



Eight
RIVEN BLACKWOOD POV
"What do you think you are doing," she asked as I stalked toward her. Her throat moved as she swallowed nervously, and my gaze dropped to her slender neck before moving back to her expressive wide eyes. She drew her hands up, her dainty fingers forming into fists. "Don't come any closer or I am going to punch you in the face. I'm really going to do it" she warned, her hands trembling a little.
She looked so comical that I couldn't help a chuckle escaping my lips. She stared at me incredulously, her hazel eyes wide as saucers.
"Do you think I am joking"
I put my hands up in the air in mock surrender "Oh, I can tell you are very serious. It's just the whole paste on your face didn't give you the intimidating look you were going for."
Her lips pursed angrily and I grinned because she looked like a pufferfish. The smile on my face seemed to aggravate her further and she swung at me. I caught her hand midair and she gaped at me, the pulse at her neck thumping wildly.
"Such good aim, little rabbit. I think with practice, you'll actually be able to land a punch on me" I said and dropped her hands to her side. Her eyes blazed with hate, but fear also lurked within. She'd been terrified when I took hold of her.
I glanced at her hand. Did I grip her wrist too harshly? Her skin tone looked normal though.
"Get out of my house" she bit out, her chin jutting out.
It was odd. Women were always throwing themselves at me, so why did it look like she genuinely disliked me?
"Can you please leave? I don't understand why you're doing this. I already apologized for what happened, so why won't you leave me alone"
Because I want to hurt you. I want to see the faces you make when you're in unbearable pain. This was all to get revenge on your brother since he loves you so much, but now, I want to make you bleed too. Would that scare her? Would she run? Too bad. I've always been known to give a good chase before I catch my prey and devour them
"Like I said before, I want that art as a centerpiece for Umbra Art's upcoming exhibition. It's either that or I make you bleed ten times as you did to me. Oh, it's twenty times now" I said and pointed to my arms where she had stabbed. "It really hurt too"
Her eyes moved to where I pointed to and I watched as they clouded over. Was that remorse in them, or was it just me hoping that she was sad she hurt me? People always assumed I felt no pain, so of course they didn't care to hurt me. Was it the same for her?
They were right tho. The pain was a constant reminder that I was alive so I'd embraced it. I needed the pain. But physical wounds were starting to hurt less and less.
"Paint for Umbra Art. I want the world to see your talent, especially that piece that stood so elegantly at the center of your studio"
She shook her head. "That wasn't art. I ruined it. You saw what a mess that painting was"
"Yes it was a mess, but it showed your anger and frustration in every stroke... It came from your heart and I want your heart"
Her brows furrowed. "What?" she got out and I tilted forward and watched as her eyes swirled with curiosity even as alarm bells went off in her head.
"I want your heart, Hazel, and I am going to get it no matter what." I straightened, then walked toward the table where I'd kept the contract. Picking it up, I turned to face her. "Sign this. You'll be Umbra's top artist"
She scoffed, then dragged her hand through her hair. "I don't want to have anything to do with you or your family"
"I wasn't asking, little rabbit. I was giving an order," I said gravely, and she flinched.
"And what right do you think you have to order me around?"
I bent forward, making sure that our eyes were leveled. "I didn't seek you out, Hazel, you did, and now that you're in my line of sight, I'll do as I wish with you. You can go crying to Julian, but there's nothing he can do to stop me from getting what I want. But you won't go to him, would you? He doesn't want you to paint... He sees you as a talentless artist, one who will never amount to anything"
The veins on her neck stood out prominently, her hands so tightly clenched, her knuckles were bleached white.
The fucking bastard Julian. How dare he? I'd merely been speculating but knowing that I was right made rage well up in my chest. I took a step closer and her eyes jumped to mine, her back meeting the wall. I stopped as I took in the look of utter fear in her eyes.
"He's fucking wrong about you, Hazel. I entered your studio, and your art drew me in like a magnet. You paint with your heart and that's why even the worst of your art still fucking speaks to me"
She gasped out as a breath of air rushed past her lungs. Her hands slowly unclenched and the band that had been twisting around my heart viciously slowly loosened.
"I do not want someone like you to compliment my work. It doesn't mean anything to me"
Lies. Her mouth uttered the most hurtful words but her eyes spoke the truth. But why the hell did her rejection hurt, tho? This was all a game, so why did my chest feel so stuffy?
I thought the doctor said I was a fucking psychopath. Why the hell was the pain in my heart lingering? Who the hell was she to make me feel this way?
"Too bad, you already heard my compliment. Are you going to sign the contract or do I have to kill your friend first"
Her eyes widened. "What?" She looked around frantically, then met my gaze. "Did you hurt her? I know she slept over last night"
I crossed my arms. "I was going to. She did threaten to tase my dick," I said, and watched as Hazel's face flooded with color. It was bewitching. My fingers twitched. I wanted to touch her. Wanted to feel the warmth of her skin.
"Where's Lena"
"She's tied down in your art studio, so it's either you sign the contract or face murder charges"
"There are CCTV cameras everywhere... You can't frame me for murder"
I smirked and towered over so that I was the only thing she could see. I wanted all of her attention. All of it.
"Is that what you think? I don't think you want to find out if you're right or not"
She fidgeted under my gaze, unable to escape and I soaked it all up.
"So what will it be, Hazel? Are you going to sign the contract or do I need to get my hands bloody"