Page 48 of Vinny

“Vinny,” she cried as she jumped up, hurling herself at him. He caught her in mid-air, feeling her arms clamp around his neck and legs encircle his waist. Jobe slid up next to him, taking and securing his weapon so that he could grasp her with both hands.

Moving backward, he sat on the bed with her still wrapped tightly around his body. “Baby, are you all right?” Not hearing anything other than her crying, he pulled her back slightly so he could peer into her eyes. “Are you all right?”

She nodded and tucked her head right back into his neck once again. Jobe nodded at him and discreetly left the room to report in to Tony.

“Why are you here? Why didn’t you wait for Terrance?”

With her tears spent, she murmured, “I needed to get out. I…needed to see my place. Now it seems…not mine.”

Jobe walked back into the room, his eyes seeking Vinny’s for reassurance that she was fine. As usual their non-verbal communication was all it took for Jobe to nod and leave the room again.

“Princess, we can put this place back together again.The guys and their women will all meet and we can have this place put to right in one quick day. But I know that Matt and Shane wanted to know if anything had been taken. I never meant for you to come here without me. Jobe’s called them and they’ll be here soon. Can you do that for them?”

Nodding against his neck, he heard her sigh deeply.

“Yeah, I can do that.” A moment passed before she leaned up saying, “I hate feeling this way, but can I stay with you a few more days until this place can be cleaned up? And I want to get new locks on the doors and windows.”

His eyes held hers as his hands came up to cup her face. “Babe, as far as I’m concerned you never have to live anywhere else but with me. But I don’t want to rush you. You want to stay here, we’ll fix it up and Tony’s men will get it secure.”

Sucking in a deep breath, she glanced around at the trashed bedroom. “I don’t know. I…just don’t…”

“Don’t make a decision now when you’re emotional.”

Jobe stuck his head back into the room. “Matt and Shane are here. Gabe’s here too.”

Allowing Vinny to assist her to a stand, she wiped her face with her hands and smoothed her hair back from her face. Lifting her chin, she said, “Okay. I’m ready.”

Fuckin’ adorable. And fuckin’ strong,he thought.

By the time Matt and Shane had taken her accounting, she was exhausted. They had her go through each item and room, cataloging what should have been where and what looked missing. Nothing was missing. Not one thing. Just everything tossed around in a hasty manner.

Gabe and Vinny stood to the side with Jobe, as she moved about with the detectives. Vinny kept his eyes on her the entire time, watching for signs of a breaking point. But the more she looked over her items, the angrier she became.

When they left, she turned to face the men still in the room. Seeing her shaking, Vinny stalked toward her, enveloping her in his arms.

“I’m so angry right now,” she said, her voice muffled in his chest.

He lifted his eyebrow in surprise, having never heard her curse before. “I know. Let’s get some of your things and get out of here.”

While Gabe and Jobe got trash bags from the kitchen, she began moving about the room picking up things that she wanted to take. Collecting her sheet music, she was startled by a voice at the still open door.

“Lissa? What the hell happened here?”

Turning she saw her neighbor and fellow musician standing there with grocery bags in his hands and a surprised look on his face. She approached him only to be stopped by a growl at her back.

“Who the hell are you?” came Vinny’s bark.

Turning to glare at him, she said, “He’s my neighbor, Vinny.” Turning back, she smiled and apologized. “I’msorry, Les. I was gone and my place was broken into. We’re here to get some things for me to take.”

Les started to step into the room, but was stopped when a wall of large men created a barrier. Annalissa looked up to see Vinny, Gabe, and Jobe shoulder-to-wide-shoulder blocking the entrance. Her eyes wide in irritation toward them, she made the introductions.

Receiving reassurances that she was fine, Les headed off to his apartment after inviting her to play with his band that weekend.

Closing the door behind him, she turned to face the wall. Of men. All glaring. Putting her hands on her hips, she said, “What? What is wrong with you all?”

“Did he know where you were going to your last concert?” Vinny growled again.

“Yes. Several of my friends know when I’m out of town.” She looked confused momentarily, then her eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, my God. You think he’s a suspect? Well you’re wrong. I know other musicians that I play with and there’s no way they would have been involved. No way.”

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