Two

HAZEL STYLES POV 

Blood. There was blood dripping down his face. 

The debris of the broken vase clattered on the floor, the flower that had been in it falling at his feet. The man beside him, stared at Riven, his eyes like saucers.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding so hard, that I was sure I was going to pass out. 

Riven gingerly raised his hand and touched his head, his stoic face scrunching when he noticed the blood, and then his eyes moved from it in search of the culprit. 

I took a step backward, my hand hitting the decorative vase at my side. The shattering sound was deafening and when I glanced away from the damage, it was to clash gazes with those of Riven. 

Staring at him head-on was disorienting, but as our gaze met and held, I couldn't look away.

He smirked, then walked toward me, and the closer he got, the more intimidating he looked. He was tall. I was sure he was six feet, six inches tall, if not more. The pictures I'd seen over the years didn't do him any justice at all. Yes, they'd capture his image but not his very essence.

He looked like a dark prince, the blood on his face making him almost wolfish. His otherworldly features were accentuated by the soft lighting In the restaurant, his sharp jawline, and angular cheekbones framing a face that seemed chiseled from granite. Piercing russet-colored eyes stared down at me. They were intense. It felt like I was staring at an epic desert storm. A dangerous epic storm that was probably brewing because of me.

My heart skipped a beat as he stopped in front of me, his scent wafting up my nose intoxicatingly. I watched the blood trail down his jaw, feeling a little thrill through the fear and anger. I'd hurt him even though it was unintentional. It felt good and Liam was going to be next.

Riven's finger flicked at the blood, then he dragged his fingers through his dark perfectly messy hair that framed his forehead, his full lips curving into a subtle smile. It was a smile that sent a shiver slithering up my spine.

"Hmm," he growled, his voice making goosebumps trail my skin. "What a shitty welcome this is" 

My heart kicked, my pulse quickening as I took in the sheer magnificence of the man before me. 

"I didn't mean..." I started, then choked on my words when he suddenly tilted forward, his eyes squinting. I shrank back and watched eyes wide as he pointed to his head. 

"You made me bleed" he stated. 

I wanted to say that he deserved it, but despite hating his guts, I knew what Riven represented. One wrong word and he could switch. He could kill me and no one would bat an eye over it. Julian would probably be happy to be rid of me. Or not since if I died, everything would go to charity. 

After our father and mother died, he hated and blamed me for their death. They only went out that day because of me. It was my birthday and I'd worn them out to take me to my favorite restaurant. Julian never forgave me and then we found out that Mom and Dad had willed everything to me. He was ten years older and felt that our Dad had deprived him of his rights because he was adopted. At the end of the day, it was all my fault.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to rein in my fear. I bet he could smell it. His eyes screamed that he could. He probably thrived on it.

 "It wasn't meant for you... I thought that... I apologize. I didn't see you in time" 

His brows furrowed. "You didn't see me. That's highly doubtful. I've been told I have quite the presence" he said and I glanced around. The place was suddenly empty. When had the few people dining left?

Riven glanced at the man beside him. "Isn't that right, Ethan, or am I mistaken?" he asked as if he was also clueless.

Ethan nodded. "You do Riven" he answered on autopilot as if he was already used to getting asked that specific question. "We need to wrap this up though. The men are waiting at the back" he said glancing at his watch.

"Don't worry. You can just go ahead. I need to take care of this first." 

Ethan smirked, then shook his head. "Fine. Just this time. Try not to take too long though. Father only trusts you to handle things when it comes to this" 

He nodded and Ethan gave me a one over, then walked past me.

I was alone. Alone with Riven Blackwood. He was going to swallow me alive.

"I can compensate you. I might not look it, but I am pretty rich and there's literally no amount you mention that I won't be able to come up with..." it was a lie but he didn't know that. 

He laughed, the sound dark and chilling. "You keep getting more interesting as you speak, little rabbit." He said, then straightened.

I took a deep breath, relieved that he was no longer in my space. "I am serious... I'll pay your hospital bills. I really didn't mean for this to happen" 

"Too bad huh, it already happened and I am not one to forgive or take compensation" 

My hands shook and I squeezed my fingers nervously. It was unfair. Was I not even allowed to go home and wallow in self-pity after how Liam had dashed my heart into tiny pieces? Do I really have to deal with this psychopath too.

"Look, I really don't have time for this. If you won't accept my apology or compensation, I am afraid there's nothing more that I can do" 

"Interesting" he grinned, then I watched as his eyes darkened. "You are wrong though. There are a lot of things you can do to make it up to me"

I stared at him, wondering what he was talking about. "What are you..."

"You made me bleed, and so it means I get to make you bleed ten times more, starting from now," he said then grabbed my hair, his hand yanking my head to the side to expose my neck. I was too stunned to react.

My eyes widened, and then I let out a yelp as he leaned down and rubbed his nose against the side of my exposed neck. 

It was like an explosion of fireworks deep inside me. I grabbed at his arm Instinctively, my mouth parting to ask what he was doing. 

"Try not to scream"

It was the only warning I got. His warm breath caressed my skin like a spell and then his teeth sank into my flesh. 

Gasping in shock and pain, I dug my nails into his arm, and then I shoved him away with all the strength I possessed. 

He let go of me and I watched in horror as he licked across his teeth, before reaching up to clean my blood from the corner of his mouth, a salacious smirk on his face. 

"You taste quite exquisite, Hazel," he said and my eyes widened. 

How the hell did he know my name? And did he just bite me?