After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires #1) - Melissa Sercia Page 0,66
us. We learn to control it over time. Our senses are heightened. I can hear and smell things from a great distance away. We don’t sleep. We can still enjoy regular food and drink but we don’t need it. All we need to survive is blood. We must have it or else we’ll die.”
“How does one become a vampire?”
“You’d have to drink my blood after I drink yours. It would kill you like a poison but then you’d awaken reborn.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Only for a moment. But it’s forever, Raven. Once you become like me, there’s no going back. There’s no cure. Not one that I know of.”
“Do you ever wish you were still human?”
“I used to. I wish I had been given a choice. But that kind of thinking gets me nowhere now. What’s done is done.”
While his tone suggested he was over it, his eyes hinted at regret. “How will you explain what happened to Tori? Enzo, her family…they will wonder where she is.”
Ozi bit his lip and looked away. “I take full responsibility and I’m sorry you had to see her like that. I’m sorry for her. I will take care of it. Enzo knows the truth. Her family will be contacted and we’ll make it look like an accident.”
I was going to be sick. Images of her lifeless body, blood oozing out of her neck, came rushing forward. Was I still in shock? Even though my stomach was churning, I felt calmer than I thought I would be.
“I need to rest, Ozi. I need to be alone for a while.” Truthfully, I didn’t know what I needed.
He sprang to his feet. “Of course. I’ll leave you to it. I’m sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you. That was the last thing I wanted to do to you. Regardless of everything, Raven…my feelings for you have not changed. Even if yours have. I regret not telling you sooner, but I will live with that mistake. You shouldn’t have to. I will not blame you for wanting nothing to do with me.”
I forced a smile but a part of me was still terrified. Judging by the look on his face, he saw the fear in my eyes. He looked sad, hurt, and disappointed. But I couldn’t will myself to go near him, even though my body wanted to. My heart wanted to. But my mind was screaming at me to stay away.
“One more thing. I didn’t lay a hand on any of those women at my penthouse last night. That was Charlie’s mess. I know what it looked like but know that I never cheated on you. Since we met, you are the only woman I’ve been with. For what it’s worth, I wanted you to know that too… Goodbye, Raven.” He slipped down the hallway and out the front door before I could respond.
After a long hot shower, I bundled up in my robe and poured a huge glass of red wine. I needed to talk to someone but there was no one I could trust with this information. No one I could tell…except Piper. Ozi mentioned that she worked with one of his associates. That she knew about them. There was still this tiny part of me that was questioning everything. Second guessing what I saw and half-expecting Piper to think I was crazy.
I took a deep breath and another big gulp of wine and then dialed Piper’s number.
“Raven! Hi! I was just about to call you and check in. How’s everything going?” Piper’s voice was chipper as always. I was beginning to wonder if that girl ever had a bad day.
There was something about the warmth and ease of her voice that sent me over the edge and I burst into tears.
“Raven, are you ok? What’s going on?”
It took me a few seconds to get a hold of myself as the tears turned to sobbing. I choked on my own saliva and had to get a glass of water before I could form complete sentences. A few deep breaths and I was able to gain enough composure to speak.
“I know what he is, Piper. Ozi. He’s a vampire. Tell me I’m crazy. Or tell me it’s all just an elaborate joke. Please, this can’t be real.” My teeth chattered against my trembling lips.
Piper was so quiet. For a moment, I thought she’d hung up on me. “Piper, did I lose you?”
“No, I’m still here,” she stated. “You’re not crazy and it’s not a joke. This