Aria's Second Chance

8_Harvey

Aria

“That I am,” the smile he gives me, is hypnotizing and I am incapable of looking away. Correction, I can look away, but I do not want to. He is just too beautiful to look at.

One of the men on the ground stirs and pulls me out of my fascination.

“Move and you’re dead,” I warn before I look back at the vampire.

“Since they attacked your daughter, they’re all yours,” I hold the gun out to him, but he refuses by shaking his head.

“I will not be needing that,” he answers politely. “I have a few guests that would enjoy a fresh meal.”

His words make me shudder and I look at the three men in disgust. Just the mere thought of sucking blood makes me sick. Sucking on this scum is unimaginable. I truly am grateful that I am not a vampire. I would starve to death.

“In that case,” I put the gun down on the floor. “Goodbye.”

“Are you suicidal?” He asks as I walk away, and I turn back to him.

“Why?” I ask confused. “Because I took a risk to safe an innocent girl?”

“No,” he chuckles. “Because you’re a wolf in vampire valley.”

Mystified I stare at him, unsure of what I should make of his words. Is there an area that no wolf is allowed to access? Did I cross the line?

“Are you joking?” I ask through narrowed eyes.

“Not in the least,” he walks closer to me. “It is a well-known fact that Las Vegas belongs to my kind. Your kind is not allowed here. It is a century-old agreement. I have every right to kill you where you stand.”

“Well, I’m not from around here,” I shrug nonchalant, even though cold tendrils are running up my spine. I am not a murderous person, and I am fairly sure I will be on the losing end if I fight him. “I didn’t know.”

“That argument will not hold,” he shakes his head. “But since you’ve saved my daughter, I will allow you to live.”

“How kind,” I sneer, instantly irritated that he has the audacity to recon he has authority over me.

“I’m Harvey, by the way,” he ignores my sarcastic answer and holds his hand out in a greet.

I look at his hand for a moment, debating whether I should accept it or not. Making an ally has never been a bad thing. So, I put my hand in his and am taken aback at how cold his hand is.

“Aria,” I pull myself together and remove my hand from his.

“Please to meet you,” he flashes his brilliant smile once again. I can only imagine how many women would swoon when he smiles at them like that.

“Likewise,” I reply politely. “Now, if you will excuse me …”

“Colloidal silver,” he interrupts me.

“Excuse me?” I frown.

“You should drink it or rub a bit on your neck,” he explains. “It will mask your wolf.”

“Okay,” I roll my eyes and laugh awkwardly. Of all the things I have heard before, this must be in the top ten of most ridiculous. If this were true, every wolf would have known.

“It will not mask your wolf against other wolves, only against vampires,” he says knowingly.

“Can you read my mind?” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“No,” he laughs heartedly. “And even though I did try, I cannot compel you either.”

“Why not?” I ask amused.

“I truly don’t know,” he shrugs. “You’re the first person – wolf or human – I could not compel.”

“Thanks for the advice, Harvey, I will see you around,” I smile and turn away.

“Aria,” he calls me back once again. “Is there any way I could thank you? What you did … I am eternally grateful.”

“No,” I shake my head. “I did what was needed and what was right. No woman should be subjected to things like this.”

“At least allow me to take you home,” he suggests. “I want to ensure that you get home safe.”

“I can take care of myself, thank you,” I say hastily. He should never know where I live. I do not know this man and will not endanger Evan or the other tenants. “Besides, you have those three to take care of.”

“My men will be here to pick them up shortly,” he replies and as if on cue, five men emerge from the shadows.

They greet Harvey hastily, but respectful before they apprehend the three scumbags and drag them away. I have no idea how much of our conversation they followed, but I am sure that they know their fate is going to be extremely unpleasant.

“Goodbye, Harvey,” I say and turn around, but I have not walked ten steps before he appears right in front of me.

“What the hell?” I shout as I quickly stand back, my heart racing. Is he planning to make me his next meal? Were all these pleasantries and wanted to thank me just a ruse to lure me to his home?

“I don’t want to let you go,” he admits in a sultry voice.

“And I don’t care,” I say with false bravado. “I want to go.”

“Aria, I mean you no harm,” his voice is deep and low. “I only want to get to know you better. I find you captivating and would like to explore that feeling.”

“I can assure you I’m not that interesting,” I laugh uncomfortably. “And I must leave now, my people are waiting for me.”

I try to sidestep him, but he grabs my wrist.

“Are those people wolves like you?” he asks sternly. “If they are, they will be in danger if any vampire learns about them. And believe me, there are a lot of us around.”

My throat closes as the realization sets in. I fled my pack for Evan’s safety and unbeknown to me, I have brought him straight into the lion’s den. I have no other alternative but to move tomorrow and my heart sinks. That is the last thing I want to do now. Evan and I have decent accommodation and people that support and help us. Where in the world would I find such an opportunity again?

“Thank you for the warning,” I smile weakly. “We will be gone tomorrow.”

“Or you could stay under my protection,” Harvey surprises me and I gape at him.

“Under what conditions?” I ask suspiciously. I am not naïve enough to believe that anything in this world is for free.

“You will work for me, and I want to get to know you better,” he replies.

“What kind of work?” I ask before I could stop myself. The answer is an obvious no, but I am looking for work and my instincts kicked in before my mind did.

“Security at my hotel and casino,” he says, and I scour his face to make sure he is not joking. What the hell do I know about security? And how could I be of any value when I am competing with an entire valley of vampires?

“No,” I shake my head adamantly. “I don’t possess those skills.”

“I will teach you what you don’t know,” he smiles. “But you are brave and fearless and that is a skill that can’t be taught.”

“You have an army of vampires,” I argue. “They’re immortal and don’t need to be brave or fearless to put a few rowdy human guests in their place. You do not need me.”

“Only at night,” he reasons. “My daytime security detail is not up to par. As a wolf, you have the upper hand against humans.”

“I say go for it,” Maya chirps in the back of my mind.

“I’m still thinking about it,” I snap at her.

“What’s to think about?” she growls at me. “You need a job, and you don’t want to leave Las Vegas. He’s the answer to our prayers.”

“He’s also our enemy,” I maintain. “His entire species wants us dead. How can we trust him?”

“If he wanted you dead, you would’ve been dead already,” she argues.

“I’m still not convinced,” I sigh.

“If I do accept your offer,” I finally speak. “It will be strictly business. I am by no means interested in any form of relationship. Including ‘getting to know me better’.”

We stare at each other for a moment before he finally nods.

“Deal,” he gives me his million-dollar smile and holds out his hand.

With a heavy sigh, I take his hand.

“Deal,” I agree.