Page 52 of Missing Piece (Neon Scars #2)
“Solomon had me carve into his chest as he was dying some nonsense symbol he found in a book and insisted we leave immediately. Apparently Richard had family that was searching for him, and it was time to get out of town. I didn’t want to leave him like that, so when the old man was getting his things together, I gave Richard a few drops of my blood.
” He shook his head. “I didn’t think it would work.
He was barely alive, and so weak. I didn’t think he’d survive, but I was still at war with the presence of the beast and my human emotions hadn’t gone away, so it made me feel like I was giving him a fighting chance. ”
Vincent glanced at him and shook his head with a slight smile. “It turns out that was a big mistake, huh? I should have just let him die.”
All the air left Adam’s lungs, and his heart felt like it had been dropped from the top of a county fair Ferris wheel. “You tried to help someone. That has to count for something,” he managed.
“It’s biting me in the ass now. He was left all alone to figure things out for himself.
No maker, no community. That he didn’t immediately fuck it up and get killed by hunters in his first year is the worst sort of miracle,” Vincent sighed.
“And now it’s affecting my friends. My family. You. Especially you.”
Adam tried to think of something he could say to alleviate some of Vincent’s regret, but nothing that came to mind felt appropriate.
Not for someone with that kind of past. And honestly, whatever he would say wouldn’t matter, because he knew if their roles were reversed, there would be nothing anyone could say to him that would make him not regret his actions or inactions.
But he could hold him.
Adam wrapped his arms around Vincent, resting his head on his shoulder. “Even when this is all over, I want to stay here,” Adam said .
“Is that something you would actually want? You don’t owe me anything.” Vincent’s fingers threaded through Adam’s hair, alternating between playing with the strands and the pads of his fingers massaging Adam’s scalp.
Adam could have melted right then and there. “I already told you, there is nothing back in town for me. Out here, I have you,” he said quietly .
Too sappy! Pull back! “Well, and, um, I imagine if I go back, it’d be hard to visit you when I get arrested for fucking up my plea deal.”
Vincent’s mouth quirked up. “That’s right, I never got the chance to tell you about your surprise. You don’t have to worry about that anymore, we took care of it. No more court stuff or warrant.”
Adam straightened up, his eyes wide as he tried to process what Vincent was saying.
The magnitude of it hit him all at once.
No more check-ins, no more constant fear of violating his probation, no more looking over his shoulder.
It was almost too much to believe. “What do you mean you ‘took care of it’?”
“Don’t worry, no one got hurt. Our friend in the sheriff’s office made a few house calls for me and convinced a few people involved in your case that it no longer exists.” Vincent grinned at him. “You don’t have any of that hanging over your head anymore. You’re free.”
Adam stared at Vincent in disbelief. The weight that had been on his shoulders for months lifted.
Vincent had taken care of it, just like that.
It was both terrifying and exhilarating to have someone with that much power and influence on his side.
Free. Actually free. I can stay here without worrying about the outside world dragging me back.
“Thank you,” he said. “I don’t know what to say.”
Vincent leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered. “I just want you to be safe.”
Adam deepened the kiss, letting the relief and gratitude he felt flood his veins.
Vincent’s lips were a balm to his soul, and he couldn’t help but get lost in the sensation.
The heaviness of their earlier conversation seemed to lift slightly as they kissed, replaced by something warmer and more hopeful.
As the kiss ended, Adam found himself wanting more.
He wanted to feel Vincent’s skin against his, to lose himself in Vincent’s touch and let the vampire consume his body and mind like he had before the shitstorm at the nightclub happened.
Adam pulled back, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. “You know,” he said, his voice taking on a slightly teasing tone to test the waters, “I’m feeling pretty grateful right about now.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow, catching the shift in Adam’s mood with an amused look. “Are you now?”
“Mmhmm.” Adam cast a glance at the porch bench, then back at Vincent with heat creeping up his cheeks. “Do you want to…?”
“Go to the blowjob bench? Yes.” Adam’s cheeks flushed.
Vincent snorted, a real laugh that just made Adam’s face heat even more, before he grabbed Adam’s chin and planted another kiss on his lips. “We are not calling it the ‘blowjob bench’.”
Adam grinned back, the playful banter helping to ease the last of the tension from their heavy conversation. “Why not? It’s descriptive.”
“Because we aren’t,” Vincent said firmly, though his eyes were sparkling with amusement. “And because I have some dignity left.”
“Do you though?” Adam teased.
Vincent stood up, pulling Adam to his feet effortlessly. “Besides, it sounds like Matteo is done cooking, and we don’t want to traumatize him by giving him a show he didn’t ask for when he comes out to make you eat.”
Adam grinned, following Vincent’s lead as they made their way back inside.
He didn’t care what they called it, as long as he got to continue staying with Vincent.
The relief of not having his legal troubles hanging over him combined with the inkling that he was beginning to understand the world he had been dragged into, and to understand Vincent, made him feel like he was floating on air.
Like he could allow himself this bit of peace without guilt.
The fact that he wasn’t conflicted about his decision to stay in the vampire’s world might be yet another red flag amongst the mountain of them scattered throughout his life, but this one was duller and much more comfortable.
It wasn’t the best choice, but who ever said life had to be lived perfectly?