Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
As I opened the door to my penthouse, a wave of relief washed over me.
It was a familiar feeling, like a warm embrace after coming home from a long day at work.
This was my sanctuary, the place I spent the most time.
It may have once felt like a prison, but it was also the place that gave me the most comfort and familiarity.
Despite the relief in my body, I knew our work was just beginning.
The scent of me and my home reached my nose.
It’s strange—when you’re living somewhere, you can’t smell it, but as soon as you leave for a period of time and return, you know what your home smells like.
Entering my penthouse, a wave of stale air hit me, and an overwhelming sense of loneliness floated around the room.
Was this lingering from the years I never left or from my absence?
The sunlight, filtered through the dark blue-tinted windows, cast an ethereal glow across the cool, polished marble floor.
Everything was just as I left it, not one thing out of place.
Cleaner, even. I walked into my dimly lit bedroom and threw myself onto the plush bed.
Unlike the stiff, uncomfortable mattress I’d grown accustomed to, this one cradled me like a cloud, sinking gently into the plush foam.
I wanted to fall asleep right in this moment; it was like I was missing something and needed to catch up.
A light knock came from my door. I lazily rolled off my bed to find Gabe and Jude standing outside my door.
Jude donned a crisp vampire guard suit, shielding his face from any cameras.
Gabe quickly shoved Jude inside, the door slamming shut with a loud bang to prevent any bystanders from seeing them.
“Vinny…” Jude’s voice was soft. “Holy fuck, this place is ridiculous! It’s huge! I’ve never seen anything like it.” He stepped inside my penthouse, a look of wonder and amazement on his face. “Whoa…and you live here?”
“You mean my luxurious prison? Yeah.” A burst of laughter escaped me at the sight of his shocked face. “Don’t forget I was locked inside for years, so to me, it’s just home.” I looked at his clothes. “By the way, where’d you get that?”
“We, uh, borrowed them from a military locker,” Gabe answered. “He couldn’t be walking around looking like a human.” Delving further into the penthouse, he scanned the room. “Weird to be here, isn’t it? It’s like everything happened, but at the same time, nothing has changed.”
He was right. It was weird.
A second, more forceful knock rattled the door, and my face went white.
I quickly ushered Jude into the dimly lit coat closet and pressed a finger to my lips to signal silence.
Walking to the door, I opened it to find a man in a tuxedo, his face impassive, standing behind. “Mr. Vincent, you’re back.”
I nodded. “And you are?”
“Eddie!” Stepping out of the room, Gabe shook the man’s hand. The grip was firm, and his eyes were intense. “What’s up, my man? Did ya think you’d see me again?”
“Gabe!” The man’s face lit up. “You were the one who brought Vincent home? You both need to come with me. Mr. Asposito is asking to see you.”
With a click of the lock, I secured the door, ensuring Jude’s safety, before meeting the two pale men at the elevator. With a low creak, the doors opened. We stepped into the hushed interior, while the button for my father’s office pulsed with a faint, ominous light.
“How’s everything been while I’ve been away, Ed?”
“Crazy,” he breathed. “There’s a lot going on right now. D’you think if Mr. Asposito offered you your job back, you’d take it?”
Gabe looked at me, a silent understanding hanging heavy in the air. I bit my lip to keep from smiling, knowing it would never happen.
“Yeah, definitely.”
Ding
The doors creaked open, and Eddie beckoned us into the dimly lit hallway leading to my father’s office. The large painting of the ship loomed over me, its rich colors and textures mesmerizing, as if it were about to swallow me whole.
“Vincent!” The door to the office swung open, the sound echoing in the silent hallway, and my father strode out, his arms open wide in greeting. “My boy, I was so scared for your well-being. I’m so relieved to see you safe.”
Over my shoulder, I looked at Gabe as he stared at my limp, dangling arms. His eyes almost told me to try to pretend, no matter how much anger I felt toward this man.
I had to play along. Like I always did. Unwillingly, I lifted my arms and returned his embrace, the warmth of his body doing little to quell the burning anger igniting in my stomach.
With a slow turn of his bespeckled head, my father opened his arms wide, a warm welcome. “Gabe, you did it! I knew you would—come here.”
I watched Gabe hesitate, a flicker of uncertainty in his face, before slowly ambling into my father’s embrace.
