I opened my eyes slightly and breathed in a familiar cologne, my whole body quivering at the intoxicating smell burning through my nose. My eyes instantly flew open and I sat up, parting my face from Dexter’s neck as he grinned down at me, his eyes flickering in amusement.  
“What-”
“You fell asleep.” He cut me off as I wrapped the blanket around myself, quickly standing up from my position.
“Stop trying to act nice, Dexter-”
“I didn’t force you to snuggle under my neck, now did I?” I gave him a hard frown, my eyes not ripping away from his as he adjusted his wrinkled up shirt before walking past me towards the boys.
“You’re going to drive.” I heard Dexter say, tossing some keys to Cony and I started brushing some strands of hair away from my face but froze when I noticed an unfamiliar bracelet wrapped around my wrist now. I stared at the green topaz embedded in the middle and frowned hard before looking at Dexter.
“What’s this?” I questioned, holding up my wrist and Dexter raised a brow at me.
“Just in case Draven catches up on your heartbeat.”
“Not like he can sense it anyways, we’re too far away-”
“I wouldn’t underestimate a pure blood, Zavier. We’re not anywhere close to their level,” Dexter stated and I heard Zavier scoff in annoyance before muttering something under his breath. “But that’s why we use this more often.” Dexter added, tapping his forehead before he turned to give me fake smile. I rolled my eyes and turned around, ready to start leaving again when an idea popped into my head. Wait, what if I used this bracelet to make a run for it? Or sneak a way out? Was it possible? Maybe. Worth a shot? Definitely.
“Alright, pack up and let’s go, it looks like it’s about to rain any second and I don’t want-”
“Dexter?” I quickly jogged over to him, cutting him off and I heard him dramatically sigh in annoyance before facing me. “Can I rest just a few more hours? My head still hurts.” I said weakly and he furrowed his eyebrows together, shaking his head immediately.
“Trying to buy enough time for Draven to catch up on us? Yeah, I don’t think so sweetheart-”
“I got this bracelet on anyways, he wouldn’t find me anytime soon Dexter, we both know it,” I said, folding my hands across my chest and I noticed the guys rolling their eyes. “I’ll really get sick if I get in there again. Do you really want me to throw up in the-”
“Oh hell no, you don’t! That’s a brand new jeep.” Zavier cut me off and I looked at Dexter, giving him a pleading look.
“That look doesn’t work on me.” Dexter narrowed his eyes at me and I lowered my eyelashes on the ground, ready to give up, but for some reason, a rush of confidence took over my body within seconds and I looked right back up at him, this time with my best puppy dog eyes and a small pout.
“Just a few more hours,” I took a small step forward and I could’ve sworn I saw Dexter flinch at my little act. “Please?” I added with a weak sigh, giving him another look of plead.
“And you blame me for wanting to fuck her-”
“Alright. You got 3 more hours to rest.” Dexter cut off Francis and I almost jumped up in relief but managed to hold it back.
“You guys saw that right? He actually got whipped.” Cony broke into a short laugh as I sent him a frown before rushing towards the tent. After getting inside, I zipped it close and I could hear heavy footsteps approaching near the tent before someone sat down in front of it. I assume it’s Dexter? But it’s fine for now, I just have to pretend to sleep for an hour or so before I make a move. God, I hope this works. If by any chance I get caught, Dexter will never let it go.

An hour or more passed by and I could hear someone unzipping my tent, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body. It was pretty obvious he would check up on me at least once, which is why I decided to wait. After a few minutes, I heard someone zip up the tent again, causing me to sigh in relief. I opened my eyes and stopped to think. Okay, okay, relax and think Adriana. How could you possibly sneak out without them noticing at all? Should I just-
I stopped and gasped softly when I heard the sound of thunder roaring across the sky, followed by the sound of pouring rain. Great, just great. But maybe this way, they can’t sense my smell? I don’t know. 
“We should clean up now.” I heard Dexter yell from outside and my movements froze at his command.
“Make space at the backseat so that Adriana can sleep.” I heard Cony’s voice say out loud and for the next few seconds, I heard nothing. No voices, no footsteps, nothing. Did they leave? Who cares, take the chance now, Adriana!
With trembling hands and a pounding heart, I lifted up the tent from behind, just enough for me to squeeze through and found myself crawling out. Even when I got outside, I didn’t dare to stand up nor glance back to see if the boys noticed. Instead, I crawled myself halfway towards a bunch of trees and bushes before hiding behind a huge tree, my uncontrollable panting causing my whole body to tremble and shake in fear.
