Chapter Five
The knock on Dakota’s apartment door came at nine forty-seven on a Thursday night, which was already suspicious because nobody visited him.
Ever. Especially not in Crimson Hollow, where he’d specifically moved to get away from a particular person who thought they had claims on his time or attention.
Dakota paused the episode of some reality show he wasn't really watching, his hand hovering over the remote. Another knock, louder this time, more insistent. His stomach dropped in a way that felt like anticipation and dread having a very uncomfortable collision.
He pushed off the couch, bare feet silent on the cheap laminate flooring as he approached the door. The peephole showed him exactly what he’d feared the moment that first knock had sounded.
Bennett.
Standing in the hallway like he had every right to be there, his blond hair perfectly styled even at this hour, wearing clothes that probably cost more than Dakota’s monthly rent.
He had that same easy smile on his face, the one that had made Dakota ignore every red flag for six months because options in Cedar Falls were limited and Bennett had seemed interested.
Dakota’s hand gripped the doorknob, his pulse picking up in a way that made his ears ring.
How did Bennett even know where he lived?
Dakota had been so careful, had made sure not to leave any forwarding information when he’d packed up his life in the middle of the night and driven eight hours to this town specifically because it was small and forgettable and somewhere Bennett would never think to look.
Apparently, he’d thought wrong.
Another knock and Bennett’s voice filtered through the door. “Dakota? I know you’re in there. I can hear the television.”
Well, that was creepy. Dakota’s fingers tightened on the doorknob until his knuckles went white.
He could pretend he wasn't home, could stay silent until Bennett gave up and left.
But the television was still on, the blue light probably visible under the door, and Bennett had already proven he knew exactly where to find him.
The lock turned under Dakota’s hand before he’d consciously decided to open it. Bad idea. This was definitely a bad idea. But his body moved anyway, pulling the door open just enough to see Bennett’s face while keeping the chain engaged.
“How did you find me?” The words came out flat, carefully empty of the anger currently making Dakota’s hands tremble.
Bennett’s smile widened, like Dakota had just said something charming instead of accusatory. “I have my ways. Can I come in? We should talk.”
“No.” Dakota kept his body blocking the narrow opening, his shoulder pressed against the doorframe. “We have nothing to talk about. I left. That was me communicating pretty clearly that whatever we had was over.”
“You left without saying goodbye.” Bennett’s tone shifted, taking on that wounded quality that used to make Dakota feel guilty. “Without explanation. I’ve been worried sick about you.”
The guilt tried to take root, familiar and insidious, but Dakota shoved it down. He’d learned that particular trick from six months of Bennett using it to manipulate every situation in his favor. “I don’t owe you an explanation. We were casual. You said so yourself multiple times.”
“I said that because I thought it was what you wanted to hear.” Bennett leaned closer, his hand coming up to rest against the door. “But the truth is I have feelings for you. Real feelings. And when you disappeared, I realized I couldn’t just let you go without telling you that.”
Dakota’s brain stuttered, trying to process words that contradicted everything Bennett had said during their entire relationship. Casual. No strings. Just fun. Those had been Bennett’s mantras, repeated every time Dakota had hinted at wanting something more substantial.
“You’re lying.” Dakota’s voice came out quieter than he’d intended, less certain. “You made it very clear that we weren't anything serious.”
“I was protecting myself.” Bennett’s expression shifted into something that looked almost vulnerable, his eyes going soft in a way Dakota had never seen before.
“I’ve been hurt before. Badly. And I thought if I kept things casual, I wouldn't risk going through that again.
But then you left, and I realized I'd rather risk the pain than lose you.”
The words should have sounded romantic. Should have been everything Dakota had wanted to hear six months ago when he’d started catching feelings despite knowing better. Instead, they just made his stomach twist with something that felt uncomfortably like suspicion.
“That’s great and all, but I’m not interested anymore.” Dakota started to close the door, but Bennett’s hand shot out, pressing against the wood to keep it open.
“Just give me five minutes.” Bennett’s smile had turned pleading, his body language shifting into something smaller, less threatening. “Five minutes to explain, and if you still want me to leave, I will. I promise.”
