Page 77 of Saving Her Vampire

“She hit you?” River asks, excited.

“She did,” he sneers at River.

“Is that when you shot her?” I ask, growling.

“Unfortunately. I warned her what would happen if she tried to get away,” he says.

“You tied her to the bed.” I’m holding myself back from ending him.

“I knew she liked it rough,” Sammy says.

“Oh, shit,” Bishop whispers.

Faster than he can track, I punch him, giving him a matching bruise. “You know nothing.”

“I know that she went to that club,” he says.

“Fuck you,” Brandon spits.

“I would advise you to stay out of this,” River says, glaring at Brandon.

“Did you rape her?” I fear the answer.

“I’m a gentleman. She was passed out most of the time,” he says, offended.

“You’re a gentleman?” River asks in disbelief.

“I wanted her to get used to being mine.”

“Little tip, asshole, if you have to hold a woman hostage to accomplish your task, she doesn’t want you,” I say, scowling.

“She would have. I know she would have loved me. You had to ruin it.”

“Is this guy for real?” Bishop asks.

“He’s delusional,” River states.

“Do you know what I am?” I ask, tilting my head.

“Yes.” He shows no fear.

“I don’t think he understands,” River says, his eyes narrowed.

“He doesn’t, but he will,” I say, thrilled with the prospect.

“What about me?” Brandon asks.

“Bishop, what do you think?” I ask.

“He is an asshole. He shouldn’t be allowed around women,” he replies.

“Why don’t you do your mind-fuck on him?” River asks. He leans forward in his chair, eager.

“That would work,” Bishop says, rubbing his chin.

I step over to face Brandon, catching his fearful gaze. “You do not like women. You hate sex and will go the rest of your life without it. You will never abuse women again. If you try to get physical with a woman, you will go limp and not be able to perform.” His eyes water as if he knows the scope of his punishment. “Once we are done here, you will pack and move far away from here. If you come back, I will kill you. You will always live by yourself, sad and alone. Think about the things you have done, over and over again, with regret. Live in your misery, Brandon. After you leave, you will forget our names. The details will be fuzzy. In your soul, you will know you did horrible things that you are being punished for.”

“Holy shit,” Bishop says, awed.