Manuel gave a long sigh, then raked his fingers through his hair. "I didn't want to relive this. Neither did Vector want you to find out. Vector's father was a drunkard, and he was so abusive of he and his mother. That one rainy night, Vector watched him bring two other men home, fully intending to force themselves on Vector's mother. He put a gun to his father's head and shot. Followed by the two other men. Then, Vector was already backed by the family of his current consigliere, who saw a lot of promise in him. He was never convicted. That experience made him unable to watch children being tortured. So yes, he did take revenge for you at Segura, but he has always wanted to take that place down."I closed my eyes, my chest heaving. "He grew up well.""Of course he did. He is Vector. And he is not going to trauma dump on you just so you can pity him."I nodded, sitting back. The news was off, and I bit down on my lips. "He never even said a word.""That's Vector for you. What are you
I held on to Vector as he dropped the unlit cigarette and wrapped his hands around both my thighs, then stood up, keeping me in place around him the way I had sat on his lap.I closed my eyes as he walked around to the bed slowly but then stopped in place. His eyes were thin, and he turned to me."I would prefer a bath," he said the words slowly, and I bit down on my lip."Sure."He watched my eyes, and I swallowed. A minute of silence passed by, and I let out a small sigh. "I will help with your robe."He nodded, then dropped me gently by the edge of the bed, and I watched him walk away. I saw him pick up a cigarette, a lighter, and a cup of alcohol however, and I knew he needed his time alone.I gave a small sigh as I grabbed his robe, then slowly opened the door to the bathroom. Vector was sitting on the neat floor, his knees drawn to him, one hand covering his face, the other resting on his knee. I swallowed, watching him, my lips sucked in. When he moved to take a smoke, his e
Time had passed steadily, and Vector had quietened down in the bathroom. He had not emerged still, and I was starting to grow worried, my eyes thinning as I watched the bathroom door intently. I turned to the clock. It was past ten now.I bit down on my lip and sniffed, wiping the tears away from my eyes. I was holding the cup of beer and headed to the bathroom. Vector was lying in the bathtub, his eyes closed, his chest rising up and down steadily. He didn't look like someone who had cried, but like someone who was leisurely enjoying a bath.I walked slowly towards him, my eyes sweeping over him. "Vector. Are you okay?"He turned to me and raised a brow. "This is a bathroom, Red, in case you didn't notice."I swallowed. "I was just really concerned about you."He gave a small snicker. "Were you worried about me, or did you just want to see me naked?""This isn't the time to joke," I said, sitting on the edge of the bathtub. "Yo didn't look good earlier." Neither did he sound good to
I met Vector's eyes, my lips parting. I expected him to look away, to deny what he had just said, or at least, to shy away from it. He didn't. He simply let his fingers slowly caress my face, his fingers pushing strands of hair away from my forehead, his eyes taking me in. I couldn't think of the right words to say. The right thing to do. My eyes slowly glided down to his lips and then back to his eyes.It was much easier to make decisions based on lust. Based on nothing more than sizzling intensity and desire. But what of everything settled? What of everything calmed, and there was nothing but this beautiful silence where I could feel his heartbeat, and I know he could hear mine?"You don't mean that," I said, my eyes averting his gaze. It made me feel things the heavens would cuss me out for feeling.He gave a small chuckle and slowly nodded. "I know."I swallowed. "Don't say things you don't mean, Vector.""Why?" He asked, dipping his hand under the water to move me even closer to
My appetite was gone by now, and I sighed, leaning back. My fingers wrapped around the fork, and I closed my eyes, then stabbed the contents of the plate."Jealous much?" Manuel asked, and I opened my eyes just as he grabbed the cup of wine close to me."I am not jealous.""Sure. What's making you all stressed and hideous?""I am not hideous!" I said, but turned to him either way.He rolled his eyes. "Vector definitely knows that. But tell me. Or ask. Whatever.""Who exactly is this Emilia, and what does Vector think of her? Why is he going to pick her up from the airport himself?"Manuel looked up to me. "And you are not jealous?"I bit down on my lips. "I just... I am curious. That's all."He nodded slowly. "Well, Emilia is Emilio's junior sister. She is an airhead who probably had her hair in bright pink right now, but... judging from earlier, she is most probably better than you at proclaiming her feelings and taking a side. She is very possessive of Vector and has been trying to
My eyes slowly fluttered open, my chest heaving as I took in my surroundings. The lights were bright, and it stung my eyes, my hands coming over my eyes to shield them. I closed my eyes tight, my brows burrowing as I tried to remember what was happening. Why was I here and...The memories came back violently, Manuel's words, all of the voices immediately crashing into me. My eyes widened, and I sat up, crashing straight into a familiar warmth.My lips parted as Vector's hands wrapped around me tight, keeping my body buried protectively within his, my chest heaving."You are safe, sweetheart. I am here."I swallowed, my chest heaving as I turned to him, my lips parting. "You... Vector?""It's me," he whispered in my ear. "You are safe. There is no danger here."I bit down on my lips. "I... I...""Shhh... lay down. You fainted."Before I could reply, he slowly pulled back, till he was hovering above me, his eyes taking mine in, his body shielding me from the light.My hands were still w
