The Blood Will Run (17 page)

Alivia just stared at him.

He waited. She’s going to freak out.

“Okay, you and Bex slept together. Where was this?”

“We were at Ticklers,” he said in a low voice.

“What?” her face went red.

“Ticklers.”

“I freaking know what Ticklers is Chace.” Alivia stared at him hotly.

“Alivia, I need to tell you something about this player who was screwing around with us at the same time!” Bex practically yelled as she walked up to them.

Alivia drew in a deep breath.

“Player?” Alivia asked and glared at Chace.

“Yes, while he was with you he was sleeping with me,” said Bex.

“Chace?” Alivia shot him a fierce look.

“That is far from being the truth. I slept with you months ago. The last time we slept together was a month before the Creek party,” Chace explained.

“I knew you would decide to come here and cause a problem,” Erica said, once she, Tucker, and Devin had joined them.

“You knew about this?’ Alivia asked Erica.

“Hell, no. Tucker blabbed the news to us this morning at breakfast,” Erica explained.

“So, let me get this straight. You knew this entire day and that’s why you called to talk to Chace. You wanted to give him a heads up that Bex was coming here to tell me.” Alivia eyed Erica angrily.

“No, I didn’t know that Bex would show up. I was trying to make sure that Chace told you the truth, just in case she did show up,” Erica explained.

“Honestly, this is just incredible,” Alivia said and began to pace.

“What’s the matter Alivia you don’t like the fact that your boyfriend, who you apparently love so freaking much, is a player?” Bex said.

“Really Bex? What are you trying to do here?” Erica said raising her voice.

“Don’t yell at me, you lunatic,” Bex said hotly.

“Don’t yell at you. Who the hell are you?” Erica screeched.

“Who the hell am I? Look at you. You are having some sort of weird ass love affair with Alivia these days. Alivia this and Alivia that. Alivia has been through so much. She just needs me to help her out.” Bexs’ voice was full of bitterness.

“Erica, kick her ass,” Tucker said glaring at Bex angrily, “Don’t let her talk to you like that.”

Devin interrupted. “Okay there is no need for a cat fight here. It’s simple. What happened between Bex and Chace happened before he was with Alivia.”

Chace mouthed thank you to Devin.

Alivia saw him and said, “You are far from being out of trouble. You and I will discuss this later.”

Chace nodded.

“See what you caused?” Erica was really pissed off now. She looked like she was about to rip Bexs’ hair out of her head.

“Oh, shut up,” Bex said.

Erica was trembling. “I have never really liked you. You’re a selfish bitch. And what’s more, you sleep around with way too many guys.” Erica brought her finger to her lips.

“What would people call you?” she said sarcastically. “Oh, yes, that’s it, a skeezer.”

Bex pounced on Erica. She grabbed a handful of her hair and started to pull. Erica clawed at Bexs’ face.

“Beat the bitch!” Tucker shouted.

Erica lifted her knee and drove it into Bexs’ stomach hard. Astonished Bex doubled over and fell to the ground. Erica leaped on top of her and began to punch Bex wherever she could connect.

Alivia grabbed Erica from behind and lifted her off Bex. That’s when Alivia fell back and landed on the ground with Erica on top off her.

Suddenly Bex was up and heading straight for them. She kicked Alivia in the face and grabbed her by the hair.

Alivia was stunned.

Erica rolled off Alivia and tried to pull Bexs’ hand away from Alivias’ hair, but it made Bex pull even harder.

“Holy shit, a full blown, all out cat fight!” Tucker shouted excitedly.

Alivia started to get up. She didn’t feel anything but anger.

Alivia tightened up her fist and hit Bex in the stomach. Bex let go of her hair. Alivia hit her again. This time she punched Bex in the face. Bex tumbled back and fell to the ground. Alivia smiled when she saw the blood trickle out of the side of her mouth. Alivia pounced on top of her and punched her in the face again.

Chace grabbed Alivia and lifted her up off Bex, while Devin picked Bex up off the ground.

“Okay ladies that is enough,” Devin said.

“This whole thing is all your fault, Devin,” Erica said glaring at him angrily. “Why didn’t you just compel her into forgetting?” Then she turned to stare at Chace. “This is your fault too. You could have compelled her as well.”

“Compel? What the hell are you talking about Erica?” Tucker asked.

“Never mind, I’ll explain it later,” Erica said.

“Okay, I’ll give her new memories before I take her home and make her forget,” Devin said as he dragged Bex to his car.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

W
hen Devin
arrived back at the church after dropping Bex at home, everyone was still there.

“I explained to Tucker that you and Chace are vampires and that Lawson is a Shayvan.” Erica announced to Devin.

“I still can’t believe it. But Chace here showed me his fangs and that was all the convincing I needed,” Tucker said.

“So, he knows that Vanstrauss is trapped in the church?” Devin asked.

“No, I didn’t get to that bit of information just yet,” said Erica.

“Vanstrauss is another vampire, but he is the dangerous kind.”

Chace interrupted Alivia.

