Page 52 of Missing Piece
Vincent watched them go, his mind cycling between Adam sleeping vulnerable upstairs, Richard’s threats, and Matteo’s deteriorating control. Too many variables. Too many ways to lose everything.
Chapter Nineteen - Adam
The initial thrill of seeing Vincent back in the room curdled into a thick, uncomfortable guilt as Adam watched Vincent settle on the edge of the bed further away than he wanted.He said he wants to talk. Probably about last night.
Shit.
Another part of Adam wanted to scoff.Guilt? For upsetting your captor?
“I’m sorry about last night, that shouldn’t have happened.” Adam winced. He hadn’t meant to say it like that.
A flicker of surprise creased Vincent’s forehead. Then, a slow, strangely sad smile touched his lips, softening the hard angles of his face. “You don’t need to apologize.”
Fingers twisting in the bedsheets, Adam heart pounded as Vincent’s silence stretched. Vincent’s expression remained gentle, but Adam had seen how fast that could change. His muscles tensed, ready to flinch at the first sign of danger.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Vincent’s hands smoothing over his pajama pants, long fingers working the fabric in slow, repetitive motions. The gesture seemed almost…nervous?
What does a vampire have to be nervous about?
Cool fingertips brushed his chin. Adam’s pulse jumped, but Vincent’s touch stayed tender as he turned Adam’s face toward him. Their eyes met. Adam’s breath hitched, caught between wanting to lean into that contact and waiting for pain. His body couldn’t decide if it wanted to lean forward for a kiss or curl away from an expected blow.
Vincent’s expression stayed soft as he spoke. “Let’s have a do-over.”
Adam blinked. “What?”
“The first time we met.” Vincent’s thumb traced along Adam’s jaw, barely there. “Let’s have a do-over.”
The words didn’t compute. Adam stared at Vincent, trying to parse their meaning through the fog of confusion and lingering fear. A do-over?
“Why?” The word slipped out before Adam could really think it through.
He’s tricking you. This is another game.
“Because,” Vincent started, his voice low and even, “the first time was…messy.”
Adam let out a short laugh, more uncertain than bitter. “Messy? That’s what you call drugging and kidnapping someone?” He tried to ignore how his skin tingled at Vincent’s proximity, how his body remembered every caress from the night before.
“I could have handled it better.”
“You could have—” Adam paused, running a hand through his hair. Part of him wanted to hear the explanation, even as warning bells rang in his head. “What does that even mean? You can’t just…pretend what happened didn’t happen.”
“No.” Vincent shifted closer, the mattress dipping under his weight. The motion sent a wave of his scent washing overAdam, crisp and masculine, making his pulse quicken. “But we can start fresh. From this moment.”
The proximity sent Adam’s heart racing, memories of last night’s intimacy flooding back. His body remembered those hands, that mouth, the fangs, the way Vincent had made him feel so powerless and desired…. He took a steadying breath, trying to quiet both voices in his head screaming at him to run and the one begging him to move closer.
“Why now?” Adam asked softly, hating how husky he sounded. “Because of what happened?”
“Because knowing the truth will keep you safe.” Vincent’s fingers curled into fists on his thighs.
“The truth?”
“Yes.” Vincent rose, pacing to the boarded-up window. “No more half-truths or posturing. But first—” He turned back to Adam. “I want to introduce myself properly.”
A nervous laugh escaped Adam’s throat. “You’re serious about this?”
“My name is Vincent Bellenger.” He stepped forward, extending his hand with an oddly formal air. “Vampire and business owner.”
Adam stared at the offered hand. Every instinct told him to back away, to protect himself. But beneath the wariness, a deeper part made him want to understand. And beneath that, the traitorous heat in his blood made him want to touch. “This is crazy,” he murmured. Still, he reached out, letting his fingers brush Vincent’s cool palm. “Adam Nolan. Kidnapped human.”
