“I’ll take this to the lab right away. Now let’s talk about your birth control. Are you currently on anything?”
I simply shake my head.
“Have you ever taken anything in the past?” When I shake my head once more, he continues. “I recommend the Depo shot. It’s very effective, and you don’t have to worry about taking it every day.”
Again, he turns to Alaric and asks him instead of me. “I have one with me today. I can give it to her now.”
“Yes, go ahead,” Alaric confirms without consulting me.
I feel like such a pushover for not even fighting him on this, but the truth is, I want this birth control as well. I’m way too young and broke to have a kid right now. The possibility of Alaric being the father seems like a terrible plan.
“This one will only be a small prick.” He opens up another pack of disinfectant wipes and rubs the small pad against my upper arm, leaving a cold and tingling spot behind.
“When does she need her next shot?” Alaric asks.
“Every three months. I can send you a reminder message when it gets close to that time,” the doctor tells him, and I almost laugh at the oddity of it all. He acts like he is running a normal practice when, in reality, nothing about this isnormal.
He gives me the shot and starts gathering his things immediately after. I stay sitting on the couch, rubbing circles over the sore spot on my upper arm. At least there won’t be any babies soon. Now I only have to convince Alaric to let me go.
“I’ll call you as soon as I have the test results,” the doctor tells Alaric as he sees him outside.
Once the door is closed and we are alone once more, Alaric comes to sit next to me. The couch dips under his weight, his muscle-clad frame leaning back casually.
“Tell me about yourself. How come you work at a place like Purgatory?” His question catches me off guard. Not because it’s not a valid question, but the way he is asking me makes it seem like he actually cares to know.
“Um, Lucian pays well,” I answer. It’s not a lie either. Lucian pays an excellent salary, plus the tips are great, especially on the weekend.
“If the pay is so great, then why do you live in such a dump, and how did you accumulate so much debt?” he asks, an accusing note in the sound of his voice.
Shit. How am I going to get out of this without telling him about my grandma? He can’t know about her. No one can know how much she means to me. I have to keep her safe.
“I grew up with a single mom,” I whisper, staying as close to the truth as I can. “She was not great at managing finances or life in general. I had to figure out a lot on my own without guidance on top of her leaving me with a lot of baggage.”
“No other family you’re close with?” He raises an eyebrow, almost like he is daring me to lie.
Does he know about Grams? A sliver of fear crawls up my spine while I force the lie past my lips, “No, no one I’m close to.”
He nods slightly, like he believes me, but the twinkle in his eyes makes me think the opposite. Either way, he doesn't press further.
“What about you?” I act casually. “Do you have a family you are close to?”
“No, not family by blood anyway.” He points at the ribbon around his wrist. “The Lombardis are my family now. Took me in when I was sixteen, taught me everything I know. They are the only family I’ve known… at least until now.”
Until now?I ignore his odd comment, having more pressing matters on my mind.
“But you kill people for them?” I don’t know why I have to bring that fact up. I should have kept my mouth shut, especially considering what Alaric tells me next.
“Yes, I kill for them, but that’s what I like to do. I enjoy killing other men, and I revel in the power it gives me. There is nothing that makes you feel more alive than snuffing the life out of someone else.”
My eyes go wide, and blood freezes in my veins as I let his words sink in. He talks about taking a life as if it's a hobby of his, like another human soul doesn’t matter to him the slightest.
“Don’t worry, Monroe. I already told you, I won’t kill you, but I can see your thoughts written all over your face. You don’t have to fear me. The only people who have to worry are the people who try taking you away from me.”
“I can’t help but to be scared,” I admit.
“I guess I’ll have to try harder to prove it to you then.”
Forcing a smile, I give him a slight nod. I wish my fear away as well, but I can’t imagine a world where I wouldn't be terrified of a killer who enjoys death.