Page 81 of Missing Piece
Vincent took a step back from the stove, turning towards Matteo to give him his full attention.There’s no way he knows.«What do you mean?»
Matteo rolled his eyes and gently pushed Vincent further back from the stove, shutting off the heat. «Two things. One, this is very sweet how you are trying to do human stuff for Adam, but I don’t think the reason he decided to stay is because he expected you to start acting more human. I think he just likes you as you are.»
Vincent raised his hands to reply, but his mind went blank. Was he acting more human? That wasn’t possible. His beast would never tolerate that, and neither would he. He left that part of himself back in a cage a hundred years ago. Showing a little kindness to Adamdidn’t mean he was becoming more human. It was just the decent thing to do, and both Marcus and Matteo were far kinder to humans on a regular basis than he had been in ten years collectively.
«I’m not being more human.»
«You’re being more human for you, even for those of us who know you well. You’ve never once showed an interest in cooking, you have Petrov moving furniture and installing things in the house, you’re spending a lot of time alone with him in your room like you two are on a honeymoon.» Matteo held up a finger to pause that thought as he took over the plating and assembling of the burger Vincent had started, his movements precise but rigid.
«I’m not saying it’s a bad thing at all. Like I said, you seem happier. I’m just saying that our kind aren’t immune to the same pitfalls that others in new relationships fall into. You’re Vincent fucking Bellenger, and no matter how much you like somebody or fuck them against the dryer in the laundry room, that doesn’t take away what you are or who you are. And it doesn’t mean that’s what they want from you either.»
Vincent pursed his lips, folding his hands in front of himself as he waited for Matteo to finish. Luka had already given him one heart-to-heart; he wasn’t expecting Matteo to do the same. It made sense though. Matteo becoming introspective was common when he was fighting his beast.
«Second thing.» Matteo’s hands stilled for a moment, his jaw clenching. «I know you’re planning on going after Richard and I know you haven’t told Adam. I can’t stop you. But I would advise that you tell him. Don’t disappear, and don’t do this alone. If something happens and you don’t come back, it will break that human’s heart.»
Of course it would breakAdam’s heart.Just the thought of never seeing Adam’s face again hurt him in a way both foreign and familiar. Or never getting to watch him put on a brave face while watching some horror movie he always said “wasn’t that scary”. Or the way he would let out a little gasp and groan whenever they had some time alone—
But I have to do this alone. I created Richard. I let him spiral into whatever he’s become.
Just as he began to gather a response, the doorbell light flashed in the kitchen, grabbing their attention. For once, Tariq’s timing was excellent. «It’s Tariq.»
Matteo winced and picked up the plate of food he’d assembled—he’d hide away while Tariq brought in the supply of blood Marcus had managed to secure. More importantly, the address.
«I’ll leave this outside the door before I head downstairs. Think about what I said before you take off.»
Vincent nodded, grateful for the reprieve from the conversation, and waited for the sounds of Matteo’s footsteps to fade up the stairs before answering the front door. Tariq stood on the other side, his smile present but strained as he waved, a red cooler swaying in his other hand.
“Took you long enough,” Tariq said as he pushed Vincent aside to let himself in.
“Do you have it?” Vincent asked as he shut the door and followed Tariq back into the kitchen.
“It smells good in here,” Tariq commented as he set the cooler on the counter and flipped open the lid. He began pulling bags of unlabeled blood out, tossing them haphazardly into the fridge. “By the way, this is the last of the emergency stash from Marcus’s place. He wantsit here in case Matteo gets worse before the next shipment arrives.”
“You’re avoiding the question,” Vincent said sharply, crossing his arms over his chest.
“And you’re being reckless,” Tariq said. He sighed and stood in the light of the refrigerator for a moment, his dark eyes solemn. “Matoskah and Jae tracked a pattern. Three more incidents this week, all pointing to the same area. Ophelia confirmed it: they’re holed up in the old railyard.”
Vincent shook his head. “It’s my mess to clean up. Plus Marcus is with Caleb, and I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Matteo and Adam. With Petrov at the diner and Luka handling Wild Side, we can’t leave Matteo alone. You know what happened last time.”
None of them should have to clean up my mess, especially not when Matteo is barely holding himself together.
Tariq paused, his brow furrowed as he seemed to search for the right words. He opened his mouth, and instead of speaking, a low groan escaped. “Ugh. Fine. But you know I hate this, right? If Matteo snaps while you’re gone and I’m not here…” He shook his head. “Tell me that you’ll come back. Adam needs you, and so do I.”
I made the threat. I have to stop it.
“Just give me the address.”
“Vincent, I really hate this.” Tariq pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. “I sent it to a group chat for just us and the brothers, okay? We’ll come looking for you if you’re not back by dawn.”
“I know,” Vincent sighed as he felt his phone vibrate with the text. “I need you to look after Adam while I’m gone. Can you promise me that?”
“Of course,” Tariq replied without hesitation. “But if youdon’t make it back…What do I tell him?”
Vincent took in a deep breath, his eyes meeting his bare feet as uncomfortable warmth hit his face and his beast stirred in his chest, it too conflicted about what he was going to do.Say it.
“Tell him I’m sorry.”
Coward.
