Beautiful Venom: A Dark Hockey Romance (Vipers Book 1)

I can’t stop looking at Kane’s right hand.

The images of those deep-purple bruises and cuts on his wrist still play in my mind in haunting, disturbing strokes.

Especially since I already know he has multiple old scars slashing across his back.

Ever since I saw those bruises in the hospital, I’ve been watching him closely. I noticed his complexion is paler today, his lips slightly blue, and his eyes are colder.

What happened to him between last night’s game and this morning?

And why the hell am I so invested when I spent days trying to put a healthy amount of distance between us?

Kane’s ordeals should be none of my concern.

I lean back against Kane’s car, the metal cool against my spine as the frigid air bites into my skin. Not sure if I should even be touching his expensive-looking car. But when I attempted to stand away from him, Kane dragged me back to his side.

Below us, Graystone Ridge stretches out like a map, the town still cloaked in the last traces of night, rooftops and streets softened by the dawn’s dim light. The sun is just beginning to break through, casting a golden haze over the buildings, making everything seem almost peaceful.

As peaceful as this den of vipers could get.

The cool wind tugs at my hair, carrying the faint scent of pine from the woods behind us. And just for one suspended moment in time, it feels like we’re the only two people awake in the world.

“You’re staring.” Kane doesn’t look at me and, instead, eyes his convenience store sandwich as if it’s spoiled goods.

“Sorry.” I bite into my cheese and lettuce sandwich and follow with a long slurp of iced coffee.

“You better apologize for this travesty of food.”

“Well, no other place was open this early.”

“We could’ve gone to a proper restaurant.”

“And have you miss open skate? Stop being picky and just eat.”

He sniffs the bread before he takes a tentative bite.

“How is it?” I ask.

“Edible, but depressingly flavorless and not fresh.”

I laugh and hit his shoulder. “You’re such a snob.”

“For wanting fresh food?”

“That’s not a luxury all of us can afford.”

“You can from now on.”

My shoulders tense up. “I don’t need your charity.”

Funny because I didn’t mind when Isabella or Preston called me a charity case. Hell, I’m keeping my sister alive solely through charity that Kane’s family definitely pitches into.

But I don’t want him to look at me like that.

Not now.

Is it a stupid sense of pride? Something else?

While I can’t exactly put a name to it, I just don’t like it.

Kane must feel my aggression, because he shifts, his weapon of a body straightening as his eyes pin me in place. “You need to stop this line of thinking, Dahlia. I don’t consider it charity. I consider it taking care of you. All you have to do is accept it and quit getting your guard up.”

“I don’t know. Preston told me I’m just a charity case who will never make a full Vencor member, because only those of your standing are allowed in. So excuse me if I have my doubts.”

He faces me, his head tilting to the side, his voice dangerously low. “You believe Preston over me?”

I swallow the coffee trapped in my mouth, the sound echoing in the silence and only interrupted by the rustling leaves. “He seemed convincing.”

“Answer the question, Dahlia. Whose words are more important to you? Mine or Preston’s?”

I bite my lower lip but remain silent.

“If I say you’re not a charity case and Preston says you are, who do you believe?”noveldrama

“You.”

“Then why do you stiffen every time I do something for you?”

“I’m not used to it,” I whisper, then lift my chin. “I’ve worked for everything I have, no matter how small it is. I don’t like owing others.”

“I’m not others.” He wraps his large hand around my throat, not choking, but holding me in place. “You’ll get used to what I give you and take it without objection.”

My pulse throbs beneath his thumb and he watches it, his eyes darkening.

I feel as if I’m falling into his glittery trap again. After everything I did to convince myself I’m not as sick as he is. Even attempting to believe he forced me.

But one touch. One look. And I’m slipping again.

The feel of his skin on mine is electrifying and my body pulses to life, wanting more.

I’m apprehensive.

No. I’m terrified by how much more I want from a man like Kane.

So I focus on what keeps us apart, not what we have in common. “What about the rest of what Preston said? Am I wasting my time?”

