Page 92 of Victorious Vice

Yes, my room at Mom and Dad’s.

The room where Brick Latham was killed.

I came here.

I came to Vinnie.

Vinnie!

I slide to the other side of the bed.

“Vinnie?”

Where did he go?

I jump out of bed.

I look around.

No sign of him.

Even his tuxedo, which was thrown over a chair when I came into the room last night, is gone.

I throw on the T-shirt I was wearing, grab an old pair of lounging pants out of my closet, and make my way to the kitchen.

My father and Jared are having a cup of coffee.

I expect them to say something about the fact that I was in the room with Vinnie, but neither does.

Good. I’m twenty-nine years old, after all.

“Where’s Vinnie?” I ask.

My father raises his eyebrows. Does he think Vinnie told me where he was going?

“He called a car early this morning. He said he has business back in Austin. I’ll be joining him there later.”

“What business do you have with Vinnie?” I ask.

Dad brings his mug to his lips. “Nothing you need to be concerned about.”

I shake my head, sighing. “Everything about this concerns me, Daddy. I love Vinnie. And I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” He takes my hand. “And I need you to stay here. Your mother and Robin are coming home this morning. Your mother needs to know you’re safe.”

“What? Did you think I was going to run after Vinnie?”

“No. Jared has his orders.”

I shake my head. “Fine. You win, Daddy. You and Vinnie and Jared, you all win. I’ll stay here like a good little girl. But I need you to do something for me.”

“And what’s that, Raven?”

“If you love me, Dad, and I know you do, please do everything in your power to protect the man I love. Please protect Vinnie.”

32

VINNIE

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