Desired as his Vampire Duchess

3: First Day

Valentina

"Wait, Barrett?" I asked, dumbfounded. The man grinned.

"You've got a shitty ex-boyfriend, and that's coming from a guy like me," he said lazily, his belt sliding through his belt loops with an ominous slithering sound as he took it off. "I think I'll take your feisty little mouth first. It will look so pretty wrapped around my huge cock."

"Uh, boss, we're just supposed to—"

"That's right, I'm the boss," the leader interrupted, glaring at the lackey that had spoken up. "Talk s**t again, and I won't let you have a turn."

The lackey who'd spoken loosened his grip. As floored as I was that Barrett would do something so despicable—though really, I shouldn't have been so surprised—this was my moment. I couldn't waste it.

Without warning, I slid my arm out of his grip and grasped his wrist. Using him as leverage, I yanked down and kicked both my feet at the other goon, pulling my other arm free and making him overbalance in the process. I pushed the first man away and stood quickly while they were both sprawled on the ground.

The man's smirk fell off his face, replaced by one of surprise. "Feister than I thought," he muttered, advancing toward me again. "But you won't get away from me."

I ducked under his grasping hands and gripped the sides of his still-unbuttoned pants, yanking them down past his knees. Then I headbutted his groin as hard as I could. Thank goodness he was still wearing boxers.

"Augh!" He cried out in pain as he toppled backward, unable to stay balanced with his pants down. For good measure, I lashed out with my foot and caught him in the jaw, knocking him unconscious. The lackeys appeared down for the count too, one groaning and nursing a partially dislocated shoulder and the other sprawled out unconscious as well, having hit his head on a box on his way down.

I scrambled to my feet as fast as I could and started running back to the main street. "HELP! I'M BEING ATTACKED! HELP!" I screamed as I burst out of the alley, making a sharp turn back toward the convenience store. I didn't stop or look behind me until I was back in the building. I didn't appear to be followed, but I ran to the cashier anyway. "Please call the police," I said, panting. "Three men dragged me into the alley and were trying to assault me!"

"Right away," the woman behind the counter said, picking up the phone. "Please, come sit. We have a security guard here too, you'll be safe."

I sank into a chair near the counter, the energy seeping out of my body as quickly as it had come. Within minutes, the police had arrived, arresting the three still in the alley and taking my statement about the incident. "We've been trying to get these guys for a while now," one of the officers said grimly, squinting at the thugs in the back of the squad car. "You're a very lucky woman."

"That and a graduate of self-defense training," I said with a harrowed smile.

"Now, about the person that hired them. You said his name was... Mr. Barrett Wyndham? Your ex-partner? Are you sure about this?"

I sighed. "Earlier today, I caught him in the act of cheating on me. When I went through his phone for evidence, I discovered he was also lying to me about the financial situation for the gallery we were about to go in together on." My breath hitched, but I continued, grateful for the fact that the officer at least didn't look like they pitied me. "He knows I have evidence of both his cheating and fraudulent behavior... I guess he thought he would get to me first?"

The officer wrote something down. "That lines up. The perp with the hurt shoulder sang like a canary, said this Barrett person instructed them to make it look like you were unfaithful." He made a face. "Disgusting. Anyway, do you want to go to the hospital to get checked out? Would you like counseling?"

"No, thank you," I said, clutching my purse and my grocery bag of toiletries. "I'd just like to get some rest."

"Do you want to press charges against Barrett Wyndham?"

I pressed my lips together. "What all can he be charged with?"

"Between this incident, the evidence you have, and the encounter earlier in the day...fraud and financial crimes, solicitation, conspiracy...we'd have to iron out the details, but between you and me, I think you have a solid case."

I thought about it. I had planned to go quietly, taking my money with me and leaving Barrett to his women and his gallery he couldn't afford on his own. I thought that would be punishment enough. That is, until he decided to hire a bunch of thugs to assault me and frame me for infidelity. Now? I wanted him to hurt. I wanted to take his perfect image and shatter it, leaving only the ugly truth behind.

"Yes," I said to the officer. "I would like to press charges."

