Sweet Touch of Venom (Lethal Love #1)

4. Venom

Chapter 4

Venom

A week earlier

Location:

Southeast Europe, Sofia, Capital of Bulgaria

“ A lmost done.” I swipe the yellow polish on my pointer finger and watch as the cool liquid smears up my nail in a perfectly straight line. There’s something satisfying about it.

Eve scoffed, pulling her pants suit up her bare legs. “I don't understand why you even paint your nails. You’ll just get them messed up, anyway.”

I raise a brow while still applying the polish. “Maybe because I like something else other than stained blood on them.” Something, I do not, find satisfying. I give another swipe before bending my fingers to my mouth to give a gentle blow. Losing my patience, I wiggle them in the air to dry the wet polish faster.

“Perhaps you’re right. But I like the red. It’s become my new favorite color.” Her voice crisp, with a sinister shrill. I look over at her as she straps her knives in her holster, then fluffing her tux to tighten it. Fitting her frame perfectly. Her icy blue eyes winking at me and her bleach blonde hair in a braid flowing down her back. Eve, also known as Viper, is known for her excitement when it comes to blood, and she is also the brawn in this operation.

“Of course you do, Eve. I’m shocked you don’t bathe in the blood.” A sultry English accent comes into the room. Scarlette waltzes in; her black sequin dress outlines her curves with her walk. My eyes drift to her. The dress truly gives her deep brown skin a run for its money. Scarlette AKA Medusa; She’s a lot more feminine than us all. Don't let that fool you, she once ripped a man’s tongue out of his throat because he broke her nail during a fight. Which happened to be her fault. She runs her hands through her long braids that reach her ass.

Eve’s brow raises, smoothing down her tie. “Now that you’ve said it, I think I may consider that.”

I shake my head, still blowing my nails and swinging them. “You are the worst.”

She grabs her gun off the nightstand, slipping it in the back of her pants. “Not worse than you doing your nails before a mission.”

I check the liquid to see if it is dry before standing and adjusting my knee-high dress. I chose a red silky dress that shows my entire back, a full view of my snake tattoo that wraps to the front of my stomach. “It’s not my fault that you have no sense of self-care.”

She gives me a mocking face before sticking me with the middle finger, walking beside me.

Scarlette saunters to us, looking like a goddess in the night. “Anita is right. Self-care is important.” She swings her hair over her shoulders.

“Okay, where is Kyra?” I say with irritation.

“I’m coming,” a low voice calls from behind the door. Mostly a whisper. I’m surprised we can hear it. But we’ve come to terms with her voice and gotten used to it.

Kyra walks out; she’s wearing her normal attire. Black leather pants with her black jean jacket and a black shirt underneath. Her hair is out and wild, with one side shaven and the rest a mixture of blue, green, and jet black.

The all black really makes her look like a ghost in the night. It’s creepy, but absolutely amazing. Kyra AKA Misery. She may be the quietest of us all, but no doubt the deadliest. Before the mission was over, the man who we thought we killed charged at her, impaling her right knee with a knife. She stood there watching him before taking the blade out of the wound, then stabbing him repeatedly until he was nothing but skin particles.

If I was not used to that, I would have puked. I merely smiled at it and kept it moving. Of course, after, we had to treat her quickly before the wound became infected.

“Are you ready now, Ky?” Scarlette says, snapping her clutch.

Kyra only nods, her face is blank. One day, maybe I’ll get her to smile. But I don’t blame her dry expression and bored looks. There’s nothing amusing about this job, especially when all you see are bloody bodies and gaping holes.

Then there’s me.

Well?…?they don’t call me Venom for no reason.

We are a group, but I stay to myself mainly. I don’t get too close, and I don’t make best friends. That only ends in heartache and hurt from the attachment. This job is dangerous, and I’d rather not have feelings behind it if one of them gets murdered right in front of me. But they are closer than ever.

“Okay, check,” I order out, standing by the entrance of the door. Everyone knows the drill, looking down at their bodies, making sure everything is secure and where it needs to be. Hidden guns, knives, acid spray, if need be, and of course Scarlette’s bomb lipstick. All she has to do is throw it, and a bomb explodes—in case the mission doesn’t fan out right.