“Ugh.” I groaned, brushing away the leaves and sticks that stuck onto my already soaked clothes and took a deep breath. At least I made it this far. I peeked through the bush and gulped softly when I noticed Dexter and the rest of the guys still talking near the jeep, all their clothes soaking wet in the rain but they didn’t seem to mind. I wasn’t able to hide as far away as I wanted to but they wouldn’t know that now, would they? Plus, if I was to start running, they might have noticed me and—shit!
I swiftly pulled back, pressing myself against the tree when I noticed Dexter walking back towards the tent. Did he see me? He didn’t right? Please, oh god, he can’t, not now.
“Adriana? Wake up now, we have to go. The guys are tired of waiting around and it’s fucking raining,” I heard him say out loud and I took deep breaths, clutching onto the bracelet. “You can just sleep inside the jeep, we’ve already made space for you to-” the moment Dexter’s voice froze, so did my heart, and I inhaled deeply, preparing myself for what’s to come.
“Fuck! She got away!” I heard him hiss and yell at the same time and I held my breath, clutching my mouth to stop myself from whimpering or making any noises.
“The hell?! I thought you were keeping an eye on her?!
“Find her, now!” Dexter growled and for the next minutes or so, I stayed still before peeping out to check whether they were gone. Sure enough, everyone had left and I was about to start running back to the bush when I noticed the Jeep. Without even thinking straight, I started running towards the jeep, my heart pounding loudly against my chest, threating to rip out as I ran as fast as I could. After reaching up to the SUV, I opened the door, throwing myself in before shutting the door and hugging myself. It was freezing cold but that’s beside the point. They left the keys in here, thank god for that, I was saved.
I started the jeep and started turning it around before taking off, my hands gripping the wheel as tightly as I could just so I could stop my whole body from trembling. I wasn’t that good of a driver, especially in this weather, nor did I know where the hell I was going even but I had to keep driving. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and glanced around the jeep, praying that there was no one inside and stopped when I noticed a phone right next to my seat. I grabbed it and went through the contact list, praying that there was even one number I was familiar with and froze when it landed on a familiar name. Vincent. No, no way. It can’t be, it’s not the Vincent I know, it has to be someone else.
“No, stop, that’s not it Adriana.” I shook my head before going back and dialing my mother’s number. I pressed the phone tightly against my ears, praying she would pick up. Please, just this once, please mom-
“Hello?”
“Mom?! It’s me, Adriana!”
“Adriana?! What-”
“Listen to me, I’m kidnapped by Dexter, please call Draven and-”
“What?! What are you talking about? Who the hell is Dexter and where are you?”
“Mom, please listen! I don’t have time, just call Draven and tell him that I am probably out of town by now. I don’t remember the road we took nor the street I am at right now. All I see are a lot of trees and-”
“Oh my god, I’m calling the police-”
“We’re dealing with vampires alright! The police cannot handle them mother, just call Draven! Do you understand, I want you to call Draven right now!” I started crying on the phone and I could hear my mother sobbing already and panicking over the phone as she started calling my father.
“Adriana, are you okay? Why are they-”
“Wait! I just saw a sign, I’m in the Genova street, I just passed it, you have to call him now and-” I stopped and let out a scream when someone appeared right in front of the road, causing me to completely turn the wheel before the car came to a sudden halt. The sudden force made me hurl forward as I slammed my forehead on the wheel, hard, making my whole head dizzy and weak. With a groan, I looked up, trying to make sense of what was what through the pouring rain, and my eyes widened when I saw Dexter slowly get up from the ground, causing my jaws to drop open in horror. Did I hit him?!
I started turning the key and froze when the jeep made some weird noises before the headlights turned on and off repeatedly, making my heart sink all the way down to my stomach. No…no, no!
“Come on!” I started jamming and jerking the key, turning it to the point my fingers started to feel sore, but it was no use. I slowly looked up and my eyes met Dexter’s as a sadistic smirk appeared on his face, as if he’s already caught on my fail attempts. No, please just-
My hands froze when I noticed him taking slow steps towards me and I quickly reached to lock the doors, shaking my head repeatedly as I continued to work on the jeep. Why won’t it start?! What the hell is-
“Knock knock, sweetheart.” A sudden tap on the glass made me scream as I edged away from my seat, my hands trembling as I worked to start up the jeep again. Please work, please just work already!