The display of affection was brief, and when they parted, we were ushered into his office.
The large mahogany desk, polished to a high sheen, sat in the middle of the room, its imposing presence radiating corporate coldness. What secrets did this desk hide?
Today, my father wore a grey plaid suit, the white shirt underneath contrasting sharply with the dark fabric.
A white bow tie adorned his neck, while a crisp and neatly pressed pocket square peeked from his breast pocket.
His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, and his round glasses were the statement—a beautiful shade of purple made his pale skin pop.
The stubble on his usually clean-shaven face felt rough, and his eyes, shadowed and dull, spoke of countless hours without sleep.
Was it because he was worried about me? Or scared his Dogs were disabled?
“First things first,” he held one finger in the air.
“Gabe, you wonderful boy, I’d love for you to re-join my team.
When Vincent was taken, and you left to find him, I didn’t expect you to come back.
Apologies for doubting you, but I hope I can make up for my emotions getting the better of me before you left. ”
“I’d be honored.” Gabe reached his hand over his heart and slightly bowed. “I needed to find him.”
“It was inadvertently a test to prove your loyalty to me and your devotion to my son.” My father clapped his hands with one loud smack. “I have the perfect idea, let’s plan a wedding!”
“Dad, stop!” I yelled, horrified. “We just got back, stop talking crazy.”
“What?” He looked hurt. “I’m excited to have you back, and my heart is bursting seeing the two of you. There’s nothing I’d love more than to see you happy and protected with Gabe.”
I shook my head, waving my arms in front of my face. “We can talk about this later. Do you need anything else from us? We’re tired from the journey and need to sleep.”
“I’m sure you are. We can plan this later.” My father turned to Gabe, clapping him one more time on the back. “I’m happy to have you back on my team.”
With a gentle squeeze, Gabe clasped my hand in his, his touch both reassuring and tender. “Wanna head back to your room?”
I nodded, and as we started toward the exit, my father’s voice cut through the air. “Gabe?”
We paused.
“You’re dismissed,” he started. “But I’d like to have some time to talk to my son.”
Gabe and I caught eyes, silently asking if being alone with him was a good idea. I nodded, knowing I’d be fine. I’m stronger than I was before I was kidnapped. Plus, I have a gun in my waistband, armed and ready for use if anything gets out of hand.
“I’ll be waiting in your apartment.”
I nodded, a silent agreement passing between us, knowing he’d look after Jude.
The door clicked shut, and I turned to my father, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
Disgust filled my body as the man in front of me smiled.
I now know everything about this man is a lie.
He’s been feeding me lies my entire life, but I knew holding my cards close was my best bet.
“Vincent, my son, I’m so thankful you’ve returned unharmed.” His voice was genuine, unlike the formal tone he used with other leaders. It sounded like he was genuinely happy. “This snag has delayed the Extraction. We’re behind schedule.”
Ah, there’s the reason why he’s happy.
“We must perform the Extraction as soon as possible.”
A large yawn escaped my lips, stretching my jaw and releasing a tired sigh. “I’m exhausted, I don’t think I can handle it right now. Do you think we can postpone for a few days until I get my strength back?” I saw my father’s eyes squint. “I know it’s my duty to the Elysium.”
He was quiet for a moment, contemplating my request. “You’ve been through a lot. Take some time to rest. I’m going to schedule some time for us to connect. I want to hear all about what you went through and where the humans took you. I’ll make sure they pay, you can bet on that.”
I’m sure you can, Dad. I’m sure.
I need to choose my words carefully. My first instinct was to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but I don’t want him to know I was working with the humans. I needed to continue to let him believe I find them despicable. “I’d like some time for the two of us, Dad. Like in the old days.”
“How I wish we could go back.” My father came over and gave me one more hug. “I’m just happy you’re home.”
“I’m happy too.” Returning his embrace, I breathed in his scent of tobacco and blood. I no longer knew who this man was. He was a stranger.
“Do you need me to have security bring you back to your room?”
I shook my head, both of us knowing there’s only one floor I can access.
“I know where it is.” Before leaving his office, I offered him a reassuring smile.
Pressing the elevator button, I stepped inside and rode down to my floor.
Stepping out, I turned to my penthouse door and went inside.
I couldn’t wait to debrief with Gabe and Jude.