We all nod, eyeing each other before stepping out of the primary suite. Why not live in luxury, when once you step out, there is only chaos and death? I happen to like only two of those, luxury is just the perk that comes with it occasionally.

We stroll out of the suite side-by-side with heads held high. Eve swirls her knives in her hand with a resting bitch snarl on her face. She really doesn’t give a shit who sees her, huh?

We are not that group in high school that’s popular and mean but don’t pack a punch.

No. We are the girls who deliver punches and cracked bones. So, a word of advice, you really don’t want to fuck with us.

We enter the black limo that awaits us. Each sitting in our spots. I can’t help but notice the pace in my heart and the jitter in my leg. Ever since I got into this job, any mission I’m a part of, I always get a sense of shattering nerves rocking my bones. Even though I’m superb at what I do, I’m always never sure if this will be my last night alive.

And that satisfies a part of me. No, you’re not. Let’s live and be free. Live to flame the earth. Not until I’ve completed my true mission. My one and only true goal.

“Remember,” Scarlette’s voice hums out, “WHEAB.” I know it’s intended for me. She gives me a soft smile that I would suspect is similar to what an older sister would give, even if she’s one year older than me. But I look away. I don’t need it, but unfortunately, my legs stop shaking, and I glance at her again. Another reassuring smile on her face. Anytime any of us are feeling the nerves rattling us, Scarlette says the simple words.

WHEAB. We have each other’s back.

It always calms me. Though, I never admit it out loud. I don’t like to show that part of me, but I’m only human. I can’t stop a damn knee shake.

I nod without smiling and look out the window. Noticing the tall bright building and the way the night sky brightens from the moon. Like it’s feeding off its energy. I’ve always admired the moon; it shines in the darkness, and I wonder if it can ever be so bright that it can cast away all of mine.

The limo stops, and my back hit the seat from the halt. The door opens, and we get out onto the path of a red carpet. It has a flowy rug lining the path down to a well-carved white door. And to that door is a three-story house that can be a museum with how large it is.

People post around white and blue flashes around everyone, almost blind worthy.

I hate pictures. Normally, I wear my mask to shield myself from discovery, but unfortunately tonight I had to go without it. But for times like this I do my best to stay out of the shutter and clicks of cameras. I would rather be in the dark, and I need it to be that way.

Other guests walk about to the large dome, women hand in hand with their husband; I think. Smiles plastered on their porcelain faces with no care in the world. Others stroll down the carpet with flashy suits and sparkly jewelry.

We’ll see how many jewels you have when your boss is dead.

Scarlette and I walk in front, while Eve and Kyra follow behind. The eyes of those in the room pry toward us; some men’s eyes are a little too lustful, and the women wrapped in their arms sneer our way or stare at us with shame.

Trust me, ma’am, I don’t want your filthy husband. I’d rather fuck a mule.

But I wink at a couple just to be funny, and the lady’s face nearly explodes from how red it turned.

Once inside, we scatter about, already aware of the mission.

“Get to the point, snatch the trees,” Eve’s voice fills my ear. Code for: find the man and get the documents.

I nod lightly, rubbing my hands down the side of my curly hair, sure to make sure my earpiece is covered. It always is, but you can never be too sure.

Brushing past the people in this hellhole, I head to the bar where not many are standing, so I press my hip to the counter, my head turning and seeking him out.

“Anything for the beautiful lady?” I whip back to a man with curly brown hair, brown eyes, and a charming smile. But it does nothing for my insides. I stiffen a smile back, leaning my elbow on the parts that are not wet on the bar top.

“Yes, I’ll have.” I look back around and my stomach tingles. There goes that feeling.

Found you. I shift to the bartender. “Can I have two martinis on the rocks, S’il-vous-pla?t?” I lower my smile, but it still curves my lips. I purposefully hood my gaze at him, and I can see a sweat come onto his forehead.

A sparkle to his eyes, he grins. “Coming right up.”

I tap my fingers on the bar, scheming the area and what’s really going on in this place. Apparently, it’s a fundraiser by the one and only Fernando Degrazi—who openly degrades women to satisfy his puny ego—but who really believes that. I’m sure it’s something sick going on at places like this. People in the dungeon having sex orgies or something like that.

