Violet Forsythe has been through hell.
Her entire family is dead, her daywalker best friend hates her guts, and her vampire boyfriend is giving her the silent treatment all the way from Italy.
But Violet is anything but a quitter, and she has a few...
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I had no idea how to react, nor could I think of what to do, so naturally I stood there and watched Demetri approach as if I were a deer in headlights. I averted my eyes to study the rim of my wine glass when he was finally within hearing range, while Jane looked on confidently with a smirk.
"What was that about?" Demetri asked bluntly when he reached us.
"You should know better than to leave your date unattended. And to flirt with another woman instead!" Jane chastised him smugly.
I, quite frankly, wanted to die.
Demetri looked at me with a very serious expression.
"I– I didn– uh–," I stammered like...I mean, there are no words to describe it. It was horrible.
I burned so hot that I felt like I could melt into a puddle on the glossy, marble floor.
"I told you. He's not worth your time," Jane said to me knowingly.
"I think it's within your best interest to mind your own business," Demetri said smoothly while giving Jane stern eye contact.
"This is my business," Jane retorted. "Violet will always be my business."
"I disagree. You've done nothing but bully and intimidate her since the first day you met," Demetri said with dark sincerity. "It's about time for you to leave her alone."
"Your sudden willingness to jump to her defense is fascinating. Where were you a month ago? A week ago?" Jane asked caustically, arching her eyebrows. "What about yesterday? It almost looks like the abrupt shift in your 'emotions' has more to do with her newfound talent rather than genuine interest on your part."
"Oh, Jane," Demetri smiled. "You've always been so good at telling tales."
"You have a lot to gain from being associated with her. The other way around? Not so much," Jane said.
"Really?" Demetri smirked. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like Violet beat your ass last night and now you're concerned about who is and isn't on her good side."
"Who do you think you are?" Jane spat, narrowing her eyes.
"You guys. Come on," I interjected, trying to break up the mounting tension. "Let's not do this. We're going to ruin the party for everyone."
"Answer me," Jane snapped at Demetri.
"Jane! People are starting to stare," I pleaded.
"I am Violet's partner," Demetri said with steely confidence, stepping closer to Jane. "Not you. Not your brother. So I'm only going to tell you one more time. Leave her alone."
Jane stared back for a moment, speechless and appalled.
"How dare you?" she hissed.
"I need to go," I said abruptly. All of the stress and unwanted attention was making me nauseous. "I would like to go back to my room now."
"I'll take you," Jane said, growing more possessive.
"Um. That's okay, Jane," I said anxiously. "I'm perfectly comfortable with Demetri escorting me."
"It's not prudent," she insisted with a cold, disapproving look.
"I won't keep him long," I said, forcing a smile. "I wouldn't want to keep him from the festivities."
Jane didn't look pleased, to put it nicely. She stormed off, thoroughly irritated and - realistically - already planning her retaliation.
* * *
You didn't have to do that," I said to Demetri as soon as we were back in the hallway.
"What's that?" he asked, distracted.
"You didn't have to insert yourself in my drama with Jane. I can handle her myself," I clarified.
"Sure you can. But you don't have to."
"That's way above and beyond your social obligations as my fake boyfriend," I insisted, minorly embarrassed by having to use such a frivolous word.
"I don't mind," he assured me as he lifted me into his arms.
"If you insist," I frowned. "But you can bail whenever you want. I come with a lot of baggage."
I closed my eyes and felt cold air against my skin again, until we stopped just outside my bedroom door. I peeked my eyes open as he easily carried me through the threshold, into the room.
"Anita," Demetri greeted her with a smile as he set me down. "What are you still doing here?"
"My job," she grimaced as she stood up from her seat on the couch.
"I'm fine, Anita," I said, readjusting my skirt. "You don't have to stick around."
"I'm not leaving until Aro tells me so," Anita said rigidly.
I gave Demetri a worn out look. I didn't have the energy to argue with her anymore.
"You should go enjoy the rest of the party," I told him.
I laughed when he gave me an apprehensive look.
"It's not like I'm going anywhere," I urged.
"Do you have paper? And a pen?" he asked.
"Sure," I said before bustling over to my bedside table. I pulled out a small notepad and a fountain pen from the drawer and handed them over. I sank onto the edge of the bed, relieved to finally be off of my feet.
Demetri quickly scrawled on the notepad with the pen and tore off the top sheet before handing it to me.
I took the slip of paper curiously.
"That's my direct line," he said as I studied the phone number that was neatly printed on the sheet. "Call me if you need anything. Anything at all," he instructed me.
"Okay," I said, already trying to memorize the number. "Thanks."
"I'll be back to check on you later," he added.
"You don't have to do that," I pressed.
"I know," he said with one of his frustratingly alluring smiles before disappearing out of the door.
