“Okay,” I reply, my voice small. “Can you arrange a guard for Janelle, too?” I bite my bottom lip. If he says no, I’m sure there’s a bodyguard service I can call.
“I’ve already taken care of that. She’ll have Jose by this evening.”
“Does she know about it?” I raise my eyebrows nervously. I know the next time I speak with her, I’m going to get hell.
“Yes, I called her yesterday.” He tries not to laugh. “That sister of yours is something else.” He smirks. “She chewed me out.”
“Oh, God.” I raise my face to the ceiling. “Are you okay?”
He chuckles. “Don’t worry about me, Eve. I can handle her.”
“So, she agreed to the bodyguard?”
“Yes. Eventually, she did.”
He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. “This is for his trailer so you can stay there. I’ll text you the address.” Nervously, I take them from his hands; the keychain is cold in my palm. I lift it, noticing a small silver boot dangling off the ring.
“Slade, what’s this?” My voice catches in my throat as I stare at the charm.
“Oh,” his voice is casual, “Vincent picked that up back in New York. He told me he gave the original one away before leaving for prison. When he got out, he bought an identical one for himself.”
He gave it to me. It wasn’t an accident. Vincent must have wanted me to know that he’d follow me anywhere. And…he did. He came back. But now, he’s gone. I can feel the room start to spin.
“Whoa, whoa." Slade pulls me toward him before gently lowering me into a chair. He sits on his haunches in front of me so we’re eye level, keeping his hands on my arms to steady me. A terrible thought runs through my head.
“He’ll come out of this, Eve,” he says, reading my mind. “It’s time to be brave. I know you’re beat up, but you can’t give in to that feeling.”
I look directly at him, wanting to agree. But I don’t. If Vincent doesn’t make it through, I don’t think I can go on.
Once I’m steady, Slade helps me to stand and passes me off to Lauren, who links a skinny arm in mine.
“Ax is going to accompany you ladies.” Slade keeps his face passive.
“Okay,” she smiles wide, “nice to meet you.” Waving, Lauren gives him her best cool and calm goodbye.
“Slade got me a hotel room for the night,” she whispers conspiratorially as we walk toward the hospital exit. “You think maybe he’ll join me if I’m feeling lonely?” She raises her eyebrows and giggles, but I don’t reply.
“I think it’s where you stayed when you originally came over. Was it nice?” She’s trying hard to be friendly and lighthearted. I want to scream at her—tell her that right now isn’t the time to be fucking chipper. But I collect myself, knowing my exhaustion and sadness are talking.
“It’s beautiful.” My voice is machine-like, without intonation. With every step, I feel farther away from Vincent; the distance making my anxiety rise. I should go back to him. I don’t want to leave.
“You know what?” I start, my mind officially changed.
She stops walking and faces me. “No,” she shakes her head. “You aren’t backing out. A shower and a hot meal will do you good. No one is telling you to leave his side. Just take a little break, okay? Plus, think of my life. Janelle will kill me if I don’t take you out of here.”
Before I know it, Ax is helping us inside the large black Escalade. I’m silent as the driver brings us to the hotel. Lauren, God bless her, is her usual talkative self, keeping him occupied.
I stare out the window, picturing Vincent and me on his bike. Gripping his back while the wind blows over us. The warmth in his eyes when we’re in bed. They lighten when he’s happy but turn near black when he’s emotional.
The car stops in front of the hotel, shaking me out of my daydream.
After a steaming shower, a few bites of a vegetable omelet via room service, and Lauren insisting on blow-drying my hair—two hours have passed. I’m clean, but my emotions feel like roadkill.
We set ourselves up by the wood fire pit on the small terrace. I promised Lauren I’d spend three full hours away from the hospital to revive. The entire setting is the epitome of calm and relaxing, but my heart won’t settle. I’m staring at the orange flames as Lauren sips a glass of cold wine from the minibar, likely scanning her social media pages.
She sits forward, putting her empty glass down by the fire. “Okay. Talk to me.”
I tell her the whole story. She cries along with me, insisting that love will conquer all. It’s exactly the type of thing I’d expect Lauren to say, and I love her for it.
