. His eyes slide over my black bustier-style dress, and his face remains an impenetrable mask. I imagine this is the same expression he wears while poring over spreadsheets in his office.

“Hold on,” he murmurs into the phone as he meets my gaze. “Ready for your hot date?”

The indifference in his voice settles into the hollow of my stomach, but I manage a clipped response.

“Yep.”

An awkward beat of silence passes before he simply nods. “Enjoy your night.”

My stiff legs carry me out the door, and I don’t look back or bother to remind him I won’t be home tonight. Clearly, it makes no difference to him.

Outside, Bruno picks me up and delivers me to the IVI building downtown. I check in at Sanctum, and the hostess verifies my credentials. I’m handed a mask, key, and robe, then she sends me on my way.

I slip on the mask and carry my overnight bag through the club, walking with a singular purpose as I weave my way through the crowd. When I reach the corridor with the private suites, I find our assigned room and unlock it quickly.

After I close the door, I press my forehead against it and release a shaky breath. I don’t know why I’m so anxious. But somehow, things feel much different than they did when I invited Bran here.