Corrupted by Innocence

XAVIER

She’s so delicate in my arms, her small waist quivering each time I tighten my grip. Her cheeks are flushed, but she doesn’t have that desperate look that most girls wear around me.

She doesn’t seem like she’s just trying to get me into bed to check off a box on her list. The soft moans that escape her lips as her thighs brush against my arousal almost seem genuine.

Almost.

She’s adorable, but she has no social media footprint and a name I’ve never heard before. The only logical explanation is that she’s here for the money.

That’s the only reason a girl with no social standing would agree to something as wild as this. I can’t believe that she’s here because she actually wants to marry me. She doesn’t even know me.

Love doesn’t exist. Either someone leaves or someone dies.

My father likes to think that my mother’s death is what broke our family, but that’s not true. Mom had been threatening to leave him for years.

They had their fights and disagreements, their shouting matches and differences, but those weren’t what drove Mom away.

It was our lifestyle. Big, fast, and loud.

That’s how Dad raised me.

When Mom left, our connection to reality left with her.

For a brief moment, I had hoped that Angela, the seventh girl in the lineup, would be a new anchor, but she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I need to be careful with her, or she’ll sink her claws into me and I’ll never get free.

We dance for what feels like hours, the rest of the world fading away as her doe eyes study every tiny change in my expression. She’s playing her part well, but secrets can’t stay hidden forever.

Still, I have to make her think she’s winning, or I’ll never catch her out.

“Where are you from, princess?” I ask, tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear. She shivers under my touch, and I almost believe her reaction is real.

“I grew up here.”

That confuses me because I’ve never seen her before, and Dad doesn’t mess around with locals.

I don’t want her whole life story, but I need to know what I’m getting into. The other women are too high-profile, each with their own baggage, for me to even consider getting involved with.

The twins are incredibly attractive, but the moment I saw them, I knew they were more trouble than I wanted. Their desire was so obvious it was a turnoff.

“I also went to the local university. Um, I work at Em’s Flowers?”

I’ve heard of that place before and try to remember where. It hits me a moment too late, and I drop her hand and let her go.

I leave the gala without another thought, get into my sports car, and drive off into the night.

It’s a childish reaction, but I can’t do this.

Not with her.

Not with Angela.

She’s not just the perfect candidate, she’s a trap, and I won’t be used.

ANGELA

I resist the urge to smile as I leave the dance floor, feeling the weight of many eyes on me.

The guy from earlier doesn’t approach, and neither does anyone else, although I can sense their annoyance because I apparently drove away their potential match.

But this is all part of the plan.

I knew that once Xavier found out where I worked, he’d get upset and storm off. I thought we’d have more of a connection before that happened, but plans change.

Em’s Flowers isn’t just any flower shop. It’s where Brad Knight met his wife.

She was working part-time as a florist while studying for her master’s degree in psychology. Brad fell head over heels for the bright, promising city girl who just needed a chance.

Recreating that scenario was easy once I created a new identity and got a job at the store.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

The previous employee had a rather…mysterious accident a while back, and I was conveniently available to fill in. I just had to wait until Brad found me and made his offer.

See, I’ve been watching the Knights for a long time, longer than Brad’s been alive. While I used to enjoy messing with those who disrespected me, it doesn’t give me power or lasting satisfaction.

I want to be more than just a forgotten temptress in the night.

I want power and a social status that comes with a luxurious lifestyle.

I want to be known as a woman who takes charge.

I want to be the one everyone wants in their bed.

No, that’s not quite right.

Everyone will want to be in my bed.

A dark look threatens to break through my shy facade as I sit at one of the tables, waiting for instructions now that the guest of honor has left.

Xavier Knight will be a stepping stone to the power I crave, whether he knows it or not. I think he believes I want his money, but now I’m not sure what he thinks.

His mother never wanted money or a rich lifestyle. She wanted love, and I think that scares Xavier more than anything.

I push those thoughts away as a waitress approaches me and asks me to follow her.

I hope I haven’t started something I can’t finish, but when I’m led to another room where Brad Knight is waiting, I know I’m one step closer to achieving my goal.

“My dear Angela, I’ll get straight to the point as I don’t have much time. Xavier’s chosen you out of all the women.” I nod, trying to hide my grin as he gestures for me to sit. He slides a single sheet of blank paper towards me.

“This isn’t the right way to handle things, I’m aware of that. But you were brought in to salvage my son’s reputation, and right now, he’s about to undo all the work I’ve done.”

I can hear the concern in his voice and I nod again, this time more hesitantly, letting the fear show on my face. “What—what do you need me to do?”

“I need you to follow him.”

“But—”

This is actually the perfect next step for me. I fucking love it. Xavier’s probably headed to one of his clubs to unwind. My presence there will stir up all sorts of gossip and Xavier will be forced to make a decision.