My eyes catch a couple sitting at the edge of the counter; he’s completely entranced by her as he swirls his finger in her hair. She smiles softly at him, and nausea rides up in my belly. The lovey-dovey act is disgusting.

I hate it, yet I can't rip my gaze away, and I stare for a bit too long. Something else uncharted flutters in my belly, invading it for a second before my throat tightens.

Uncomfortable with myself, I shift my attention elsewhere. Like the man with my drinks. He must’ve read my mind because here he comes with two in his hand.

“Thank you,” I say softly before taking them and walking off to the area with beige shawls falling around it. My hands smoothly go into the pocket of my dress, taking out powder and gracefully dropping into the liquor. I saunter to where he still sits in his ivory suit and legs spread wide, with four girls surrounding him. Nearly toppling over each other only to be next to him.

I stop in front of them with a perked brow and half grin on my lips. He cuts his focus up toward me, his eyes grazing up my body, and I almost want to puke. Not after I gouge out his eyeballs.

“Drink, sir?” I stick my hand out, and his eyes glisten with wonder. He shoots up, nearly kicking the girls off him.

“Of course.” His voice is chirpier than I would’ve imagined. He looks at the girls with annoyance. “Leave. Go. Go.” Actually, shooing them off like pigeons wanting to eat his bread. The urge to slam my glass on the edge of the table and jam it into his neck seems like a great, fate for him. They scramble away, giving me side eyes and with scowls on their faces.

I shrug with a smirk. Then, I take a step toward him and sit down on the stiff material of a sofa. I cross my leg, my calf rubbing against his.

“You’re a brave girl, coming here and offering a drink.”

“I knew you would’ve said yes, that’s why.”

“How so?”

“Let’s say, I just had a feeling” I smile brighter brushing against him. My stomach’s muscles clenching along with bile sitting in my throat.

Let’s get this job done, so I can focus on other things.

He takes a sip of his drink, and my eyes fall to it, gleaming internally. My head turns slightly through the crowd to see Eve gliding through the crowd like a snake. Her hands are stuffed in her suit pockets, and her eyes narrow at me as she gives a little nod. I glance back at Francis, my hand runs up his tux to his neck, my breath brushing his cheek, and I’m positive his cock is getting hard.

Ugh, men, so typical it’s mind-boggling. Hey, at least he’ll die with a hard dick.

“Do you have a quiet place we can go?” My fingers snake around his neck gently.

He adjusts his cuff link, then grabs my hand, and brushes it over his slimy length. He’s pleased with that while a smirk spreads across his grimy face. Maybe I should grab it then twist it enough to rip it away from his body, then dangle it in front of him and see if he’s impressed.

The food I ate earlier works its way up. Oh, God, the nausea. Instead, I gasp, pretending I’m awed by his size. Don’t throw up. I swallow it down with a smile to cover it up.

He leans into my ear, his very heavy cologne filling my nostrils, stinging it, practically giving me a headache, and his hot breath reeks of alcohol. “Let’s go, baby girl.”

Oh, I’m no baby. The sinister voice cackling like a hyena in my head. This baby is going to kill you.

“Lead the way.” I unfold my legs as he grips me again, so I can stand. He guides me out of the area and through the wide archway. Leading me to the two spiral staircases, past numerous doors, until he lands at our destination. He turns to me with a crooked smile and hazy eyes. The dose is getting to him. Great.

He pulls me into the room, and I walk through, scanning it. It’s a quaint office, spacious with an outside view. A window that we’ve already mapped out is covered by large brown drapes and a wooden desk. Brown and leather are furnished everywhere, with frames of his achievements hanging on the wall. His office is simple and typical—like him.

Suddenly, he grabs my waist, pressing himself into me, rubbing his hard length on my ass, and I grit my teeth. I can’t be mad. I lead him on. But now I’m going to lead him to his death. I force a chuckle, placing my fingers in his hands, careful to not give in and sink my nails into his skin and tear it off.

“Slow down, horny boy.” I turn to him as I look over his shoulder. I smile again, then pushing him to the chair a few feet from him. He drops on it, his head nearly falling back from the drug.

