CPOV

Twenty years later.

Building after building I passed, keeping to the shadows. Some I climbed, hopping from one to the next, others I ran past, ignoring the incessant noise inside.

Arguments, sex, even murder, I had heard it all in my time on this earth. I ignored it all as well unless it was of benefit to me.

Like now as I stop on the top of a building about a mile from one of my businesses, I witness a man, his blood swimming with drugs and alcohol pull an unsuspecting female into the alley. I knew what he was planning to do, he did not need to vocalise it to her or me even though I could hear everything he thought. No, he made his intentions very clear as he ripped at her dress.

Dropping down behind them, I placed my hand on his shoulder, feeling his bones breaking with the barest of touch. It was his screams that filled the alley then, his and not hers.

"I believe the lady said no" I whispered menacingly in his ear before tossing him to the side to where he landed with a clatter into a group of trash cans. "Go," I told the woman who was struggling to believe she was free. "GO" I bellowed, scaring her but it had the effect I wanted, her rapid footsteps heading away from the alley, far away.

"Going somewhere," I asked, as he stood to face me, pulling a knife from his jacket pocket.

He lunged for me despite the pain he must be feeling in his shoulder, each blow dodged as I knew where each one would be. I had had my fun, knowing the knife would not even scratch my skin, so I knocked him to the floor again, pulling the knife from his hand which drew blood in the process. His blood smelt dirty but I know to drink it, what he had ingested would have no effect on me. Standing on the man's leg when he tried to get up again, I put pressure on it, feeling it break under the weight.

His screams pierced the air, screams that I knew would attract attention soon enough. His screams turned to a gurgle then before nothing as I drank from my prey. I left enough blood to look like he had been the victim of a robbery, disguising the bite wound with the cut of his knife before I left it embedded in his gut. With the drugs that had fallen from his pocket, white powder now blowing over the alley floor, this would be just another sign of the drug wars that filled these streets.

I left him then, left to be found by human or animal, either was fine with me. I was already on my way to my destination when I heard someones shout to call the police, dropping down to the ground behind my hotel.

Ryan and Reynolds stood sentry outside the back of the hotel. Neither had flinched when I had landed in front of them even though my landing was silent. I did not acknowledge them, I simply walked past when they open the doors for me.

I have few friends in this life and that is the way I prefer to keep it. It makes you more aware of those that are around.

From the way I had entered, I came out into the hotel club, one of them anyway. I did not acknowledge the bows that men gave me, ignoring the flutter of eyelashes from many of the women, desperate to be seen on my arm. No one had earned that right, no one here and I highly doubt anyone ever would.

"Drink" Riley teased as I approached the bar.

I say bar in the loosest form as there was no alcohol served here. It came with the building when I bought it and serves a purpose of not looking out of place should someone stumble down here.

"No thank you, I have just had my fill," I told him, ignoring the woman who came to my side before quickly scuttling away with my strong words.

Riley, as well as Ros, both who ran the hotel for me I supposed could be included in that small group of friends. Both had earned it after the many years we had known each other. Esclava was just a small part of my empire, one that fills the needs of many but initially only known by a select few.

I blame Elliot for me buying this Hotel, his stupid idea of having a place where our kind can relax. We don't relax, we kill, drink, drain our prey but it seems to be popular especially with guests that required a special kind of service. Like all hotels, beds are included in each room, only ours are made to withstand a night of crazed sex. Donors are drunk from, victims are drained all within this building. Anything goes here, anything at all as long as you can pay the right price.

"Christian" I heard behind me but I didn't bother to turn to see who it was. I could have smelt her stench from miles away.

"That's Mr Grey to you" Riley snapped making me smile. "I would say you should call him Sir but that will give you unneeded ideas."

He was right as I blocked out images that came to Elena's mind. Images of her submitting to me, of the pain that brought her pleasure. No pain would ever come from me unless I was removing her head.

She made the mistake then of placing her hand on my arm in a desperate attempt at gaining my attention, she had it though but not in a way you would like.

"Remove it, or I will remove it for you, along with your pathetic head."

Her movements were instant, her position now feet away from me.

"I am sorry Chris... Mr Grey. I only wanted to speak to you about business, one business owner to another."

"There is no business of yours that I would be interested in, now leave, go away."

I turned to fully face Elena now, the look on my face telling her it would be wise to leave now. Just because she had known my mother back when she was alive, did not give her any step up now.

