Page 87 of Victorious Vice

He shakes his head. “It’s your father’s house, Raven. Please. Get some rest. Despite what’s been going on for the past couple hours, your gala was a huge success. Revel in that. You did it.”

“Robin and Emily did it,” I say. “I was stuck in the safe house.”

“We all know who did all the behind-the-scenes work, honey,” Dad says. “Vinnie is right. You need to rest.”

“Then I want Vinnie to stay with me,” I say adamantly.

My father shakes his head. “You know what? I’m too exhausted to fight you on it. You’re both adults. I’m too tired to care at this point. There are so many other things on my mind.” He looks toward Vinnie. “Do whatever you think is best. All I really care about right now is Raven’s safety.”

I absolutelyhatethat Dad is making this Vinnie’s decision, not mine. Taking the advice of a mob boss’s grandson over his own daughter’s. But I’ll take the win. And there are other concerns at hand.

“What about Mom and Robin? What about their safety?”

“They are safe. You don’t think I have security on them?”

I bite my lip. Of course he does. My father would not leave anything to chance.

He seems different, though. He’s always been an intelligent and self-assured man, but tonight he seems troubled. And not troubled in the way he was when I was sick.

No.

Something else is going on.

Vinnie has excused himself to make his phone call. He returns a few moments later.

“Come on.” He takes my hand. “Let’s get you to bed.”

“I’ll show you where you can both sleep,” Dad says.

I furrow my brow at him. “Daddy, I grew up in this house. I know where we can sleep. I’ll stay in the guestroom I used after Brick was killed.”

He sighs. “Fine. Vinnie, will you be staying with her?”

Vinnie looks at me, at my father, and then back to me. “I think…I should stay somewhere separate tonight.”

I grab his arm. “Vinnie!”

Dad nods. “You won’t get any pushback from me on that one. Vinnie, you can stay in Raven’s old room. Jared, I’ll show you where you can bunk.”

I shake my head. “I’m sleeping with Vinnie.”

“Raven.” This from Vinnie. “Let’s not tempt fate. You know you’re safer without me.”

I scoff. “This place is a fortress. Falcon and Leif installed the best?—”

He puts his fingers to my lips. “Things are going on that you don’t know about, Raven. It’s better that you remain in the dark.”

“Better for whom?” I demand.

“Better for everyone.” From my father.

But Vinnie doesn’t disagree.

I open my mouth to balk at all of it, but a huge yawn splits my face.

I truly am exhausted.

So I won’t fight it. They can have this battle. I’ll be victorious in the end.

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