Betrayed by Blood: Into the Mafia's Shadow ( Season 2 )

Chapter 7 : The Gathering Storm

Evelyn stood frozen beside Ethan, her heart pounding furiously in her chest as the intruder stepped further into the room. The air felt charged, crackling with an intensity that made every hair on her body stand on end. She could sense the tension radiating off Ethan as he faced the new arrival, his body poised like a coiled spring, ready to strike.

"Who are you?" Ethan demanded, his voice low and dangerous, echoing the protective tone that had resonated through their earlier moments together.

The stranger smiled, a cold, predatory smile that sent chills racing down Evelyn's spine. "You know who I am, Ethan. I'm surprised you haven't recognized me sooner."

Evelyn's heart raced with a mix of fear and curiosity. She took a cautious step back, her instincts screaming at her to be wary. The man's presence was suffocating, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was as dangerous as he was charming.

The vampire turned his gaze fully on her, his red eyes glinting with something like amusement. "And you must be the new little pet he's taken under his wing. Quite the catch, aren't you? You really think you can protect her from me?"

Ethan's expression darkened at the words, his jaw tightening. "You don't get to speak to her. Leave now, or I'll make sure you regret it."

The man chuckled softly, a sound devoid of any real humor. "Regret? That's rich coming from you. You've forgotten your place, Ethan. You're not the powerful vampire you once were; you're just a shadow of your former self—hiding behind a mortal girl."

Evelyn's heart raced as she sensed the underlying threat. The air was thick with unspoken history and bitterness, and she could see that this was more than just a simple confrontation; it was a reckoning.

"Get out," Ethan warned again, stepping closer, positioning himself protectively in front of her. "You're trespassing."

"Oh, I'm just getting started," the man replied, his gaze lingering on Evelyn with an unsettling hunger. "I've come for something that belongs to me. Your little pet is a means to an end."

Evelyn's heart sank as the realization dawned on her. This wasn't just a random attack; it was personal. She glanced at Ethan, searching for reassurance, but all she saw was anger and tension. The protective barrier he had built around her seemed to be under threat.

"What do you mean, 'a means to an end'?" she asked, trying to mask the tremor in her voice.

The man's eyes gleamed with mischief, and he stepped closer, his confidence radiating like a predator circling its prey. "You're caught in a web far more complicated than you realize, dear. Ethan has enemies, and now you're one of them. The moment he saved you, you became a target. I'm here to claim what's rightfully mine. You're nothing more than a pawn in this game."

Ethan's fury erupted, and in a blur of motion, he lunged at the intruder. But the man was faster, sidestepping Ethan's attack and sending him crashing against the wall with a force that reverberated throughout the room. Evelyn gasped, her heart racing as she watched the struggle unfold.

"Ethan!" she screamed, instinctively stepping forward, but the vampire turned his attention to her, blocking her way.

"Stay back, little one," he warned, his voice smooth and deceptive. "This is between me and your protector."

Evelyn felt a surge of anger, a fire igniting within her. She couldn't let Ethan fight this battle alone. "I won't let you hurt him!" she shouted, her voice trembling but fierce.

The man's gaze flicked to her, and for a fleeting moment, something like surprise flickered in his eyes. "How cute. You think you can protect him? You have no idea what you're dealing with."