7. Millie

7

MILLIE

The footsteps don't stop. Someone is in my house.

My entire body wants to coil into itself, and bile rises in my throat, burning it. I'm going to throw up…

What am I supposed to do? My wrist is barely healed!

If it's them. Oh, god. If it's them…. My mind scrambles for solutions.

I can't call the police because more of them will come after me. My heart pounds as fear reverberates with each beat. I palm my mouth hard to stop the whimpers from falling off my lips. Suddenly, the air runs thin, and the temperature feels suffocating.

I reach into the drawer, slowly but carefully, and grab a kitchen knife from my nightstand. I started sleeping with one ever since I was taken. I hold the handle tight until my skin burns. I rise out of bed and creep closer to my door, waiting for more footsteps, but nothing.

I turn the knob, ready to defend myself.

If I'm going to die, I'm going to die fighting.

The hallway is empty.

Every hair on my body rises like static. Why is an empty hallway scarier? My muscles tighten, and I hold my arms close to my body while the blade sticks out in front of me.

I look left and right, but…nothing. Nothing but the pulse throbbing in my ears. I close the door and retreat into my bedroom, putting a barrier between me and the unknown origin.

"Hello? Dad?" I call out, licking my plump lips.

I'm about to head back to my bed when I hear footsteps again.

Fuck it .

I swing it open, lunge forward, and swing the blade, ready to stab the intruder. My eyes narrow as I try to force my eyesight to rummage through the darkness.

It's Cooper.

His ears perk up when he sees me innocently, and his head tilts to the side in a cute, curious gesture.

Of course. It's just my dog.

It's just Cooper walking around. A high-pitched, short whimper falls from his mouth, studying me. I let out a deep breath and laugh softly. I swipe the small bead of sweat that forms on my forehead quickly.

I'm paranoid.

"I'm sorry, boy." I tuck the knife into my back pocket, walk deeper into the hallway, and rush to give him pets, scruffing his big ears and scratching him gently around his neck. He loves it when I do that. At first, he falls into my massage, letting his head nestle in my hand so I can get the angles he wants, but then his behavior shifts into something defensive.

He backs away from me, not letting me pet him further. The fur on his back stands up, his nose contouring, and he's flashing his teeth at me, growling ferociously like he wants to kill me.

What's gotten into him?

He's never behaved this way with me. I back away from him, taking three steps back as he continues to bark and arch his back. His tail points up like he's going to pounce, warning me to get away from him. His eyes lock onto me like I'm a target and not the person he's gotten to know over the past few years.

"Cooper, stop it. What's wrong?" I place my hands in front of me in a surrendering way.

His bark grows louder as I slowly step even further away from him. He then takes two steps closer to me, tempting me to flee.

"Cooper! It's me! Stop, please," I murmur softly.

He steps closer to me, barking like he's going to lunge at me any second. I keep walking backward until I reach my bedroom door on my right side.

But something stops me from walking further back, and Cooper's growls grow even louder. He looks rabid now that I've bumped into something hard.

What the…?

I slowly start turning, silently praying it's anything but a vampire. But my prayers don't make it to God in time because I'm staring into glowing, bright red eyes.

Hayden .

Hyperventilating and paralyzed with fear, my nightmares come alive. With tears leaking down my face, the mysterious man smiles with devious intentions, and Cooper closes the distance more.

Cooper has been trying to warn me this entire time .

I reach for the knife in my back pocket slowly as my chest heaves up and down wildly.

"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 me smirks, 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.

"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 who catches 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.

He hovers over me, and his red eyes light up. He glides his nose from my cheekbones to my jaw, smelling me.

He's sick.

Then he opens his mouth and flashes me his fangs.

Is he going to kill me?

He pushes my body deeper into the mattress with his chest, his lips brushing against my artery. He growls, clearing his throat, while his teeth graze my flesh.

"You either come with me willingly or the hard way. If you don't and you stay here, your father will die when the Davenports realize there's someone else in their way when they pay you your final visit." He pulls back. "If you come with me, he lives. They'll find out you're no longer here, so they won't kill your dad in case he tries to protect you."

