Page 39 of Claiming Her Vampire

Chapter Fourteen

Ryker

Serenity is mad at me. She’s ignoring me. I despise the fear churning in my stomach because of it. I shouldn’t have talked to her that way. She did ask me, though. I’ve been biding my time, trying to be like a human as much as possible. I didn’t want to scare her away. I realize with her asshole ex, she will have reservations, but now that she is near me, I don’t want to lose her.

I calmed down enough to speak with her when the buzzer for the door rang. I found Bash and Ava waiting. Apparently, Serenity and Ava talked about going to the club together tonight since it was Serenity’s night off.

They spent hours getting ready, laughing, and talking in her room. Bash took the opportunity to have some time away from that annoying hag—his words, not mine. He promised to meet at the club.

When they came downstairs, all dressed up, I lost my easygoing attitude. She had a short black skirt that showed way too much leg and a sparkly silver top. Her back and arms were bare. Did she not care I was likely to kill someone over her?

It didn’t matter how much I scowled and growled. She walked out, not paying any attention. I had no choice but to drive them both to the club, bite my tongue, and attempt to survive the night. Or hope like hell I didn’t kill anyone for looking at her. She knew what I was, how dangerous I could be, and she didn’t fear me or what I could do to her.

They chatted the whole drive, not acknowledging my presence. Bash is correct. This is all Ava’s fault, and she is an annoying hag.

She brushed off my frustrated glare too.

They took off into the crowd the minute we arrived, not giving me a second glance. I ordered Tristan to watch them and escaped to my office.

What did she expect? Why would she want to die? We only have a few short years together before she would be gone. Did she not think at all what that would do to me? To us? I will try to be patient, but I am having a hard time controlling the demon inside, pushing me to take her. Eventually, I will change her into a vampire, and we will live happily ever after, dammit!

Bash strolls in with his drink in his hand. His face is colder than ever.

“I had to drink a gallon of blood, fuck two women, and eat a big juicy burger to ease my urge to kill that woman,” he says as he drops on the couch.

“So you don’t want to kill her anymore?” I ask incredulously. I pull up the security feed to look for Serenity in the crowd.

“Oh, I still do. But maybe not tonight,” he mutters, closes his eyes, and leans his head back. “Are we any closer to finding the murdering asshole? I would like to go back to my boring, solitary life.”

“There haven’t been any more humans murdered that we know of. I haven’t gotten any new information,” I grumble. “Since nothing was found at the meet Greg was supposed to show up to, we have jack shit.”

“Why are you angry?” he asks, opening one eye.

“I’m not,” I glared at him.

“You are. I know all your moods. You are mad and pouting.”

“I do not pout. When have I ever pouted?” I grind my teeth. “I could say the same for you, pouter.”

“Is mated life not all you expected?” He drains his drink and sits up.

“She was asking questions about being a vampire. I may have gotten annoyed.” I sigh.

“I bet. She is a human. It’s only been a few days since she learned about us. You have to expect her to be a little hesitant.”

“I realize that. I am trying to be patient.”

“You have never been patient,” he laughs.

“Thanks, asshole,” I growl.

“You know it’s true. Remember, I have been by your side for years. I know everything about you: good, bad, and gruesome. What about the two years in Italy? You met a human, wanted her, and showed her what you are. Her screams still haunt my dreams. You couldn’t wait for her to develop feelings for you,” he reminds me, tipping his glass at me. “You have never been patient.”

“Fine, I have to give you that. This is different, though. She is my mate.”

“She’ll get there. She’s already in your place, sleeping right down the hall from the fearsome vampire she’s only read about in books. That’s progress.”

“You’re right.” I spot Serenity at a table, looking sexy as hell, laughing with Ava. “I’ve been waiting so long for her, it won’t kill me to wait longer. I will let her guide our relationship. Let her control it.”

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