Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 11 - conditions to be met for my love

It was weird seeing Leuca in that booth while I worked. I loved being back at work, especially knowing it may very well be the last time.

It was also strange to see Damian next to Leuca, interacting with him. I didn't know what they were having a conversation about. But I knew Leuca's strong feelings about his family which meant everything to him. He won't hurt Damian.

He even seemed to laugh with him. It was also nice to see Damian sitting next to his father. Damian never uttered it but I had a feeling he missed a father figure in his life. But knowing my past he never spoke a word about any feelings of missing his father.

And now I sat in the car, along with Leuca because we needed to have a good talk.

He started by saying that stabbing him had hurt him. It had hurt me as well, I can't deny the feelings I harbored for him, and yet for my child, I had to do something.

I looked at my hands, folded nervously in my lap, "I know, I was hurting too. Not physically though."

He lightly placed his hand on my cheek so I would look up at him. "You really shouldn't have run, love."

I shook my head lightly, "I had to. I wanted to see my real family and secure Damian's future." I told him. "And I don't regret I did."

He gazed into my eyes, "you don't?" Did he seem hurt by my comment?

"No..." I had to be honest now if we wanted to make some progress. "Just thinking about him being human meant you would've raised him like Amalia, a caged bird. I want him to make friends, with humans, and vampires alike. Your sister is lonely, she doesn't even have a friend." I paused for a moment. He didn't become mad but rather listened to me.

Also strange.

"If he was born like he is now, he would never have turned out like he is now. I can't even imagine him being ruthless like you." I continued, "he's compassionate, happy, honest, and sees a person for who they are not what species they are. And I couldn't be more proud of that." I could almost cry just thinking about how proud it was of him.

Leuca could see that and reached his arms further so he could wrap them around me and pull me closer to him. I didn't know how to reach them but let him pull me into some sort of hug. "You have done very well." He whispered.

I hummed and nodded to his shoulder. "What now?" I asked. Was he going to gag me or something and kidnap me?

He didn't let me go but held onto me with his nose smothered in my hair. "Well, you're coming home with me." He said without remorse.

It made me chuckle, I didn't see him say any different. "Only on some certain conditions." I started, I can try, right?

Now he did pull back, "you dare to make conditions?" He placed his finger and thumb on my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes.

I couldn't back down, now I had to push through. "Yep, refuse any, and I won't come with you. Or at least willingly I guess." I knew he would take me one way or another.

He sighed.

"Name them."

I paused for a moment and started, "first of all, anything that has to do with Damian's upbringing is up to me to decide." I started and already saw the frown on his face. "Second, you will treat me like an equal. Like the mother of your child and we are allowed to stand and go wherever and whenever we want to."

"You can't expect-" Leuca interrupted but I continued talking.

"I won't expect anything less than that, I won't let you treat me like a fucking dog in front of my child. I am a person and have my dignity if you don't accept it then fine, go back alone. And I wasn't even done yet." I reprimanded him sternly, I had my conditions which he had to abide by or not.