The Blood Contract
Chapter 23: Not allowed

Chapter 23: Not allowed

"The marriage bracelet?" Serena asked, already sure that was what he was talking about, but still feeling the need to ask because she didn’t understand why he was reacting that way.

"It’s not just a marriage bracelet, Serena. This is designed to ensure you..." He trailed off, clenching his jaw as he looked away from her for a moment. By the time he looked back at her, his expression was severe. "Have you had..." He trailed off again, unable to bring himself to utter the complete question.

"Why are you asking me that?" Serena turned away from him, finding the topic embarrassing.

Ever since she grew up to understand what sex was, she had only been intimate with one person, and that person was Vincent.

Although it was nothing serious back then and they didn’t go all the way, it still made discussing anything sexually related with him awkward.

Vincent let out a sigh. "I wish I could ask you not to go that far with him. That guy is a devil. But this thing on your hand is designed to make you go that far. Stupid modafuckers," he muttered a curse, letting go of her hand.

"Who is the devil? Lucian?" Serena asked, not sure why Vincent was getting worked up over the issue.

"You will not understand, Serena. And I really do not want you to understand. Lucian is not a good person. None of us are, but Lucian is standing at the top of that list."

"You seem to know him well," Serena noted.

"We grew up together, did things together, so yes. I know him well, and I know what he’s capable of," Vincent answered, the frown on his face not faltering as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a card. "Here, take my card. Call me anytime you need me around."

Serena accepted the card without hesitation, and her eyes scanned through the details before she transferred it to her bag.

"Thanks for your concern, Vincent, and I’ll call you anytime I need you around."

"I’m serious, Serena. Even if that thing on your hand starts acting up and you need someone to help, don’t go to Lucian. Call me, and I’ll be there," Vincent repeated with all seriousness.

Serena only nodded with a smile, recalling what happened last night and knowing she wouldn’t want Vincent in that position. Moreover, Lucian had said the next person would not be so lucky, and knowing how ruthless he was, she knew he wasn’t kidding.

Dr. Marlowe watched the exchange of card happen and listened to their conversation, though she was standing a few steps away from them. She wondered if the two of them were in a relationship before the issue of Lucian came up.

Soon, Vincent was on his way to his car, and she followed him with her eyes, noting how he had matured significantly from the last time she saw him when he was still a teenager. Being the only son of a Mafia Don, he was way humbler than she expected him to be, and she wondered if he was only pretending—a trait his father had—or if that was his true nature.

"Shall we?" Serena asked, turning toward the house, and Dr. Marlowe nodded, deciding not to ask her any questions yet about her friend.

"You have a very beautiful place," Dr. Marlowe noted, looking around the house and instantly nodding in approval at the nice, minimalistic interior decor. The house was a stark opposite of the Draven Mansion.

"Thanks," Serena smiled. "It was my safe haven before I was, unfortunately, snatched from it. Please make yourself at home while I fix us something to eat."

"Let’s do it together. I would be bored if I stayed here alone," Dr. Marlowe offered, and Serena couldn’t refuse.

They went to the kitchen and prepared their meal while chatting about different random things, which made Serena realize that behind the professional front the woman had on, she was a wonderful companion. There wasn’t a boring moment with her, and she made Serena forget about her problems for a while. She couldn’t be any more grateful that she had decided to come with the woman instead of Darrell.

"I have a question, but I fear it might be too personal. I don’t know if I should ask or not, though I’m curious," Serena broke the short, comfortable silence that had enveloped them while they were eating.

"I already told you to be free. Ask anything; it doesn’t matter if it’s personal or work-related," Dr. Marlowe responded.

"You are always in the mansion ever since I arrived there. I’ve never seen you leave or anything like that. Do you live there?" Serena asked the question.

"You’re correct. I live with Mr. Draven for now. It’s more convenient, considering what we are working on. I leave sometimes, but that’s only when I need to get something or information from the outside. I also have a lab in the mansion."

"Really? You never told me that."

"You never asked," Dr. Marlowe explained the obvious, and Serena twitched her lips.

"Don’t you have a husband? Or kids?" Serena asked immediately after the woman left off speaking.

"I don’t."

The answer made Serena tilt her head slightly. "Oh... Is it because you didn’t want to?"

"Not at all. It’s because I wasn’t allowed to."

Taken aback by the answer Dr. Marlowe gave, Serena blinked her eyes multiple times. Not allowed to? Did she hear well, or did she just make up what she heard in her head?

"I’m sorry, I don’t understand. You weren’t allowed to get married and have kids?"

Dr. Marlowe only shot her an amused smile before she nodded her head.

"By whom?" Serena probed with wide, surprised eyes.

"You’re not the only one whose life was turned upside down by the council. I am a product of the Council of Vitae. While some people were forced into marriages with people they do not desire or love, some of us were not allowed to desire men or women that way until we are done with our years of service."

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