Before I Met You

Chapter 21

Opening up the bookstore rushing inside to escape the harsh cold. The sun began to rise behind the tall buildings surrounding the town square. Other shop owners were doing the same, opening their boutiques and coffee shops.

The last few weeks since I've been back in my hometown had begun to be routine and I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Every morning I woke up at the same time to get ready for the day. Since the winter had grown to be more treacherous I was unable to take my daily morning jogs that I've always looked forward to. And lately I've felt like I need them more than ever with all the commotion Dylan has brought into my life.

"Good morning." A man's voice spoke behind me as I took off my coat. "Oh, hello." I tried to give a friendly smile.

The man walked in with three day stubble and a neat pressed suit, the kind you only see on high priced lawyers or gangsters. He took in the room with a single sweep, his dark eyes settling on nothing. His handsome features were expressionless as he focused on me.

"Can I help you find something?" I asked, taking a step back behind my desk in an attempt to keep space between us. "No, I believe I've found what I've been looking for."

"You are her aren't you?" He continued. "You are. You must be." His eyes were wide, full of realization as his eyes roamed my face. "Excuse me? Who are you?" I asked quickly. "Please forgive me. My name is Bradley. I've come on behalf of the Atwater family. They will be very pleased to finally meet you."

"You're mistaken. I don't know who those people are." I answered firmly, trying to get back to work. The man was clearly wound up tight as he anxiously stood for a moment.

"She doesn't know one of the most prestigious families? Who works hand in hand with the Davenport family? The family she would soon marry into. Or how it's going to save us all?" His rambling thoughts made me snap my head up.

"You're Juliette Green. Daughter of Marshal and Caroline Green." He spoke with uncertainty wondering if he had indeed mistaken me for someone else. "How do you know who I am?" I breathed as my hands began to shake at the mention of my dead parents.

"I don't understand. Dylan Davenport has been here for weeks. He hasn't disclosed anything about himself with you? Your duty to the people and their kingdom? What has he been doing all this time?" He rambled on mostly to himself. His eyes were frantic, full of fear and concern as I stared at him with a contorted expression. "He's been wasting valuable time! They will not be pleased."

"I really don't understand what you're talking about or what you are doing here but I would really appreciate it if you would leave." I spoke sternly, losing my patience. The young man reluctantly did as he was told. "They will take extreme measures against you and your family if you don't go willingly with him."

"They are dangerous and relentless. Now that my employers know you, they won't waste any more time. Consider this a warning." He pressed ominously before closing the door behind him.

Placing my palms on my desk leaning against it trying to keep myself together. Lately there has been so much secrecy and danger involving Dylan and his family that has come to town. The insane truth of him being a vampire and how I willingly and stupidly divulged my own secret with him. I had more questions than answers and it was growing more and more frustrating.

If all those things that the man said were true then I had an obligation to seek answers. If not for my own sake then for my grandmother and this town. Before I could even realize what I was doing, I grabbed my things and ran out the store.

Driving out of town square towards Dylan's house as memories and questions swarmed my mind. The car ride to his home was silent as I gripped my steering wheel, filling more and more with rage and annoyance towards him and his family that seemed to have nothing better to do than to torment me.