Trading for Love

18. Coming Together

Charlotte POV

Evelyn thankfully joined us for breakfast, excitedly chattering away about her plans for the day, declaring that she was going to spend the day riding and enjoying the recent heat wave. Vincent nodded as she spoke, letting her ramble to her hearts content. No sooner than her plate was empty Evelyn was off and running, heading out the kitchen door. I smiled as she disappeared.

While Vincent had been gone Evelyn had been a welcome distraction. We had spent our days hanging out around the house, riding horseback, hiking, and watching TV. She had talked away, telling me about her time at boarding school and how they were some of the worst places she had ever been. Each school Evelyn attended had been more rigid than the last, just driving her to cause more chaos. I had a hunch that she was to much of a free spirit to be confined by mere rules. She was such an opposite of Vincent who seemed so rigid and strict.

" She likes you," Vincents voice rumbled from the end of the table. I looked up to find him watching the doorway Evelyn had just disappeared through. The corner of his mouth was lifted ever so slightly, showing his barely concealed happiness.

" She's a sweet girl," I chuckled sipping from my coffee. Vincent scoffed at my comment before turning his burning gaze on me, his barely there smile quickly disappearing.

" You never reached out while I was in the city." It was a statement but I could tell from the tone of his voice he was expecting an answer on why.

Truth be told I had been scared to reach out to him. I had spent the first day debating reaching out to him, followed by a night full of confusion as I read through the mountain of a contract Vincent had left for me. I spent the better part of the night reading and rereading a contract that quite literally outlined everyway that I would be protected and cared for while I was with Vincent. I sifted through every section and subsection, expecting to find demands or contingencies that would benefit Vincent but kept coming up empty. There were a few responsibilities outlined in one section that mostly covered public appearances but everything else read like an insurance policy. It was a shock that shook me to my core. I had so many questions after reading the contract and before I could stop myself, it was all flying from my mouth. " The contract surprised me and I didn't know what to say. I had so many questions that I didn't think would make sense through text or they would come off in the wrong manner. Really I wasn't sure how you would react to my questions and being that you were in the city with work I didn't want to be a distraction." I clamped my mouth shut, stopping the flow of words racing out. I hadn't intended on telling him everything that had been running through my head. I could feel the heat coloring my cheeks as I dropped my eyes to table in embarrassment.

The silence drug out, each moment feeling like an eternity before Vincent spoke.

" Ask me anything you want. I'll answer any question you have."

* * * *

" I have plenty of clothes though," I grumbled running my hands back through my hair. We'd spent the last hour discussing the questions I had about the contract but the one thing that was still hard for me to agree with was the money he was alotting to me. He had slid a black credit card to me, informing me there was no limit and I was welcome to spend it where ever I saw fit. I'd never been one to blow through money or spend without thought so having an endless flow of cash at my fingertips was not something I was comfortable with.

" A duffel bag of clothes is hardly considered a wardrobe made," he grumbled pushing back from the table.

" You do realize that I had a life prior to Andre and Lillian correct? I have clothes at Ty's." There was a flash of emotion on Vincents face before he abruptly stood, turning from the table.

" Tell me where and we'll retrieve your things," Vincent grumbled pulling his phone from his pocket. He had gone from open and understanding only a moment ago to closed off and pissy.

"I can get them. I have to return Ty's truck anyway," I snapped back standing from my seat. This hot and cold nonsense was really starting to grate on my nerves. One moment I felt I could talk to Vincent about anything and the next moment it was like talking to the wall. There was never a rhyme or reason to it either.

There was a dark flash in Vincents eye and I swore he grew another six inches as he stepped toward me. A cold chilll ran down my spine as Vincent towered over me but I refused to back down. Vincent may be part of the mafia and have the ability to end me at the drop of a hat but I knew the moment I let him intimidate me into backing down, I would never be able to stand my ground again.

"This isn't up for debate Charlotte," Vincent grumbled glowering down at me.

" Then we won't debate it. I'll go and you'll get over it," I quipped turning on my heel and striding for the door. I'd found my freedom in my time away from Lillian and Andre and it would be a cold day in hell before I let Vincent take it away from me. No where in that contract had it said that I had to obey him without question.

I was stopped short by a firm arm grabbing me round the waist. In the next moment Vincent was over taking me, every inch of my body suddenly enveloped in his. He had me pinned to his chest but his breath tickled my cheek as his venom filled words reached my ears.

" I told you you would never walk away from me again Charlotte, and I meant it."