My Horny Stepmom Turns Me into Her Vampire Slave

Chapter 203: B - Frank Pyton — The man no one can say no to

I never thought I’d say something like this, but... if I’m still alive, it’s only thanks to Frank Pyton.

The night I was attacked by that masked Monster Slayer, I was saved by that mysterious creature with pitch-black skin, horns, and black-and-red flames wrapped around its barbed tail and claws.

Ever since that night, I’ve been wondering what the fuck it was... and why it stepped in to save me.

Now I finally have my answer.

His name is Philip Serghel. Along with Joe Callhan, he’s one of Frank’s two most trusted enforcers.

Unlike that bald idiot Joe, Philip isn’t from Elyndra.

He belongs to a race known as the Tieflings, demons native to the Realm of the Dead.

Honestly, finding out where Philip came from was probably the biggest surprise of all.

I never imagined a place like that actually existed. Knowing there’s something after death is strangely comforting.

That said, I really hope they appreciate the little cleanup operation I’ve been carrying out here on Earth and aren’t as uptight as the Monster Slayers.

Otherwise, I’m pretty sure my soul is fucked.

Getting back to the point, Philip’s timely arrival wasn’t a coincidence at all.

Joe was the one who called him.

And to think I’d actually gotten pissed at that bald idiot because I thought he’d run away like a coward, when in reality, he’d gone to bring back reinforcements.

Still, I can’t stop thinking about the question I asked Joe just before the Monster Slayer attacked.

"What’s in it for me if I join you?"

People say actions speak louder than words. And even though Joe barely knows three words altogether, what he did answered that question better than anything he could’ve possibly said.

So what would I gain by joining them?

First of all, I’d stay alive. And that’s not exactly a minor detail.

Especially after hearing what Frank is telling me now about what happened in that alley after I escaped.

"That Monster Slayer isn’t some rookie," Frank says, crushing his cigar into the ashtray.

This time, he chose one of the private dining rooms in one of his luxury restaurants for our meeting.

More specifically, it’s an Italian restaurant in Little Italy, and of course I went with a pizza and an ice-cold beer.

"Believe me, Black is unbelievably powerful. Right now, he’s without question the strongest subordinate I have," he continues before taking a bite of a thick, juicy rare steak.

Black is Philip’s codename.

Every high-ranking member of Frank’s organization goes by a color instead of their real name.

I doubt those codenames are assigned at random, considering the color of that tiefling’s skin and flames.

Joe’s codename is Green.

No idea why, though. There’s nothing green about the guy. Not even his eyes.

Not that it’ll ever happen, but if I did end up joining them, I’d probably choose Red as my codename.

I like the color and it fits a vampire like me perfectly.

After washing down another bite of steak with a sip of red wine, Frank resumes his story.

"And yet, despite Philip’s strength, that Monster Slayer still managed to escape with nothing more than a leg wound. Not before giving him a hard time, though."

He sets his wineglass down and looks me straight in the eyes.

"By now, I’m sure you’ve realized you can’t keep carrying out your own personal crusade through New York’s rough neighborhoods without someone powerful watching your back."

A faint smile appears on his face.

"Someone... like me."

He pauses for a moment, his piercing, icy eyes locked onto mine, before speaking again.

"Drug dealers, human traffickers, members of rival crime families... Seriously, Axel Lustsilk, you’ve taken out more of my competition than my own men have. All I’m offering is the chance to keep doing what you’ve always done... but under my protection."

He takes another sip of wine.

"And, of course... for a price."

As much as it pains me to admit it, the bastard’s right.

Right now, I’m standing at a crossroads.

I can give in to his relentless offers and step into a world that’s obviously dangerous. Probably even more dangerous than I realize. But at least I’d have someone watching my back every step of the way.

Or...

I can keep working as a freelancer, doing things my own way and killing only the people I truly believe don’t deserve to live. Not the ones Frank simply wants out of the picture.

If I joined Frank Pyton, I’d become one of the very criminals I despise and hunt.

When you look at it that way, there’s only one real answer.

"It’s tempting, but I can’t accept. Still... thank you again for saving my life. I’ll make sure you never have to do it again."

I’m not gonna lie, if I were on my own, I probably would’ve accepted his offer without a second thought.

But I’m not alone. I have Veronica.

Stepping into the criminal underworld wouldn’t just put my own life at risk.

It would put the people closest to me in danger too, and I’d never do anything that could put Veronica at risk.

The same goes for Naomi.

If anything happened to either of them because of me... I’d never forgive myself.

"Very well, Axel Lustsilk. Have it your way," Frank murmurs, his tone far too accommodating for a man like him—a man who always gets what he wants, one way or another.

Come to think of it Frank and I aren’t all that different.

He’s stubborn and relentless when it comes to getting what he wants in business.

I’m exactly the same when it comes to women.

And I’m probably to Frank what Kimberly Almiris is to me. A personal challenge.

The only person who ever had the guts to tell him no.

With henchmen like Joe Callhan, Philip Serghel, and who knows how many other powerful beings working under him, a weak, inexperienced vampire like me isn’t nearly valuable enough to justify all the effort he’s putting into recruiting me.

I’m convinced bringing me into his organization would just be another way for him to flaunt his power and his supposed irresistibility...

Proof that no one in the world can say no to Frank Pyton.

I just hope I never give him that satisfaction.