Page 48 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“I will win you back.”

“If I see you again, I will kill you.” My anger erupted. I had both my hands around her scrawny throat. With just a smidgen of my strength, I pushed her back and her body slammed into the wall.

She slid down and landed on the floor. I swiftly turned andremoved my key from my pocket. I opened my apartment door and entered, closing the door behind me.

I had never hit a woman before today. Teresa was no woman. She was a heartless whore, a deceitful monster. I thought what we had was unique. I believed our love was special, but she fucked my father and my brother. I could never forgive her. I didn’t want things to be this way. Her treachery led me here to Chicago. It led me to Chanel. I had to check the video cameras. If Teresa lied about attacking Chanel, my warning would be moot. I was going to find her and kill her. There was just no way around it.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ZAND

Imade my way to The Castle. I arrived around ten and stayed until sunrise. There were no surprise visitors, but that didn’t put my mind at ease. I hoped Teresa had made her way back to the Golden State. She had been warned, and I meant every word of my threat.

I gave second chances with great rarity. There was nothing between us, and I would end her life if she defied me. Leaving California was a mercy on my part. I wanted to kill her when I found her with her mouth around my father’s cock and my brother fucking her in her ass. It hurt to see it, but it wasn’t the first time a woman had betrayed me.

I thought I changed from the man I used to be. But that was a lie. I hadn’t changed. I adapted to the new environment. Once upon a time, I woke every day and chose violence, death and destruction. Now I’ve chosen peace, life and living. I’m not an imbecile. I knew I could fall back into my old life. If things escalate, that would happen sooner rather than later.

Using my key, I picked up Chanel’s purse from her apartment. I didn’t think about the coffee she was making before they attacked her. The coffee maker was on a timer. The pot was fullof cold coffee I poured into the sink. Chanel’s purse, coat and keys were laying in a chair in the living room. I scooped them up and locked her door before leaving. I had revealed things I was going to have to answer for.

Chanel’s discharge went smoothly. A nurse wheeled her out of the entrance where I had pulled my car around. I helped her inside and pulled the seatbelt over her body.

There was a thick silence in the air for minutes after I pulled my car into traffic. What was she thinking? I didn’t know. I was worried.

“Zand.” She cleared her throat.

Her voice made me take my eyes off the road for a second.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know you had video cameras on the property.”

“They’re hidden. It seems the people that assaulted you made sure their identities were hidden. I couldn’t make out any faces. I’m sorry there wasn’t more I could do.”

“You’re here, and that means a lot to me.”

“Of course, where else would I be?” I glanced over at her and took her hand in mine.

“I appreciate it. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”

“It’s fine. It had to be a random robbery. Could’ve been a carjacking. I don’t know. I didn’t have a purse, a wallet or my keys, so they picked the wrong victim.”

“You were right. There were two of them and I believe from their stature they were women. They were in all black, hoodies, sweats and dark shoes. Their faces just weren’t visible.”

“I remember being hit from behind. I remember fighting. I couldn’t see anything. Then I must’ve passed out.”

“I have someone coming out tomorrow to install brighter motion sensor lights at the rear of the building. Did you call Morgan?”

“I don’t want to worry her. I’ll call her tomorrow. I need to get back to work as soon as possible. I can’t get fired. I took days off to go back to Minnesota and now this.”

“Don’t worry about that. I own the building. You don’t have to worry about rent.”

“You missed your Halloween bash when we were away.”

“I didn’t miss it. I preferred to be with you.” I raised her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “I have a question.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you ever think this could’ve been your ex?”

---