What Lies Beneath

Chapter 9: Duplicity

Damon Salvatore was not the type of person who ever lost at anything. Even when he was human winning was very important because as far as he was concerned, it separated the men from the boys. And he of course was all man so it only stood to reason that he always had to win. Whether it was a stupid game of croquet or racing on PS3, he liked to come out victorious. Maybe that was why Bonnie agreeing to go on a date with that waste of space Ben seriously threw him for a loop. There was no rational reason for her picking some random guy over him.

Him.

Damon fucking Salvatore.

For literally more years than he could count, girls chose him. They just did—and he didn't always have to compel them either. That was usually just for fun on his behalf when he wanted to take someone down a notch. He liked to screw with people's brains but then again who didn't? Anyway girls liked him or rather they liked the look of him. He could be a jerk and they would still come back for more because some just couldn't stay away from the whole bad boy thing. Those were the ones that usually died but that wasn't the point at the moment. The point was that Bonnie was going on a date with Ben, and it made him want to kill people.

Like actually go out and hunt down some poor hiker who strayed too far from the trail. Rip out his throat, hope he bore a resemblance to the football kicker and toss his body into the bushes for the animals to feed on. She has no right to do this. No rhyme or reason either.

Of course he didn't want to feel anything about being passed over. On the rare occasions in the past that it'd happened, he'd use his hypnotic stare to change the chick's mind. But that didn't work on witches and it made him feel powerless in a way. Dangerous combination where he was concerned. Damon knew that he always needed to be in control, because if he wasn't in control the world was spinning off its axis. Things would cease to make sense. It was basically akin to him being played, and no one toyed with him.

It was easier for him to focus on the situation in those terms instead of the odd pang in his temple that throbbed whenever he pictured what the two might do on their stupid date. She might have agreed to it, but he would tear out Bennie boy's spine if he touched her. He didn't care if it made the papers or if the Sheriff suspected vampires were back in town, he would punch down his throat and pull like he was reaching for a sweet toy surprise.

Bonnie Bennett was his. Not by choice but he was the kind of person that adapted to change really well. He couldn't even concentrate on the fact that none of this was his doing, but he would be damned if he let someone else just walk in and take her away. He would be damned if he let anyone else win. Because it didn't matter if she said yes just to make him jealous or to prove some kind of odd point, a part of her belonged to him and he was the type of person who protected his investments.

Pulling on his trademark black long sleeved shirt; he tilted his head to the side with a snort. He could smell Elena in his brother's room, which wasn't a big surprise since she came over a lot. But she was in there with him right now, probably spent the night. Aunt Jenna was sure on the ball, wasn't she?

Damon didn't understand why Stefan appeared to be in this happy place while he had to flounder in limbo, the woman he loved trapped in some prehistoric tomb. Why did his annoying little brother get everything he wanted while he got nothing? Was he more deserving or something because he didn't take human life? Not like he'd never killed anyone before. All vampires did—it was their nature.

Of course Stefan was always the favorite, even when they were growing up. Or perhaps especially. Their father doted on him and made excuses for him because he towed the company line like a good little follower. In those days a man was only as good as the respect he paid to his parents—mostly his father. It didn't matter if he didn't agree with his choices or the stupid things he said, a son was supposed to take orders and make his family proud.