“You know we ladies need foreplay.” I give a sexy grin, and he looks up at me with a sly smile reaching for me. I swap his hand. “Not yet.”

He’s not an unattractive man. In fact, he’s pretty hot, but what he’s doing is disgusting, and he’s been ordered dead by Popov. I take off his tie, motioning my hips in a swirl, and he groans. “You’re so fucking sexy. I need to see you more after tonight.”

“Thank you, darling.” But there will be no more of you after tonight. I tie him up, wrapping his arms behind his back. Then, I grip his perfectly smooth hair, arching his head to peer up at me. I glide my knife out of my inner thigh. It is laced with a paralyzing toxin. I swing it in front of him like a hypnotizing trinket. “You’ve been such a bad boy lately.”

He eyes the knife, but his eyes twinkle more. “I’m always a bad boy, beautiful. But I can be an even worse one for you.” He shifts in the seat, wanting to touch me.

“Oh yeah?” I slice the knife on his cheek.

He growls, and then twists his head as the sting sets into his face. “What the hell?”

I let out a throaty laugh, pulling his hair tighter as the gelled down strands pop out of their follicles. “Getting rich off selling body parts on the black web is a big no, no,” I grit, and then I snap his neck. Tonight, I don’t want to get bloody. I just did my nails.

He goes limp, toppling over, and I let him go so he can fall straight on his face. I kick him over to see the slice turning purple and blue, the veins streaming up his face like webs. I smile wickedly, then I walk over him.

Eve burst in, looking at the mess. “You know you could’ve killed him before all of this.” She wags her fingers between us.

I roll my eyes at her, placing my knife back in its holster. “I enjoy playing sometimes.” Truthfully, I wanted to enjoy the moment before I leave this for good.

Her head shakes, but a faint smile forms.

“I have the papers. Kyra, is the getaway secured?” Scarlette speaks through the earpiece.

“Secured,” she responds.

Eve and I look at each other, nodding. We speed toward the window, pulling the drapes away. Kyra sits far away on top the building in front of us, and aims the zip line gun at the window. Then, she shoots it, connecting right above the roof.

“Ladies, we have an incoming. Frances must’ve tipped off his security team,” Kyra says with ease, although the news is anything but that.

My eyes widen frantically, and I run to the now dead body, yanking up his arm. Fuck. His cuff link. A small button resides between the silver button and the shirt. “Shit! How did I miss that?” I scowl, slamming his hand back down.

The door swings open. Eve raises her gun, and I pull out my knives.

“Hello ladies,” Scarlette says, rushing in stuffing the papers into her purse. “We have to leave now.”

We rush to the window, and before we can make it past the desk, the door flies open. Five armed men stand there with their guns cocked, ready to blow us away. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look at Eve. Until a red dot appears on one of the men’s heads. Here we go. I grin, pressing my dagger to my thigh.

“Bye, Bye,” I say, waving my hand, and the other men look at him. Before they can do anything, glass cracks behind us and a bullet plunges hits him in the head. I toss my knife at one of the other men as he yells, raising his gun. Eve shoots, and the two other men drop to the floor. I take the chance to run at the man by the door, aiming his gun. I kick it away before jumping onto him and wrapping my legs around his waist. I lift my dagger and stab him in the eye with a twist. With my dagger still in his flesh, he falls down, screaming in pain, until I snap his neck. Scarlette goes into her purse, shooting the last man in the chest, and another bullet comes through the window, hitting him in the head.

Scarlette snaps to the window. “I had it!” she yells, but we know Kyra can’t hear her. She then spins back around, her long hair swinging with her.

“Okay girls, let’s go. We have to leave,” Scarlette says smoothly.

We follow suit heading toward the bay window, my heels clicking on the tile floor. I grab a statue off the desk, breaking the rest of the glass on the window. Scarlette reaches in her bag and grabs her lipstick, and then tossing it to the front of the entrance with a wicked smile on her face. The footsteps grow louder and louder. A devious smile spreads across my face as I face her, and then I turn back around to the window.

