Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Fred

I'd finished a cup of coffee, needing the boost to stay awake, and then made my excuses. I decided to stop at my room to freshen up before going to Vincenzo's. I'd just reached the stairs when a hand on my arm stopped me.

"Aiden?"

"Why does he want to talk to you in his bedroom?"

"Why does it matter where?"

Aiden released my arm. "I don't trust him. What if he assaults you in there? Do you think any of his little army will come to your rescue? Maybe I should join you."

I snorted a laugh. "That's ridiculous, Aiden."

"Why? Because everything else that's been happening has been so explainable?"

I pursed my lips and regarded the man I'd known for a long time. "I get that you don't trust Vincenzo; he's not a fan of yours either. But I'll tell you the same thing I'd tell him. Who I choose to speak with, and how I choose to do so, is not your business. I'm safe here, and you need to trust my decisions."

He lifted his chin. "You're reckless."

"And you're out of line."

He released a loud sigh and took a few steps back. "Do what you want, sir, but I'm advising you it's a mistake."

"Duly noted."

He spun on his heel and stormed off.

I stood there for a brief moment trying to figure out this change in Aiden. He'd always been somewhat even tempered, even the times he was frustrated with me. If Vincenzo had wanted me dead he'd had ample time to have done it, and that right there was why every time I thought I couldn't trust him was washed away quickly.

After brushing my teeth and freshening up, I walked over to Vincenzo's room and knocked.

He opened the door with a smile. He was dressed in a silky, black button-down shirt that was open and what I could only describe as tan linen beach pants. He was the vision of relaxed.

"Hi," I croaked out because I was awkward and his abs were droolworthy.

"Come in." He held it open more, and I slipped in. He closed the door and I noticed he didn't lock it, which put my mind at ease.

I hated how Aiden's words kept rattling around in my brain.

"You wanted to speak with me privately?"

"I did. Please sit." He motioned toward two chairs in the corner. He had a little sitting area that overlooked the garden. "Drink?"

"Just water. If I have alcohol, I'll pass out."

"I understand." He had a drink cart in his room as well, and I watched as he poured us each a glass of water.

He waited until he'd given it to me, and I'd taken a sip before he began.

"I wanted to speak with you privately because?—"

"It's about Aiden again?" I was so tired of these two fighting, but I was more frustrated that with each conversation I had with Vincenzo about Aiden, I was seeing his side more and more.

"Yes."

I placed my glass down and settled in. "Let's hear it then, so I can go to bed."

He smirked and I wanted to know why he always did that every time I snapped back, but I wanted to stay on course.

"In the car, he said the two of you will go to the police station together in the morning. I didn't say anything at the time because I knew he'd react. Anger seems to be his permanent setting when it comes to me."

He wasn't wrong. "Fair enough. So let me guess, you don't want just the two of us going?"

"Yes, but more to the point, I don't want you going anywhere alone with Aiden."

My eyebrows shot to my hairline. "Pardon? I've been alone with Aiden for years, and many times."

"I understand, but right now I don't think it's safe."

"Based on all your theories you have about him? Texting and oh yeah, not dying?" I rolled my eyes.

"Actually, yes."

I shook my head in disbelief. "Okay, here's a hole in your boat of conclusions. If Aiden had anything to do with this, why would he arrange it at a time he knew someone from Lex Talionis would be there?"

He hummed and I hoped I'd stumped him…but nope. "I already thought about that. For a beat I danced around the idea that he wanted to possibly blame it on Lex Talionis, but to his credit, he realized how dangerous it would be."

"More so than pissing off street gangs?"

He nodded. "While formidable adversaries, none of them alone or together hold a match to Lex Talionis."

"Ha!" I sat up straighter. "You're so arrogant!"

"Arrogant, how?" Again with that motherfucking smirk.

"You think your merry band of murdering Marys are the be all and end all and could never crumble against anything."

"I never said?—"

"That if all the gangs in Westford teamed up to fight you that you'd be the victor?"

"Well, I mean, I do think?—"

"That if Haven Hart also thought you had something to do with my death they'd just sit on their thumbs and not retaliate?"

"Actually that helps my argument more because?—"

"Someone needs to knock you off your block, Vincenzo Whatever-your-middle-name-is Belini."

He burst out laughing, and it just enraged me more. I stood from my chair and hovered above him.

"This is funny to you?"

He shook his head but continued to laugh.

"All this death surrounding me and no leads, and this is humorous to you. My life could be snuffed out in a breath, and you're finding it funny."

Too quickly he stood. Gone was the laughter, and in its place was fire—a raging inferno behind those dark eyes and an expression so grim, it made me want to step away.

"Never that. Your life is why I'm here and while I'll remain here until I know it's secure and whoever did this is six feet under."

I had to crane my neck to see him. The heat coming off his body sparked a burst of lust in my stomach and definitely lower.

"I…"

"I'll listen to your brattiness any day of the week, Fred. I love it. It's your defense, and it's stunning. I'll even let you rip into me and try and shatter my ego and reputation, but I will never sit silent while you accuse me of being just fine with you dying."

"I don't…" I swallowed, willing my body to stand down. "I don't understand why you care so much about what happens to me. You're unstoppable. Why would my death affect you in any way?" I took a deep breath and asked the question that had been eating me up inside.

"Why are you even here, Vincenzo? If you're so mighty and don't really need anything or anyone, why are you risking so much just for me?"

He opened his mouth but not to answer me, no. I hadn't even blinked before his mouth was pressed against mine. I'd thought many times what his lips would feel like. What I hadn't expected was the realization that just one kiss would reshape my whole existence.