Elodie Blood
I don't know what to think. Alastor Volkov just kissed me.
Yes, it was so no one could recognize or see me, but- oh my gosh. What the hell have I let happen?
The kiss wasn't long, but his lips were velvety and sweet. Damn him. It's going to be all I think about.
I knock my head back against the wall of the hallway. I groan quietly. "I'm just going to go home." I rub a hand over my forehead. "That's what I'm going to do. I'm just going to go home and go to sleep," I decide.
I push off the wall and head towards the kitchen. Halfway through the kitchen, I eye a bottle of vodka on a counter. I look to my right and left—checking for people I know aren't in here—then grab the bottle.
Outside the building, I go to the front where people's cars are parked and find one unlocked. With no keys, I stick the tip of my knife into the ignition and attempt to start the car. It doesn't work. I throw the vodka in the passenger seat.
I huff and get out of the car, quietly closing the door despite wanting to slam it. Taking a breath, I mess up my hair and check my makeup in the window.
As I start to walk over to the valet, I push up my breasts and pull the neckline of my dress down a bit more. I stop by the man with his hands folded in front of him.
"Hello." I look out at the woods surrounding us. I can feel the man's eyes glance at me.
"Hello," he mumbles.
"Can I get the keys to my car?" I ask sweetly. I look up at the man through my lashes.
He looks down at me, taking a glance at my chest. "Yeah. What's your car?"
"I actually don't really remember at the moment," I lie. "I guess the alcohol is still wearing off," I giggle. "Could you give me the keys to that car? It's mine." I point to the car I just left.
The corner of his mouth lifts. "That's one hell of a car, ma'am." He searches through the keys before holding some out for me.
"I know. I like fast cars." I smile and wink, taking the keys. "Thank you," I call over my shoulder as I walk away.
"You're welcome," the man replies.
I start the car and turn on the heat. After a moment, I reverse and drive off. The only light around is the headlights on the car lighting up the road. The woods surrounding me are dark and daunting.
It takes almost half an hour to get back into the city, and the stars above soon disappear. Music from clubs drifts onto the streets and reaches my ears as I drive by.
I park the car in a parking garage a few minutes away from my apartment. I take the keys and vodka with me and start walking back.
Outside the complex, I hear whining from the bushes. I ignore it, guessing it's a stray animal and continue walking towards the stairwell. I hear steps behind me.
I pull out my knife and point it out, but nothings there. Looking down- it's a dog. The whining coming from the bushes was a small brown dog. It looks like a wet rat.
Its eyes are big looking up at me. I stare back, sliding my knife back into my thigh holster. It whines and tilts its head, shifting on its feet.
"What?" I ask. It can't talk. It doesn't make another noise. I turn around and walk again, but hear the dog following me. I turn around. "I'm not taking you to my apartment."
It just tilts its head. I look up the stairwell, then back to the dog. Rolling my eyes, I give in. "Fine," I huff.
I continue up the stairs to my apartment as the dog follows me. I open the door and let the dog in first. It slowly walks in and sits by the table, still looking at me.
"Why do you keep staring at me? You're creeping me out," I grimace.
I leave the dog in the living room area and head to my room to get ready for bed. I take off my makeup, shower, then change into comfortable clothes.
In the living room, the dog remains where it is. I grab a blanket from the basket and lay it out across the couch. I sit down, patting the spot next to me.
"Come here."
The dog stares.
"Do you have a name I need to call you?"
The dog stares.
"Look, I'm drunk. I don't have time to be doing this, Missy." I assume it's gender.
The dog walks over and hops on the couch, going straight into making itself comfortable. I look at it in shock.
"Your names missy?" I ask. She—at least I assume she's a she—looks up at me and whines, her tail starting to wag. With furrowed brows, I nod. "Okay."
I let her sniff my hand before I pet her once. "Good night, Missy."
I fill up a glass of vodka before heading to the bedroom and closing the door. I place the glass on the nightstand and pull back the covers, sliding into the cold bed.
I fall asleep within minutes.
•••••
Alastor Volkov
Oma opens the door to a room, and by the looks of it, I assume it's an office. At the desk, Ludovico sits, rolling up his sleeves.
Oma closes the door behind me and stands by it. I eye him questioningly. He just nods toward the sofas. I take a seat and Ludovico comes and sits across from me.
He rests his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. "Are you aware that you are taking over after me?" he asks.
My brows furrow. "Yeah."
"Okay. That's good. You know because your mother was my aunt," he explains. I already know.
"Vic, I already know my mother is who relates us. Are you drunk?"
"Yes." He sniffs, leaning back into the couch. "That's beside the point. You-" He points at me. "Are taking over after me. That leads me to question: who's the woman you've been stalking?" He raises his hands, making air quotes when he says the word.
My mind immediately runs to Elodie. The unforgettable feel of her lips against mine and her delicious taste fogging my memory. I blink, wishing the thoughts away. "What woman? I know many women, Vic." I chuckle, making myself comfortable despite my tense muscles.
"Lydia Anthony. You know we do weekly checks of everyone's devices, Al." He disappointedly stares at me. "You were checking her bank accounts. I know you know many women, but you've never gone as far with them as you already have with her. Who is she?"
"My girlfriend." Is the first thing I can think of. Oma coughs behind me. In my head, I try to make reason with what I just said—my excuse being that Oma saw me kissing a woman just now—but it sounds dumb. It doesn't make sense. I could've said anything else.
Ludovico's brows kiss his forehead. "Girlfriend," he laughs. "Really? Does she know you're stalking her?"
"I wasn't stalking her," I refute. "I was checking her balance after I gave her some money to spend."
"Aw, isn't that so cute," he teases.
"Shut up." I roll my eyes. "What is your reasoning for asking about her?"
"Well, I wanted to know what she is to you."
"There's more to it," I declare. "Spill."
"I want to meet her."
"Not happening."
"Well, why not?" Ludovico pushes his bottom lip out, creating quite the sight: a man with a buzz cut and tattoos everywhere, a nose ring, rings, and earrings pouting. I almost laugh.
"I don't want her in this life."
Ludovico smiles. He doesn't say anything for a few moments, causing anticipation to spread within me. He chuckles. "Well, you're going to have to suck it up. You are next in line to lead, and you cannot keep this life a secret from this woman forever. I want to meet her. Let's make it happen."
Ludovico leaves the room, leaving Oma and I in silence.
"You've just started digging yourself a very deep hole, my friend."
I know.
__________
sorry this took forever to get out :(
love you, stay safe💗