Page 22 of My Mr. Vampire

“A job?” He frowned. “I don’t have any skills, but I will figure it out.”

“Don’t come back here. Stay away from my club. Don’t try to ruin my new life.”

“What are you going to do about Teresa?”

“That’s none of your business. I’m sure she’s long gone.”

“No, she’s still here in town. I’ve seen her at some fleabag motel on the west side of town. She didn’t see me, but I saw her. She’s still here in Chicago. I believe she’s determined to win you back. Why else would she be in town?”

“I don’t care what she’s doing or where she’s located.” I wasn’t being honest. I cared because Teresa was unhinged, and she’d already killed one woman that was associated with me. Plus, she knew about Chanel, and my relationship with my girl was the real deal.

“I think you should care. I’ve heard some really wicked things about her after you left L.A.”

“I don’t care about her. I don’t want to hear anything about her. I don’t want to see her. Why is this so difficult for you to understand?” My voice raised. I left Teresa in the past. Why wouldn’t she stay in the past?

“I believe you. But she’s been a mentally ill bitch for five years. She did some horrible things back in L.A. after you left town. I just know she’s planning something. Why else is she still in town? She tracked you down and came here. She’s stalking you.”

I needed to remind him. “You tracked me down and came here. You’re also stalking me.”

He ignored the dig. “I’m telling you, she’s gone mad. Do you really think she’s going to leave without a fight?”

“There is no fight. I don’t want her. I don’t love her. She is dead to me. Teresa is for the streets.” For the streets, a saying I got from Donté. It was too soon to tell Harlen I had a son. He would be jealous.

“Never underestimate a woman scorned.” He warned as if I didn’t know this.

“She’s scorned me. I dumped her. End of story.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I know I’m right. I have an army of vamps that will fight for me. She is just one lonely, destitute vampire tramp.”

Harlan had wronged me so many times. Against my better judgment, I knew I shouldn’t welcome him back into my life. It was easier to forgive him because I no longer had any feelings whatsoever for Teresa. Holding a grudge toward him seemed futile. I only loved Chanel. Harlan’s affair with Teresa was like a faded memory that I no longer had use for.

If he was here begging for my forgiveness, that meant he was desperate, and I’d seen him this way before. He wasn’t as strong as I was, and I had to pull him out of fire once before. If he got too low, he could try to end his vampire existence.

I wasn’t saying I was going to let bygones be bygones. I just didn’t care about the past or what he had done to me. All I wanted to do in my long life was to be with Chanel, protect Chanel, and love Chanel. Nothing else mattered.

There were two knocks on my office door. I looked over at the security camera screens.

I frowned at Harlen. “Act like you’re human.”

“Why? Humans are savages.” He teased.

I gave him a look that let him know I meant business. “Come in.” I spoke toward the closed door.

I waited for the door to open.

Natasha didn’t walk in; she just held the door. “Boss, you have visitors. What is he still doing here?” She hissed, referring to Harlen. I confided in Natasha. She knew how he betrayed me, and she didn’t like him one bit.

“He’ll be leaving soon. Please, come in.” I waved to Chanel and Morgan. The ladies walked into my office. They both had wine glasses in their hands that were more than half full. Natasha closed the door, but I was sure she was somewhere near on the other side of it.

Harlen leapt from his chair like his ass was on fire. “Please, sit.” He extended his hand to the chair he occupied a second ago and the other vacant chair next to it.

Chanel took a seat first, and Morgan followed.

“Chanel, Morgan, this is my brother, Harlen.”

“It’s nice to meet you ladies.” Harlen bowed his head. He didn’t rush to kiss their hands, hug them or give them two cheek air kisses. So maybe he was turning over a new leaf.

---