Chapter 116: She's Taken

Roderick's POV

The moment I reached the location provided in the message, I stepped into the cafe. My gaze scanned the room, searching for any man who looked suspicious. The place was packed with people, making it impossible to pick him out of the crowd. Since I didn't recognize him, there was only one way to find him.

I dialed the number. It rang only once before he picked up.

“Where have you been? You are keeping me late,” a voice said from the table right beside me.

Realizing I had found him, I disconnected the call and reached out to tap his shoulder.

“Do I know you?” he questioned the moment I touched him.

“No, but I think you are about to know exactly who I am,” I said, pulling out a chair and settling down across from him.

“You can’t sit there. I’m waiting for someone, she—”

“You mean Lif?” I interrupted.

His eyes grew wide. He stared at me in a stunned silence for several moments before he finally managed to recollect himself.

“How do you know who I am waiting for?” shock dripped from his voice. “Did she send you? Maybe to give me something?” he added, and I nodded slowly.

“She sent me here to give you exactly what you want.”

“That doesn't sound like Lif,” he muttered, shaking his head. “But... what did she ask you to give me?” His eyes lit up with greed as he questioned me.

“I’m sure you wouldn't want to receive it in front of all these people. Why don't we go and—”

“What's your relationship with her?” he demanded, making me still.

What should I tell him? I couldn't possibly say I was her boss; it sounded illogical. What employee sends her boss on such an errand?

“Your relationship with her?” he asked again, his tone suggesting I was delaying the question.

“Her boyfriend,” I answered. His face crunched up into a deep, mocking frown.

“Her boyfriend?” He laughed so hard the corners of his eyes became misty. “That bitch never had one before. It’s hard to picture her with one.”

I sucked in a sharp, jagged breath. Gritting my teeth, I felt a hot, volatile fluid flow through my veins. My hands curled into balls under the table as I fought to keep myself from ripping his heart out right there.

How dare he insult her in front of me?

“What did you just say?!” I demanded. My voice was low and dangerous. The laughter froze on his face. He stared at me motionlessly, his pupils dilated and his mouth hanging open.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. It’s just... it’s new. You know? She’s never had a boyfriend. She’s such a hard-working girl,” he said calmly, trying to pacify me.

“Are you ready to receive the gift?” I asked. He nodded. “Follow me, then.”

I stood and headed outside. The evening breeze hit me hard in the face, a stark contrast to the burning rage within me. I stood still, my back to the man, my mind reeling. I had to show him that he should never talk badly of Lif, or threaten her.

“Where is the gift, young man?” he demanded, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

I turned back, a forced smile plastered on my face. “You don't mind following me to that corner to receive it?” I asked, gesturing toward a dimmed alley beside the cafe.

His gaze followed mine, and I saw the hesitation in his eyes. He started to withdraw.

“No!” he replied. “If you truly have something to give me, you should give it here.”

“Then that means you don't want it.” I turned my back on him and headed for my car. “Too bad you won’t be collecting the gift,” I said loudly enough for him to hear.

As I moved away, I expected him to run after me, but he didn't. I tried to play him, thinking if I pretended to leave, he would realize I was serious and agree. I got into the car and started the engine. Just as I was ready to drive away, he appeared at the window.

“You are so impatient,” he mumbled, frowning. “Let’s go see the gift. Where is it?”

A small, predatory smile crept onto my face. He really didn't know what awaited him. I pushed the door open and stepped out. “Follow me.”

“Where are we going exactly?” the man asked once we had moved deep into the shadows of the alley, far from prying eyes.

“Here,” I answered. I turned back to him, letting my eyes bleed into a deep, supernatural red.

Instantly, his eyes widened. He slumped onto the floor, his movements shaky. I could hear the frantic, thunderous pounding of his heart.

“Wh—what... are you?” he questioned, his voice trembling.

“Vampire!” I replied, smirking.

He scrambled up and tried to take off. I smirked.

Didn't he know that no matter how much he ran, he could never escape me? Using my vampiric speed, I appeared in front of him in a blur. He froze and slumped down again.

I bared my fangs, and his eyes practically bulged out of his head.

“Please. Spare me,” he begged, crawling backward while I took slow, deliberate steps toward him.

“How dare you threaten Lif?” I demanded, the anger inside me intensifying into pure rage.

“I’m sorry! I won’t do it again. I promise,” he begged, hitting the brick wall and freezing in place.

“Really?” I questioned. He nodded vehemently.

“I won’t ask her to give up her properties ever again—”

“What? Give up her properties?” I was confused. “What does that mean?”

“The thing is...” He paused, swallowing hard as fear etched itself into his face. “Since she doesn't have much time to live, I always ask her to give up her properties to me.”

I gritted my teeth as rage flushed through me. I had thought she only had people who loved her. Instead, she had those who wished for her death just for a payout. A thought struck me. How did this man know about the curse?

“Who are you?” I demanded, lowering myself to his level. Our gazes locked. I could hear his heartbeat, thunderous and terrified.

“I—I’m... I mean, I’m her father,” he answered.

“What? Her father?”

I thought her father was the vampire who had turned me. Either Rose was lying, or the man in front of me was.

“If you dare lie to me—”

“I’m her stepfather! Stepfather! Yes. The one who loves her very much,” the words rushed out of his mouth, making me scoff.

“If you loved her, you wouldn't be threatening her. What should I do with you?” I asked myself, trying to think of a way to keep him away from her forever.

“Please spare me,” he begged.

“Spare you? You should be grateful I don't intend to kill you simply because you are somehow related to her.”

Then, an idea came to me. Compulsion would be safer than simply breaking his bones. I gripped his chin harshly, forcing him to look me in the eyes.

“You will stay away from Lif for life. You will never look for her. She is not your family. You and she have never met. You will forget everything that happened here,” I compelled him.

“Yes,” he muttered, his eyes glazed. I released him harshly.

I stood up. A few seconds later, his eyes cleared. He scanned the alley, then looked at me. “What am I doing here?” he demanded, before turning to run away.

A sigh left my lips as I watched his receding figure. An unknown feeling settled within me. “I should have killed him; that would make her free from him forever,” I mumbled, regret washing over me.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out and saw an unknown number flashing on the screen. I froze, staring blankly at the display, wondering who it could be. I answered and pressed it to my ear.

“Who—”

“Roderick!” Seraphina’s voice cut through the line.

“Seraphina?” I asked, just to be sure.

“Don't tell me you don't recognize my voice?” she questioned, her tone dripping with mock hurt. “Guess who is with me now?”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded in frustration.

“I’ve forgotten you are bad at guessing. But don't you want to know who it is? It’s no one other than Lif.”

Instantly, my world crumbled. Cold sweat broke out on my skin and my stomach churned.

“If you don't meet me in ten minutes, trust me... I’m killing her.”

The line went dead.

I ran to my car, pulled the door open, and threw myself inside. I slammed the engine to life and drove toward the only place I knew they would be. If something happened to Lif, I would never forgive myself.