Jess glared at me from the floor. "Whatever you have to say, just save it, Tanner. I don't give a shit. I'm not doing this. Not in a million years." She started to get up and dust her dress off.

I blinked hard. Did she seriously speak to me that way? What happened at the boarding house I expected and was willing to forgive. We hadn't been together in a while, I understand her being a little anxious. This attitude now though, is not acceptable. Not for a McClain servant, and not for my girl. "Jess, please just come here," I reached my hand out toward her.

She ignored my one nice gesture and struggled to her feet on her own. "If you need me, I'll be locked in the bathroom until you come to your senses and let me go. We broke up. We've been done for years, Tanner. Let it go."

I grabbed at her wrist as she padded past. "Uh, no the fuck you aren't. You will join me outside, and that's final. Jess, come on. You're really not happy to see me?" She was actually starting to hurt my feelings. I knew there was bad blood, but I didn't think she'd hold this big of a grudge. We had our last fight over three years ago.

When I tried to spin her into me, she tugged back. "Go fuck yourself. Honestly. Tanner, I--"

"No. Don't 'Tanner' me, Jessica! Shut up. For once in your life shut the fuck up!" I yelled.

That was the last straw. I had tried being nice. I grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall, squeezing the air out of her. "I want you to think about something. Alright? While you're throwing your little temper tantrum about me coming back, stop to think about all the other vampires in this world. You know, the beings in charge now? Think about how awful and cruel they are to their humans. I know you've seen it. That's why you ran from me in the first place. A stranger could be caressing your body, drinking from you, and then forcing them-self on you. Is that what you want? Because if it is, I'll drive back to that boarding house and get my money back. I'm sorry that I looked for you so that I could have peace of mind knowing you were in my care. That my hands would be on you. Not some perverts'."

She didn't understand. There was so much worse out there than us. I guess Jared and I had sheltered her too much. I thought that all these years away from me would show her how dangerous the world was for her now. Did she not see how run-down Cordozo's was? Or the death toll of humans since H. v. V? Life in a mansion with a man who loves you, is a fuck ton better than what she had if you asked me.

Tears streamed down Jessica's face, smearing her once perfect makeup. "I-I'm sorry," she rasped. God damn it. Why did she have to cry? I had so much more to scream about, but staring into those gorgeous, blue eyes filled with tears fucked me up. I lost track of my rant. I wanted to kiss her, pull her onto the bed and show her how loving I could be if she would just let me.

When I let go of her she fell to the floor in a coughing fit. I held out my hand once again and this time she let me help her up. "I know this situation isn't ideal for you, okay? But there's a lot, and I mean a lot, of prim and proper vampires downstairs waiting for us to make an appearance. Not only that, but my father will be here soon. He bought you for me as a birthday present and if he doesn't approve, you'll likely end up back at that house anyway. So can you please behave? If not for me, then for your own sake?" She had no idea, how much was riding on tonight.

"Y-yes, sir," Jessica said in ner normal, timid tone. It seemed like I had knocked her down a peg. I wanted to feel bad, but it was what was best for her. She needed a reality check. If she had tried running in front of anyone else she would have had her neck snapped. Hell, if I had let Jared stay in here and discipline her, he would have done ten times worse.

I sighed, "it'll look bad if I have to bind you to me. I'll make you a deal. If you promise not to go outside of the house, you can go eat and drink as much as you'd like as long as it's non-alcoholic and wander around for a few on your own after we are done visiting." I didn't have to make a deal with her. I could have just forced her. Though, I hoped that she would take this act of kindness and know that the man she once loved is still here. I didn't want to be an ass, societal rules and her bad manners were forcing my hand.

Jess licked her chapped, dehydrated lips. "Yes, sir."

"Good," I walked over to my desk and unlatched the small, hand-carved, wooden chest in the corner.

I lifted up the black choker that held a single silver bell on it and held it in front of me. Finally, this thing would get some use. I had bought it for her the day the law was passed. "Now, this is temporary until I can have a custom one made for you, but we wouldn't want you running around without one. I'm sure they taught you why right?" Jess nodded and lifted her hair while I secured it around her neck.

I needed everything tonight to be perfect. My father already disapproved of me chasing after my human ex. I had to show him that this could work. That we could still work. I knew that Jess and I can coexist, she was my better half-- still is. Jess just got confused after H. v. V. was passed.

I straightened my tie and unlocked the door. Here we go. Please, please let this go well.