Chapter 15 - SAFE HOUSE|
That night, Vincent moved Elena and Sophie out of their apartment and into his private estate—a massive, gated fortress in the suburbs surrounded by high walls and twenty-four-hour security.
Sophie fell asleep quickly in one of the guest bedrooms, exhausted by the day’s terror.
Downstairs in the grand living room, a fire crackled in the stone fireplace. Vincent stood by the window, a glass of untouched scotch in his hand, looking out at the rain-slicked gardens.
Elena walked in softly, wearing a soft wool sweater he had lent her.
"Sophie’s asleep," she said quietly.
"Good," Vincent replied without turning around. "You'll stay here until Moretti is dealt with. Completely."
Elena walked over to him, stopping right beside his towering frame. "And when will that be, Vincent? When will the violence stop?"
Vincent turned to face her, his eyes hollow and dark. "It doesn't stop, Elena. This is who I am. This is the world I created. I thought I could keep you separate from it, but I was wrong. I brought danger into your life."
"You didn't bring danger, Vincent," Elena argued softly, placing a hand on his forearm. "Danger was already at my door on Halsted Street. You were the only one who stood between us and the dark."
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Vincent looked down at her hand on his arm. "If you stay near me, people will always try to use you to get to me."
"Then stop running away," Elena whispered, stepping closer, looking up into his worn, battle-scarred face. "We aren't afraid of your world, Vincent. We're afraid of losing you."
