She's Not Afraid

Chapter Seven

Nicoleta woke to what she thought was a dream. When she looked to the foot of the bed and saw Vlad's bare back, she knew it wasn't a dream. She watched his tense form stay as still as a statue. Something was bothering him. He looked like a mad man when he showed up. It scared her. Nicoleta slowly sat up. She hesitantly reached out to touch his back. Vlad flinched at her contact. She ran her hand up and down his back trying to calm him. She noticed how he glared at the ground. Something was on his mind. With Vlad she could never tell what it was. He was such a mystery to her. "What's wrong?" she whispered. He didn't answer. Vlad felt her shift around. Her small body pressed against his back, and her arms wrapped around his neck. "Tell me. What's wrong?" she asked. He was still silent. She sighed. "Okay. Why did you come back so early?" she asked. Vlad wasn't giving her any answers, and it was bothering her now. Vlad could feel her irritation. The option of kissing her again to keep her from asking questions was there, but he couldn't get away with that for very long. "Who's been coming to your apartment?" he asked. He heard her stop moving. He waited for an answer. "What?" she asked. "Who has been coming to your apartment?" he asked again. He was getting angry just thinking of some other man coming here.

"How...How did you know someone was coming by?" she asked.

"That's not an answer," he said looking at her.

"I'm not answering anything until you answer my question," she argued.

Vlad didn't answer. Nicoleta was angry now. She wasn't going to let this go. "Damn it, Vlad. You can't just blow this off," she said. He stood up, anger radiated from his entire being. "Tell me, Vlad," she pressed. He jerked his head towards her, and she flinched. "I had Scotty watch you while I was away," he admitted. Nicoleta was surprised. Vlad paced.

"Why did you have him watch me? Do you not trust me?" she asked.

He looked at her again, "Of course I trust you."

"Then why are you having someone spy on me while you're away?" she asked getting off the bed.

"Because I don't trust anyone but myself to protect you," he said raising his voice.

Vlad saw her flinch. "Who's been coming to your apartment?" he asked again. "My ex! Alexander!" she burst, "He's been coming by here trying to win me back, but I tell him to leave each time." Vlad stared at her. "Do you wanna know why I told him to leave?" she asked. He remained silent. "I told him to leave because I have you. I trust you, and I thought you trusted me," she continued. Vlad didn't want to argue with her. This wasn't how he wanted this conversation to turn out. She looked flustered and upset. "I'm sorry, Nicoleta," he said. Nicoleta was still upset with him. "I'm going to take a shower," she said. Vlad watched her go into the bathroom and shut the door. He ran his fingers through his hair. He didn't want this to happen. He trusted her, but he may have just lost hers. He had to fix this. He needed to fix this.

Nicoleta stood in the hot water still thinking. Her head was confused on what to do. She was angry, but confused. She really didn't know if he trusted her or not. Her head was spinning in a thousand circles. Nicoleta rubbed her face trying to clear her mind. She didn't even notice the completely naked man slip in behind her. Nicoleta opened her eyes when she felt someone's breath on her neck. She turned around and found Vlad standing there. The fact that she found him more attractive in the shower didn't help her confused state at all. She looked into his eyes. She looked into his eyes for a long time before she felt her heart swell. Tears pricked in her eyes as she leaned her head against his bare chest. Vlad embraced her. "I'm sorry, Nicoleta. I did not mean for things to turn out this way. I only wanted to make sure you were safe," he explained. He heard her take a breath. "I know. I'm sorry for assuming," she said. "You had every right to. If it's any consolation, Scotty only watched you from outside. I told him that if he tried to look at you naked I would kill him," Vlad said. He felt her giggle. Nicoleta looked at Vlad. His hair was getting damp now, and she thought he was getting even more attractive. Vlad leaned down and kissed her.

