27. Vincent
After living in the countryside for almost twenty-four hours, it was safe to say that the secluded life was not for me. I was bored out of my fucking mind, and I was almost positive Wendy agreed. Except, she was a good sport to agree to follow me out here to the middle of nowhere on some unknown hunt. Was there even anyone to hunt? I had no clue. And I was pretty sure if we didn’t get out of this fucking cabin within the next hour or two, we’d both start to lose our minds.
We slept like logs from all the fucking. And there was a lot of it. I lost count of how many times I made Wendy orgasm, and I filled her up so many times I was convinced I’d be leaking from her cunt for the next week.
But this wasn’t any way to live. We needed human contact outside these walls and couldn’t hide much longer. Luckily, according to the online reviews, I planned an afternoon outing at a local restaurant—the area’s gem. Wendy just hadn’t a clue that we’d be followed by a personal security guard. There was one minor detail I hadn’t divulged to Wendy before we left Newport, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to either.
The afternoon I summoned Wendy to the new investment property, earlier in the day, a rock was thrown through the mansion’s window with a simple note taped to it: LIAR.
That was all it said and enough to send me running with Wendy. If I truly had it my way, I would have explained to Wendy why I needed to get away alone and try to figure out who the fuck was harassing us, but I couldn’t leave her again. Because if I did, I’d lose her for good. Was it selfish of me to stick around to keep Wendy near me? Maybe.
Pulling my jacket around me to ward off the harsh winter chill, I glanced across the distance to where Wendy stood gazing out over the water. She looked beautiful, as always. Her eyes were staring at nothing in particular. It was a dismal grey outside, perfectly matching the turmoil whirling in my mind.
For a moment, just a fleeting one, I thought about confessing everything to her. The paranoia, the fear, the compulsion that had brought us here. But I pushed the idea aside almost instantly. She didn't need that burden; she didn't need my guilt on her shoulders. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling I was somehow betraying her by keeping this secret.
“Wendy,” I started, my voice tentative, my throat suddenly dry. She turned her head to look at me, her eyes questioning.
“Yes?” Her voice seemed distant yet hopeful.
“Let’s get out of here and get some lunch.”
Wendy glanced at me, her brown eyes widening. I could feel a faint smile playing on her lips. “Sure, I'd love to,” she replied, her voice soft yet filled with warmth that encompassed my entire being.
As we headed for our car, a sensation of unease wrapped itself around me. The thought of the note LIAR echoed like a broken record. Who the fuck sent it? One of my previous business associates? Or someone who wanted revenge? I thought I knew it because of the people in the picture: me and that woman. But my target was wrong. Another mistake I made. The possibilities were endless, and each was as terrifying as the next.
Once we arrived at the restaurant, I noticed Wendy seemed to be enjoying the change of scenery. At the same time, I was trapped in my own paranoia. Her laughter floated across the table, seemingly untroubled by our abrupt departure from Newport. She was ignorant of the looming danger, oblivious to the storm brewing on the horizon. I watched her enjoy her meal, savored every bite of her steak, and sipped her chardonnay with a contented sigh.
“I’m glad we came here in the end,” said Wendy, reaching across the table and taking my hand in hers. She toyed with my heavy fingers as I forced a smile.
“Of course. Isn’t this place fantastic?” I bit a piece of French bread and downed half my iced tea, swearing off alcohol this trip, ensuring my instincts remained sharp.
Wendy grinned, except it quickly faded from her face as she looked over my shoulder. “Who is that?”
My heart lurched as I spun around, and when my eyes landed on Cyrus, the security I commissioned for this getaway, oxygen filled my lungs again. “Oh, that’s Cyrus.”
“And who is Cyrus?” Wendy raised a questioning brow.
“Our security.” I shrugged, taking another sip of earthy tea.
“Security?” Wendy's voice echoed with surprise. Her eyes widened in confusion, and she looked back and forth between me and the bulky figure of Cyrus, who stood a little distance away, pretending not to notice our conversation but failed spectacularly.
“Yes,” I said, my voice steady, even as my heart pounded against my ribs. “You know how it is these days. Celebrities, high-profile businessmen like myself, we all need a little extra protection.”