---

"I still can't believe this!" Chrissy said, staring in disbelief at the TV. It was Monday morning, and I was already dressed for my first day of work. I had found a place, but it wouldn't be available until the end of the week, so I was staying with her until then.

I suppressed a smirk as I watched the clip I'd seen dozens of times already, of a sullen Barrett being led to a squad car, bumping his head when he tried to resist them pushing him into the seat. It was part of the news story that broke Saturday morning and had been covered by all the major news outlets since. I had Chrissy's media connections to thank for the quick turnaround. "I know, right?"

"I just wish I was there with you. I feel so bad," she said for the hundredth time in two days.

"Look, all's well that ends well, right? Those stupid thugs are in jail right alongside Barrett. His parents aren't even bailing them out, just to preserve their own snooty image," I snorted. I was glad he wasn't already out. His parents had never liked me much, but at least they had some sense.

"Good. I hope the inmates make him their b***h in there," spat Chrissy. "Need a ride to the museum?"

"No, I'm fine taking the bus," I said as I opened the door to leave. "Thanks for the offer, though!"

"God, you're so chipper," Chrissy said, slightly incredulous. "I love it."

"Me too," I said. "See you later!" I left the building and walked down the street to the bus stop. I was a little nervous being on the street alone, but at least the sun was up this time. I couldn't let the incident on Friday night prevent me from living normally. It was strange, but the attempted assault ordered by my ex-boyfriend had caused any heartbreak I had to dissipate completely. Now, I was only disgusted by him, and glad I had gotten out when I did.

Twenty minutes later, I was stepping off the bus in front of the museum. "Here we go," I murmured. "Let's do this."

"Valentina!" Ryan, one of the junior restorers, greeted me warmly. He was a couple of years older than I was, and had helped show me the ropes during my apprenticeship. He was always bubbly and full of cheer, and today was no exception. "Happy first day!" he said grandly, handing me a flimsy paper cup of coffee from the ancient machine in the break room.

"Oh, I couldn't accept such a gift," I said dramatically. The shitty coffee was a running joke between us.

"Nonsense. 'Tis ambrosia fit for the gods!" He exclaimed. Then he lowered his voice. "I'm a little surprised to see you today...I saw the news."

"Ugh. Yeah. That," I said, rolling my eyes. "I'm alright, I promise. I just want to forget about everything and move on."

"If you're sure..." Ryan searched my face, then luckily let it drop. "Well then, I've got the perfect thing to distract you! Frank's out this morning, but he told me to get you started on your first solo artifact restoration."

"Really? What is it!?" I asked eagerly. My first restoration by myself! I could hardly wait.

"All I know is that it's some bling. It's in the jewelry box on your workstation. The file's with it," Ryan said dismissively.

"Oooooh," I said, clapping excitedly.

"Hush woman!" Ryan said, shushing me and glancing at the break room. "Tabitha will be back any minute, and she's not happy Frank gave this one to you."

"Oh," I clapped my hand over my mouth. "Oops."

"Eh, she'll get over it. It won't be the last time you butt heads."

"Don't I know it," I replied. Ryan waved and went back to his area to hook into his harness, which he used for large paintings. I turned to my own workspace, which I had used during my apprenticeship. It was neat and spotless, save for a manila folder and a small burgundy ring box.

I opened the folder first, though I was dying to get my hands on the artifact. "The Ducal Ring of Windmere," I murmured, reading the page. "Over 300 years old, believed to be the original signet ring for the dukedom. Lost around 200 years ago, recently recovered from the black market and acquired by the museum for restoration."

"Wow," I whispered, turning my attention to the box. It was covered in a worn deep red velvet with what I was pretty sure was a real gold clasp and hinge. The box alone would have been ridiculously expensive for the time. Such was the life of a noble.

I put my gloves on and reached for the lid. Lifting it gently, I gasped when I saw what was within. I had expected a gold signet ring with a coat of arms, but what greeted me was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It was gold, but had a large flat oval ruby setting instead of a coat of arms, with intricate details around the sides. Upon closer inspection, the sides were carved with two ravens in flight surrounding the gem, with tiny rubies set as their eyes. It was by far the most unique signet ring I'd ever seen.

Just then, the rubies started to glow.