—•—

Vlad sat on the bed with just his boxers on watching Nicoleta dry her hair with a towel. He admired her body wishing that she wasn't wearing her shorts and t-shirt. Nicoleta glanced at Vlad. She saw the look on his face and watched his eyes linger along her body. She smiled. Nicoleta threw the towel in her hand on the sink and walked into the bedroom. She stood between his legs and rested her hands on his shoulders. "If you want more you'll have to wait. I'm pretty tired," she said. Vlad chuckled. She ran her fingers through his wet hair, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "You hungry?" she asked. "I'm sure I could eat something," he smiled. She pecked his lips and began to walk out the door. She took a hold of Vlad's hand, and they walked into the kitchen. Nicoleta's smile disappeared when she saw who had just walked into the door. "Nicoleta?" Alex asked. "How did you get in here?" she asked. Alex couldn't take his eyes off of Vlad. "I used the spare key you gave me," he said, "Who the hell is this?" Alex took a step forward. "It doesn't matter. Get out," she glared. Nicoleta stood between the two men. "Who the hell is this?" Alex asked raising his voice. Nicoleta flinched. Vlad moved Nicoleta behind him. "You screwing my girl?" Alex asked poking Vlad in the chest. "The lady asked you to leave," Vlad said. "She's mine, and I'll do whatever I want to that bitch. I'm not going to let some prick take what I own," Alex said getting in Vlad's face.

Vlad snapped. He punched Alex in the face. Alex stumbled back holding his nose. "Now you pissed me off," he said. Alex swung at Vlad, but Vlad dodged it. Vlad grabbed Alex's arm and twisted it behind his back. He slammed Alex against the wall. "If I ever see you harassing her again, I won't hesitate to finish what I started," Vlad growled. Nicoleta watched the scene in horror. She looked from Alex's bloody face to Vlad. She noticed something. Her eyes went wide. His eyes looked like they were glowing. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?!" Vlad growled feeling his fangs grow a bit. Vlad pushed him against the wall harder, twisting Alex's arm even more. "Vlad," Nicoleta called. Vlad looked to her. "He's not worth it," she said. Vlad felt his fangs disappear. Slowly Vlad released Alex. Alex jerked himself out of Vlad's grip and wiped his nose. He went towards the door. "This isn't over. If I see you over here again, I'll kill you," Alex threatened. Alex slammed the door shut, and all became quiet. Vlad looked to Nicoleta and saw she was crying. He went to her side and held her. He felt her begin to shake. "I'm here. He's gone now," Vlad reassured. "I'm sorry, Vlad. I'm so sorry," Nicoleta cried. Vlad didn't understand, "What are you sorry for?" Nicoleta looked at him wiping away some of her tears. "I haven't been completely honest of why I broke up with Alex," she said. Vlad was concerned now. He watched her wipe away some of her tears. "What happened?" he asked. Nicoleta sniffled a bit before she decided to explain.

"When I first met Alex he was very sweet and always kind, but after a while he just became so....violent," she explained, "I came back to my apartment late because I had to cover someone's shift. The second I walked in the door..." She closed her eyes and took a breath. Vlad could feel the pain from each of her words. "He hit me," she finally said. Vlad felt anger begin to pulse through his veins. "He thought I was seeing someone else. When he finally calmed down, I thought that be the last of it, but it didn't stop. Every time he beat me it was because he thought I was cheating on him. Then when I walked in on him and my roommate he said it was my fault because I couldn't keep him satisfied," she explained. Vlad's heart ached. "I was so scared he was going to hurt you, Vlad. He's dangerous, and I don't want you getting hurt," she cried. Vlad held her against his chest. If he wanted to, he could crush Alex, but he couldn't. If he did, Nicoleta would find out what he was. Vlad picked her up in to his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed, and he happened to glance at the window. The sun was beginning to rise. It was too late for him to leave. He looked at Nicoleta who was still in a state of shock from Alex.

Vlad wasn't going to leave her. Not like this. Vlad went over to the window and closed the curtains. The room grew darker as he went to the bed and sat next to Nicoleta. He held her in his embrace and listened to her cry. She cried into his chest and had her arms wrapped tight around his waist. Vlad ran his hand up and down her back trying to calm her. He peered at the light glowing at the bottom of the curtain. He stared at the light in fear. He couldn't leave now. He wouldn't leave now or ever.