Venom's Alliance: Loyalty's Fracture

Chapter 14

Kalia POV.

Chad's suspicious gaze bore into me as he questioned, "So, tomorrow night at 11:00 PM? Are you sure?" His doubt was palpable, but I maintained my composure, replying coolly, "That's what I said."

He leaned in, his eyes narrowing as he pushed further, "So eager to divulge your husband's dealings," I raised an eyebrow, refusing to reveal the nerves that simmered beneath the surface. "We have a contract. You take the guns, and I gain my freedom. That's the deal. You want to take over the gun trade, and I want my life back," I retorted, my tone devoid of emotion.

Chad chuckled, a mirthless sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "You really are a one-of-a-kind woman," he remarked, studying me intently. "Judging by your wedding, you appear to be falling for him," he continued, a sly smile playing on his lips, "but I suppose appearances can be deceiving. I wonder..."

He trailed off, scratching his chin in contemplation. The tension in the air was palpable, and I refused to give away any of my emotions, no matter how much his words irked me. "If Easton finds out that you're the one leaking information about his operations, what do you think he'll do to you?" Chad's words cut through me, and I paused, my appetite momentarily forgotten. The voice in my head chimed in, - Fake it until you make it.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile, masking the fear that gnawed at me. "There's only one way to find out," I replied, placing extra emphasis on the word 'only.' I retrieved my phone from my bag and handed it to him, maintaining my steady gaze. "Call him and tell him everything," I challenged, my grin unwavering. Chad was all talk, and I knew it. He would never risk confronting Easton directly; he was afraid of him same with whoever he worked with. That's why he had me—a woman—to infiltrate Easton's operations and gain the upper hand.

"Don't play games with me, Chad. The deal is the deal. You wanted the details, and you've got them. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to finish my meal without being subjected to your sour presence." I met his anger-fueled glare with a defiant look.

"A whore will always be a whore," he hissed, his temper flaring. I locked eyes with him, unflinching. "Not yours, though. So, keep that word out of your fucking mouth," I retorted, and with that, I returned to my meal, picking up my fork with steady hands.

The phone kept ringing, Easton's name flashing with each call, but I silenced it every time. Fridays were my break from him, a day without his demands, and I wasn't about to let him ruin it. This break, this escape, was precious to me, a taste of the freedom I craved for.

After that peaceful late-night drive, I finally got home and felt a sense of unease growing inside me. The quiet night clashed with what I found in my living room.

There, in the dim light, stood Easton. His face was twisted with anger, and I could tell he'd been drinking. The sharp smell of alcohol filled the air, ruining the peace I had just felt.

I tried to stay calm, my heart pounding as I cautiously approached him. The room was thick with tension, and I knew something had gone very wrong while I was gone. His words, slurred and bitter, hit me like a storm.

"Where the fuck have you been, and why didn't you answer your phone? You asked me to disable the GPS tracker so you could sneak out. You almost got yourself killed a few days ago. How could you go out alone in a situation like this?" Easton's voice trembled with anger and frustration.

My mind raced as I tried to piece together the situation. I wasn't the one who got myself into that mess. He shot that man in cold blood, and that's why Monti came to his house for revenge. But I had to remember that dealing with a drunk and furious Easton could be unpredictable and dangerous. With every step he took toward me, my heart sank further, bracing myself for the storm that had unexpectedly invaded my peaceful evening.