Sweetest Venom

Copyright © 2023 by Jaye Pratt All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it on a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities, is entirely coincidental. Jaye Pratt asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. First Edition. Cover art by Kismet New Moon Covers. Formatting by Formatting and Design by Jaye. Editing by Jenni Gaunt. Proofread by Brandi Slater CONTENTS Blurb A Note from the Author Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty- One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Three Chapter Thirty-Four Epilogue Other Books by Jaye Stalker Links Acknowledgments Blurb I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I witnessed something I shouldn’t have. I know I should report the crime, but the only problem with that is we are all part of The Sect of the Virtuous Legacy, and it's their rule of law and punishment for all families belonging to The Sect to report any crime to them. We have traditions and laws–a way things work–and I need to be married before they will listen. Arranged marriages in The Sect are a given if you want to be sworn in. One step down that aisle, and I know everything is going to change. I didn’t know that the three men I saw that night also had a plan. They too knew the rules, and they too were waiting, and the one thing I didn’t anticipate was their dedication to cover their tracks. Somewhere along the way the hatred vanishes, and I start to realise they were never my enemies. They might be ruthless killers, but they’re my protectors, men who will worship the ground I walk on as long as I am loyal to them. When things go south, I need to prove my loyalty, but it’s impossible when I’m torn between my love for them all, so instead, I will prove they made the right choice with me, and I belong right by their side. To all the women who love the villains and don’t want to change them, because you realise these men love fiercely and would burn the world to the ground for you. You can keep all the red flags as trophies and place them next to your favourite books. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR This book is set in Australia and uses UK English and Australian slang in places. So the added U and the S instead of Z isn’t a word incorrectly spelled. If you find any errors and wish to report them, feel free to email me [email protected] This book is a dark romance and has a list of triggers that can be found on my website. www.jayeprattauthor.com If the tab isn’t on my website yet, feel free to email me. There is no R word in my books but sometimes they toe the line, so please check if you have any issues around that subject. My whole life, I knew that when I turned twenty-one, I would be married. There was no point fighting a tradition that has been around for much longer than I’ve been alive. We don’t know who we will marry until we walk down the aisle. On a girl's twenty-first birthday, her wedding would be to someone of her parents’ choosing. I always figured I would marry Peter Whitlock. Our parents pushed us together our entire lives, and there isn’t a time I don’t remember him not being there. He is sweet, charming, and thoughtful. Everything a girl could dream of in a husband. Except, he doesn't make my heart race, and there are no butterflies in my stomach. Being with someone who cares about me is a hell of a lot better than being stuck with someone who doesn't, that would make life so much harder. So I guess I really need to be grateful, my situation could have been so much worse. My parents were lucky; they told me their story all the time. I want what they have, the fairy-tale. I know I will have that with Peter, even if I have to make sacrifices. If I want my heart to race, I can take up bungee jumping or riding roller coasters. I smooth down the material on the fairy-tale wedding dress. I look like a princess, except I never wanted to be a princess. I want to be a motherfucking Queen; I want to be powerful. Or at least now I do. I have always been complacent, ready and willing to fulfil my role. There were a few months when I was willing to walk away until I was reminded of my place, where I rightfully belong. Here with my family and friends, I could still live my dreams. Peter isn’t the type of guy to just want a complacent housewife, he cares about my dreams. Or at