Taking Chances

Chapter 10

“You’re actually dating that guy? He doesn’t seem your type.”

Sookie rolled her eyes, having a feeling that Bill would not let it go. “You were my type, and look where that got me. Eric makes me happy, if you were any kind of friend, you would be supportive right now.”

He nodded. “I want to, God knows you need someone decent in your life, but what do you really know about him? I’ve been to his bar; I know the kind of people he hangs around with. You’ll just end up getting hurt, Sookie. A man like that is surrounded by all kinds of beautiful women; I’m just looking out for you.”

“And I told you that wasn’t your job anymore; you gave up your right to have any say in my life when you chose to be with her. Just because you now realized that was a mistake doesn’t change anything. Look, I don’t think us being in the same hospital is going to work. You just stay on your floor, and I’ll stay on mine. I don’t need you coming down here and telling me what to do. It took me a long while to finally move on after you left, you being here is just making me remember a time I’ve tried so hard to forget. I won’t go through that again. My relationship is not your concern, and neither am I. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an elsewhere to be.”

Bill once again watched her walk away, a saddened expression on his face, but knowing he got precisely what he deserved.

* * * * *

“What are you doing?”

Amelia jerked away from Tray, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “I was just making sure he was breathing right.”

Sookie grabbed her friend by the arm, pulling her away from the man she was mauling. “You can’t be making out with patients when you’re on the clock. Hell, you shouldn’t be doing that at all. What if one of the doctors found you instead of me, or Lafayette? You know how he loves good gossip. It’s just not right, Ames. If you want to be with him, I won’t stop you, but at least wait until he’s released first. Sam said he should be good to go in a few more days.”

She pouted. “I know, and I told myself that, but he’s just so cute. You know how weak I am.”

For the most part, Amelia was a pretty strong woman, but not when it came to men. “I’m aware of that, but just try harder. You could be injuring him more and not even know it.”

That had Amelia nodding in agreement, not wanting to do anything further to hurt her patient. Tray was coming to mean a lot to her, seeing how well things were going with Sookie and Eric; she really hoped to find that with him one day. After her last boyfriend, Bob, took off to join the circus, Amelia didn’t have a lot of luck in the love department.

* * * * *

Sookie finally left the hospital at two in the morning and couldn’t wait to get home to her nice, comfy bed, but it seemed the fates had different plans for her. Before she knew it, Sookie was grabbed from behind and shoved into a black van, which quickly sped out of the parking lot. She struggled and kicked out with her legs, but her captor was too strong.

“I wouldn’t do that; we won’t keep you very long. I just wish to talk.”

She glared at the man across from her, recognizing him immediately. “What the hell do you want with me?”

Victor shook his finger at her. “Such manners, Miss Stackhouse, I think you were raised better than that. Besides, it’s not you that I want, but you would make a fine consolation prize.” He trailed his hand up her thigh, but Sookie instantly smacked it away.

“Eric told me all about you, Mr. Madden. I don’t know what you hoped to accomplish with this little stunt, but it won’t work. Touch me again, and you’re bound to lose a finger.”

He chuckled. “Oh, you are feisty, now I know what Northman sees in you. Right to the point, then, I’m willing to make you an offer that I guarantee you can’t refuse. Your beloved Eric has taken everything from me, and he did nothing to earn it. Since the day that bastard was born, he’s been nothing but a nuisance. His parents were rich; he grew up having everything offered to him on a silver platter, and not once did he have to work for it. Money, companies, women, they all flaunted to him,” Victor spat, clearing his throat. “Felicia was supposed to be with me, but since his rejection of her, she’s wanted nothing to do with me and it’s all Northman’s fault. Now, he’s taken the one business I wanted more than anything else. He knew of my plans to buy Valhalla, and he didn’t hesitate to steal that away from me as well. I see how much you mean to him, and I bet he would be willing to give up a lot for you. A mere seduction wouldn’t work, I see you’re not the type to fall for that, but this is what you’re going to do. You are going to end things with him, break his cold heart and let him know exactly how it feels to have the one thing you love above all else want nothing to do with you. I will pay you, of course, any amount you want.”

Sookie gasped, shaking her head. “No, you can’t make me do that. I won’t hurt him, not for all the money in the world. Eric has every right to own Valhalla, it means a great deal to him. You can’t blame him for everything that’s gone wrong in your life. You’re just taking it out on him because you’re not man enough to take responsibility yourself.”

Victor nodded. “I figured you might react this way. You don’t seem the sort to care much about money. I suppose there’s nothing more I can do.”

The van suddenly stopped, and Sookie gazed out the dark window to see that they were at her apartment. She didn’t even want to know how they knew where she lived. The door opened and she was pushed out of it, falling on her rear as she looked up at the angry face of Victor Madden.

“It was nice chatting with you, Miss Stackhouse. I’m sure we’ll meet again very soon.”

Sookie stood up as the van sped off down her street, wondering about the last thing he said and feeling an overwhelming sense of fear.