We turn quiet as I stare at the darkness. The mountains, so monstrous in size, can no longer be seen. The night is jet-black with nothing but stars pebbling the sky. I wish I had never left Vincent’s side after The Blue. If I only said yes to him right away. I touch my chest, my heart actually squeezing as tears refill my eyes. I can’t lose him.
And oh, God, this shit with Antonio. It took a few hours, but Slade’s warnings finally sink in. I stand up and move inside the room, opening my purse. My gun is still here. I clutch it in my hands the same way I did all those years ago in the Blue Houses. But this time, I’m not afraid to use it.
My phone rings and I jump from the sound. I slide the gun back into the bag before taking out my cell. It’s Janelle on FaceTime.
I click ACCEPT, and Janelle’s face pops up in the center of my screen, blonde hair in perfectly messy waves, face crazy angry.
“Holy fuck, Eve!” Her free hand flies up in the air. “I want you to know how pissed off I am that you haven’t called me in three days.” Her teeth clench.
“You spoke to Slade though, right?” I know he already told her I’m just fine. And right now, I don’t have it in me to argue.
“Yeah, I did.” Her reply is both grudging and sad. “Is Lauren with you, now?”
“Yeah, she got to the hospital a few hours ago and brought clothes and forced me to come shower. Thanks for having her come, by the way. And for everything, Janelle. I owe you.” I turn my head, seeing Lauren with her head bowed reading on her phone.
“Lauren is seriously the shit,” Janelle states. “I’m glad she was able to come. Anyway, move your phone up and down. I want to make sure you’re still in one piece.”
“Oh, come on—” I nag.
“Just do it. Make your momma happy.”
I roll my eyes before moving the phone so she can see my toes up to my face. “Happy now, Granny?”
“I said momma, not granny, you bitch.” She chuckles and a small snort escapes my mouth.
“As you know, I’m back and alive and fine and Vincent’s—” My voice cuts off. I can’t say it. I gasp, tears taking the place of words.
Her mouth turns down. “I know. You love him. Just relax. He’s...he’s going to be okay.”
While her words are hopeful, I know she has doubt. In the world we grew up in, life isn’t just given and expected to continue until you’re old. People die—all the time. Vincent dying young, especially considering the life he used to lead, shouldn’t be a surprise.
“I don’t know, Janelle.”
I wish I could, but I can’t escape her pitiful gaze.
“And what about Antonio?” Her voice is gentle. “If you ask me, he’s the bigger issue and the looming threat. I’ve got Mr. Beef watching TV right now in my living room and eating Chinese takeout. Tell me you got a plan?”
“Plan?” I ask her, confused.
“You’ve seen a million Law and Order episodes. Can’t you like, go after the bad guy and put him in jail for life? You’re the hot blonde lawyer, but obviously, with dark hair.” She looks at me as if putting Antonio behind bars is the simplest thing in the world. “He probably has a laundry list of bad shit he’s done that the feds can’t catch, right?”
“I can help you!” Lauren excitedly screams into my ear. I shudder from surprise; the girl obviously has ninja powers because
I didn’t even realize she was next to me.
I lick my lips, brain turning. “I don’t know, Janelle,” I say to the screen. “Let’s see.”
Lauren brings her face to the camera. “Whenever Eve says ‘let’s see,’ what she really means is, ‘I’m doing it!’”
I put my hand in Vincent’s hair, brushing back the dark strands as my nails graze against his scalp; I know he loves when I do this.
“Vincent,” I whisper into his ear. “I want to quit the firm. Because I hate it. You were right. They treat me horribly. And I took it all because I thought there wasn’t a choice. But there is a choice, and I’m making it now.” My hands move to my neck. I rub his cross between my fingers.
Standing up, I pull out a small, portable MacBook. Opening the screen on Vincent’s bedside table, I begin typing my resignation.
Once I start, the words flow. I detail the harassment and intolerable work conditions I endured as an associate at the prestigious firm. I’m not looking for any kind of monetary compensation. Instead, I want to specifically pinpoint the failed options for reporting, explaining that I was scared to be punished and therefore stayed silent. My hope is for other women never to have to undergo this abuse.
