Beautiful Venom

Dahlia still works at the Vipers office, but she still hasn’t found any more evidence of Vencor’s involvement in Violet’s attack. Her mind drifts to her and Kane’s relationship. She knows the dynamic is toxic, but she has also been enjoying herself. She wonders if their dynamic might develop in the future.

Then she discovers an attendance log at the office. On September 20—the day Violet was attacked—Hunter, Gavin, and Ryder missed practice. Dahlia guesses they were involved. Kane texts Dahlia about meeting up later. Dahlia declines and stops answering his texts.

Later, Dahlia runs into Hunter, Gavin, and Preston. She becomes afraid, convinced that Preston wants to kill her. Kane appears and defends her. Dahlia has “never seen [him] this enraged” (268).

Three days later, Dahlia visits Kane’s mother Helena. She’s surprised by the Davenports’ home and enchanted by Helena. Helena shows Dahlia her fishpond and introduces her to Sora, a favorite fish that reminds her of Kane. She becomes emotional about her relationship with Kane and admits that Grant has tortured Kane since he was a child, and she has never done anything to stop him. She is afraid of Grant and furious with how he’s damaged Kane. Realizing Helena is also a survivor of Grant’s abuse, Dahlia sympathizes with her situation.

Kane arrives, insisting that he and Dahlia leave. Dahlia gives him an ultimatum, telling him that she won’t have sex with him if he doesn’t spend time with Helena. After they leave, they kiss in the driveway. Dahlia comforts him, encouraging him to confront Grant’s abuse.

Over the following days, Kane tries to restrain his feelings for Dahlia. Dahlia sends numerous texts, sharing her childhood stories and urging Kane to confront his trauma. Frustrated, Kane doesn’t respond.

He goes on a hunt with Preston and Jude. They release their victim in the woods, then chase and kill him. Kane feels frustrated, bored, and confused. He can’t stop thinking about Dahlia and chastises himself for abandoning his friends to be with her. Throughout his time in the forest, Kane reflects on his memories with Preston and Jude. Years before, he and Jude rescued Preston from an abuser and have supported him since then.

Later, Dahlia shows up at the arena, demanding that Kane speak to her. Kane ends their relationship but lets her retain her internship if she promises not to bother him. He tells himself she “is a mistake” (298), and he has to move on.

Over the following days, Dahlia and Kane don’t interact, and Dahlia continues pursuing leads on Gavin, Ryder, and Hunter. She also investigates their absences from hockey practice on September 20, learning that they were only hungover.

One day, Ryder asks Dahlia for her roommate Megan’s phone number. She gives it to him on the condition that he tell her the location of the upcoming Vencor party. Determined to get back at Kane, she contacts Marcus and asks him to accompany her to the event.

Dahlia shows up at the party wearing a dress from Kane and accompanied by Marcus. No one is happy to see Marcus, and several Vipers players attack him. Kane confronts Dahlia, furious that she’s wearing his dress and brought Marcus.

Kane carries Dahlia out of the club and initiates rough sex in the parking lot, telling her she is worthless. Dahlia grabs his throat and demands that he admit his feelings for her. Kane refuses, insisting that they’re not in a relationship. Dahlia enjoys sex with Kane but realizes that if he won’t open up to her, she can’t be with him. Finally, he gives her a passionate kiss, and they have sex. He admits that he likes her, asserting that she belongs to him. Dahlia feels happy.

The next morning, Kane sits on the edge of the bed and studies a sleeping Dahlia. He reflects on their night together and their possibilities for a future. He realizes that she is his weakness. Terrified that his father will get involved and hurt Dahlia, Kane wonders if he should kill Grant. For years, he has been planning the right time to destroy Grant and avenge himself and Uncle Kayden. Now he isn’t sure.

Kane consults Kayden and his partner Gareth. He tells them about Dahlia, and they discuss Kane’s parental relationships. He gets interrupted by texts from Jude and Preston, who are desperate to hurt Marcus. Kane warns them against doing so.

Kane and Dahlia spend the morning together. Dahlia promises to explain her interest in Vencor one day. She wants Kane to know that even if she initially saw him as a threat, she deeply cares about him now. He reciprocates the sentiment. The conversation shifts to Grant. Dahlia urges Kane to cut his father out of his life, but Kane insists that he can’t.

Dahlia has another nightmare about her parents’ deaths. She tells Kane that in the dream, Violet died along with her parents. Kane reminds her that Violet is alive, and Dahlia isn’t alone. They hug, and Dahlia feels safe.

Jude and Preston arrive, interrupting the moment. The friends tease Dahlia, and she realizes how close they must be with Kane. However, she’s still worried about their potential involvement in Violet’s attack. The mood changes, and Preston threatens Dahlia. Kane intercedes, but Dahlia feels anxious that she still doesn’t know the real Kane.

The weeks pass. Dahlia and Kane spend more time together, including the holidays. They’ve grown closer, and Dahlia has shared more about her childhood. Kane is softening, but he has yet to fully open up about his upbringing. One day, Kane returns from a meeting with Grant, looking defeated, and Dahlia worries that he’s not okay.

Dahlia attends a Vipers game with Megan. She feels uncomfortable when she notices a slightly older-looking man watching her from the sidelines, and Megan reveals that he is Jude’s brother, Julian Callahan. Rumors have spread that Julian is trying to usurp his father’s position in their business.

Dahlia turns her attention to the game, enamored with Kane. Afterward, they joke and laugh together, and Dahlia is delighted to be with him.

Dahlia procures Hunter’s DNA and tests it in the lab. Suddenly, Grant and Julian barge in. They threaten Dahlia, insisting she cut off contact with Kane. They know she has been running DNA tests on the Vipers players, and they say they will kill Violet if Dahlia doesn’t abandon her investigations and give up on Kane.