Page 29 of Claiming Her Vampire

“It is. Have a drink with me when you want. I would welcome the conversation,” I say, surprising myself.

“Sounds good. I’ll get your number from Kerian if he’s still speaking to me.” He salutes me with his half-eaten sandwich and disappears.

I bet there is an exciting story with him. I shake my head and lock up. My mate is waiting for me. For the first time in forever, I can say I’m looking forward to going home to someone in my place. That emotion hasn’t been part of my life. Anger and loneliness have been my companions for as long as I can remember. I don’t admit many fears. Up until now, the biggest one was not finding my mate to share my long life with. But what if Serenity turns away from what I am offering her when she finds out about all the things I have done?

Chapter Ten

Serenity

My hands twitch on the bar as I waited for the flirty bartender to fill my table's drink order. The music and laughter swirls around me. I have to consciously try to stop my fingers from pulling at the end of my shorts, hoping they would magically grow an inch. This was not my normal attire. The tank was cute, and the knife on the front reminding me of the ones strapped on Ryker’s chest. But the shorts were tight and short, showing more leg than I ever have.

My thoughts were on Ryker and his willingness to humor me with simple, get-to-know-me conversation before we came to work. I smile slightly and shake my head, knowing it was the last thing he wanted to do. The fierce vampire is different with me.

The drinks are set down with a clunk on my tray, and I avoid the curious gaze aimed my way. I throw out a quiet thank you and pick them up, balancing them as I turn.

I pause, looking over my shoulder slightly. I feel eyes on the back of my neck, staring intently, threatening. I turn quickly, searching the crowd. I shrug it off—it’s normal to be jumpy. I weave through the tables to the seats filled with women and set down the drinks to the eager friends.

A shiver starts at my toes and travels up to the crown of my head. I twist my head back and forth rapidly, my eyes scanning the room. My throat tightens and my palms begin to sweat. The only person that has made me feel like this is Tom. Everyone has been so welcoming here and has gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

I hold my tray in front of me, pulling it tight, as if it can protect me from the fear. My knuckles turn white, and the pressure starts to build in my gut. I know it’s him. He found me. How did he find me? I made sure to cover my tracks. I didn’t give anything away to my parents. I haven’t even talked to my dad.

I expected Tom to give up. Maybe that was just wishful thinking. I desperately wanted to forget about him, move forward, and be in control of my life. I feel bad mooching off of Ava. I did have a lot more money saved, but I realized too late that my ex had been sticking his grubby little hands into my stash. The reason escapes me; he has plenty of his own. I suppose it was just another way to control me. He did lots of things like that.

Memories flash harshly through my mind, the pain, the hopelessness, as his fists connected.

No, no no. My hair swings wildly around my face.

I take two steps to the right, then to the left, lifting up on my toes, my gaze flicking from one face to another. My stomach is burning. I slam into someone behind me, they smile at me invitingly. I quickly apologize and move away, my eyes never stopping. The crowd pulses around me and my vision tunnels. I pry my hand from the tray and grasp my throat, my heartbeat pounding against my fingers, and then it’s not my hand but Tom’s.

I stumble across the floor, dodging through the sweaty bodies and the looks flashing over me. My back hits the bar. I grab the wood gratefully, dropping my tray. The clang of it gains me more attention from those close to me, their heads whipping towards me. I blink.

My eyes lock onto Tom’s. Tears wet my eyes. He’s here.

Chapter Eleven

Ryker

The club has reached the time of night where inhibitions have lowered either because the alcohol has done its job or they have found the one they intend to seduce into a night of fun.

We spent a few hours talking about likes and dislikes before I drove us to the club. The conversation seemed important to Serenity, so I indulged her. I enjoyed watching her speak and basking in her scent. Much to my surprise, I discovered we have many things in common. We like the same colors and many of the same foods, and we were both night people. The sensation of actually giving a shit about what someone else cares about is odd. Have I really been such an unfeeling asshole?

I have just come up to my office for a minute to review the file the wolves sent over. Serenity is testing me with her beautiful body, fluttering around the floor. The verdict is that everyone likes her. She’s an excellent waitress. I would rather have her locked away at home behind my door, but I didn’t want to push her away. I don’t know enough about her to know her limits. Vampires are naturally possessive. I am fighting my instincts every minute with her.

I just sat down when Tristan came through the door. I left him to watch Serenity.

“You may want to come back down.” He waves out the door, nervous.

“Why aren’t you with her?” I demand and stand up.

“I think we have a problem. There's a man that’s watching her. I asked if she knew him, but she avoided my question. She’s very nervous, though.”

I ran past him, panic running through me.

I search the room for Serenity, my hand automatically reaching for my knives, ready to kill a bastard. When I find her at the bar, my heart steadies. Her eyes dart over her shoulder. When I come into her view, her whole posture changes. She stands taller and steps toward me.

I reach out and slide my hand around her waist, my body acting as a wall to anyone looking at her, curving around her.

“What’s going on?” I ask as I search her face.

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