We watched her scurry away, some amused that she had run for the door nearly taking it off its hinges in her haste to leave. She will be back of that I have no doubt, she enjoys the distractions that this hotel brings.

"That woman must know if she continues to show disrespect to you, her time is limited" Riley mumbled although myself and most others who were close heard too.

They could tell her for all I cared, maybe she will finally realise her place

"I agree, now considering business was brought up before, how is business doing here," I asked Riley, not wanting to think of that woman any more.

"Busy, really busy. The rooms are filled, all manner of debauchery going on above our heads. Ahh, just close your eyes and take a sniff. Smell the scent of sex" he laughed.

I shook my head, smiling as I left him to his work, making my way out of the club. Opening the door that would lead to the main areas of the hotel and the foyer, my senses were hit with a floral scent, so strong that were I not stood as still as a statue, it would have knocked me on my rear.

I had smelt it faintly when I had entered the hotel, mixed in with the other humans that worked here. Unsuspecting humans some were although there were others who knew what we were and continued to work amongst us in the hope of being kept as a donor or if they were lucky, a pet.

I had partaken in a donor or two over the years, most unless I am away, taken in this building. Despite what they might think happened in the morning, or what didn't happen as is the case, they soon realise what they are worth, nothing. Why humans in a hotel that could be filled with hundreds of my kind, image, a facade just like the bar I had left behind.

Should someone ever stumble unsuspectingly into my establishment, should someone ever become suspicious of what goes on here and alert the police, having humans around to do the jobs we deem beneath us is the perfect way to throw nosy people off the scent.

Just like Grey House, my office building a half mile away from here, that too has human workers, the face of my company when certain events stop me from meeting with guests.

"What is that smell," I asked turning towards Riley, maybe a split second after I had been assaulted by the scent.

"New girl, Ros's joke I think. Let's see how long she last before she becomes someone's snack," he laughed. "Even I have to admit she smells delicious and many have commented on that too. Lovely girl, shy and quiet."

I didn't reply, I simply turned around and continued towards the foyer, the scent becoming stronger with every step I took so much so that I shut down all my senses.

Standing at the edge of the foyer out of sight of all that was around, I looked towards the desk where a couple were being checked in for the night. Susannah was there, a donor I had used before, one easily manipulated and forgettable. It was who was beside her that had my attention, a woman Susannah's size, her head down, long brown hair shielding her face from me as she tapped away on the computer before her.

I could hear Susannah instruct her on what she needed to do, reining in her annoyance that she had been left to teach the newcomer how to do the task at hand. The other woman had picked up on it then, every sigh from Susannah making her heart beat just that little bit faster in her need to get it right.

As she turned around to pick up the key out of the slot, her hair spun around sending a waft of her fragrance not just my way but the couples as well. Both groaned, commenting on what a delicious thing she was, both were soon on their way to the elevators after hearing my growl, startling the young woman in the process in their haste to get away from her.

For a moment, I had seen her face, her smile as she handed them the key. That quickly turned to a frown at their quick exit.

I had no idea why the growl left me, only that I was unable to stop it when it did. Ros must have lost her mind when employing someone that smells like her and I know for certain, we will be having words.

"You get many strange people here" Susannah laughed, bringing my focus back to the girls. She had not even shown any indication of discomfort at how quick they had moved.

"I happen to agree," the woman said quietly, her eyes focused on the closed elevator doors.

Her voice was like a melody, one that filled my mind as those few words she had said ran over and over.

From my position, once I had checked I was still out of sight, I finally opened up all of my senses and focused solely on the woman behind the desk.

All at once I was assaulted with her scent, floral, natural, just right. Her heartbeat rang out as if in celebration that she was alive and her blood, just the thought of her blood, had my body shaking with need.

Closing my eyes, I let it all wash over me, knowing that if someone could see me now, I would look a sight. I did not realise until I had opened my eyes once more that I had automatically moved into a crouch ready to pounce.

Having this woman around could be dangerous, not just for her, but for me. Control was something I had held all my life and with just a few seconds of her scent, before I closed my senses down again, I could feel that control slipping. No, it was this woman that was dangerous but then hearing her laugh as she spoke to Ros now, she was an innocent too.

Now being more in control, my mind focused on the fact that I was sure I had smelt this woman before. Where though, I had no clue.

Thank you for reading, reviewing, and for the follows and favourites, I am glad you enjoyed the first chapter and hopefully this one too.

The next chapter which I am hoping to have up for the weekend, we will have Ana's pov and a meeting between the two.

Until then, take care.

Caroline