"Vector," Alvin said, obviously surprised. He took a step back, his eyes wide, and I swallowed, examining Vector.The woman on his arm wore a big smile, her hand resting on his chest as she examined us."Who are they?"No one bothered answering her, and I bit down on my lip, then turned away. "Let's go, Alvin."Alvin, however, stopped, his eyes holding Vector's steely gaze. Without a word to me, he slowly walked to Vector. Vector moved away from the girl, who didn't even have the time to process what was happening before Alvin pulled her to his car."Alvin," I said, but my voice was drowned out by the other girl's screams. I doubt he would care even if it wasn't.Alvin closed the door and drove away like someone who was remote-controlled. I turned to Vector, who seemed rather unbothered by the fiasco."What are you doing?"He shrugged. "I had no idea you and Alvin were so chummy. Going on dates and all.""You are one to talk," I said, my eyes thin. "How about bringing back your fake re
Vector watched me for a long minute, his eyes thin. I could see the wheels of his head spinning, and I wished it was that easy to see what direction they were spinning in. To see whether he was lying about my father, about Ivan, about Alvin, or if, God help me, it was all true. What would it mean for me if...My train of thoughts ceased as he took a step to me, his eyes lingering below mine."You don't know what you are signing up for," he said, his voice raspy, his breath tickling me."Enlighten me, then. All I know is that I am playing a dangerous game, and a murderer stands before me."He gave a small laugh but didn't move, his hand instead cupping my face. "You are right, Red. It gets even more dangerous now."I met his eyes, and for some reason, he felt even closer, his lashes brushing mine, the moistness of his lips touching the sensitive edge of mine. I closed my eyes and leaned further into me.Forgive me, father, for I am here in the arms of your murderer and I like it."Why
For a minute, all was silent. My mind reeled as the name rang a bell. Don Al. He was the first person we had seen in that ball. The man who had told dad that he was late for the toast.Vector let go of me, then turned to Alvin, his brows furrowed. "Don Al? Don Al is dead?"Alvin nodded slowly, and I waited for the outburst. He would probably flip. Maybe someone was threatening him. Maybe...Vector broke into a small laughter, his hands clapping once. I turned to him, surprise filling me up. I thought Don Al was his ally?"What is funny?" I asked, my eyes taking him in.He turned to me with a smile. "Don't worry your pretty head about it. Let's go home.""But Vector, I thought he was your ally?""Yes, was. He is dead now."My lips parted. "Shouldn't you be more... sad? Rattled? What if someone killed him to get to you?"He shrugged. "I'd say he missed. Terribly." I blinked, and he turned to Alvin, his fingers dismissive. "Send me the funeral details, and I will try to attend if I hav
The ride was silent, and I watched the passing buildings and lights, my mind absent. Slowly, we reached the mansion, and Vector turned to me.I was fully aware of his eyes scanning me, the tension rising in the car. He gave a small sigh, and when he spoke, his voice was low."Get down."I turned to him. "What?"He met my eyes. "I said, get down. I meed to be somewhere else."I took in a deep breath and said nothing, then got out of the car, leaving the door open. He didn't say a word even as I walked away from him towards the grand entrance of the mansion.It was dark and quiet inside, and I started to navigate the way to the stairs. Suddenly, I felt a hand wrap around my arm, then push me back, my back hitting the wall with a soft thud."Vec..." I started to say, my eyes wide, but the words were stiffled in my throat as the hand clamped down harder on my lips.I swallowed, my chest heaving. It didn't smell like Vector, and I could tell that as he slowly leaned to me."It's Alvin. I h
"That's a lie," I blurted without thinking, my eyes wide. "Your brother was responsible for killing Vector's best friend. He said...""You believe Vector? Really? He killed your father who served him for years and even helped him with some of his unspeakable acts and you think he gives a damn about a fucking best friend?"I swallowed. It didn't make sense. At all. Vector seemed thoroughly hurt. So hurt that I had seen myself in his eyes. They don't lie. That pain I saw... it doesn't lie."Why did Vector kill Ivan, then? Make it make fucking sense, Alvin.""He blames him...""Why? Why would he blame him for slmething Vector did himself? Why would he...""Red! Are you really defending Vector now? Are you really doubting what that scum of a man can do?""No, that's not it, but let's be objective. Vector would never lie about his involvement in the death of anyone. He has said it to my face so many times that he doesn't regret killing my father. There is no way he would lie to me about s
I looked up, my eyes wide. My heart was threatening to burst out of my chest, my now blood staining my vision. Vector was towering above me. His eyes were blank and cold, but he was holding a gun to my head, his teeth gritted."How dare you, Red?"I opened my mouth to talk before suddenly, a voice interrupted me. "No. Kill him. Kill the bastard. He did it to me. He destroyed us, Red."My dad was sitting on the floor, blood all around him, a hole in his head. He was seething too, his eyes wide as he glared between I and Vector.Vector seemed rather unbothered as he kicked a gun to me, his eyes fixed on mine."I dare you."I turned to my father. He was saying things I could no longer understand, his eyes wide, his blood filling the room. I picked the gun and pointed straight to Vector, whose expression never changed."Pull the trigger. Pull the trigger, Red." Alvin was standing next to me now, and right behind him was Ivan, a hole in his head just like my father. "Stop," I said, moving
The TV came on again, and I watched, my eyes wide. It was a video, and Vector was standing right at the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing a white suit as usual, his hair flipped to one side. His beard was much less trim, and he looked less calm, more roguish. His gun was pointed at someone whose back I could only see, and I swallowed.That must be Ivan."How dare you fucking touch her?""She is my wife. You both know...""I will fucking kill you, Ivan! She was fucking pregnant with..." The video suddenly glitched. I swallowed, turning to Vector, whose eyes had grown even darker. The video came back on, and this time, the view was on the floor, like whatever camera it was, had fallen down. From the point of view, we could see a woman on the floor, Vector kneeling above her, his lips parted. My shoulders fell as I watched him. His forehead was ripped through with veins, his fingers trembling. The knees of his pants were soaked with blood, and his gaze was unfocused. "Emma," he sai
The man behind me immediately pushed me forward, and I stepped to the middle, where Alvin had just been standing. Vector's eyes were thin as he held mine, his glass lightly caressing his lips.I swallowed and tore my gaze away from him as the shooter took his aim, straight to my forehead. Slowly, Vector reached for the man's arm and collected the gun, his eyes so dark I couldn't tell what sort of emotions were lodged in them. But I guess even the darkness is an emotion."Senor," the man said, his voice low as he turned to Vector. "I have no questions for her. You are free to ask."I swallowed but said nothing."Senor," Diego said, turning to Vector. "You do not wish to know how involved she was with that bastard? What if she is carrying his...""I doubt she is," Vector said. "You can ask whatever you want. I shall pull the trigger."I blinked rapidly, my fists clenching. My palms were moist from the cold sweat, but I knew there was no other way now. I had gotten into this mess on my
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