Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Vincenzo

Fred leaned in as if an invisible thread were pulling him to me and no force could stop us from the inevitable bliss of a searing kiss.

Well, until a loud knock made the skittish guy jump away from me. I was the kind of man who believed staying calm and collected brought forth organized finality to chaotic situations…but right now, I wanted to rip the door off the hinges and beat whoever was behind it to a bloody pulp.

Fred's cheeks pinked, and he took a deep breath. The knocking started again.

"Fred, you in there?" Aiden's tone was frantic.

With a sigh, Fred opened the door. "Sorry, Vincenzo and I were talking."

Aiden regarded me briefly before focusing on Fred. "Oh, you ran out of the car. I was worried."

"I'm fine." Fred's smile was shaky, and I wondered if it was because he was flustered and trying to tamp down the sexual energy or if he was upset over what had almost happened.

"Right. Well, did you want to sit and go over that list?" Aiden's gaze went to the crumpled piece of paper on the floor.

"It's useless, Aiden. No one on there is responsible. I'm sure it was in-house."

"Fred, you can't know that. We should at least check it out."

I stepped forward. "I can get some of my people to look into every person on the list." I bent and picked up the paper. "The funeral is in two days. Fred needs to concentrate on a strategy to lure out some of the bad seeds in your family or find out those who might have information."

I met Aiden's now-livid expression. He grabbed the list from my hand. "I'm not convinced your band of assassins isn't behind this."

"You can tear the world apart trying to find proof I had any part of this, and you'll come up empty."

He advanced on me, but I didn't budge. "Because you hide it so well?"

"Because there's nothing to hide. Now, if you don't back up, I'll show you why I lead the most dangerous assassin organization in the world."

"Aiden, enough." Fred pushed in between us, facing Aiden. "This isn't Lex Talionis. If it were, someone from Haven Hart would have told me by now."

"You don't know that."

Fred huffed. "Yes, I do, because it would affect them and after what happened here, you better believe they did a deep dive into the situation to discount or prove if Vincenzo was behind it."

"Then why aren't they doing more, hmm ? Why aren't they tearing apart the Brennan clan?" Aiden's anger morphed into disgust. "They don't give a damn about you unless it can damage them."

Fred's face fell. It was a low blow and uncalled for. Fred likely only saw Aiden trying to make him realize a false truth. What I was witnessing was the slip of the driver's mask.

"I'm going to ask you to leave this room, Aiden." I gently pushed Fred to the side and pressed my chest to Aiden's. "Now."

"Excuse me?"

"You have ten seconds to get out of my sight. If it weren't for Fred, you'd be dead where you stand. Out of respect, I'm asking you to get out of this room."

Aiden looked over at Fred but the redheaded man was staring at the carpet, his thoughts drifting him miles away.

"Sir—"

"Want me to start counting?" I practically growled.

With one last glare, Aiden spun on his heel and left.

I quietly shut the door and faced Fred, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, head in hands.

"He's not wrong, Vincenzo."

"Yes, he is." I took the few steps toward him and kneeled. "Aiden's words were said to hurt you. Whether it be because you and I were talking alone or to make sure you know he's all you can trust. But one thing I know is, the Manoses, Harts, Blackroses—all of them give a shit about you. It's my job to know people, and I'm positive of this."

He lifted his head, and the sorrow in his eyes was enough to take the air clear out of my lungs.

"I shouldn't be vulnerable in front of you."

I smirked. "Maybe I'm exactly who you should be vulnerable in front of." I took his hands in mine, happy when he didn't pull away. "Your uncle said to trust nobody and to trust your gut, so do that. No matter what, even if it means being a pissy brat to me until the end of time. You need to think about only yourself right now."

He snorted. "I'm not a brat."

"Oh, but you are." I squeezed his hands. "But you know what?"

He raised a brow silently asking me what.

"I like that about you."

Fred rolled his eyes and playfully pushed me away. "You're messed up."

I shrugged and stood up, Fred joining me. "Brave face, Fred. In two days' time you'll face off with whoever was behind this. Trust no one, remember?"

Fred nodded, his expression soft. "Even you?"

"If that's what you need to do."

The entire time Fred had been here, he'd shown nothing but animosity toward me. Suddenly it was as if the realization that I might be the only one being honest with him had hit home. But if it meant keeping Fred safe, I'd accept the anger and snark any day.

Something about this man had me turned inside out, and the more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to know him, protect him, and avenge him.

"I'm going to take a shower and change. I'll be out in a little while."

I stepped back and smiled. "Take your time."

"Vincenzo?"

" Hmm? "

"Thanks…you know, for not being a colossal asshole."

I chuckled. "It was difficult, but I managed."

He grinned and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I bet. Now get out."

I did as was asked and as I walked down the hallway to what I was sure would be an irate Aiden, I tried hard not to think about a naked Fred in the shower.