Chapter 71: IN TROUBLE

Arianna

When he leaves, Vincent takes me by the elbow in a different direction and pulls me into some empty room, filled with darkness. Closing the door behind us, I don’t know what to expect when I hear him reach into his pocket in front of his pants, swishing something out of it.

Only a while later, I realise what it is when he opens the lid of a lighter to create some light from the little fire fuel as it illuminates the man in front of me. Just then, I see him dressed in the same clothes as before, like in the club, but without a jacket on top. One thing stood out than the rest. His shirt and vest, as well as the pants, are sprayed with blood.

One doesn’t need to take a science test to know whose blood it is.

With inked arms, full of black tattoos and hair dishevelled in a total mess, he looked like a real killer who had just murdered someone as he stood there like a devil from hell, bathed in his victim's blood.

I’ve witnessed it in front of my eyes before, but knowing he is doing this almost every day for the taste of blood and revenge if they piss him off doesn’t seem so good right now, as the need to gag from the sight has me take a step back.

Vincent narrows his eyes in confusion but then tilts his head to the side, lips stretching in a mocking smile.

“What’s the matter, love? Suddenly afraid of the monster?” Taking a step closer, I feel weak in the knees when I step backwards in return.

I trusted him with my life and knew that he would never hurt me, but he looked like he would eat my soul for dinner if I made the mistake of doubting him.

“No,” I lied,” I’m glad you’re safe. I was worried when I left you in the club,” keeping my voice steady, I back away further but then my back meets the glass wall, not giving me a chance to escape from him as he advances on me with slow silent steps, each one, deadly than the other.

Assessing me with his gaze as his golden eyes travel from head to toe, his voice softens in a chilling whisper,” You’re not hurt, are you?”

I gulp, feeling butterflies swirling in my stomach from his concern,” No.”

A hard exhale and then his eyes harden again,” Good. Very good, baby. I wouldn’t want to go kill another tonight. I’ve had plenty of punishments delivered in one day.”

I just nod, unable to speak.

“And Tomas? Did you have any trouble with him? Did he touch you?”

I hesitate. Well…he did touch me when he first found me, but that was just to make sure I’m safe and sound.

Seeing his nostrils flare from my silence, I rush out to say,” Only my shoulder to ensure I’m all right. That’s all. Nothing else. You don’t need to punish him if I insist on coming.”

Taking another step, he is there, just a breath away, when the lighter comes close to the side of my face, spreading heat on my skin from its fire.

Strong fingers wrap around my throat and grab my jaw to lift my gaze to his,” You seem to be fond of him. Why?” He sounded curious, but there was a dark undertone in his voice when his index finger tapped my pulse, watching me swallow another gulp.

“Vince. I don’t want you to hurt others because of me if they are not to blame. They work for you,” it was hard to speak when the smell of blood hit my nose with his own masculine scent.

Leaning closer, his lips brush mine gently, breathing me in,” I will kill anyone who dares to touch you or hurt you. Even my own people. You’re my priority till death do us part,” making a vow, I can’t help but close my eyes from the intensity of his words.

His obsession had no bounds.

“Another proposal?” I tried to joke.

I felt Vincent grin against my mouth in a sardonic chuckle.

Pulling the lighter away from my face, he lifted it above my head and pressed himself against me to tilt his head sideways, feeling his lips on my neck this time when the strands of his hair tickled my nose. Even covered in blood, his hair was clean and smelling sweet like jasmine.

Sliding his other hand against my waist, those deadly killer fingers lifted my dress higher and slipped underneath to rest his palm on my ass, feeling his skin heating mine in the process.

The fact that he killed people with those hands makes me flinch as I stare ahead, into the darkness of the room, seeing some shadows flickering from the lighter above.

Living in a fantasy was totally different from the real thing, so I was still afraid. Even if my body betrayed me from his closeness and his touch, despite all the red flags, desire still won when arousal pooled inside me.