VINCENT
Istepped into the basement's dungeon, a term which made Dom roll his eyes, and focused on the asshole in the room.
“We need to talk.”
“Go fuck yourself,” Fallon said, not bothering to look at me as he rested his head against the cement wall behind him.
“Sure, after we’re done. But seriously, do you want to live or not?”
“Not,” Fallon said easily like we were discussing the weather.
“Fuck, man, come on. I’m trying to help you.”
“Then just kill me and get it over with.”
“How about a truce. Or a negotiation.”
“Not interested. Kill me. My sister is probably already dead.”
“She’s not. What if Dom can save her? What if we can?”
Fallon’s eyes opened, and he focused on me. “What?”
I licked my lips, trying to gather my thoughts. “Dom is set to take over the palace his father has for him. Your sister is there, or at least will be going there. Dom can free her. He’s ready to make arrangements. In fact, he’s already started.”
“Why would he do that?” Fallon narrowed his eyes at me.
“Because you told us what you know about Stefan Seeley,” I said, hoping he caught my meaning.
“And you’ll tell me where Bianca’s body is so I can say goodbye? So she can have a proper fucking burial?”
“Sure, man.”
He sneered at me. “How do I know you’re not fucking with me just to get information out of me?”
“You don’t, but if you want to make sure your sister is going to be OK, then you should probably start cooperating.”
He glared at me. “You know what I don’t get about you pricks?”
“Enlighten me.” I sighed and pulled up the stool.
“How you could kill Bianca like she didn’t mean something. How you could harm her the way you did.”
“Right.” I nodded. “It’s business, man. It’s all business.”
“Fuck you and your business. I’d rather die knowing I left you pricks hanging than give up what I know. Natalia is probably already dead anyway. You’re trying to play me. Just kill me. I’m ready to die.”
I ground my teeth together. Great, not only had Bianca checked out, but it looked like this asshole had too.
“I don’t think you know what you’re giving up,” I said.
He scoffed. “You know, a few weeks ago, I might have begged for my life. She gave me a reason. If she’s gone, what’s the point? In the little bit of time I was fortunate enough to love her, I realized that once you find your person, life makes sense. I’ve spent a lot of my life struggling to find my reason. Then I did. Now it’s gone. I’m done. If you don’t kill me, then I’ll kill myself. Either way, I’m out.” He closed his eyes, going silent.
Fuck.
I didn’t have shit else I could say to him. Reason was beyond him now without Bianca. And B…shit. She needed him too, or we’d lose her.
I headed back upstairs, knowing I needed to talk some sense into Dom. I’d probably have a better chance of convincing a vampire he didn’t need blood than convincing the mob prince to tell Fallon that B was alive… convincing him that B needed Fallon just like she needed us.
Or like I hoped she still needed us.
Letting her know Fallon was still alive meant we might lose her, but I’d rather lose her to her own happiness than see her destroyed by her sadness.
Love was a real bitch like that.
* * *
I layin bed that night in the safe house and stared up at the ceiling, thinking about my baby B and what the hell I could possibly do to make her give a shit again.
A gift? Maybe some flowers and a date night? I could cover Stella in honey and leave her out for the bears…
A soft knock on my door had me tumbling out of the idea of buying her a pet iguana she could dress up.
“Come in.”
My door cracked open, and Dom popped his head in. Immediately, I sat up.
“What’s wrong?” I demanded, swiveling so my feet hit the floor.
“Bianca.” He stepped into the room, his hands in his pockets and his head down. He looked like someone had canceled Christmas.
“She OK?”
He sighed. “I don’t think so. She won’t talk to me. When I went in tonight, she was just sitting in a chair staring at the fucking wall. I’m worried.” He sank onto the edge of my bed. “I tried to talk to her. I told her I care about her and wanted her to come back to me. I kissed her, but she didn’t move an inch. I touched her. Nothing. She’s my fucking wife, and I can’t even have her the way I want.” He yanked at his dark hair, his chest heaving.
“Calm down,” I instructed, worried he'd put his fist through another wall at any moment. “She’s upset.”
His legs bounced as he stared at the floor.
“I talked to Fallon,” I started.