Page 20 of The Depraved Prince
“I can smell your Valkyrie blood from hundreds of miles away. What makes you think you’re safe, Bambi? Don’t you know how mouthwatering you are?” He roars with husky laughter, but it’s slow and conniving.
I let my bravery take over. I grab the knife from my back pocket, lift it into the air, and defend myself. I stab him in the chest, right by where his heart should be. It takes all of my strength for the blade to pierce through, but I barely succeed.
A sharp cry escapes my mouth as I let go of the knife, expecting Hayden to stumble back or shout from the pain, but instead, he looks down, unfazed, and smirks.
The devil in front of mesmirks,like he’s having the time of his life.
I walk into my room backward as I watch Hayden pull out the knife from his chest. He studies my weapon like he’s impressed by it. He moves forward with one giant step and offers my knife back to me, holding it by the blade so I can grab it back by the handle.
What a gentleman. I roll my eyes.
He flashes me a hauntingly beautiful smile.
“That was hot. Do it again, but do it harder,” he dares with a sinful, devilish smirk. A darker color soaks his suit—he’s bleeding.
“You’re insane,” I breathe out as my knees lock to prevent me from falling over from all my trembling.
“I prefer the term Sadomasochist. But insane’s easier to say, I guess.” He shrugs nonchalantly.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were never going to see me again?” I take the knife back into my hand fast and hold it in front of me.
Hayden frowns in a snarky way, like I insulted him. He palms his chest and coos. “Aww, Bambi, you’re not happy to see me? That hurts.”
Cooper hasn’t stopped barking. Instead, it looks like he’s ready to bite Hayden’s leg off with the way he closes the distance, and his saliva flies everywhere with each bark.
“What a cute puppy! Call him off now. I would hate for your dad to lose his morning jogging buddy.” His eyes turn into slits. The way his tone goes from joyous to villainous gives me a whiplash.
“You wouldn’t dare…”
He crosses his arm against his chest and smiles.
“Want to try me? Want to see if I follow through with my threats, baby girl?” he taunts cruelly.
How does he know that Cooper and my dad go jogging every morning? Scrunching my nose hopelessly, I turn to Cooper.
“Hey, boy, it’s okay, it’s okay,” I reassure him even though it’s a lie. I don’t think anything about this is okay right now. Cooper doesn't listen or stop. He looks at me confused but doesn’t sway. I walk over to him, passing Hayden, and he watches us both with an unknown expression.
“It’s okay, boy.” I kneel down to meet Cooper’s forehead and plant a kiss, putting on an act.
“Hurry up, Millie. Unfortunately for you, I’m only here to talk.”
I roll my eyes again, and walk away from Cooper to my bed, crossing my arms defensively as Hayden follows me. He closes the door and locks it, forcing Cooper to whine helplessly on the other side.
What is he doing here?
“Unfortunately for me?” I mimic him.
Hayden sighs, rubbing his jaw, frustrated. He walks towards my window like this is his room. Or like he’s been here hundreds of times already.
He lifts the curtains out of the way with his fingers, glancing outside for a few seconds, and then he turns to me with his red, glowing, vibrant eyes.
“The pulsation in between your thighs and fast heart rate betrays you, Bambi. So, yes. Unfortunately for you, I’m only here to talk.”
He knows my body can’t deny the shameful attraction I have for him. Damn him. He sure isn’t human if he knows how my body talks to him.
I clear my throat, take a deep breath, and force myself to relax. This is embarrassing.
“Then what is it? What do you need to say? You’re the one that needs to hurry up and get out of here!” I point to the door.
