Chapter Eight #2
Deciding to let her make the first move, he remained at the bar and continued to move the amber liquid in his cup. He had danced this dance before, always ending up on top with the woman under him.
Melinda, however, had no intention of approaching the handsome man she had been eyeing since he swaggered into the bar. It didn’t take much to realize who and what he was.
She knew that he was the infamous Lucien Dumas that Isadora feared.
She had to admit that he had a magnetic aura around him, but she fought against her impulses and remained at her table.
She felt the need to warn Isadora of his whereabouts as her sense of danger increased.
Pulling out her phone, she typed in the land line number for Agatha’s house, but stopped before pressing the call button.
They were vampires.
No doubt Lucien would be able to hear her warn Isadora. Lucien remained at the bar, not looking her way or even acknowledging her since he entered. Maybe she was reading into things. Maybe he didn’t even know she knew or even was aware of her menial presence.
“Mel,” Bryon greeted her with his usual warm, sunny disposition that seemed only fit for him to have. Bryon had always been in her life, but regretfully she could not see him as anything more than a friend. Even after the night they had spent together.
She decided to act like nothing happened as well, adopting her usual demeanor. “Bryon, what are you doing here on your day off? Your brother might call you to help with the bar," Mel joked, but they both knew it was a real possibility.
John was the kind to show up late,, but when it came to actually working, John definitely wasn’t the personable type.
John had just started working here, so he still had a lot to learn about working at a bar, but he didn’t really want to remain in the family business.
Just about everyone felt the same about him, but went light on him due to his simplicity.
Out of the tool box, he wasn’t the sharpest.
Bryon looked over at his brother as John wore his normal bland face behind his thickly rimmed glasses.
It was clear that John didn’t want to be at work, but the bar was short staffed and he was forced to actually help the family.
If Mel could, she would’ve helped, but she didn’t need to hear or see the people she grew up around stumbling drunk and confessing their sins.
Bryon exhaled loudly taking the seat across from Mel, blocking her view of Lucien.
“John can handle it. Besides, you looked a little stressed the other day with your new friend. Is everything okay? Are those people still harassing your dad?” Bryon asked.
His worry was genuine and she knew that, but it was hard for her to explain to him what was actually stressing her out.
How do you tell someone that you just learned vampires exist and there’s a whole place of supernaturals that no one knows about?
You can’t.
“Yeah, that’s what’s stressing me out. They are really bringing the hammer down on him to sell them his land, but it’s weird that they don’t take more profitable land from the others here.
There’s nothing special about our land, but they won’t let up.
Dad was confident in the beginning, but I think he might cave. ”
“Is that why you’re reading about property laws and—,” Bryon paused to grab the stack of papers she had in front of her. “Looks like the contract to buy the land.”
“I want to know if I have a shot at helping my dad. He’s done so much for me and I want to repay him for that kindness.”
He reached out towards her, taking her hand in his. She looked at their hands before looking back up at his comforting and warm smile. “You’re smart and resourceful, Mel. I know that you’ll find a solution and help your dad. I have full faith in you.”
Lucien had been watching the pair from across the room, studying the mundane male who had now taken Melinda’s hand. Jealousy boiled his blood as she remained in his hold, not retracting or reacting the way Lucien wanted her to.
This jealousy pulled him from the bar and towards the pair. Melinda’s hand slipped quickly from Bryon’s as she noticed the blond vampire sauntering towards them with a venomous look masked by false sincerity.
“You must be Melinda," Lucien drawled in a fake southern accent. Melinda could tell instantly he was acting by the uncomfortable expression he made from his words. Bryon, however, was oblivious to the vampire’s plight and rose from his seat to greet the dangerous man before him.
“You’re new here,” Bryon commented before holding out his hand. “I’m Bryon—.”
“Yes, yes, I do believe your bartender has been trying to flag you down as soon as you stood up. I’d love to talk to Melinda in private so, if you could go scurry off," Lucien remarked with an ever cocky smirk. Bryon’s brow furrowed at the harshness, but saw he was right as he looked in the direction of the bar.
John was waving his hands above his head with his eyes trained on Bryon.
“I’ll be back,” Bryon said to Melinda. With a quick glare in Lucien’s direction, Bryon moved closer to Mel. “Shout if you need help.”
“I’ll be fine," Melinda chuckled nervously. She didn’t believe her own words, but she needed Bryon to. This was a vampire who other vampires were scared of. Bryon stood no chance against him.