Page 21 of The Depraved Prince
“Why so hostile?” He quirks a brow. “You’re cute when you yell.”
I furrow my eyebrows at him. If my eyes could turn colors,they’d be scarlet and throw fire at him.
“You’re kidding me, right? Do you really think I’d be happy to see you? I’ve been thinking about all the different ways to kill you if you ever showed back up here!”
Hayden sways his head back and forth, pondering, fighting the urge to smile.
“God, that turns me on. So you have been thinking about me, beautiful girl?”
I just told him I’ve been thinking about ways to murder him, and he sees it as me flirting. I tilt my head, confused, and mouth a curse word. I shake my head at a mischievous Hayden.
He’s crazy.
“Okay, okay, you’ve got a point.” His tone surrenders as he walks in a circle. He places his hands behind his back. “But my visitation is better than the alternative.”
My eyebrows raise.
“What’s the alternative?” I ask sternly.
“The Davenports,” he responds, staring into my soul. Like I’m his prey. He clenches his jaw off and on, then licks his lips.
My heart sinks, and the flashbacks of the ice-cold blue eyes and blonde-haired men that took me come back like a train bulldozing the shell I’ve trained hard to have like steel.
“That’s why I’m here, Bambi. The Southern King knows about you. He wants your blood. Your sweet, dangerous blood. He wants to suck you dry until you’re nothing but skin and bones.”
“Like I’m a human juice box?” He ignores me. I don’t know why, but I believe him.
“When you say king? Like…vampire royalty sort of thing?”
He nods quietly.
“But I haven’t said a word! I’ve stayed out of sight. I even quit my job today because I’ve been living in fear because of what I went through! Why does he want me?!”
“Because you’re a Valkyrie,” he states simply.
“Again, what does that even mean?”
“It means that you’re no longer safe,” he quips back sharply like he’s over answering my questions. “It means that you’ve been marked for the reaper. It means you and your father are dead...if you don’t come with me.”
I flinch, but it changes to a glare of confusion.
“For your protection, of course.” He shrugs.
I scoff.
“My protection, huh? Sounds like a lie. Do you expect me to believe anything that comes from your mouth? After you kidnapped and choked me?!” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I saved your fucking life,” he tells me coldly as he turns to me disgruntled. “And you like being choked, baby girl. I know you do. No need to be ashamed of what gets you going. I liked it when I wrapped my hand around your dainty little neck. I liked it when I felt your pulse against my cold skin. I like many different things, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ll bark like a dog and get on my knees like a good boy for a woman whocatches my interest.” He says it like it’s a game to push me over the edge. My eyes widen at his candor and remarks. I purse my lips together.
“We’re getting off-topic, Hayden. I’m safer in my own room than with you. Please. Spare me your concern, and get the hell away from me before I call the police?—”
Hayden’s mood changes, and his irises flash bright red again. He stalks over to me, stomping. With every step, he makes loud thuds of thunder, moving with a harsh purpose.
“What did I tell you about saying please?” he snarls. “I hate that fucking word.”
I swallow. I sink down further as he towers over me. The way he’s seething, full of wrath, makes me cower. I fall on my bed, my back on the mattress, and he climbs over me.
“Stop it. I won’t go with you,” I mutter.
