Chaper 3

My fingers continued to tremble as I lowered the last of the shades over the windows throughout my home. I knew that realistically that wouldn't stop him from coming in, but at least it might give me a night of peace if he couldn't see me. The female vampire had been gone for about 45 minutes so far, and being alone didn't settle right with me. It's not that I didn't think I could take care of myself, but that I wouldn't be able to effectively handle any situation that he was involved in. My anxiety was through the roof, and I sat at my kitchen table with my face in my small shaking hands. Instead of feeling the hunger from earlier I felt as if my abdominals were caving in, giving me a breathless sinking feeling.

A knock came to my front door. I practically vomited on my kitchen floor. My eyes watered because I simply didn't know what to do. Who could be at my door at 9 PM on a Thursday? The options that ran through my head didn't seem too good.

I knew if I looked out the window before opening the main door, it would scare me more. It would just make me more obvious, and without opening the door, it would make whoever was waiting angry. I didn't want to make my mysterious visitor angry. A louder harsher knock echoed through my small front hallway. I was now standing in front of the door, a little hunched over due to my lack of breath.

"Human, I think it would be wise to open the door. I can hear you on the other side of it. I'm not an idiot."

A wave of sanity washed over me. It felt as if all at once all of my muscles had unclenched. Although I wouldn't say I'm glad that Eric Northman is grumping outside of my door, but I'm definitely less afraid.

Throwing open the wooden door, I immediately could sense the frustration flowing off of him. It was as if I was a dog who ran off of its leash. His large pale hands were a shocking contrast as they curled up next to his dark jeans. "Pam tells me that you have a problem," his eye brows raised at the end of the sentence. Ah, Pam is the name of the uncommonly tall displeased vampire from earlier.

"Well as Pam also told you, I said I could handle it," my arms crossed as I made sure to stay on the inside of the door frame where I was safe during this conversation. A breeze blew through the entry way, causing a shiver to crawl up my arms.

Eric continued to peer down at me with unrelenting furrowed brows. "Pam mentioned that there was evidence of someone watching your house. I would prefer to be the only one who knows your daily schedule. So, I will be taking you for the evening," he finished with a sense of irrevocability in his tone.

Moving even farther back into my house I couldn't help but scream, "Absolutely fucking not!" A click could be heard from my stoop. Swallowing my fear inside and praying my heartbeat stayed even as I stared at his fluorescently white fangs I continued, "I know exactly who is watching me, and do not need your abrasive vampire nature getting in my way," my breathing continued to be steady while Eric let out a low growl.

Instead of yelling back however, he stared at me deeply. My brain felt a pressure and I could see a small haze in my vision, and I knew what Mr. Northman was trying to do. But I also knew it wouldn't work. This attempt in invasion infuriated me. How fucking DARE he? Stomping forward, the dumbfound look on his face just made me angrier. His eyebrows practically reached his hairline at my refusal of his influence. Not thinking, my instinct took over and my right hand turned into a fist. Throwing my arm over the doorway, I realized my mistake as soon as his cold fingers grasped my lanky arm. Shit. My response to his inhuman grip was to spread my legs in order to brace myself. Whole lot of good against a vampire.

"Now," Eric brought his fangs back in and rustled his fingers against my arm. It was almost comical the stark white of his long fingers against the olive tan of my skin. "Are you going to invite me in, or am I going to drag you out of your own house?" His eyes shined. As if he wanted to celebrate that'd he'd won the argument, but he didn't show any emotion to make sure I know he didn't actually care about it at all.

Before I answered I couldn't help but ask, "Wh-why do you care what happens to me anyway? What am I to you?" I had been trying to tug my arm back during this time, but it was as if I let my hand get build into a concrete wall.

"Because you are interesting. As you can see, I can't trick you or force you to let me in. And that is not common. I am interested in things aren't common." He seemed to be looking over me until he finished, clearly that while he found me interesting, he still saw me as a human. A boring human.

I nodded, and remembered that I could rescind my invitation if I'm put in a hairy situation. Would I rather be uncomfortable in my house, or the far off place that Eric could take me to and never be heard from again? "Please come in Mr. Northman." A victorious smile graced his face. Ducking slightly under my door frame, the large vampire walked past me and led his own way around my small home.

"How are you paying for this? Do you have a daytime job I never see?" he asked me in a monotone voice as he peered around the windows in my kitchen. There wasn't really anything in my home, so I was confused at what he was analyzing so deeply.

I followed him from a small distance as he continued to inspect every corner of my home. Which I don't think I even did when I bought it… "Inheritance. My mother was a wealthy woman. Apparently my grandfather had bought a lot of real estate in New York City, and my mother eventually sold and rented it off piece by piece, allowing her to make millions. When she passed away a year and a half ago, I got all of it," my voice gave a small crack talking about my mom.

