Venom's Alliance: Loyalty's Fracture

Chapter 10

Kalia's POV

As I made my way down the stairs, I noticed both Jake and Easton waiting for me. Jake looked totally relaxed, lounging on the couch. He wore a plain white T-shirt that showed off his muscular, tattooed arms, and beige trousers with a matching brown belt. His shoes were propped up on the coffee table, a sight that made my Spanish roots cringe; we don't wear shoes inside. I had my heels in hand, ready to go, but I decided to let it slide since it wasn't my house.

"Hey, Fox," he greeted me with a big, charming smile that probably worked on most women. I wasn't used to nicknames, so I couldn't help but roll my eyes and smile, maybe even blush a little. "Hey," I replied casually, not knowing him well enough to come up with a nickname in return. Something told me they knew more about me than they were letting on.

"Don't call her that," Easton's voice echoed through the house. "Go change; you'll get cold." I stopped in my tracks, locking eyes with him and giving a tight smile that said I wanted him to mind his own business. "You're right. I get cold, not you," I shot back, emphasizing "I," then kept walking towards him.

Easton had also changed into something more casual—a light blue sweater, white pants, and sneakers. Even in relaxed clothes, his muscular build was obvious. As I stood there, I couldn't help but feel a small sense of victory for not matching our outfits. He was in light tones, while I had chosen all dark. It was a subtle contrast, but it made me feel like I was holding on to my independence.

"Come on, lovebirds, we'll be late," Jake said, jumping off the couch, ready to go. He looked at me with a wide smile, grabbed my shoulders, and started guiding me to the door. I stopped at the entrance to slip on my heels, feeling their eyes on me. I looked up, and Jake raised an eyebrow with an amused tone. "Ah, one of those who won't wear shoes inside?" he asked. I nodded as I continued to zip up my heels.

"Whose car are we taking?" I asked once I was finished. To my surprise, Easton had managed to get very close, and he took my hand, interlocking our fingers. His massive hand could easily envelop my entire fist. I glanced down for a moment, but then his other hand gently lifted my chin. "You're coming with me," he declared.

"Great," Jake replied, "I'll meet you there." With that, he was out the door, leaving me alone with Easton. I tried to calm myself down, but when our eyes met, it was challenging. I had to suppress the urge to swallow as that nagging voice in my head whispered, "Run." My heart began to race, and I took a deep breath to steady myself.

"Let's go," I said, trying to create some distance between us. He released my hand, and we both headed towards his black McLaren, which was waiting for us outside.

Throughout the entire ride, Easton's hand remained firmly holding mine, while his other hand expertly guided the wheel. He appeared calm and composed, his attention solely focused on the road ahead. I couldn't deny that he had a certain allure about him that left me somewhat breathless. He was undoubtedly handsome, but the car was filled with an eerie silence. Something felt off, yet I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. Easton seemed distant, and it left me wondering if he was already growing tired of my presence.

"How is the wedding planning going?" he finally asked, breaking the silence and interrupting my thoughts. I glanced at him, remembering the exhausting week of wedding preparations and the looming wedding day. It felt like my heart was trapped, unable to escape. I tried to hide my frustration and anxiety as I answered.

"Good, I guess," I replied, staring out the window at the passing scenery. The sky was clear, and it felt like we were heading to the race track that Oscar had introduced me to. Memories of the friend I left behind in the Maldives flooded my mind. I had no way to contact him, and the worry for his well-being gnawed at me. I missed him and couldn't shake the "what if" scenarios that plagued my thoughts. I had to find a way to reach out to him and make sure he was safe.