Page 29 of Missing Piece (Neon Scars #2)

Vincent shrugged as he scooted back against the wall, holding the wine bottle in his lap.

“Exactly how it sounds. He goes insane every few months and takes off on a feeding spree.” He sounded casual about it, like he was discussing the weather.

“We can usually catch him before it happens and just force-feed him. Sometimes we have to go on a road trip and follow the trail of bodies.”

It didn’t sound right. Matteo leaving a trail of bodies? He’d only met him once, but everything about his manner was warm and friendly. “Is that going to happen again soon?” Adam asked. The shrieking from the child-vampire echoed in his mind.

Was that what Matteo became when he went “feral”? He couldn’t picture it. Or at least, he didn’t want to. Because the thought of a full-grown man becoming that was far more frightening than anything else he’d seen.

“Probably after the New Year. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Vincent said. “It’s not a big deal anymore, we’ve been doing this for sixty years with him. And don’t worry, you’re safe with me. Even at his worst, he knows I’d rip his dick off with my bare hands if he messed with you.”

Adam gulped. Okay, so maybe Matteo wasn’t as warm and friendly as he’d thought. But then again, trying to resist something and then taking off without a word was something he’d done more than once, so really, who was he to judge?

Stop sympathizing with your kidnappers, you idiot.

He grabbed the peanut butter sandwich and nibbled at the edge of the bread, his stomach both full and empty at the same time.

Maybe it was hunger, maybe lack of hunger from still being confused and stressed.

He didn’t want to eat, but Vincent had tried to make him food, and he wanted Vincent to keep being nice to him.

Vincent pulled out his phone and tapped a few buttons that made the TV turn on. “I should be sleeping right now, but since we’re both awake, why don’t we find something to watch?”

Adam glanced from the TV back to Vincent, wondering if he’d heard correctly. “Um, sure?”

“I think we have every streaming service known to man. What do you like to watch? And don’t say superhero movies.

Ophelia’s father is obsessed with them, and I would rather gouge out my eyes and wait for them to grow back than watch another over-the-top CGI fest,” Vincent said, pulling up a menu that did show every streaming service Adam had ever heard of, and a few that he hadn’t.

“I don’t really like superhero stuff,” he started before the rest of Vincent’s words registered. “Wait, did you say your eyes would grow back if you gouged them out?”

He glanced down at his prosthetic foot and the metal ankle that poked out from his pants. Would becoming a blood drinking monster be worth getting that part of me back?

Vincent placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder.

“Yes, but it doesn’t work like that,” he said reluctantly.

“Being one of us doesn’t fix anything that healed before the turn.

It’s not magic. That’s why so many of us have scars.

I have a friend missing an eye, some are missing fingers and toes.

Becoming a vampire didn’t fix Matteo’s hearing or Luka’s vocal cords.

Contrary to movies and books, becoming a vampire doesn’t fix anything wrong with you before you were turned. ”

Adam frowned. That idea didn’t even last long enough to create a moral crisis.

“Get out of your head and give me a genre for a movie or show, or I’m going to pick and you’ll probably hate it,” Vincent said, snapping his fingers in front of Adam’s face.

Damn. Adam blinked several times and reached for the glass of water. “I like scary movies.” Only then did he realize how ridiculous that sounded. His life had turned into a horror movie. Why would he willingly watch one with the same kind of monster that was often the villain in those movies?

Vincent’s laugh told him the irony wasn’t lost on the vampire either.

“Okay, horror. There’s a new Hellraiser movie out right now, and my friend Jae told me about this Korean film set in a haunted asylum.

Both sound pretty good, so human’s choice today.

” He cocked his head at Adam for just a moment before saying, “And yes, Jae is a vampire. Just assume anyone I mention is one.”

Adam nodded slowly. “Good to know. I like Hellraiser, but I also love a good haunting movie. Actually, if a horror movie sucks, that almost makes it better because you can laugh at it, so both? If you’re not too tired, I guess.

” How much sleep did vampires need? Was it the same as being human, just during the day? Did they need to sleep at all?

He wanted to ask, but Vincent had already shared a lot with him. He didn’t want to push his luck.

“I’ll sleep at some point,” Vincent chuckled, clicking on one of the apps. He handed the bottle of yellowish liquor to Adam. “I brought this in case you wanted a drink. It’s called rakija and it sucks, but it’s the only alcohol I have that wouldn’t be weird for you to drink.”

“Thanks.” It probably wasn’t a good idea to drink. He probably still had a concussion or two, but it’s not like he’d ever let a bad idea stop him.

He continued to nibble at the sandwich, both of them silent through the first ten minutes of the film.

He was used to commenting on whatever was happening, which made him a nightmare to see a movie with, but he wasn’t sure if Vincent was one of those guys who would shush other people in theaters, so he held back.

It wasn’t until a character on screen began tempting the female lead with drugs that Vincent began running his hands over his pants, almost nervously, before pulling out his phone to pause it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know it had—” he began, his brow creased with concern, “—this.”

It took Adam a moment to figure out what he was trying to say, then he let out a small laugh. “It’s fine. Fictional drug use and addicts don’t trigger me or anything.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to do something that might—”

Adam shook his head and reached out to touch Vincent’s hand that still ran along his pant leg, but pulled back when he realized what he was doing.

The day was already going so well, he didn’t want to mess it up by touching Vincent without permission and making him lash out.

“It’s fine, really. If I get uncomfortable, I’ll let you know. ”

Vincent flashed a smile as he hit the button to start the movie again.

Adam twisted the cap off the rakija bottle, pretending he couldn’t see Vincent’s constant glances in his direction. He’d never had someone who cared enough about where he was mentally to ask him straight up if he was uncomfortable.

Maybe it would be okay to stay with Vincent a while longer.