The rest of the day passed in a blur as I tried to come to terms with Vincent's departure. I laid on my bed watching the moon from the window, I knew I had to ask him before he left.
I stood up in my night wear, being an oversized t-shirt. I've always preferred sleeping freely, without any form of disturbance including clothes.
Considering everyone except Vincent must have been asleep, I didn't bother going out of my room in it.
I made my way to his bedroom, hoping to catch him before he retired for the night. I found him packing his suitcase, his eyes fixed intently on the task at hand.
"Vincent?" I said, trying to sound calm.
He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it, Little de?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
I took a deep breath, trying to muster up the courage to ask him what I wanted. "Karen, Blue's mom, she's going out of town and she was wondering if Blue could stay with me for a few days," I explained.
Vincent's expression turned cold, and he seemed to consider my words. For a moment, I thought he was going to say no.
But then, he nodded curtly. "Fine. Blue can stay. But you'll do exactly as Ryder says. Do you understand?"
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Sure."
Vincent's eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Good," he said, his voice dripping with authority. "I expect you to follow the rules, Little de. Don't do anything stupid."
As Vincent finished speaking, he turned back to his suitcase, his eyes fixed intently on the task at hand. But I could sense the tension in his body, the way his shoulders were stiff and his jaw was clenched.
I felt a pang of concern for him, and without thinking, I reached out and touched his arm. "Vincent?" I said softly.
He turned to me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at my hand on his arm. But as he met my gaze, I saw something in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat. It was a flash of vulnerability, of emotion, that he quickly suppressed as usual.
But I had seen it, and it gave me the courage to take a step closer to him. "You're tense," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What's wrong?"
Vincent's eyes seemed to bore into mine, and for a moment, I thought he was going to push me away. But then, something seemed to give, and he let out a slow breath.
As he turned back to his suitcase, I caught sight of a faint bruise on his cheekbone. I gasped, my hand reaching out to touch it.
Vincent's eyes flashed with warning, and he caught my wrist, holding it in a tight grip. "It's nothing," he growled, his voice low and rough.
But I could see the pain in his eyes, and I knew he was lying. I reached up with my free hand, gently touching the bruise.
Vincent's eyes seemed to darken, and he pulled me closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "You shouldn't be touching me like that, Little de," he whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine.
I felt a rush of emotion, and without thinking, I turned my head, my lips brushing against his. It was a soft, gentle kiss, but it seemed to ignite a spark inside him.
Vincent's arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss. I felt like I was melting into him, like our bodies were becoming one.
But as the kiss grew more intense, I could feel Vincent's tension returning. His body stiffened, and his arms seemed to tighten around me like a vice.
And then, suddenly, he pulled away, his eyes flashing with a mixture of desire and restraint. "I have a lot of things to take care of," he said, his voice low and rough. With that he urged me out of his room.
It's always one person pulling away or the other! I don't even know if I truly have feelings for him.
I turned and walked out of the room. As I turned the corner, I bumped into a solid wall of muscle.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I exclaimed, stumbling backward.
A pair of strong hands grasped my arms, steadying me. I looked up to see a stranger's face, his eyes fixed intently on mine.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly.
I nodded, trying to smile, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Who was this guy?
"I'm Ryder," he said, as if sensing my confusion. "Vincent's... associate."
I raised an eyebrow, unsure of what to make of him. Ryder's eyes seemed to bore into mine.
As I stood there, trying to process this new information, Ryder's gaze drifted down to my face, his eyes scanning through my body.
It was at that moment I regretted coming out in the oversized t-shirt.
His gaze lingering on my bare thighs. I found it quite weird and awkward so I immediately tried to deviate his attention.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Ryder's eyes snapped back to mine, and he smiled, a small, enigmatic smile. "Just checking things around here," he said.
I decided to change the subject, trying to break the awkward tension between us. "So, Ryder, how do you know Vincent?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Ryder's expression softened, and a small smile played on his lips. "Vincent and I go way back," he said. "We grew up together, actually."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" I asked, intrigued.
Ryder nodded. "Yeah. We've been friends since we were kids. We've been through thick and thin together."
I felt a warmth in my chest at the thought of Vincent having such a close friend. It was clear that Ryder cared deeply about Vincent, and that their friendship was something special.
"I'm glad he has you," I said, smiling at Ryder.
Ryder's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt like he could see right through me. "I'm glad he has you too," he said softly.
If only he knew that I don't know where I and Vincent stand.
I simply laughed awkwardly at Ryder's statement.
Ryder's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.
But then my curiosity got the better of me. "So, Ryder, I have to ask... how come I've never seen you around before?" I asked, tilting my head to one side.
Ryder shrugged. "I've been busy with my own stuff, and Vincent's been... well, you know how he is. He likes his privacy."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah."
Ryder's eyes sparkled with amusement. "But I'm glad I finally got to meet you," he said.
"Huhh?" I asked surprised at his statement.
"Ohhh sorry, I've heard a lot about you from Sharly. She's been telling me about you for a while now."He laughed awkwardly.
"Ohhhh, alright then." I smiled politely.
And then my curiosity got the better of me again. "So, what was Vincent like when he was little?" I asked, leaning in with interest.
That was something I've always been curious about.
Ryder's face broke out into a wide grin. "Oh, man... Vincent was a tiny little ball of energy and mischief," he said, chuckling. "He was always getting into trouble, and I was always right behind him, getting into trouble too."
Ryder's grin faltered, and his eyes clouded over. "That was until his father started training him," he said, his voice low and serious.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I sensed the darkness lurking beneath Ryder's words.
"Training him?" I repeated, my curiosity piqued.
Ryder nodded. "Yeah. Vincent's father was... old-school. He believed in toughening up his son, preparing him for the family business."
I felt a sense of unease wash over me as I realized what Ryder was hinting at. Vincent's father was a powerful man, a Mafia boss who ruled with an iron fist.
Ryder's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if he could see the questions swirling in my mind. "Let's just say that Vincent's training was... intense," he said, his voice dripping with understatement.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I imagined what Vincent must have gone through. The thought of him being subjected to harsh training, being molded into a ruthless Mafia heir, made my heart ache.
Ryder's expression was somber, his eyes haunted by memories of the past. "It changed him," he said softly. "He's not the same kid I grew up with."
I nodded slowly, understanding, "Wow that must have been really intense," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ryder's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt like he could see right through me. Then, he nodded, and his expression softened.
"Vincent's lucky to have someone like you in his life," Ryder said again, his voice low and sincere.
I smiled, feeling a sense of warmth towards Ryder. "Thanks, you too" I said.
Ryder smiled back, and for a moment, we just stood there, the tension between us dissipating.
Then, Ryder glanced at his watch. "It's late," he said. "You should get some rest."
I nodded, feeling a yawn rise up in my throat. "Yeah, I should."
Ryder stepped aside, allowing me to pass. "Goodnight," he said, his voice low and smooth.
"Goodnight," I replied, smiling at him.
I made my way back to my room, my mind whirling with thoughts of Vincent, Ryder, and the secrets they kept. I climbed into bed, feeling the softness of the blankets envelop me.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Ryder's story, more to Vincent's past. But for now, I just let myself sleep, the darkness closing in around me like a shroud.