“I’ll give you three seconds to come out of there, Adriana.” My breath hitched at his words and I slowly slipped off my bracelet before gulping softly. If Draven could hear me now.
“One!” I heard him yell before he started walking to the other side of the jeep and I couldn’t rip my eyes away from his body.
“Fuck, fuck!” I yelled, jamming the keys one more time, tears of frustration rolling down my cheeks.
“Two!” I heard him yell before connecting his fists at the window and I screamed when the window shattered to pieces, some of the glasses flying inside the seats. The next thing I knew, Dexter had opened the door and lunged towards me, grabbing me by the legs as I started kicking him, crawling as far away from him as possible but it was no use. With a jerk, he dragged me out and I let out a painful scream as my body came in hard contact with the ground.
“Stop, let go of me you fucking freak!” I yelled, throwing my hands and legs everywhere and as soon as I got up on my feet to run, a hand grabbed my shoulders, yanking me back roughly.
“You sure have some fucking nerve, Adriana,” his dangerously low and deep tone made my blood freeze and I gasped when he grabbed my neck from behind. “Nobody makes a fool out of me and gets away with it, sweetheart, not even you!” he spat in my ears before pushing my body to the ground.
“Dexter, please, I-” I started to crawl back when I noticed his eyes growing a shade darker. I screamed when he bolted towards me, ready to start running when he froze before glancing back in panic. The next thing I knew, he had disappeared from my sight and I froze when a bunch of people appeared in front of me out of nowhere. My eyes could barely reach up to their faces but my vision had started to become blurry, causing my head to feel dizzy.
“You’re okay, Adriana, we got you.”
“We found her!”
I heard some familiar voices yell before darkness clouded my vision.

x-x

My eyes flattered open and I groaned, rubbing my temple as I sat up on the bed. Oh, hell. I gasped when I noticed Draven sitting on the bed, causing me to sigh in relief.
“How-what happened?” I finally questioned, looking around the room, just to make sure I was in the right mansion again. Silence filled the room and I looked at Draven as he just sat still, staring at me. “Draven?” I questioned and stopped when I noticed his expression. His eyes wear weary, the color on his face had drained away completely, making him look so much paler. But his eyes, his eyes stood out the most. Sadness and guilt filled eyes bore into my own and I flinched a little, waiting for him to say something but he just sat there, not uttering a word. Truth is, right now? He didn’t have to say anything for me to know exactly what he was thinking. It was clearly written all over his face.
“Draven, I’m fine, if by any chance, you are thinking that what happened with Dexter was your fault, then don’t, because it’s not.” I said softly and I watched him bite the inside of his cheeks, flinching a little before I turned away. “But, if that’s not the case then ignore what I just said because it’s embarrassing when I assume stuff I’m not even sure of-” I froze when his hands slowly reached up to my mouth, covering it whole gently. The next thing I knew, his face was buried under my neck, his other arm wrapped around my waist tightly. I might not “know” Draven on a personal level, but I know for a fact that he was hurting badly right now, and that made me feel worse. I muffled out his name from under his palm but he still didn’t budge. I started to pull away only to be yanked back into his arms, this time, his hands wrapping around my waist securely and I finally let out a sigh when he buried his face inside my neck, again.
“Draven, talk. I’m right here.” No response and I was about to say something but froze when I felt his jawline clench under my neck, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body.
“Are you mad?” I blabbered out before I could even stop myself and instantly regretted it.
“I was so worried,” he finally said softly, his temple pressing firmly against my shoulders now. “To the point where it got so fucking frustrating.” He barely choked out, his voice soft and hoarse, making my heart race ten times faster than it was before.
“Draven-”
“Just the thought of never seeing you again,” I froze when I felt something hot and wet brush against my skin. “Really killed me inside.”
Right now, he’s-
“I’ll never let him take you away again, so promise me…” he tightened the grip around my waist, refusing to face me even when I tried to pull him away.  “Promise me that you’ll never get taken away from me again…” Draven’s voice was now shaking and I just sat there, loss at words.
“Draven, look at me-”
“Promise me!” his voice was filled with pain and plead, making me stiffen immediately before I finally smiled a little, slowly wrapping an arm around his neck.
“I promise,” I breathed inside his neck and I felt his jawline tighten under my neck before taking slow, shaky breaths.
“Thank you, Draven.”

xxx