Chapter 9 - The Choice
The aftermath of the kidnapping changed everything between us.
Vincent doubled my security detail, but he also pulled away emotionally.
For three days, he barely spoke to me, spending all his time locked in his home office.
Finally, I couldn't take the distance anymore and pushed open his heavy oak doors.
He was standing by the window, a glass of whiskey in his hand, looking incredibly exhausted.
"Why are you ignoring me?" I asked, walking straight up to him.
He sighed heavily, refusing to meet my eyes.
"Because my world almost got you killed, Emily," he said bitterly.
"Tyler broke your heart, but my enemies could literally end your life."
He walked over to his desk and picked up a thick manila envelope.
"I cleared your mother's debt, bought you a house in the suburbs, and set up a trust fund," he explained flatly.
"You are safe now, and you never have to work again."
I stared at the envelope, feeling a sharp pain in my chest.
"Are you sending me away?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I am giving you a choice," Vincent corrected, finally looking at me with agonized eyes.
"You can take this money, live a safe, normal life, and never deal with my darkness again."
"And the other option?" I challenged, stepping closer to him.
Vincent's jaw clenched.
"The other option is you stay," he whispered.
"But if you stay, I will never let you go. You will be mine, entirely and forever, in a world that is cruel and dangerous."
I thought about my old, boring life with Tyler, where I was safe but constantly belittled.
Then I looked at the man who would literally burn down the city to keep me warm.
I didn't even hesitate.
May you like
I picked up the manila envelope full of millions of dollars.
And I threw it straight into the burning fireplace.