She was only 58 when she died from breast cancer. Watching the only permanent friend and family member wither away hurt me more than I probably know. Her name was Deborah Cotter, and she was amazing. She had a wit about her, seemed youthful and wise all in one. She loved Wheel of Fortune, and couldn't stay in the apartment by herself for more than two hours before getting antsy and finding herself outside. She had a cute middle aged lady bob and light green eyes, which of course I didn't inherit.

Eric turned back towards me from sniffing through my house, and while his face was blank, his eyes held pity. Changing the subject he mumbled, "Then what do you do all day?"

"Nothing, I guess. I run, I read…" I stopped following him, and sat down on my floral couch. I just pass time. Without having friends or a job, I just kind of exist.

He nodded while stoically making his way across my living room towards me. He was so tall, he seemed to reach me in seconds. "Then it's settled," he stood looking down as I continued to sit. He wasn't going to make me leave my home, nonetheless make me stand up. I raised an eyebrow at him. "You will come to Fangtasia during the day to work for me, and at night I will keep protection near you at all time," he nodded as if he was agreeing with himself. He had a small smirk that radiated off his naturally red lips. Smug asshole.

I do not like being told what to do. "Hold on. Where do you think I'm working," I stood up chest to chest with him. Honestly, looking at this moment objectively I shouldn't have squared up to a six foot vampire. But at the time, this was the best fucking idea I had.

He continued to look down at me with his stupid smirk, "Brooke you will be put in charge of buying and stocking drinks for my bar in Shreveport. I currently do it myself, however, it might be easier and swifter if this job is done during the day. I'm hiring you." I crossed my arms, and frowned. My frown was so deep it felt like it dragged my eyebrows with it.

His eyes were fierce and unmoving… and unblinking. They showed that this was his final word and I clearly had no option. But I wasn't going to go down without a fight. "I'm not gonna be your alcohol bitch for free. I will decide my hours. I better never see your night protection, and they, nor you will tell me where I am supposed to go or who I see."

He simply nodded. "Alright. But we will be going to Fangtasia tonight to sign a contract."

Side stepping him towards my cell phone in the kitchen I yelled back, "Fine. But I'm driving myself, and I will meet you there. And I'm not going alone."


"Thanks for coming with me Sook. I didn't know who else to call." The slender blonde sat quietly in my car. Her hair was down and blowing in the wind coming into my Jeep. She wore a light blue sun dress that made me feel severely underdressed still in my flannel. We hadn't spoken since she showed up at my house earlier in the week. "I don't think I know what I'm walking into here, and I needed someone who knew about vampires." She looked over at me with a solemn look.

"Honestly Brooke, from what you've told me, you're three days lost, paddleless, up shit's creek. But I wasn't going to send you to Eric's vampire bar alone."

I groaned but kept my eyes on the road. Vampire bar? Why do all vampires need to have vampire themed jobs? Why can't a vampire just enjoy a sports bar? Or maybe an island themed bar? "Of course." I pulled into a crowded parking lot that held a line of people going out the red door towards a non-descript building. On a fucking Thursday.

I hadn't seen Eric in 40 minutes, and I already felt like I had to prep myself to see him again. The line was made up of both male and female humans adorned in black leather. Enough bared cleavage and chest hair to last a lifetime. In this case, to last a prospective eternity. Walking straight up to Pam, I could feel glares and could hear the whispers in my wake. She wore a red leather corset, and I realized I was about to significantly stick out in this bar.

"I get to see you twice in one night?" Pam's distaste was touchable. "Lucky me. Oh, and the blonde bombshell. Real surprising that you two found each other." Her eyes looked over the two of us in feigned tediousness. As if checking out Sookie's boobs was a part of Sookie's job description. She rolled her eyes and moved out of her way so I could go towards the unwelcoming red lights.

The large room was filled to the brim. It seemed as if it was sectioned off into three parts: the bar, a stage with poles, and the middle floor held by tables and booths. There was a large black wooden bar swarmed by customers both human and vampires. The smell of sweat and booze was either covering all of the patrons, or it was filtered into the air. Turning towards my right away from the busy bar, I looked towards the mass of people dancing and drinking. Humans hung captivated on the arms of vampires. From teenage looking girls to middle aged men, all of the humans in Fangtasia practically fought each other over the attention of the undead.

"I'm getting a drink. I can't stay in here without a bit of something." Sookie made a face, but followed me as I found a small nook by the bar. Making eye contact with the bartender I ordered my drink and turned around. Past the crowd I finally saw him. His blonde hair sat motionlessly on his shoulders. Eric's pale skin lit up compared to his black tank top and dark jeans. Sitting in a fucking throne.

"Two tequila shots?" I turned around and grabbed them both, nodding towards the money I left on the bar. Throwing one back, I hissed at the burn. My stomach churned, but my face gained the familiar warmth that comforted me. Sookie again shook her head at me. Turning around to take the other one, my elbow hit a wall. A muscled wall. A muscled tall blonde wall. Staring Eric in the eye, I took the second shot." His blue eyes were dark, but his reaction was blank as I wiped the rest of the alcohol off of my lips.

"Alright Mr. Northman. Let's sign some shit."


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I only own Brooke.