Draft after draft gets written until I click SEND. It’s after two o’clock. I pass out in the wooden chair beside Vincent, holding his hand in mine.
The following morning, I’m leaning my head on Vincent’s chest when Lauren walks inside the hospital room carrying two hot coffees in a tray along with a white paper bag.
“You know I’d never touch these sugary carbs. But I figured, if not now, when?” She puts the coffees down on the small side table before handing me the bag full of breakfast desserts.
I sit up to peek inside: croissants and blueberry muffins. “Let me wash up quickly.”
“Hurry so your coffee doesn’t get cold.”
I make my way into the small en-suite bathroom and try to avoid the mirror.
“Lauren?” I ask, walking back toward her. “Would you be able to put up my apartment for sale and maybe hire movers to bring all my clothes out here?” Maybe it’s presumptuous of me. Still, where Vincent is, is where I want to be. I have faith he’s going to come out of this. And when he does, I need to be here.
“Of course, I can. Did you already resign?” Her eyes are wide.
“Last night.” Surprisingly, admitting that I resigned doesn’t cause the earth to shatter.
“Harassment is real and shouldn’t be tolerated. I hope your letter goes all the way to the top.”
“Me too.” I press my lips together firmly, nodding in absolute agreement.
Twenty minutes later, she stands to leave. After lots of hugging, one of Slade’s guys steps in, letting her know that he’ll be escorting her to the airport. With a wink, she leaves my side for California.
I know Slade’s army is probably sitting outside, but I pretend they aren’t. Reopening my computer, I brainstorm ways to take down Antonio Borignone. I’m not ready to commit to this plan, but a little thinking couldn’t hurt. Before I know it, I’m completely in the zone, mapping out ideas.
My phone pings, shaking me out of my trance.
Lauren: Eve, it’s 9pm. Have you left the room to eat?
Me: okay, okay.
Janelle’s name pops up on the screen and I groan. I hate group texts.
Janelle: Go now!
Me: I’m leaving! Je-sus!
Janelle: LOLLLL. Now go.
Lauren: By the way, Janelle, should I use coconut oil on my scalp or will it make it too greasy?
I shut my phone. Maybe I should just sleep on the chair again. But, my back feels like hell and I know that Vincent would rather me stay in a bed. And plus, it’ll be HIS bed, so maybe it won’t be so bad.
I enter Vincent’s trailer with Ax behind me, who’s holding my stuff. I open Vincent’s fridge and offer him a cold bottle of water or a beer. Luckily, he declines both and tells me he’s going to hang out in his truck to make a few calls and sleep. I already noticed that the back of his pickup was set up as a bed. He walks out and I shut the door behind him, relieved. Not that he isn’t a super nice guy, because he is, but I want privacy.
I hesitate at the doorway in front of Vincent’s room, slowly taking off my socks and sneakers before finally entering. Pulling a white undershirt from the drawer by his bedside, I slide it on, drowning in worn-in softness. His scent is everywhere, and I’m immediately brought back to last week.
Vincent jumps out of bed, picking me up in his huge arms and carrying me into the bathroom, my entire body feeling completely satisfied after last night. “Vincent put me down, I want to brush my teeth!” I giggle, heart soaring.
Last night. I can’t even think the words without flushing. Vincent made love to me as if the world was ending. He’s so commanding and dominant. Completely thorough. I’m sure that not one inch of my body was left untouched by his worshipful mouth. He sucked, licked, and kissed every piece of me. And when I thought he was done? He simply gave me more.
Holding me up with one arm, he puts toothpaste on two brushes. I start to brush my teeth, still securely nestled in his chest. I can tell he loves watching me do these random mundane things. His lips move to my neck, as though this simple task is too much for him.
“How am I going to spit like this?” My mouth is full of suds. He grunts, finally lowering me down. I rinse my mouth with water a few times. After drying my face with a small white towel, he lifts me up piggyback style. I press my minty lips against his shoulder as he starts brushing his own teeth.
