Page 66 of Vinny

“Do you remember what you said to me that first night in the limosine?” she asked.

Before he could answer, she said, “You told me that my music was soul-changing. That meant so much to me then and now that I know why, it means even more.”

Moving forward, he touched his lips to hers in a barely there, whisper of a kiss. Smiling, she leaned her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes, her body began to relax and she was only slightly aware of him picking her up.

He deftly made his way to the bedroom and, supporting her with one hand, he leaned down to pull the covers back with his other. Laying her down on the bed, he slid her pants down and left her shirt on as he pulled the covers back over her. Her face, no longer etched in pain, looked peaceful and he stood for several minutes just staring down at her.Has it only been a few weeks that I’ve known her? How the hell could she haverocked my world in such a short time?He continued to watch her sleep, rubbing his hand absentmindedly over his heart.But she has. Rocked my world. Stolen my heart. Given me peace. Given me a future.Sighing deeply, he moved quietly out of the room, closing the door.

Calling Jobe, he asked his friend to come up. “Gotta minute, bud? Annalissa’s sleeping so I need you to come here.”

A couple of minutes later Jobe walked into his apartment, his eyes immediately taking in his friend. He saw worry. Concern. Frustration. “Okay, man. Let’s have it,” Jobe ordered, as they both sat down on the oversized sofa.

Vinny tossed him a beer and for a few minutes they sat in companionable silence, Jobe allowing his friend to gather his thoughts.

Snorting ruefully, Vinny finally said, “Never thought it’d happen for me, you know. I saw what Tony went through over there when his wife died and never wanted to feel like that. Plus, I was young, stupid, thought I fucking knew everything. Cocky. Thought spreading it around made me some kind of man. Then my own twin fell in love and I couldn’t believe it.” He stood and walked over to his windows overlooking the city, shaking his head.

“Of course, I met Jennifer and realized she was perfect for him. I love her as a sister but even seeing Gabe fall in love didn’t make it seem real to me.” Chuckling, he looked back at Jobe. “Then Tony. Hell, who’d ever thought the Captain would fall in love again? And with Sherrie? I mean, seeing them together now, itmakes sense. They’re perfect, but I sure as shit didn’t see that coming.”

Walking back over to the sofa he sat again, taking a long pull on his beer. He looked up, seeing Jobe’s gaze still on his. “I headed out to California a month ago thinking I was going to be escorting some big-shot rocker chick back to Richmond. You could have dropped me when I was taken to a symphonic hall and saw Annalissa. And then heard her play. Fuckin’ shot right through the heart. If you believe in Cupid and all that shit...” he shook his head. “Shot right through the fuckin’ heart.”

“So you going to get around to the problem? You got lucky enough to find a woman worthy of you, someone amazing. Someone who made you pull your head outta your ass. And someone, I might add, who loves you back and is currently sleeping in your bed right now.” Jobe leaned in, resting his forearms on his thighs, staring Vinny directly in the eyes. “So what’s the problem? You’re not about to fuck this up are you?”

“No, man, no. I’m just…hell, I don’t even know how to put it into words.”

Jobe sat back, a knowing smile on his face. “You’re scared.”

Vinny’s gaze jumped to Jobe’s. “What the?—”

Jobe threw up his hand, silencing Vinny. “Look, you were trained to be the best the Army has to offer and you ended up in the elite squad with others just like you. Fearless, dedicated, tenacious. Ultimate control. Over situations and ourselves. Willing to execute everymission with utmost vigor. Never back down. Never say die. Never give up.”

Jobe, having obtained his friend’s attention, continued. “But you're finding out what every one of our friends has already found out. First of all, we can’t control love. Not when it hits us, nor when it takes us prisoner. And it’s impossible to maintain that level of control when the one we love is threatened.”

Vinny sat back letting Jobe’s words move over him, reaching down deep.I have been about control. Control of my career. Control of my body. Control of my heart. And now? Totally, out of control.

Jobe chuckled as he saw understanding pass over Vinny’s face. “Sucks to lose control doesn’t it? You could, of course, dump her and get your control back,” he taunted.

Shaking his head, Vinny groused, “Fuck you.”

Both men leaned back in their seats, finishing off their beers.

Vinny looked over and said, “She’s worth it. Every worry. Every concern. Every heart-stopping moment.”

“Yeah, I know. And I knew you’d handle it when it finally came.”

“Now you, on the other hand. I could always see you falling in love and here you are the last of us still single.” The silence sat heavily in the room. “You could always try to find her, you know.”

Shaking his head, Jobe stood up. “Too much time has passed. I fucked up a long time ago and killed whatever was there.”

“Maybe—”

Jobe cut him off by walking to the door. As his hand reached the doorknob, he turned and looked over his shoulder at Vinny. Nodding his head toward the hall leading to the bedroom, he said, “Take care of her, Vinny. Don’t worry about the control. That’s what got in my head all those years ago and the reason I fucked up with the one I loved. Just care for her. Protect her the best you can. But mostly—just love her.” With that, he left, leaving Vinny to think on all they had said.

He finally headed back to the bedroom, quietly moving into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Sliding naked under the covers, he moved closer and pulled her yielding body next to his. Wrapping her in his massive embrace, he kissed the top of her head as he tucked her under his chin.Sleep well, princess. Nothing’s gonna ever harm you.

In the middle of the night, Vinny woke to the feel of Annalissa’s hand on his chest. Moving slowly over his muscles. Gliding up to his shoulders and then down his bicep, tracing the pattern of his tattoo. Her soft touch caressed, and as he turned toward her, he saw green eyes following the trails of her fingers.

Afraid to speak, not wanting to break the spell that she was weaving, he held still watching her face.

Lifting her gaze to his, she whispered, “You’re beautiful. Everything any woman would want in a man.”

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