“Sasha!” Annie’s excited greeting welcomes me as we enter Vincent’s apartment.
The ride over here was just long enough for the last of the fight to drain out of me, and for my rational brain to fully recognize the danger I was in. I had halfheartedly listened to Vincent as he spent the drive on the phone discussing me, my safety, and the details of my break-in, but after a few minutes I tuned him out. I didn’t need any reminders about what happened and how close I’d come to harm.
I already know that I’ll picture that creepy man every time I shut my eyes. I don’t want to think about how he was in my bedroom, probably touching my things. I couldn’t even get myself to go into my room alone to pack my bag. I made Vincent come with me.
While packing I had suddenly realized that I couldn’t leave Captain alone in the apartment. It’s one thing for me to leave him home alone to chill for a night but having a crew of strangers in my apartment setting up a new security system would probably give him anxiety. Luckily, my 80-year-old neighbor Mrs. Peterson was home, and she’s always willing to watch Captain if I have to go out of town. I think she was extra willing tonight, since she stood slack jawed staring at Vincent while he carried Captain’s things into her apartment. Vincent had looked angry, recently fucked, and hot as hell. The wink she gave me before closing her door told me she agreed.
Ugh, Vincent. My Devil in Shining Armor. I know he’s right. It’s shockingly clear that I need the protection. I just have to accept it. Accept him. With how much I now know about his past, I should be more understanding. Yeah – he acted like a total caveman, but he has a good reason. First Randal tried to take Annie, and now Randal’s broken into my apartment. To take me or hurt me, I don’t know. But I’m sure this is giving Vincent all sorts of flashbacks. Tonight was yet another close call. Another person in his life, targeted by the brother of his dead baby mama. Only this time Vincent didn’t get to chase off the bad guy himself. He wasn’t even there.
I haven’t asked how he found out about the break-in. I probably don’t want to know. Since he showed up less than an hour after the police did, I’m guessing he either had someone watching me or someone monitoring the police. It might be nudging him into stalker territory, but I’m too grateful for his presence to be worried about that.
Even now, a couple hours after the actual incident, he still hasn’t settled down. I’m sure that most of the worry he’s feeling is directed at his daughter. This break in proves that Randal is closer than anyone thought. That he hasn’t given up his obsession.
“Hi Annie.” I say with a genuine smile, walking towards the kitchen where she’s perched at the island. “How’ve you been feeling?”
She shrugs. “Fine. The cramps are mostly gone now.” She glances over to Vincent, who’s still talking quietly on the phone. “Dad keeps treating me like I’m dying. It’s not like I’m sick, it’s just puberty.”
She rolls her eyes and a laugh bubbles out of me. “Men are like that. They don’t know what to do with us most of the time anyway, but add in period talk and they lose all common sense.”
“So true.” She agrees. “Are you here for dinner?”
Oh, right. I’m not sure what Vincent wants me to say about why I’m here. Why I’m staying over on a random weeknight. We didn’t discuss it.
“Yeah, Princess.” Vincent says, saving me from answering. “Sasha will be staying here tonight. They’re putting a new security system in her apartment, so she had to clear out for the night.”
He pulls Annie into a hug. This is more than the normal hug you’d give your child in greeting. Vincent is clearly soothing himself, embracing his daughter, making sure she’s real.. That she’s safe. I should look away, but I don’t.
Annie starts to squirm, trying to push out of his reach. “Oh my god, dad. Get a grip.”
“I am.” He chuckles, rocking her back and forth.
“Help!” Annie fake pleads.
“Vincent, release my granddaughter before you crush her.” Marie’s voice startles me and my whole body jolts. My reaction doesn’t go unnoticed, and I see the frown that passes over her face. “I’m sorry dear, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”
Before I can play it off, she’s pulling me into an embrace. Marie’s about my height with a slender build. Her black hair is streaked with grey and the arms around me are filled with the Mazzanti strength I’m becoming familiar with. We’ve only met briefly once before, in this same kitchen, during my walk of shame, but I don’t fight the hug. Instead, I wrap my arms around her in return. Leaning in as though it isn’t totally weird for me to cling to Vincent’s mom.
Her embrace is so maternal. So welcoming. So motherly, that a sudden wave of emotion swamps me. Even if I tried to fight the tears building in my eyes, I wouldn’t be successful, so I don’t bother. I let them out.
She must feel the tremor run through my body because she squeezes me tighter. “It’s okay, dear. Let it out.” She whispers.
I haven’t had a hug from a mother figure since my mom died. I know she’s not mine to keep, but her touch is so open. She’s so accepting. It makes my throat tighten up even more.
This round of crying isn’t the sobbing mess I treated Vincent to. This time my tears are more subdued. More sad. But the action is still cathartic, and I get control of myself after just a few moments.
“I’m sorry.” I apologize embarrassingly. “You and Annie seem to have a spell over me. Being near you guys makes me miss my mom more than normal.”
With that admission, Marie gives her own little sniff in response.
As we pull away, wiping at our eyes, I hear Annie mumbling from across the kitchen. “What is wrong with everyone today?”
Her bewildered expression is enough to break the tension brewing in the air.
“Nothing. Nothing.” Marie says with a wave of her hand. “The lasagna is almost done. Why don’t we set the table and eat like civilized humans for once?”
