Page 45 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“You can never look hideous.”

“I’m sure the mirror says otherwise.”

“Fuck the mirror!”

Chanel tried to giggle, but it came out as a choking cough.

Someone would pay. As much as I wanted to be a changed man, I sort of knew deep down that someone would die.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ZAND

Istayed at the hospital until the end of visiting hours, which was 8PM. My drive home was somber, but I was fuming underneath my skin. I knew Chanel would be safe in the hospital because of its location. There was around the clock security and Chicago police officers stationed at the hospital. I had questions that needed answers. I didn’t know if her physical assault was random. Could it be a random attempted robbery? Chicago offered a buffet of violent crimes all year round. Only the security camera footage could offer me the answers I was looking for.

What was their intent? Did they want to take her life? Did she escape death because they didn’t want to kill her? Did they spare her when they realized she didn’t have any money or credit cards? It didn’t matter. I would do anything I could to protect her.

My sporadic thoughts didn’t seem to matter. The truth would be revealed. I had to look at the video surveillance. The tapes would give me the answers I seek. Then I would know the face of my enemy. I would uncover who went after Chanel and I would know whom to focus my wrath.

There was a chill in the air that pierced the back of my neckas soon as I got out of my car. As I approached the dumpster where Chanel was attacked, I made plans to install motion censored lights, the brightest ones I could find. It was important for my tenants to feel safe. I looked up at where the cameras were hidden on the building. Everything seemed normal.

As the landlord, I was going to have to inform the other tenants of the attack. Transparency in situations like this was always best.

I entered the building and got a whiff of— her. Anger, I shouldn’t still be this infuriated by her. I wouldn’t let her know the wound she left hadn’t fully healed. She may take pleasure in it. I would never give her the satisfaction.

I rounded the corner, and my sense of smell was undoubtedly correct. Teresa was leaning on my apartment door. Head to toe black like she was in mourning. Her breasts were hoisted up to her throat. Such blatant tactics would never work with me. Was she an idiot?

Was this a coincidence? She was here in Chicago at the same time my shiftless brother had arrived. Did Gillian tell them I was here? No way he would betray me in such a manner.

“Teresa Protenza.” I wanted to make the first move. I wanted to punch her in the face. Speaking her name would have to suffice, for now.

“Teresa Valentine.” She purred a name that no longer belonged to her.

There was a ceremony, but we were never legally married, although I never cared about legalities. “In your dreams.” It was a juvenile thing to say, but it seemed fitting for this unexpected visit.

“Where were you? I was waiting for your return.”

“I’m never coming back to L.A. Why are you here?”

“You didn’t return any of my calls.”

“So you rushed to the city of Chicago?”

“It took me forever to find you. I never dreamed you wouldgo somewhere cold. Alexander, what was I to do? You never came home to me.”

I ignored her words. I needed answers. “How do you know where I live?”

“I followed you one night when you were leaving The Castle. I love your new vibe. It’s cute, but it doesn’t seem like you.”

“My new vibe.” I chuckled. “I don’t have time for this. I am no longer attracted to chaos and destruction.”

“Since when?” She sneered as her eyebrows rose.

I ignored the question. I didn’t owe her honest responses.

“I noticed there was a huge police presence around the apartment early in the morning.”

“What were you doing here?”

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