“Ladies first,” Eve says, stepping to the side. I blow her a kiss, stepping onto the frame of the window, placing my hands on one of the zip line handles. Not wasting any more precious time, I push off, the cool air crushing my face, but it feels…?glorious. I zoom in on Kyra who stands at the end of the wire, still kneeling, her sniper raised as she looks through the scope. I brace myself for the incoming end of the zip line and jump off, landing on my tip toes then flattening my heels to the gravel roof.

Men yell, and echoes swarm down below. I glance over. Other security guards rush into the building, pushing guests out of the way. Seconds later, Scarlette and Eve follow suit, landing on the roof. We look ahead to the building we escaped from, and loud voices ring from the building and then…? BOOM!

The entire top-level blows up, now engulfed in fire and smoke; the gush of debris shoots out the window. That lipstick bomb is one hell of a weapon.

Each of us all leer, satisfied with that outcome, before turning and rushing off. We don’t talk; we keep moving until we are down below and the limo behind two buildings is over. We hop in, then and only then we all finally breathe. My heart racing from the adrenaline and the thrill of it all. The part I do love.

We don’t speak on our way back to the hotel—which is normal for us. Nobody wants to boast about all the kills they’ve had—we don’t, at least.

No shame in ones that do.

I do take a chance to look around the group, a quick stab pierces my heart. Very subtle but noticeable. This will be the last night I see them again.

I look back down rolling my thumbs around ignoring those pestering sensations again.

Finally, we are at the hotel, and I’m ready to wash off and change into the clothes I feel most myself in. After a shower and washing the ick out of my hair, I slip on my forest green combat pants and black hoodie. I tie my thick curls in a high bun, wincing at the pain in my shoulder from earlier.

I already have my car packed and ready. I packed the night before, so I won’t feel the need to divert from my plan. I’ve waited this long, trained since I was sixteen, and worked under Popov for eight years. Now it’s time to seek revenge for my brother’s death.

To say it was easy convincing Popov to release me would be an understatement. I had to complete several tasks and missions before he handed me back to the world. This mission was the last.

I stroll out of the bathroom, a little sting resting in the pits of my belly as it all comes to that realization. They all sit in the front room. Eve laid back in the love seat flipping her knife, Scarlette legs crossed, reviewing the documents, and Kyra meditating. When they hear me shuffling with my bags, they all look at me as I stand in the middle of the room.

Scarlette’s shoulders slump slightly, and her brow furrow in. “I guess this is it, yeah?”

I ignore that squeeze in my gut. “It is.”

Eve stands walking toward me, her icy blue eyes drilling into my face. “You know you can always stay right?”

I dig my thumb into the fabric of my pants. “I can’t. I’ve held it off long enough”

She lets out a breath, her eyes darting down. Her lip twitches slightly before she straightens her back. Her hand sticks out to shake it. “It was nice working with you.”

I look at it, my heart gripping and scratching. I shouldn’t even be experiencing this, but unfortunately, I’ve known and worked with these ladies side-by-side for eight years. And we’ve been through more together than I can count.

I finally shake her hand, and then she steps away, nodding. This is right.

Scarlette comes over, her lip poking out. “I hope you get those motherfuckers.” I’ve told them my plans after years of working together. I figured someone should know after holding it in for so long, and they seemed trustworthy.

She hugs me, and I tense up. “I know. I know. You don’t hug.” Giving one last squeeze, she lets go, backing up to gaze at me.

“You’ve been a wonder to work with, Venom.”

I smile at the name that was given to me by my victim. And it stuck with me ever since.

Kyra turns her body from her meditation, looking over the couch. She smiles very faintly before turning back around. That look in itself spoke more words than any words could have.

“You know we are always here, Anita,” Eve calls over as I walk out the door with my small luggage and carrying my dress from tonight, along with my identification and passport. I exit the door without looking back because my heart is senselessly cracking. I don’t like it. This is what I’m supposed to be doing. This is what everything was for. I make it to my car as the bittersweet feeling takes over.

It wasn’t meant to last forever; they mean nothing to you.

I nod to myself, almost feeling better, only to look at my nails gripping on the wheel, and I let out a sigh. The yellow paint coated on my pointer finger is now chipped off at the tip. My body slumps, and my face slacks.

So much for that.