Chapter 44

Tessa’s POV

My plan for today was to go shopping for decorations and then spend the evening decorating the Villa.

However, Joseph was apprehensive about allowing me to go anywhere for whatever reason. It didn’t look like he had slept in days, and he still wore the same clothing he wore last night.

It was from my understanding, considering the sun was up, that he would be asleep right now. It’s not like either of us had to be at school today and I was growing frustrated with his relentless nagging.

“The new vampires aren’t going to touch me during the day,” I protested repeatedly. “You even said the other day that I would be safe during the day in a busy area.”

“I changed my mind,” Joseph said, shaking his head.

It seems he had already made up his mind. I pressed my lips firmly together and folded my arms across my chest.

“You are acting controlling.”

Joseph looked at me with a dark gaze in his eyes that left me feeling unsettled. There was something he wasn’t telling me, that much was obvious, and I wanted to get it out of him.

“You are only here because you need my protection,” he told me, keeping his eyes locked on mine. “I’m only trying to keep you safe.”

I opened my mouth to say something, anything.

“What changed from last night to this morning?” I asked, desperation slipping into my tone before I could stop it. “You were fine with me going when we talked about this yesterday and now suddenly it’s a safety issue.”

“I had a change of heart,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “You’re hardly safe going to school by yourself. What makes you think you’d be safe in the city, Tessa?”

I was utterly crushed that he was going back on his words, and I felt nothing but disappointment.

“Fine,” I found myself saying, trying to keep the tears from falling. I wasn’t going to show him this kind of weakness. “I guess I won’t decorate.”

I turned away and left his study without saying another word.

He was cranky because he hadn’t slept and whatever was wrong, he was taking it out on me. I felt annoyed by this, but I knew there was no arguing with him.

Maybe he was acting like this because he finally read the paper I wrote for his class. He might have been offended by it.

It’s not like it was entirely about him, but I will admit that it was inspired by him.

I went into the kitchen to grab an apple. It was still fairly early, and I hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. Though, at the moment, I wasn’t feeling very hungry.

I sat at the counter and buried my face in my phone. I just needed a small distraction to keep my mind off the disappointment I felt.

I was glad to see that there were no calls from Brian, but a couple of texts from Ruby asking if I wanted to hang out with her today.

How was I going to tell her that I couldn’t hang out with her for a while?

I put the apple down and bit onto my bottom lip, feeling a fresh wave of tears filling my eyes. The worst part of this whole ordeal was not being able to tell my best friend the entire truth. I know I hurt her by leaving without much warning and she can tell that I’m keeping something from her.

I opened a new text thread to reply to her, but the kitchen door opened, and I was surprised to see Joseph standing in front of me.

“You can go shopping on one condition,” he began, making me nearly drop my phone in shock. “You take a bodyguard with you.”

“A bodyguard?” I asked, raising my gaze to his, confusion clear on my face. “Where am I going to get a bodyguard?”

He gave me a look that sent a chill down my spine. I feared the answer he was going to give me.

…

“You want me to take him?!” I practically shouted, staring at Joseph in disbelief.

“I’m not happy about it either. But I was ordered to accompany you,” Officer Jordan scoffed, shaking his head.

I stared at them both for a long while, waiting for one of them to tell me they were joking. Jordan wore casual clothing, which made him look strange. The last time I saw him, he wore an armed body suit equipped with a bunch of weapons.

Now he was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, I’m assuming to blend in with society.

“Chief Mulligan said he’s the only Nightwalker Officer available today,” Joseph said with a shrug. “I’ll feel comfortable if he accompanies you into the city.”

“How is he going to protect me in that casual outfit?” I asked. “He has no gear.”

Jordan rolled his eyes.

“I’m highly skilled in combat,” he said, giving me the look of death. “And plus…”

He paused as he lifted his shirt slightly and revealed to me the gun he had tucked away in his pants. My heart practically crashed into my stomach. I didn’t trust this man and I didn’t like that Joseph was going to leave me alone with him for the day.

“He literally tried to kill me when I first met him,” I argued, trying not to sound too panicked, but there was still a slight tremble in my tone that gave me away.

“He has orders not to harm you,” Joseph assured me, glaring at Jordan in the process.

Jordan said nothing, but he rolled his eyes again.

“Isn’t that right?” Joseph urged him to confirm.

“As long as she doesn’t try anything, she’ll be fine,” Jordan murmured.

Joseph looked back at me.

“This is my only condition. If you want to go shopping for the day, you need to take Officer Jordan with you.”

I sighed. There was no arguing with him, and I really did want to go shopping. I needed to take my mind off things and at least now I can tell Ruby the truth about being busy today and not feel like I’m lying to her entirely.

“Fine,” I eventually agreed.

Josep gave me a pleased look.

“Okay good. I’m going to get some rest while you shop.” He turned to leave, but then he paused. I watched as he pulled out his wallet and took out a platinum card. “Here, you can use this.”

I frowned.

“I don’t need your money,” I protested.

“Just take it,” he muttered. “It’s for my villa, therefore it’s my treat.”

I stared at him for a moment longer before getting the card.

He left without another word, leaving Jordan and me alone in the kitchen.

Jordan said nothing. He just looked at me with annoyance on his face. Though, I’m sure the look I was giving him was just as bad.

Without saying a word, he turned away and started toward the front door. I went with him, grabbing my purse on the way out.

Jordan’s red Porsche sat out front and I frowned when we approached. This wasn’t the kind of car I expected a Nightwalker officer to be driving, but who was I to complain?

As I slid into the passenger seat, he got into the driver’s seat. Then he stared at me.

If looks could kill, I thought to myself.

“First rule, no wandering off. I have strict orders to keep you safe and I can’t do that if you keep running off. Understood?”

I rose my brows, but then I nodded.

“Second rule, when I say it’s time to leave, we leave.”

“What if I’m not done shopping?”

“Third rule is no arguing with me?”

“Are you going to be an asshole the entire time?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

“Fourth rule, double cross me in any way and I don’t care what the chief or that vampire says…” he places his hand on the gun that is wedged in his pants, causing my entire body to freeze as I met his eyes. “I won’t hesitate to kill you.”