Dakota’s resolve wavered. Five minutes wasn't that long. And maybe if he let Bennett say whatever he needed to say, the man would finally accept that they were done and leave him alone. The alternative was standing here arguing through a chained door for who knew how long.
“Fine.” Dakota unlatched the chain, stepping back to let Bennett inside. “Five minutes. Then you leave.”
Bennett entered the apartment like he’d been there before, his eyes sweeping over the space with the kind of assessment that made Dakota feel exposed.
The place was small, barely more than a studio with a separate bedroom, furnished with secondhand pieces still in good condition.
But it was nothing like Bennett’s pristine house back in the town Dakota had left behind.
“Cozy.” Bennett’s tone suggested he meant the opposite, and Dakota felt his jaw tighten.
“You've got four and a half minutes left.” Dakota closed the door but didn’t lock it, keeping his escape route clear. “Start talking.”
Bennett turned to face him, and something in his expression had changed. The vulnerability from moments ago had vanished, replaced by something colder, more calculating. “I lied about the feelings part.”
Dakota blinked, his brain trying to catch up with the sudden shift. “What?”
“Well, not entirely.” Bennett moved closer, and Dakota found himself backing up automatically. “I do have feelings for you. Just not the kind you were probably hoping for.”
The apartment suddenly felt smaller, the walls pressing in as Dakota’s back hit the kitchen counter. “You said you had feelings. You said you couldn’t let me go.”
“I said a lot of things.” Bennett’s smile turned predatory, and Dakota’s pulse kicked into overdrive. “Because I knew they’d get you to open the door. You’re predictable like that. Always wanting to believe the best in people, even when they've shown you exactly who they are.”
Heat flooded Dakota’s face, embarrassment mixing with anger until he couldn’t separate them. “You’re an asshole.”
“True.” He stopped just outside Dakota’s personal space, close enough that Dakota could smell his cologne. “But you already knew that. You just chose to ignore it because options in Cedar Falls were limited and I was better than nothing.”
The bastard hit the nail on the head. Dakota had settled. Had convinced himself that Bennett’s intermittent attention was better than the alternative of being completely alone in a town where he knew no one. Had ignored every warning sign because the loneliness had felt worse than the disrespect.
“Get out.” Dakota’s voice shook, his hands curling into fists. “You've said what you came to say. Now leave.”
“Not yet.” Bennett reached out, his fingers brushing against Dakota’s arm in a touch that made his skin crawl. “There’s something else you should know. Something I should’ve told you months ago.”
Dakota jerked away, putting the small kitchen table between them. “I don’t care. Whatever you think is so important… I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’m a vampire.”
That was absurd…and impossible. Dakota stared at Bennett, waiting for the punchline, for the laugh that would indicate this was some kind of joke. But Bennett’s expression stayed serious, his eyes locked on Dakota’s face like he was waiting for a reaction.
“You’re insane.” Dakota edged toward the door, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. “Get out of my apartment before I call the cops.”
“Go ahead and call them.” Bennett didn’t move, didn’t even look concerned. “Tell them a vampire is in your apartment. See how that goes for you.”
Dakota’s hand found his phone in his pocket, fingers closing around the familiar shape. But even as he pulled it out, doubt crept in. Because Bennett looked completely serious. No hint of humor, no sign that this was some elaborate prank.
“I can prove it.” Bennett’s smile returned, and this time his teeth looked different. Longer. Sharper. Canines that extended past what should have been possible, gleaming white in the apartment's overhead lighting.
Fangs.
Dakota’s phone slipped from his numb fingers, clattering against the floor.
His legs hit the couch, and he sat down hard, his brain trying to process what his eyes were showing him.
Vampires weren't real. Couldn’t be real.
That was fiction, stories people told to scare children and sell movie tickets.
But Bennett’s teeth stayed elongated, visible proof of something Dakota’s rational mind wanted to reject. His mouth had gone bone-dry, his tongue sticking to the roof as he tried to form words.
“How?” The question came out barely above a whisper.
“Does it matter?” Bennett’s teeth retracted, returning to normal proportions. “The point is I’m not human. Never have been. And that friend of yours, Kivani? He's not human either.”
Dakota’s stomach lurched at the mention of Kivani’s name. “Leave him out of this.”