“Alivia we have an appointment with Demeetrie back at the Casa De Luca.”

Alivia nodded her head.

“Don’t worry Devin and I will explain everything to Tucker and make sure he is on board,” Erica said hugging Alivia.

“Once Demeetrie and Mercy show up at eleven, meet me and Chace at the Casa De Luca, okay?” Alivia whispered in Ericas’ ear.

Erica nodded.

Alivia and Chace said their goodbyes and walked off to Chaces’ car.

Alivia slid into the passenger seat and watched Chace as he walked to the driver seat.

Once he slid in beside her and started the car, Alivia stared out the window.

Ever since that night of the gas explosion, everything had changed. She lost her mother and met a guy who was a freaking vampire. But she had lost so much more than just her mother. She lost Miles. He was a good friend to her for such a long time and now Miles was her enemy. And Bex, she used to come over to the loft for sleepovers with Erica and now Bex hated her because she wanted Chace. She shook her head.

“Alivia, I’m really sorry,” Chace said, staring at her. “I know meeting me has turned your life upside down.” He cleared his throat.

“I want to take the pain away. I want to protect you from everything and everyone.” He stared at her. “Please don’t hate me.”

Alivia didn’t say a word.

“I love you more than anything in this world. I would do anything for you.”

“Does that mean you’ll leave me alone if I tell you to?” she said still staring out the window.

“I don’t think I can do that.”

“Then don’t lie and say you’ll do anything for me then,” she said hotly.

“Look, how was I to know that Bex had a thing for me?”

“I remember at the Creek party when Bex pulled you away from me. How could I have been so stupid? I should have known something was up.”

“I know that I have made some mistakes. But everything that happened with Bex was way before I fell in love with you.”

“I don’t care Chace. There was Bex and Holly, who else did you sleep with, Erica?”

“You want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Then, yes I did.”

“You’re kidding me right?”

“No, it was at Ticklers. There’s a game that customers play in a group. We act out different sex scenes with the other players.”

“Seriously Chace, just shut up.”

The tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued to stare out the window.

“I know all of this is just too much for you to handle. But I promise you that I have not been with anyone else ever since I fell in love with you.” Chaces’ voice was low. “I have to admit that my past has caused you a lot of pain, but I can’t change what I did, or who I was before I met you.”

Alivia stayed silent.

“You wanted me to tell you the truth and well that’s the truth.” Chace reached for her hand.

Alivia pushed it away.

Chace pulled the car over onto the side of the road and turned it off.

Alivia got out of the car and started walking toward the Cafe.

Suddenly, Chace was in front of her blocking her path. He grabbed her by the shoulders.

“I love you, please don’t shut me out.”

“I can’t talk to you right now Chace.” Alivia tried to break away from his grip.

“You are the one that wanted me to tell you the truth. Why? I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.” Chaces’ voice was harsh.

“Let me go Chace. I don’t want to be around you right now!” Alivia shouted.

“No, you don’t get to act like this. You wanted the truth.”

“I wasn’t expecting to hear that you slept with my friends Chace.”

“I can’t change what I did.” Chace was angry.

“I don’t care!” she screamed. “I just want you to leave me alone.”

“Fine, I’ll leave you alone for now. But don’t you think for one minute that I will leave you alone forever.”

Chace let her go. Alivia continued to walk down the road.

“At least let me drive you home!” Chace yelled after her.

But, Alivia ignored him and started running. She was sobbing uncontrollably.

She couldn’t go home and talk to Jules because her and Jules had had a fight. She couldn’t talk to Erica because Erica had sex with Chace. She felt so alone. She changed her direction and cut through the woods.

Minutes later, she walked down the street to the Witchittin shop. When she pulled open the door and Mercy looked up, she rushed to where Alivia fell to the floor covering her hands over her face.

“What’s wrong Alivia?” Mercy asked.

Alivia couldn’t speak. Mercy held her as she cried.

When she finally calmed down and stopped crying. She explained everything to Mercy.

“It seems to me like you’ve had a terrible couple of days. Come to the back and lie down for a bit. We’ll talk about all of this later.”

Alivia nodded and let Mercy lead her to the back of the store.

Once she rested her head down on the pillow of the bed, she realized her head was throbbing. Minutes later, she drifted off into a deep restless sleep.

☼

Chace walked back to the car and drove down the road with his lights off. He must have driven for at least five minutes, but Alivia was nowhere in sight. Chace pulled the car over and sped back to where he had left her. Still, there was no sign of her.

He messed up this time, he thought.

She will never forgive him.

Chace stopped in front of her mothers’ grave, but she wasn’t there either. He pulled out his cell phone.

Have u seen Alivia
? He texted Devin.

No
. Devin wrote back.

We had a huge disagreement and then she disappeared

She’s not here
Devin wrote.

Do u know where she might have gone
? Chace wrote back.

Did u check the cemetery?

I’m here and she’s not

What was this disagreement about?
Devin wrote.

