Page 12 of Patrick’s Seduction

“What do you mean?”

“After your dinner, did you go back to his place or to yours to spend the night together?”

“He brought me home, and…” She hesitated. “We had sex. But this time, he didn’t stay the night, which was unusual.”

“Does that mean he normally stayed the night?”

“Yes. But he said he had an early meeting, so he left.”

“Okay. So, after Hank resigned, did you talk to Cameron about Hank’s injuries?”

“Yes, of course. I mean, I couldn’t just let this pass. He hurt somebody because of his jealousy. But when I asked him point-blank if he beat up Hank, he kind of denied it and admitted it at the same time.”

Confused, Patrick asked, “What exactly did he say?”

For a moment, Fallon seemed to contemplate her next words. “He said: you should be glad that he resigned. Better for both of you.” She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “When I asked him what he meant by that, he said: nobody touches what’s mine.”

No human talked like that. But he knew creatures who did: vampires and vampire hybrids. Their possessive streak was legendary when they found their mate. They didn’t like to share the object of their affection. However, in Cameron’s case, Patrick wasn’t sure whether it was affection or just plain obsession that drove him.

“And when Cameron came to my lab today, he said it again. He said that I was his, and that I would need him, and come crawling back to him. And the way he said it, I could feel that he was prepared to do anything to have me back. Including using violence.” She sniffled. “I’m scared that he might abduct me and lock me up so he can do whatever he wants with me.”

Patrick exhaled. There was nothing concrete that proved that Cameron had beaten the lab assistant, though, given the circumstances, it was definitely possible. And Cameron’s words could send fear into any woman, certainly into a woman like Fallon, who evidently liked her independence and was dedicated to her job.

“Was that the only reason why you left him?”

“The only reason? Isn’t that enough?”

Fallon felt disappointment spread inside her and couldn’t stop it from seeping into her voice. Did Patrick not believe her? Did he think that leaving a man who was verbally abusive and trying to control her wasn’t a valid reason? Was he taking Cameron’s side? Was she wrong about this man too? Just like she’d been wrong when she’d thought Cameron was a good man?

“I’m sorry, I didn’t phrase that right. What I mean is, were there any other red flags that made you want to break up with him? Before that incident?”

She looked at him intently, trying to find the truth in his green eyes. Was it understanding she saw shimmering in those deep pools that looked like she could get lost in them? For a few seconds, there was silence between them, and she felt calmer.

“Yes. Little things. He always wanted to know where I was, what I was doing. Whenever I got a text message or a phone call, he wanted to know who it was from and what it was about.” She felt an icy shiver run down her spine at the thought of how he’d reacted each time she’d told him that she couldn’t see him because of work. He’d always questioned her. His constant suspicion as to whether work was truly the reason why she couldn’t see him as often as he wanted to or whether she was hiding something from him had worn her patience thin.

“I felt as if I was being controlled. As if I had to ask permission to talk to other people.”

“Were you exclusive? I mean, you and Cameron had sex. Were you going on other dates?”

His remark about sex caught her off guard. Yes, they’d have sex. But it wasn’t something she wanted to elaborate on. She’d told Anita, but then, Anita was a woman and a police officer. Patrick was a man, a man she felt attracted to, although she shouldn’t even be able to think of any man right now, no matter how handsome and friendly he was. Cameron had been friendly too. And handsome. And yes, the sex had been good. Maybe that was the reason she’d overlooked his other faults, his jealousy, his possessiveness. Because she’d interpreted them as affection, as desire. And what woman didn’t want to feel desired?

She pushed the thoughts aside, realizing that Patrick was still waiting for an answer to his question. “Other dates? No, of course not. I barely have time to date one guy.”

“So, there was no reason for Cameron to get jealous?”

“No. Absolutely not.” And that was the truth. While they were dating, she’d never flirted with anyone. Never so much as looked at another man.

“Did you make it clear to him why you broke up with him?”

“Yes, I told him that I believed that he hurt Hank, and that I’m sick of his jealous and controlling behavior.”

“So, there’s no chance for him to think that you might change your mind and come back to him?”

“None.” She’d made that clear to him several times, at first by replying to his voicemails and text messages, then by ignoring him, in the hope that he would finally stop contacting her. But he hadn’t stopped, as if he wasn’t even listening, as if he was living in a different reality.

“I want him out of my life. Please, help me.”

Patrick met her gaze, and there was understanding in his eyes. “Alright. I’ll look into him to see whether I can make him understand that he needs to leave you alone.”