" Why don't you kill me ? Put me out of my fucking misery. I don't want to live a life where I have to choose between which immortals take my throat! Just kill me already!"

I raise my hand to slap him, hoping that this will get him off of me. Because damn him , he smells so good. Whatever cologne he's wearing…it isn't fair. Or maybe it's just his natural scent. Either way, I need him off me.

He stops my hand before it gets close to his cheek, and thank God it's the wrist that hasn't been broken. His fingers press into my skin harshly.

He smirks villainously, handsomely. He kisses my forehead, and I glare daggers at him the entire time. When his lips touch my forehead, I squeeze my eyes tightly closed, wanting so badly to push his mass of muscles off me, but I don't want to risk another broken bone.

Finally, after the short kiss from satan, he retracts himself and then whispers into my ear, "Trust me... I will." He tells me with a satisfying tone.

Shivers run up and down my spine, and goosebumps erupt everywhere.

I'm going to die. Hayden is going to kill me.

Tears leak down my face.

"Aww, Bambi…we haven't even started yet, and you're crying?" He coos sinisterly, and then he kisses the tears that run down my cheeks.

"My name is Millie," I croak out raspy.

He scoffs, licking his lips.

Finally, he gets off me and re-adjusts his suit. He walks over to my window again. What is he looking for? It's like he's searching for threats in my neighborhood.

I sit up, and hold onto my pillow for comfort, as I watch him. I think he's really going to kidnap me. I don't think I'll have a choice if it means to protect my father. I have to go with him, right?

"Look, I'm not a total monster." He bows, smiling…but this time, he attempts to charm me. And fuck him because it comes so naturally to him.

"Your father will be safe. Your brother will be safe. And it'll buy you more time. I'll grant you a quick death while the Davenports…" He rolls side to side with his hands like he's lost in thought. "Not so much."

I arch my brows infuriated.

"How the hell do you know about my brother?"

He cuts me off.

"Oh, you mean, doctor to be Nash?" He lifts a brow.

My mouth falls open.

"I know everything about you, Bambi. Millie Flores. Hispanic. Mexican descent. She was born and raised in Texas. She loves to watch horror movies. She has mommy and daddy issues. But mostly mommy issues when she chose her new boyfriend over her children."

Asshole .

"Fuck you!"

He laughs, deep and seductive.

"Fuck me?"

He stalks back towards me and kicks my legs apart from me with his knee. He settles in between my thighs and puts his hand over my pajamas, right where my pussy is.

I inhale sharply, and the pulsations begin against his touch. My brain wants to make room for sensual curiosity. He scoffs before he slips his fingers into my bottoms and places his fingers over my skin. He stops right above my pubic bone, just a centimeter from my clit.

"If you want me to fuck you, Bambi, you have to beg. But get creative with your words because you already know how I feel about the word, please."

"Never," I rasp.

"Look at your cheeks, the color they make when I touch you."

"It's because I'm angry," I lie. I try to mask my flustered tone.

He chuckles profoundly and then slides his finger down my wet slit and smirks when he realizes how I'm dripping.

Screw him.

He pulls his finger out and holds it in front of our faces.

"Angry, huh? Your body has a wild way of showing that emotion." Then he licks his finger. He sucks my wetness with a deeply satisfied hum.

"Fuck...you taste so good. If this is the way you drip, I can't imagine how your blood will taste."

I've had enough of this.

I slap him across the face right before I grab my lamp and smash it across his head. My lamp shatters in pieces when it impacts, leaving many cuts all over his gorgeous, vengeful face.

I start crawling away when I realize my attempt to knock him out has failed, and my plan to escape is slowly withering away.

I crawl away until my back hits my headboard, and I hug my knees to my chest while I watch Hayden close his eyes, shaking his head like he's about to do something terrible. He faces all the broken pieces of the lamp on the floor, blood dripping down his sharp cheekbones and chiseled jaw. He grins, but he's beyond enraged by the way his eyes gleam a deeper shade of crimson and his pupils expand.

"While I love a good fight, I'm running short on time." In a blink of an eye, he's in front of my face, his hand over my mouth, muffling my screams. The vein in his neck bulges as he restrains me.

"Sweet dreams, little Bambi."

Everything goes black.