I told her that I slept with Erica

Seriously Chace? u could have just kept your mouth shut for once

She wanted the truth and I told her

Do u want Erica to try and call her?

No, she’s pissed at her

Do u want me to call her?

Sure, It’s worth a shot

Chace waited for his brother to text him back.

Nope, it seems her cell is off
Devin wrote.

Chace wrote back.
Thanks for trying I’m going to track her down text you when I find her

Chace sped off through the woods toward the Cafe. His cell went off in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered it.

“Hi Chace, it’s Mercy.”

“I can’t talk to you right now. I’m looking for Alivia.”

“Alivia is here at the shop. She’s asleep in the back.”

“Okay, I’m on my way.” Chace pressed the off button and slid the phone into his back pocket, before he sped across the woods, to the Witchittin shop.

“Where is she?” Chace asked once he had stepped inside the shop.

“She’s in the back room.” Mercy said and frowned.

Chace sped to the back room. He shook his head when he saw her tear stained face. He had caused her so much pain. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her, but she hated him right now and he couldn’t handle anymore rejection. It pulled at his heart when she pushed him away. He pulled the rocking chair in the corner of the room and placed it right beside the bed. He stared at her while she slept. She was so perfect. He couldn’t believe he had hurt her yet once again. This time she wasn’t going to forgive him. His heart began to ache.

Hours later, she began to toss and turn.

No, no, no, Chace don’t do it. Alivia cried out in her sleep. Chace I love you, don’t leave me.

Alivia began to sob hysterically. No, please come back.

Chace got up off the rocking chair, went to the side of the bed, and shook her gently.

“Alivia, my beautiful angel, wake up it’s only a dream,” he said softly.

Alivia opened her eyes. Once she saw him, she leaped into his arms and cried.

“It’s okay my love it was only a dream. I’m here and I’ll never leave you. I promise.” He held onto her tightly. He couldn’t hold back his tears. They escaped down his cheeks. “I love you,” He whispered and rocked her in his arms.

Alivia lifted her eyes to meet his. “You’re crying.”

Chace nodded. “I was so afraid that you would never forgive me. I thought I had lost you.”

Alivia raised her hand to his cheeks and wiped away his tears. “I love you Chace De Luca. I will always love you for eternity. You’ve captured my soul and my heart belongs to you.”

Chace buried his face in her hair. “When I found you, I found the greatest gift from heaven. If I don’t have you, I have nothing. I never want to feel that pain of losing you ever again. It was as if a part of me had died. I know it now. I know that everything I’ve done, every road that I traveled, every girl that I was ever with was because all of those things were leading me to you.”

Alivia kissed his ear. “Nothing or no one will ever come between us,” she said and then brushed her lips lightly to his cheek. She brought her lips slowly to his and kissed him with all the passion she had felt for him right at that moment.

Chace responded with the same eagerness.

“I want you,” she said.

“I want you too,” Chace replied.

“Make love to me,” she whispered.

Chace slid his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast.

Alivia moaned.

“I love you,” she whispered and wrapped her legs around him and began to rub against him seductively.

Chace suddenly pushed her off him. “No,” he said harshly, “I’m not going to make love to you. Not like this. I can’t.”

“But I thought that’s what you wanted?” Alivia asked, looking down at him puzzled.

“I want to make love to you more than anything I have ever wanted before. But I want to wait until we’re married.”

Alivia shook her head. “I’m ready now. I want to feel your body against mine and share with you just how much I really love you.”

Chace stood and wrapped his arms around her. “I have dreamt about our first night together as husband and wife. It was the most amazing dream that I have ever had. I refuse to give that up. You’re not in your right mind right now. You’re hurt and vulnerable. There is no way I’m taking advantage of you in this state. Besides, just imagine how special our wedding night will be if you want me as much as I want you.”

Alivia smiled. “You’re right De Luca. You’ve changed. I see that now.”

Chace pressed his lips to hers. He knew waiting to be with her was the best decision he had ever made. Sex meant nothing to him anymore. All he needed was Alivias’ love.

Chaces’ phone went off in his pocket.

He slid it out and answered it.

“Did you find Alivia?” Devin asked.

“Yes. She’s here with me at Mercys’ shop,” Chace answered and kissed her nose.

“Good, Erica and I were so worried,” said Devin.

“Everything is just perfect,” Chace said.

“Okay then, talk to you later,” Devin said and hung up.

Chace slid the cell back into his pocket. “Let’s go talk to Demeetrie and find out if Jules has any abilities, okay?”

Alivia nodded and let Chace lead her by the hand to the front of the shop.

☼

Devin hung up with Chace and walked back to the bench where Erica was sitting.

“Chace found her,” he told Erica.

“Well that’s good news. What happened that made her run from Chace? Was it that whole thing that happened with Bex?” Erica asked.

“No, Chace spilled the beans about what happened at Ticklers between you and him.”

Erica looked upset. “Oh boy, Alivia is never going to forgive me.”

“She has already forgiven Chace. Don’t worry, she’ll come around and forgive you too.”