Glancing in the mirror, my hair is an absolute mess and for the first time in maybe ever, I love it. Our eyes lock. I love this man to no end.
“Your body, Vincent. I still can’t believe how much bigger you’ve gotten.” I swallow hard, staring in the mirror at his gorgeous wide chest, down to his six-pack of muscles. “And tan. You’re just...” I stop talking, suddenly overwhelmed.
“You didn’t notice last night?” He bends his head down to spit in the sink.
“I mean, I did. But...” I can feel a blush creeping into my face. He laughs at me, bringing more water to his mouth while I cling onto him like a little monkey.
Back in the bed, Vincent holds me tightly in his arms; I can barely move a muscle, not that I’d want to. We’re not simply embracing—we’re fusing.
“I’m keeping this shirt,” I speak into his neck.
He pulls away and I watch the smile move through his face and settling in his eyes. “Everything that’s mine is yours.” He rubs his nose against mine.
“You told me that once before,” I remind him. Swallowing, I stare into his deep and dark eyes. It’s love.
“And it’s still true. Always will be.” He pushes a stray hair off my forehead. I’m home.
I blink and the memory disappears, leaving me all alone in his trailer. My mouth opens wide as tears stream down my face; it’s an ugly and painful cry. I manage to fall asleep a few hours later with his pillow over my face, inhaling his smell and praying he’ll come back to me.
27
EVE
The next morning, I awake to a knock on the trailer door. I shuffle out of bed, his shirt like a long dress reaching the center of my calves. I move my hands to rub the sleep from my eyes but wince; they’re raw.
I peek through the window shade before opening the door.
“Hey, Ax.”
The sun shines over the mountains, casting a reddish-orange glow all around. It’s so beautiful, but still, I feel a deep sense of sadness. I need to get back to the hospital. I raise a hand like a visor on my forehead, trying to shield my face from the brightness of the sun.
“Sorry to wake you, but I can’t leave without your knowledge. I’m gonna run to the store for a very quick errand. Need anything?” He leans against the doorway, a black leather jacket in his hands.
“Nah,” I reply. “I want to head back to the hospital in about thirty minutes, though. Think you can drive me ov
er?”
“Yup. Should be back in fifteen.” He turns to go, but stops, looking back at me. “Just so you know, Slade installed cameras around the outside of the trailer. I just let him know that I’m heading out for a few, so he’ll be watching.” Walking to his pickup, he drives away, sand kicking up at the huge wheels as he takes off.
My skin prickles. I look left and right nervously, not noticing anything out of the ordinary. All this shit with Antonio is obviously affecting me. Shutting and turning the lock, I put on a pot of coffee before getting into the shower. Instead of using the shampoo and conditioner Vincent and I picked up together, I use his Dove Men’s shampoo and body wash, wanting to smell like him. In some strange way, it makes me feel closer. I step out of the shower and put on a comfortable pair of relaxed-fit jeans and a white T-shirt, texting Ax I’m ready to go.
I hear a noise. Someone else is here. My breath stops as I listen intently.
Bending down, I grab the gun from my purse. Water drips from the ends of my dark hair, soaking the back of my white T-shirt. The silence is eerie, but my instincts are on high.
I step to the bedroom door and stare through the sliver of an opening. My eyes focus on a familiar man with salt and pepper hair, sitting at Vincent’s small and round kitchen table. I keep watching as he slowly turns his head, licking his full lips like a wolf.
A sneer is settled on his chiseled and cruel face; I’m taken aback. He looks so much like Vincent, it’s staggering. But those eyes, a cold electric blue, are vacant.
Antonio Borignone.
“I know you’re watching me, Eve,” he says loudly, body turned toward the bedroom door. “Come out,” he says in a sing-song voice.
My heart slows as I realize there is nowhere to go. I consider jumping out the bedroom window, but there is no way I can fit through. I briefly consider hiding, but if he already knows I’m here, he’ll surely come and find me. I’ve got to strengthen myself and move forward. Ax will walk in any minute now—I just need to stall. Tucking the gun in the back of my pants, I take a tentative step out of the room.
Redemption (Vincent and Eve #3) Page 18