Kane releases me with a sigh. “Those who get full membership are indeed of our social standing, and I can do nothing about that. I don’t make the rules.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice trembles. “Did you like toying with me?”

“I didn’t think you actually believed you’d make full membership. Surely you’re smart enough to understand how much vetting goes on in such organizations.”

A weight drops in my chest as a wave of hopelessness washes over me.

Yes, I knew it was hard, but I didn’t think it was impossible.

I take a large bite of my sandwich to keep from lashing out.

“Dahlia, be reasonable. That’s not a place you want to be in.”

I keep chewing and stare ahead. The sky is a soft gradient, pale blue bleeding into shades of pink and gold, and the first rays of sunlight cut across the horizon, igniting the edges of the town.

Kane raises a brow. “Is this the equivalent of leaving me on Read?”

Swallowing, I face him, my tone lethargic. “What else are you hiding from me?”

“Possibly as much as you’re hiding from me.”

I lift my chin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure thing, wildflower. If you say so. But at any rate, whatever we’re hiding doesn’t matter. We’re only using each other’s bodies because we share the same depraved fantasies.” He smiles, his voice dropping an octave. “Correction. I am using your body because you love being used.”

“You—” I stop myself from calling him names.

It’ll just backfire. And it’s not like he’s wrong. I ghosted him because I was terrified about how much I loved the sex in the maze.

I was horrified about how much I was turned on.

I contemplated therapy for real and spent days reading articles upon articles about rape fantasies and primal play and only came up more confused about how much I wanted it.

How much I still want it.

And the only person who knows my sick tendencies is the equally sick man standing beside me.

He smiles with unmasked cruelty, showing me the side of him that got off on hunting me down. “I’m what? A pervert? An asshole you hate but still fantasize about his cock?”

“Oh please. It wasn’t that impressive. I’ve had better in my day.” Lie, lie, and more lies.

“Dahlia…” The warning spreads across my skin in a sheen of goosebumps. “Don’t make me bend you over the car and use that cunt. We’ll see if any of the other dicks you’ve had are impressive when you bounce on my cock.”

I step back.

Jesus. I was only trying to provoke him.

A smirk touches the corner of his lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t fuck you. When I do, you won’t see it coming.”

Damn Kane Davenport.

He has a way of keeping me on my toes. And why the hell am I overrun with both excitement and dread?

He leans back against the car, his gaze fixed on the town below. There’s a calmness in him, a dangerous sort of ease, and the air between us feels charged, the small space separating us almost nonexistent.

I’m being pulled into his orbit, I realize.

Another star that’s drawing too close to the sun.

But this star will crash before I let him consume me.

So what if Vencor’s membership is off-limits? I still have the hockey team that he insisted I join.

And most importantly, I have him.

I’ll use him fully to get my sister justice, even if my chest starts to tighten at the thought.

After I’m introduced to the team, I fill out the paperwork and speak with the medical staff about my new intern position. The team doctor tasks me with paperwork and with watching the players and detecting any possible injuries.

Kane doesn’t like the last part.

Honestly, he doesn’t seem to like any particular part.

I wouldn’t say I’m accepted with open arms. I can see the doubt and even downright hostility from Gavin, Jude, and some other players who are also part of Vencor. The rest are mostly unaffected or don’t even notice me.

I’m sure they’re resistant to an outsider in their midst. Someone like me who doesn’t belong to their high and mighty social standing.

The only reason the hostile ones don’t give me a piece of their mind is due to Kane’s presence. It’s evident that no one on the team talks back to him. The players respect him immensely—which is easily seen from the focused and reverent way they look at him. Even the coach speaks to him like an equal.

Despite my motives, I’m serious about my job.

So I spend most of the open skate talking to the team doctor about ways to improve the players’ agility and minimize injury. I also speak to the head physical therapist about the areas of potential muscle strain of each player.

