Sweet Touch of Venom (Lethal Love #1)

30. Venom

Chapter 30

Venom

Location: GenCre ‘Somber Garden’

I would have never thought that Ronan would have a full garden green house here at GenCre. After doing a thorough investigation—and of course following the map set in the front—I found this little hidden gem.

It’s beautiful, and enclosed in a large dome that gives you an overhead view of periwinkle skies and cumulus clouds. It’s a garden that’s great for withstanding any weather condition. It can grow in peace and thrive in resilience.

I brush my fingers across the petals of the August Gardenia flower. Its white petals are soft and moist as the mist sprays down lightly. A flutter folds under my stomach, remembering my mother and her flowers. She doesn’t own her home anymore, but I know she has to still own the flower shop.

I always loved being at the shop because?…?I loved being around my mom.

No matter where you are in the world, you are always my petal.

My shoulders sag as a sigh escapes. There’s an ache that settles in my heart, the unresolved matter. I suck in a breath, shaking my head, hoping it also shakes the stab in my chest. That was then. This is now.

My fingers fall from the petals, strolling up the cobblestone path where the dahlias and larkspur pour out onto the walkway.

Some kids sit over on the benches tucked under the larkspur droops. They send me cheesy smiles that send an awkward spike down my spine. I cringe with a tight grin and walk ahead.

It’s nice here, and the students are?…?sweet. But I can’t get attached, just like I can’t get too attached to Ronan. There’s a shift between us, and it’s becoming blatant. Ever since the day he hugged me, and after I sliced Fred, packed him, and then shredded him through a large meat grinding machine, a strange bond set between us.

Anytime I think of Ronan at all, it flip-flops and a twist of butterflies’ flutter down into my stomach—and that’s not good .

I mean, I let him hug me. Hug! Something wrong is happening.

I stop in the middle of the rose bush, the thorns sticking out, ready to pop the tiny butterfly bubble inside me. It’s time to demand my own room and get away from him before he throws me into the pits of his dark abyss. Then I’ll never be able to escape from him.

I swallow the lump in my throat, find the exit of the garden, and march to the school. I ignore the stampede of people in the halls scattering to attend their lessons, the bags, and books hitting me. I don’t know where I can find Ronan, but I’ll find him.

“Oh!” The crashing sound of a body hitting the floor sounds out. I stop in my tracks. Looking down, I see a young girl with straight brown hair and olive skin. Crap, now it’ll look like I’m assaulting kids, and Ronan wouldn’t go for that.

I look around, making sure no one sees, while sticking my hand out. The girl stands up, placing her hand on the ground to lift. She jumps up, her long hair now swallowing her face.

“You’re that lady everyone is talking about, aren’t you?” She perks up, moving her hair from her covered eyes.

I tilt my head. “I’m not sure. What are they saying?” I peer at her now visible face. I would guess she’s about sixteen.

She tucks her arm bag further into her shoulder. “Pretty much your badass, and you attempted to assassinate the president.”

I cock my head, almost choking on my spit. That is wildly untrue.

But I play it off casually. “I can’t deny those accusations or give a truthful answer.” I began walking around her.

“I’m Isabella!” she shouts out.

I swallow the annoyance that’s trying to escape. I slowly turn back around on the heel of my foot. “Good to know.”

She steps closer, eyes dropping, and a tint of pink forming on her cheeks, her fingers twirling around one another. “I started here two days ago. After I was kidnapped, my parents sent me here. The Headman saved me.” She closed her eyes for a second. I can see the tremble in her eyelids and the quiver on her lips. “He saved my life. I don't know what would've happened to me if he didn't come. I might have died or been sold off somewhere.” She opens her eyes, liquid pooling at the rim.

Oh, crap. I zip and unzip the pocket on my cargo pants, glancing around the hall. This is…?beyond my capacity of vulnerability.

Her eyes shift down noticeably, dabbing away the tears that leaked down her cheeks. My shoulder slacks slightly. I suddenly get the urge to pat her on the shoulder and console her.

Pain shoots to my stomach and up to my heart. I couldn’t imagine being her age and experiencing something so traumatizing. It’s heart-wrenching. Losing my brother is nothing compared to physically getting taken and abused.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, raising my hand awkwardly and giving her two pats on her shoulder. That was good, Anita. Good job. I quickly lower my hands, clasping them together.

Her eyes shoot to me with alleviation, a small smile coming to her face. “Thank you.” She tucks a strand behind her ear. “So now I’m here, and I’m excited. I feel safer.”

I can spot the gratitude in her eyes for a place like this. The emotional connection she gets when she mentions Ronan saving her. What he’s doing here is nothing less than admiring. To give others another chance. It makes me wish I had something similar given to me when I was her age. Learning to defend yourself and still being…?free.

To have a choice.

“Do you have any advice to get me through this?” Her lips purse with a worried frown.

Her brightness is overpowering me and making me give in to her. I brace my hand on my hips. “Never lose who you are. No matter how dark shit gets. Never lose that shine.” Should I curse around kids? I’m terrible at this. But when her smile widens, and her teeth show, I can see it gives her comfort and confidence.

“Thank you, Ms. Venom.”

“Anita.”

Her eyes snap wider with her gaze bright as the sun. “Ms. Anita.”

I give a quick grin, my heart sparkling with a sense of pride. Then I perk my brow. “Now, where is your Headman?”