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Another knock.

I took a deep breath. I couldn’t think of an excuse not to go, other than my legs hurt. No way would she accept that.

Hopefully, it’s just the kitchen staff with the broth for dinner.

Unlocking the bedroom door.

My whole body relaxes immediately.

Vince.

I opened the door wider and stepped back to let him in. God, I had missed him.

Nikolai must have told him, by his cold, unreadable expression. Before he could say a word, I stepped forward, leaning into him.

He sighed, hugging me back.

“I missed you,” I pulled back to look at him. “How have you been? Are you sleeping again?”

He gently brushed my hair back, looking at me too intently. I pulled away from him.

“I know it’s bad, okay? I told dad, Noah will be paying if I need cosmetic surgery.” Though, I’d probably pay for it myself, so I never had to see that man again.

Instead of letting me out of his grip, he held my waist, pulling me back to him. Right now, I couldn’t read what he was thinking, and it sort of scared me.

“Um Vince, you're kind of scaring me being this quiet.”

He kissed the side of my face, “Sorry,”

At least he wasn’t mad at me. Another knock on the door. I stepped out of his embrace and opened it. Thank God it was just dinner. Taking the tray off the waiter and stepping back. Vince closed the door for me.

“Why even bring a tray? It’s one bowl. Hell. Why couldn’t they just give me a cup?” I took the bowl off the stupid tray and put it on the bedside table.

I jumped, startled, as Vince wrapped his arm around my waist. Touching his arm, before he took my reaction the wrong way.

“Sorry, it's not you.” I turned around, “Are you okay?” he was rather pale.

“Come home with me?” he gently touched the side of my head. “Please.”

“Okay, after I have this.”

His hand tightened on my waist. “Flavored warm water?”

I nodded, smiling. “I probably can get a cup and take it with me.” actually, that was a really good idea. I’d do that.

I was about to step away from him again when he pulled me back to his chest. Hugging me tighter.

For the first time in months, I felt relaxed. Finally, feeling safe again.

CHAPTER 16

Vince

“My strongest Crow,” Damius tapped the edge of the knife on the desk, staring at me. “Is responsible for creating three of the weakest to carry our name.”

At a young age, I had learned, giving him any reaction only fed him.

“I gave you those boys, expecting you to mold crows. Not to create three low-level thugs.”