He and the rest of the team check them regularly and often give them sports massages to help loosen their tense muscles. I’m fascinated by the amazing equipment and machines they have access to. But then again, the team is almost on a pro level and is the reigning champion of the college league, so the program makes sure they reach their full potential.

Doesn’t hurt that many players are sickeningly rich, so their families pour endless amounts of money into the team.

Who would’ve thought that the field I chose, medicine with a focus on physical therapy to help with Violet’s constant back pain and bad shoulder, would now be used to benefit the entitled assholes?

One of whom could have attempted to kill her.

By the end of open skate, I’ve got the gist of areas with potential improvement chances. So I head back to the bench area after the managing team leaves.

The players head to the showers, smacking each other, and talking loudly. It’s a chaos of overwhelming testosterone.

There are a few female staff, the most important being the team administrative manager, but they’re mostly in their offices.

As most of the team filters out, Kane skates toward me and stops at the barrier, then removes his helmet and runs a hand through his damp hair. It randomly falls to his forehead, partly camouflaging the iciness in his eyes. Though they’re clearer now, less frozen and more…familiar.

He looks absolutely stunning in his hockey gear with his hair wet, fresh out of open skate. I’m sure I’m not supposed to find him hot or beautiful, but he’s both of those and more.

I blame his depraved sexual tastes.

Because whenever I see him, my mind keeps replaying images from that maze.

Hot, electrifying, and erotic scenes that drive me insane.

Kane leans both his arms on the railing so they’re hanging right in front of me.

“That looked fun.” I clear my husky voice. “The team’s spirit is back, right?”

“Partially.”

“Why only partially?”

He pauses and stares at the gloves in his hand. “Preston ditched open skate.”

“He’s probably ashamed about his poor performance from last night. He’ll come back.”

“He never ditches open skate. Besides, he lacks the ability to feel shame.”

I frown.

Honestly, Preston can choke, but I don’t like that his absence causes strain on the team and Kane. That slimy bastard is one of the Vipers’ indispensable pillars and has constantly been in impressive form.

Except for yesterday.

But, also, I seemed to have underestimated the bond between Kane and Preston.

Possibly Jude as well.

“Have you checked in on him?” I ask.

“I will.” He watches me, his gaze heavy and imploring. “Enough about the team. Tell me, how was your first day?”

“It was fine. I have a lot to work on.”

“Don’t work too much.”

“I’m confused. Didn’t you push me to accept this position so I can work?”

“Not really. It’s so I can keep an eye on you.”

“So I’m here for your entertainment?”

His lips pull in a smile. “If you want to call it that, suit yourself.”

“Wow. You’re not even going to offer excuses?”

“I believe we’re at the point in our relationship where we don’t need to offer those, don’t you think?”

I release an exasperated breath, trying not to think about the part where he said ‘our’ relationship. There’s no relationship.

We’re only using each other.

That’s it.

I’ll make sure that’s all.

“See you tonight at my place.” The vibration of Kane’s low voice drags me from my thoughts.

I draw a circle on my thumb. “Why?”

“Be there, Dahlia.”

“And if I don’t want to?”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“You need to stop doing that, Kane.”

“I’ll send you the code. Let yourself in.” He smiles, pats my hair as if I’m some sort of pet, and then joins his teammates.

What a prick.

Anyway, I pretend to clean up with the team and discretely gather DNA samples, mostly sweaty towels, especially from those I know are Vencor members—namely Jude.

I manage to steal his glove that he changed earlier after it tore due to his inhuman strength.

It’s unfortunate that Preston didn’t make it to practice today, but I’ll eventually add his DNA to my arsenal. Hopefully, I can find a clue within the team’s Vencor members, because infiltrating the actual organization is proving to be next to impossible.

And, hopefully, I won’t lose myself in this world.

And, more importantly, in Kane.

Just the thought of what he’s planning tonight makes me tremble.

Fear and excitement mingle so homogeneously, I can’t distinguish them.

I tell myself I’ll ignore him.

Even as I walk into his trap with my own two feet.