I know what he’ll choose, and it’ll be a sight to behold as the free bird becomes a trapped rat.

Brad sighs deeply, pushing the paper towards me. “I need you to sign this.”

“A blank page?”

He shakes his head and flips it over, revealing tiny words covering the entire page. “It’s a non-disclosure agreement. No matter what happens tonight, you can’t talk about it.”

“What about the marriage contract?”

“I’ll give you a day to think it over if you—”

“I don’t need to think about it. I came here knowing that if he chose me, we’d have to get married. I can’t…I don’t want—” I almost forget that I’m supposed to be acting.

I’m trying to keep it under control, but between the need to make this work and the thirst for blood, I’m losing it.

He chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Angela, sweetheart, no. I would never think you were trying to take advantage of me. You’re too kind for that. When I offered you a way out of that flower shop, I didn’t expect you to take it, but you did, and I’ll always be grateful.”

“Then where do I sign?”

I hope my assertiveness doesn’t put him off, but the marriage contract needs to be signed before I chase after Xavier or this plan won’t work. If we’re not bound by a contract and Xavier discovers my secret, he’ll destroy everything I’ve worked so hard for.

Brad’s mood lightens as he pulls out a large stack of papers. “You can sign them on the way. There’s a car waiting for you outside. It’ll take you to Xavier.”

Someone kneels down next to me—where did he come from—and picks up the contract papers, helping me to my feet.

My eyes widen in recognition, almost blowing my cover, but he doesn’t let me speak, bowing to Brad Knight before leading me to the car.

He shoves me into the passenger seat, slams the door a bit too hard, and speeds off before I can ask a question. “Layla, or should I say Angela?”

My face turns bright red as I realize that the man driving me to my pretend fiancé isn’t just someone I know, but someone who’s been there almost every step of the way, in a role that has kept me alive longer than I should have been.

“What are you doing here, Willie?” I snap at him, hating how weak I sound.

My nose tingles with the scent of his familiar blood, the vein in his neck too tempting for me to resist. I know he’s caught on to my thoughts when he covers the vein with his hand.

“Not now. I’ll feed you in a bit. How long did you really think you could go without food?”

“Food” is a bit of an understatement, but Willie is right. I haven’t fed in days and it’s catching up to me.

I know that if I go to that club tonight and get Xavier right where I want him, he won’t just be caught in my trap, he’ll die.

I’d drain him dry.

Willie will be my savior tonight.

Just like he has been for the past several years once he discovered my little secret.

He’s not just a friend.

He’s also my blood bag.

Hey, don’t judge! I’ve heard that it’s quite pleasurable for humans when the blood is given willingly and depending on where I choose to bite…

My gaze drops to the bulge in his pants, which seems to be responding to my thoughts.

Willie always did enjoy a bit of pain and he fucking loves it when my lips are around his cock. I silently wonder if he can concentrate on driving if I unbutton his pants and stroke him to climax.

“Angela, I know that look. We don’t have time for that.”

His eyes flicker to mine and I squirm in my seat in frustration. I make a fuss about it, but Willie just points at the stack of papers on the console. “Sign these and—”

I roll my eyes and use the last bit of my energy to quickly go through the documents before tossing them in the back seat.

If he thinks that’s going to stop me from getting what I want, he’s sorely mistaken. Willie sighs deeply, the car screeching to a halt.

We’re not at the club, but I knew he wasn’t going to drive me there. I can get there faster on foot and I’ll need to let off some steam after feeding from him.

He tilts his neck, pulling down his collar. “You don’t have much time. Xavier got a good head start on you.”

“Not even going to ask what I’m up to?”

“I’ve learned it’s better if I don’t know.”

I frown because I know he knows more than he lets on. He was around when Morgan and I were inseparable, thick as thieves. He even found himself in our bed more than once, and now that she’s gone, I haven’t been mourning her.

It’s as if she never existed.

I want to say something to defend myself but find that I don’t care enough to do so. I catch his worried look as he pulls away, retracting his offer. But I’m not turning down a free meal.

Pulling him closer, I bite into his neck, nearly reaching climax right then as his blood trickles down my throat. He lets out a whimper, shattering the uncomfortable silence in the car as my hand ventures between his legs, caressing him through his pants.

He grinds into my touch as I continue to feed from him, Willie’s hands remaining firm on the steering wheel like a good little boy. It doesn’t take long before he’s gasping and releasing his climax in his pants, panting heavily as I pull away.

He looks utterly spent and I don’t feel a shred of remorse for the chaos I’ve caused, fresh energy pulsing through my veins. My eyes flicker red with an excitement I haven’t experienced in nearly a week.

Xavier had better brace himself.

I plant a swift kiss on Willie’s lips as a token of gratitude before stepping out of the car and inhaling the midnight air to pick up the scent of my target.

Oh, Xavier, I hum to myself, ~Ready or not, here I come.~