I turned to Vector, whose eyes were calmer than his voice, his other hand still leisurely tucked in his pocket, his lips in a defiant straight line. He pushed her hand away, causing her to take a step back, her eyes wide."How can you push me away over some..." she trailed off, her eyes darting between me and Vector. She swallowed hard, then sighed. "You didn't even come to pick me up from the airport, and that has been tradition for years, Vector. Why?""I had more important things to attend to.""With her?" She asked, her voice going high again, her brow raised."With her," Vector calmly replied. "Now, if you would excuse me. The guest rooms are downstairs."She looked around. "Is this your room?"Vector did not skip a beat before replying. "It is Red's room.""Why does she have a room...""Get out."Her eyes widened even more, and she looked quite ready to start another round of tantrums. "But Vector, I....""I said, get out. I will see you at dinner."She turned to me, her jaws cl
I took a quick shower and changed into a dress, then slowly headed downstairs towards the dining table. Vector was, however, not alone, and Manuel sat exactly where he had been sitting earlier, his lis moving as he spoke fluent Spanish, his fingers demonstrating.I walked to the dining and then took the seat on the right of Vector. Almost instinctively, he pulled the seat closer to him and then handed me a glass of wine.Manuel laughed and turned to Vector, saying something in Spanish. My brows furrowed at him as I struggled to translate it.I thought it translated to; "You are quite possessive, aren't you, Vector?"Vector met his eyes, then let his eyes dart to me before he started to fill my plate."She is a delicate thing. Stop filling her ears and mind your business." He had replied in Spanish too, and I was starting to get a bit lost.Manuel laughed and started to talk when I turned to him. "Stop gossiping about me."His laugh faltered a bit before he broke into full-fledged hyst
Vector was in bed, and I slowly leaned to him, my lips gently kissing his forehead. He gave a small smile and turned to me, his eyes slowly meeting mine."Aren't you going out today?"He shook his head. "She called me dada. She obviously wants me to stay home."I broke into a laugh. "That little traitor. Betraying me like that."He pulled me in. "I could call you baby whenever you want."I broke into a laugh, my eyes darting to the sleeping child. She was just six months old, and she was closer to Vector than ever. She even took after his beautiful, different colored eyes, and I was convinced that my genes hadn't even tried at all.I kissed his forehead again, then smiled. "Everyone is coming for dinner today. Get ready, okay?""Yes, ma'am."I broke into a smile, stealing one more kiss from him, before I walked away. We spent the evening downstairs with everyone. Dad, who was more than excited to be a grandfather and was even taking lessons, Rose, who took every chance to touch Victor
I woke up naked in bed, and Vector wasn't by my side either. I turned, my eyes squinting, my chest heaving as I took the room in. There was no sign of the shower. I turned to my left, and a bouquet of roses was sitting there, with a letter hanging out from it. I broke into a smile, then sat up, grabbing the letter, a smile lighting up my lips."Come meet me in the below address in an hour. I love you."My brows furrowed as I looked down at the address, my chest heaving. I jumped out of bed, then swiftly went to the shower. I checked the time on my phone. I hadn't realized it was past twelve already, but anyone would understand how much I needed my first worry free sleep in so long. In forever. Slowly, I chose a dress, then put my hair up in a ponytail. It was a cute, flowery sun dress, and I twirled around in it for a bit, my smile big.Manuel was waiting in the car when I got down, and something about his smile made me feel like he knew what was going on but simply won't tell me.I
I wrapped Vector's jacket around me as the doctor gave us instructions to take care of the wound. Vector nodded slowly, but his eyes held mine, and I wondered if he ever actually did listen to the doctor. Manuel followed the doctor and finished with the remaining discharge processes, and I stayed back with Vector, who was finally falling asleep, fatigue, lack of sleep, and the pain catching up with him."We can go now," Manuel announced, coming up to us. I went to Vector's side, then wrapped his arm around me, while Manuel did the same to his left. That way, we got him out of the hospital and to the car. I got in the back with him, then gently adjusted him to lie on my lap, my fingers slowly pushing through his hair, my smile small.He was now weak, and it didn't take him long to fall asleep, his eyes closing gradually. I leaned to kiss his forehead, and he gave a weak smile before he finally fell asleep. The ride this time was slow, and I actually got to breathe. I watched the sig
