Page 41 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“I told you I knew the owner.” He had to get one more round of vitriol out, just because.

“Harlen.”

“Alexander, it’s been a long time.”

Not long enough for me. The way he said my name was more annoying than I recollected. Clearly, he was here to bother me in some form or fashion.

“Let us move away so we can have a private conversation.”

“Of course, that’s exactly what I would like a private conversation with my brother.” Harlen said as he rolled his eyes at my security staff.

I gently grabbed his forearm, even though gentle was exactly the opposite of how I felt in the moment. I led him down the alley and into utter darkness. I let him go just to turn to him and ask a question.

“Why are you here?” I tried to keep my tone even.

“You know why I’m here.”

I didn’t know why that was precisely why I asked the question. But he was the type who played silly games. Games that I was in no mood to play. “Enlighten me.”

“I miss you.” He purred.

“I doubt you’re capable of such emotions.”

“Please, Zand, it’s been a long time.”

“Not long enough.” In my humble opinion.

“I’ve come all this way, and this is how you want this to go between us?”

“I want you to go, Harlen. That is all I want.”

“You can’t mean that.”

“I can, and I do.”

“After all, we’ve been through.” He pleaded.

“We only share lies. You are a liar. Nothing has changed, I’m sure of it. You don’t believe there is anything wrong with your actions.”

He took a step forward and rested his palms on my shoulders. His touch repulsed me. I swiftly removed his treacherous paws.

“Time heals wounds. I want my brother back with me. I want us. Time is a construct that means absolutely nothing to us. We are family.”

His words were laughable. But for this man, I couldn’t even muster up a chuckle. The audacity to come back to this country with these feeble pleas. His nerve knew no bounds.

Looking at him now, I couldn’t even remember the brother I used to love above all else. I had forgiven my father for his indiscretions. I would never forgive Harlen. What we had will alwaysbe tarnished and trashed because of his deceitfulness, jealousy, and greed.

“Alexander, I am very sorry. I beg you to give me one more chance. I can prove to you I am the brother you once loved. We are family. Family is forever. I still believe you love me.”

But I didn’t love him. We weren’t blood brothers. We didn’t share the same mother or any familiar blood. He was adopted without my consent. I didn’t want him or ask for him. I tried to love him as a real brother, but that was impossible. I knew better.

Harlen was vindictive. He did things to hurt me. Chanel would be in jeopardy if I allowed that clown back into my life. I preferred to just part ways with my adopted brother.

“I’m not sorry. I no longer want anything to do with you. I prefer that our paths never cross. These are not words I say to you to be cruel. I say these words because they’re true.”

“Alexander, I don’t believe you.” There was a slight quiver in his voice. I didn’t care.

“Please believe me. You are dead to me. You have been dead to me. Seeing you in the flesh doesn’t change your death.”

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