Page 78 of Volatile Vice

Of course he has. He’s being paid handsomely to be my bodyguard.

I don’t speak.

He doesn’t speak.

He knows why I’m here, and God bless him, he’s not asking questions.

Good. His only job is to follow me and ensure my safety. Knowing the inner workings of my heart isn’t part of his contracted obligations.

We get to the floor, and I read the signs that show me to the waiting area.

And there he is.

Vinnie.

His eyes are sunken and sad, his hair mussed, his suit rumpled. He’s probably been here all night. Falcon and Savannah are there as well.

“Vinnie!” I rush toward him.

He widens his eyes slowly as he sees me. At first he doesn’t move, but then he snaps to his feet, grabbing onto me. “Raven, my God. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Where else would I be? Your mother is having surgery.”

“But—”

I take his face in my hands. “I know all the ‘buts,’ Vinnie. Why we can’t be together. Why you’re no good for me. Right now I don’t care. I love you, and my place is here at your side in this time of crisis. Is your mother okay? I heard she’s out of surgery.”

He blinks. “She’s stable. Yeah.”

“What can I do for you? A drink? Coffee?”

He grabs my hand and ushers me out of earshot of Falcon and Savannah. “You need to go, Raven.” Then he looks up at Jared—my bodyguard the size of a tank—and raises his eyebrows.

“Falcon hired him,” I say.

“Good. I need you to go. You’re not safe with me.”

“We’re in a hospital, Vinnie. Nothing will happen to me here.” I sigh as I realize what I just said. “That’s a lie if I ever heard one. A hospital is where I found out I was sick. Where they pumped poison into my veins, and it didn’t even kill the cancer raging inside me. God, I hate hospitals.”

“Which is another reason why you shouldn’t be here.” He gives me a gentle push away from him. “Live your life, Raven. Please. I need you safe. I need to know you’re happy.”

“I’ll be happy,” I whisper, “as long as I’m with you.”

“Fuck.” He rubs his forehead. “You’re killing me here.” He grabs my hand and leads me down a hallway, checking doors.

We end up in a janitorial closet, the smell of cleaning products sharp in the air. He closes the door behind us and flips on the light. It feels cramped, but in this moment, I welcome the closeness.

“Raven,” he starts, his voice rough. “I can’t do that to you. I can’t let you suffer because of me.”

“But Iamsuffering, Vinnie,” I say, my voice breaking. “Every day away from you is agony.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “It’s not about just you and me anymore,” he says quietly. “You know that. It’s about something so much bigger.”

“I—”

But I stop talking when his mouth comes down on mine.

The kiss is raw and passionate, and I return it with all the love I feel for him.

---