Manuel cut through the teeming traffic as he drove us at top speed to the hospital. My heart was in my throat by the time we got to the hospital, my eyes darting fearfully between the outside environment and Vector, who was now motionless.Manuel got out, then came around and opened the door. I got out first, and he leaned, then slowly brought Vector out of the car. I ran to support him, and we walked into the hospital with Vector between us.They immediately brought a stroller, and we lay Vector on it. We followed behind them as they wheeled him to the operating room."It appears to be a gunshot wound, " one of the doctors said, adjusting his gloves. "Do you have a police report?"I swallowed. Tears were running down my cheeks now, and I wasn't even sure how to control it. They wanted to wait another ten minutes to bring that man to give a police report even when my Vector wasn't even moving anymore?I turned. Vector's gun was still in my hand, and I sucked in a deep breath, my eyes
I gasped as Vector gave a small smile, his eyes darkening as he got progressively angrier. Slowly, he cracked his gun, then slowly moved Don Lucian's head, his voice low with a murderous darkness behind it. "Let's try, then.""Vector," I said, but before the word could get out of my mouth, a van I recognized drove into the port and then parked. I turned, just as my real father was brought out at gun point, his eyes wide, his hands brought up in a surrender."Dad!" I screamed, and it distracted Vector momentarily, causing Don Lucian to swing for the chance he got.He immediately grabbed me by the neck, forcing me to his body, a wicked laugh escaping his lips, his eyes thin with evil."You fool, you really thought you could outsmart me? How about living the rest of your life like that bastard pining for your Rose?""Red," Vector said, his eyes wide. I could immediately see his resolve weakening, fear flashing in his eyes. Manuel ran out, his chest heaving. "Don't shoot!"Vector blinke
I nodded, my breath hitching in my throat. The cars stopped, and for a short while, no one came out of them. I held my breath, then turned to Vector, whose eyes were thin now, his fingers clasped into each other.Slowly, the first car opened, and I watched as Don Lucian walked out of the car, his eyes thin. His eyes took in the port before it landed on Jonas' dead body.He looked up, and in the blink of an eye, the other cars he had come with opened up, armed men trooping out immediately, surrounding us.Vector gave a small chuckle, his eyes becoming a lot thinner. I know what that meant. He was getting even angrier."Deploy the men," Vector said, and I watched as the place was slowly covered by even more men, armed to the core, their guns aimed towards Don Lucian's men.Don Lucian looked cornered, his eyes wide and filled with rage. Manuel slowly came out of his car, his gun held tight and ready to shoot."Have you missed us? Don?"Don Lucian met Manuel's eyes, and he swallowed, clen
The ride was silent, and Vector called once to make sure I was on my way. He spoke to the driver, and I leaned back, my chest heaving. All of it was so nerve-wracking, and I needed to see the end to this. Has there been some sort of change in plans? Was there some sort of problem?Suddenly, the car stopped. I turned around, and Vector's car was parked by the aide. My eyes thinned as I watched the car. Slowly, he rolled down the glass, and Vector's face slowly came into view.He had a small smile and a cigar between his lips, his eyes dark. I broke into a smile and went out of the car, without waiting for him to come to me.I went into the car, and he broke into a laugh as I lunged myself into him, smile big, my chest heaving hard. He wrapped his hands around me, his lips blessing every inch of my skin available to him. My face, my lips, my neck, my shoulders, the tops of my breasts, my fingers, my arms.I guess he felt the same emptiness I had all night long."Fuck, I missed you," he
I lay in bed, my eyes watching the bright chandelier. I had lost track of time, and I just lay there. Halfway across the city to Vector, and another part of me just laying here, waiting for something, anything. Needing something to tell me that Vector was okay.A knock came on my door, and I turned to it, my eyes slowly blinking. Hillary poked her head in, then gave me a small smile as she caught my eyes."I thought you would be alone. Manuel told me they were leaving."I nodded, then slowly sat up. My phone was lying on the bedside drawer, and I sighed, watching it. There was nothing."Are you okay?"I nodded slowly. "You?""Ibam fine. Could you lend me one of your clothes, please? We are the same size and I really need to go somewhere."I nodded, forcing myself to sit up, my chest slightly heaving. I got out of bed, then slowly led her to the wardrobe. I let her choose, and she picked the simplest one, just something that looked rather plain."Is that really what you want?" I asked,
Vector closed the door and turned back to me, a small smile on his face. He leaned to me, his fingers gently massaging my scalp. "You should rest. I will be back."I shook my head, sitting up, my chest slightly heaving. "I will dress up and come downstairs. This involves me as much as it does you."He nodded, kissing me hard, his grip on my face almost desperate. He pulled away, then kissed around my face again, his eyes closed.I could hear the silent prayer in those kisses. I could tell he was nervous. He never really was, but now, because I was there, because I was a weakness, he had no other option.He was scared, just as I was. This could go either way, and this story could end with me losing him. This story could come to an end with me standing above him. I would hate for that to happen.I got out of bed, then slowly dressed up in comfortable shorts and a large sweatshirt. Soon enough, we went downstairs where Manuel was, with a group of armed men.His eyes were thin, and ever