Page 68 of Missing Piece
Yes there is,his mind taunted.Take his other foot. He can’t leave you then.
“Stop this,” Vincent hissed, his knees weak.
“I look forward to seeing what you do with this newfound freedom, Vincent,” Richard said. “We’ll talk soon.”
With a shuddering cry Vincent collapsed, the last shreds of resistance scattered. His beast, despite years of maturity and change, surrendered faster to Richard’s poisonous influence, seizing control. No…Vincentwantedit in control. Of course he did. He was a predator too.
Vincent raised his head, a smile full of fangs on his lips, and Richard laughed in delight at the monster unleashed before him before turning on his heel and leaving the room.
Chapter Twenty-Five - Adam
I’m going to die. Can’t breathe. Going to die if they drag me back in there.
Petrov’s arms were around his chest like a vise, slowly squeezing the life out of him. Matteo and Luka found him huddled in the bathroom, gasping like a fish on dry land, paralyzed by the thought of what would happen once the vampires found him. He didn’t even have time to scream before Matteo pressed a finger to his lips and his jaw locked shut, just like Tariq said it would.
He was going to die and he wouldn’t even get the chance to beg for his life.
He forced his eyes shut as Petrov walked through the curtain. He couldn’t look at that room again. How had he been so comfortable just napping there next to a horrifying monster? How fucking stupid was he to think that he was safe with Vincent? He’d never be safe. Never. Never.
“Put him down and make it so he can speak,” Adam heard Vincent say. Petrov dropped him like a load of laundry that would never get folded. Even with the carpet, the agony of the fall made him groan behind his locked jaw. “Where was he?”
“Restroom,” Petrov said flatly.
Adam flinched as a hand touched the top of his head and his jaw unlocked. He pushed himself up onto his knees, willing his eyes open to stare down at the somewhat soft flooring beneath him, trembling as Vincent loomed over him. How could he have been so stupid? Thinking that things would be okay with a literal monster beside him? Letting that monster hold him and touch him?
It was a lie. All of it. A twisted game to gain his trust before ripping it away. His chest tightened at the thought, a broken sob caught in his throat.
“Look at me, Adam.” Vincent’s voice held a sneer that turned his name into a taunt. Harsh fingers grasped his chin, forcing his head up. There was no more warmth in Vincent’s eyes. No affection.
This is the real him. The real Vincent.
“Pl-please,” Adam choked out. “Just let me go…”
Vincent smirked. “Why would I do that?”
“Vincent, what is going on? What happened, this isn’t-” Petrov began.
“Zamolci!” the blond snapped.
Adam’s eyes darted to Matteo and Luka, hope flickering as they signed at each other rapidly. Matteo met his gaze, and for a moment Adam hoped he could help, but then Matteo only shrugged, shaking his head with a solemn face.
They were in on it.Adam slumped in despair right as Vincent grabbed him by his hair. “Look at me,” Vincent snarled.
Adam trembled but obeyed. He searched his mind for anything that could help, grasping for some memory of the caring creature the monster had pretended to be.
“Y-you said you didn’t want to kill me,” he whispered.
Vincent’s mouth fell open as though he were justremembering that as well. “Adam…” Vincent sounded soft. Kind. Bordering on concerned.
Adam’s stomach knotted. “Please let me go. S-something’s happening…”
Vincent’s grip on Adam’s hair tightened, the stony look returning to his face. “I’m not letting you go,” he growled, his cheek twitching as a grin formed across his face.
Vincent yanked him viciously to his feet. His eyes locked onto the fresh bite wound marring Adam’s neck. Vincent sneered as he pulled Adam close, inhaling deeply and breathing in the scent of the other man. “I’ll make sure no one ever touches you again.”
Adam’s terror rose like bile in his throat, realizing any hope of escape had dissipated. There was not an ounce of mercy in Vincent’s eyes; only an impending vicious delight. His rage would drag out for days, punishing Adam until nothing remained but a broken shell of who he once was.
“End this,” Adam begged hoarsely through tears as he fought to remain standing. Death was more bearable than what Vincent had planned for him.
