Chapter 57

Tessa’s POV

I stopped midbite to look at Joseph who was now eyeing me carefully. His face was so serious and the look he was giving me took my breath away.

Was he serious when he said I was the only when he’s been with this lifetime?

My heart was pounding rapidly against my chest, and I had to press the palm of my hand to my chest to keep it from exploding right in front of us.

He continued to look at me like I was some kind of fascinating science experiment.

“I don’t date,” he continued to explain. “I don’t have a lot of free time to do so. It’s complicated explaining to women why I can’t see them during the day. But I’m not here to pursue women, I’m here because I have a job to do. I’m here to stop those new vampires from killing humans and now I’m here to protect you and make sure you aren’t their next victim. I’m also curious about you because you have blood that’s not only attractive to them but also attractive to me. It makes me nearly lose control when I’m around you and that’s quite difficult to do when you are a highly trained and skilled vampire.”

I stared at him with a gaping mouth, still in shock over his words, unsure of what to say in return.

“You, Tessa, are interesting to me. I enjoy studying you and figuring you out. No one has ever had that effect on me before.”

My face reddened at his words, and I stared down at my food, still speechless.

“Not to mention you are an incredible cook,” he said that last part with a small smirk on his lips.

“You like my cooking?” I asked, peering up at him.

“I do.”

“Better than Emily’s?”

He rose his brows and looked at me.

“Is that what this is about?” He asked.

“You just seem to be getting close to her,” I said in return with a shrug. “There are rumors you know.”

“I think you would know if I was romantically involved with her considering you live in my house.”

My face warmed again, and I bit onto my bottom lip, chewing on it nervously.

“Did her being in my class today bother you?” He went on to ask.

I couldn’t even deny it on my face. He already knew the answer before I nodded my head once.

“My intention wasn’t to make you uncomfortable. I apologize for my part in that,” he said, and I could see the compassion on his face. It truly looked like it troubled him that I was in distress.

These types of things shouldn’t bother me as much as they do. Emily was a beautiful woman and way more in his league than I was. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was interested in her that way.

But still, the thought of him with her made me feel uneasy.

“Can I ask another question?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

This time he didn’t respond. He just waited for me to continue.

“Are you hiding something?”

He stopped eating to look at me, curiously.

“I’m not sure I understand,” he said, furrowing his brows together. “What makes you think I’m hiding something?”

“I know there’s another reason why you won’t let me back at the headquarters. I’m not sure how I know, but I know.”

“I see,” he said as he put his fork down.

“I don’t want to argue,” I added quickly, keeping my eyes locked on his face. “I just want to know the truth. It’s a nagging feeling that won’t stop and I’d like to know for sure what it is I should be wary of…”

“You’re smart,” he finally said after a pause. “You are also right. I was hiding something from you. I didn’t want to scare you, but I suppose you deserve to know the truth. You should also be very wary because the fact of the matter is, you are in danger.”

I was in disbelief. I called his bluff and won.

But now I was burdened with the worry of what was actually going on and what he was keeping from me.

He stood from his seat, and without saying anything, he walked out of the room. I stared after him, confused as to where he was going.

My heart grew heavy as I waited for him to return.

Moments had passed, but it felt like an eternity. He had to have been coming back. Right?

In his hands was a piece of paper.

He brought the paper to me, placed it on the table in front of me, and sat down in his spot to continue eating.

“What’s this?” I asked, furrowing my brows together as I touched the folded paper.

It had Joseph’s name on it, and I knew whatever it was, it must have been important.

“You wanted to know what I was hiding. Open it,” he instructed calmly.

As calm as his voice was, it still felt chilling to me, and I found myself trembling in my skin. But I didn’t argue.

I unfolded the paper and scanned it briefly.

We know where the girl is. You can’t hide her for long.

My heart fell into my stomach at the note, and he continued to eat so casually like this was completely old news.

How long has he known about this note? How could he just remain so casual after reading such a thing?

“I don’t understand…” I found myself saying, my voice sounding distant and unfamiliar. “What is this?”

“There was a security breach the other night,” he answered. “It was while you were sleeping. By the way… you are a heavy sleeper.”

“Joseph—”

“That was left behind,” he said stopping my words and meeting my eyes. “By a new vampire. They know you are here, and they’ve been watching you.”

“Even during the day?”

“I’m not sure,” he answered. “That’s why I had a meeting with the Nightwalker Police, to figure out what to do.”

“And did you figure out what to do?”

“Not exactly, but we have eyes and ears everywhere,” he answered. “That’s how we knew where you were when you snuck away too see Ruby. That’s why I don’t want you going out and about without someone trained in combat to accompany you. I’m doing all of this for your protection.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” I asked, my throat was suddenly dry.

“I didn’t want to frighten you.”

“I’m certainly frightened now…”

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Tessa. I hope you know that,” he said, meeting my eyes. “As long as I’m alive, you are safe.”

It made me feel a little better, so I nodded, trying to give him a small smile.

We stopped talking after a short while because I wasn’t sure I could stomach any more of this conversation. Once we were done eating, he helped me clean the dishes as he usually does after I cook and then I went off to bed.

…

I woke up early the next morning so I could make breakfast. Cooking helped clear my head and after my conversation with Joseph last night, I needed my head cleared.

I knew he’d most likely be exhausted this morning, so I was hoping a nice balanced meal would get him through the morning.

When he walked into the kitchen, he raised his brows.

“Is that bacon?”

He sounded very interested for the first time since I moved in and started cooking for him.

“Do you like bacon?” I asked, failing to hide the smile on my lips.

“Who doesn’t like bacon?”

He stole a piece directly from the pan with his hands.

“Joseph!” I scowled. “You’ll hurt yourself.”

“I don’t get hurt that easily, Tessa,” he said in return, taking a bite.

I stared at him for a moment longer before laughing.

After breakfast, I grabbed the keys off the counter, where he always leaves them, and waved them, while saying, “We should go.”

I didn’t see Ruby when I got to my locker, which was unusual because she was always waiting for me at my locker.

“Oh, Tessa, just the person I’ve been wanting to see,” I heard a familiar voice from nearby and it wasn’t Ruby.

I turned and saw Emily walking towards my locker. It was early in the afternoon, and I was just getting ready for my second class of the day when she approached.

“Hello, Emily,” I said, forcing a smile. “What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping you had some free time… maybe during lunch?” She went on to say. “I wanted the two of us to have a conversation.”