After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires #1) - Melissa Sercia Page 0,67
is why I warned you to stay away from him. Once you know what they are, you can’t unknow it.”
“How did you know this world existed?” I asked.
“I live in this world, Raven. I have for a very long time. It’s my job. I hunt supernatural artifacts. I’m working with one of Ozi’s partners right now.”
“Aren’t you scared?”
Piper sighed. “Sometimes. But I’m so accustomed to it now. I guess it’s become normal. Raven, listen, unless you want to become like him, you should stay away. He’s dangerous. All of them are.”
I let out a slight whimper as I tried to stifle a cry. “I know. But I think I’m in love with him. I can’t explain the hold he has over me. I’ve never felt this kind of attraction before.”
“I get it. Believe me. But that’s part of their charm. They’re immortal which means they are physically perfect and have centuries worth of charisma they’ve been stockpiling. Of course he’s never going to compare to a normal human man. I can’t tell you what to do except to just be careful.”
I hadn’t even told her about my abduction or how I watched one of my coworkers get drained of blood in front of me. But at least I now had someone to talk to about all of this. That brought me some comfort.
“You be careful too, Piper. Thanks for listening. I’ll keep you posted on what I decide to do.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up and I was alone again. My apartment felt cold and empty. The more I thought about what Ozi was, the more I realized that it didn’t matter. I didn’t know if it was love or obsession or something else entirely. All I knew was that I didn’t want to be away from him. Even if Piper was right and I was only drawn to him because of what he was, I didn’t care. I craved him like he craved blood.
I rushed through the doors of Dolce Sale and nearly toppled Enzo over.
“Raven…are you all right?” His fingers trembled around a stack of menus.
“Ozi told me everything.” I glanced around as some of the staff perked up at the mention of his name and then lowered my voice. “I know what he is.”
He set the menus down. “Come with me.”
I followed him to the back office. He shut the door behind us. “I’m so happy you are safe. I’m sorry you had to see all of that last night.”
“Enzo…Thank you. For looking out for me all these years. For sending me to Italy. In a weird way, I feel like you’re the only real family I have.”
He clasped my hands in his. “I knew what Camille was capable of and I couldn’t let her ruin your life. You deserved a chance to be human. Whatever you decide to do now, is up to you.”
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to live forever—an endless existence of drinking blood to survive. The only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted Ozi.
The past could no longer haunt me. The only darkness hanging over my head now was from the shadows of regret. From losing Raven. I didn’t even know how much I needed her until she was gone. How could she ever look at me the same again? She watched me rip out Camille’s heart. She saw who I really was. And like Camille, she would probably reject me. The only difference this time was I would not turn Raven into a monster like me. I would not force her into this life. Unlike Camille, she had a chance at a better life. She’d despise me forever but at least she would still have her free will.
As the chopper took me back to my estate in the country, I looked over the Brooklyn Bridge one last time. I put my penthouse in Charlie’s name and told Enzo to run Dolce Sale without me. There would be no more parties, no more women, and no more trips to the city. All I wanted was solitude. To be left alone with my guilt. The city held too many memories. All of my good memories of Raven were in the country. That one perfect weekend we spent together without any distractions from the outside world. I would cherish it always.
My phone rang, startling me out of my reverie. Cassius.
“I’m not in the best mood right now, just to warn you,” I answered.