“Cut the bullshit, Vincent.” Wendy pushed her plate away, clearly finished. “Tell me what’s going on now, or I’m leaving.”
“Cyrus is a good guy.” I dabbed my mouth with a napkin. “We go way back. Look, you're overthinking this.” I offered a nonchalant smile. “It's just a precaution, nothing else.”
“I am going to leave,” Wendy warned through gritted teeth.
“And go where?” I shot back, our eyes locked in a dangerous game of chicken.
Wendy squinted, and it was her turn to fake clean her mouth. She threw the white rag onto the table, pushed her chair back, producing an ear-cracking screech, and stood. “Goodbye.” And she walked away.
But Wendy didn’t get far, as I bolted from my seat, chasing her. I reached for her arm, but Wendy was quicker and scooted away. She marched right up to Cyrus, determined.
“Why are you here?” Wendy planted her hands on her waist.
Cyrus, already uncomfortable, looked even more so under Wendy's steely gaze.
“For Mr. Vincent's safety,” he stuttered, glancing at me before dropping his gaze to the floor.
“He means our safety,” I interjected, trying to keep my voice steady despite the cold dread creeping up my spine. Wendy looked at me with disbelief etched deep into her brown eyes, her hands falling limply to her sides.
“Is there something you're not telling me, Vincent?” she asked, her tone carrying a final warning I couldn’t ignore much longer.
“Cyrus is here to offer us protection,” I told her quickly. “There's... there's been a bit of a threat. Nothing too serious, but I thought it best to take precautions.”
Her eyes flickered between Cyrus and me, trying to gauge the truth in my words. Her gaze was piercing. It felt like she could see through the layers of deception to the details I had been trying so desperately to hide.
“Vincent, you have two seconds to stop answering me with these vague…” Wendy motioned to the air between us, lost to words. “Just tell me what’s going on. Please.”
And my heart and all restraint failed. How could I keep lying if I loved Wendy? “There was another threat. It involved a rock with a note taped to it. And this is why we’re here.”
Wendy blinked once, twice. “What did the note say?” Her voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it that made me swallow hard.
“Just the word, liar, on it.”
Her eyes narrowed, her lips pursed in a tight line. The disbelief once etched into her features morphed into disappointment. “You could have told me. We could have dealt with it together.”
“I didn’t want you to worry,” I confessed, my voice choked by the fear of losing her. “I wanted to somehow preserve our fresh start. I mean, look how far we’ve come?” Even I couldn’t make myself half believe the crap spewing from my mouth.
“A fresh start built on lies?” Wendy questioned, her gaze boring into mine.
“No… not on lies…” I managed to utter, my voice quivering slightly. “I just wanted to... protect you.”
“From what? From your past? From your mistakes?” Her tone turned icy, as if she was speaking more to herself than me. She stepped closer until her breath hit my chin. “Tell me, Vincent. And tell the truth this time. Were we ever going to go back to Newport this week? Or did you plan to keep me here all along?”
All I could muster was a sigh. The truth tasted bitter, but I owed her that much. “No...we weren't going back to Newport,” I admitted. Wendy’s eyes widened as I confirmed her suspicions. “At least not now. It’s not safe.”
Her arm fell to her side, and she took a step back. “You lied to me.” It was not a question but an accusation. Her face hardened, and her brows furrowed.
“I did it for you,” I blurted out desperately. “Wendy, you have to believe me.”
“Of course, you did it for me. And once again, you’re making yourself believe it’s the right move. But you’re not including me in your real plan. Just as you did three years ago.” Wendy swallowed, inhaling a sharp breath, and was about to say something when her ringtone interrupted our downward spiral.
She hastily pulled her phone from her pocket, glanced at the screen, and grimaced.
“I have to take this. It’s Marissa,” she said, her voice audibly strained. She cast me one last look of cold disappointment before answering the call.
Cyrus shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure what to say or do in the tense silence.
Finally, he cleared his throat and mumbled, “Maybe we should return to Newport. Punch up security there. It’s worth a shot.”
I shook my head, more out of defeat than disagreement. “No, Cyrus. I've messed up enough already.” My heart ached as I watched Wendy on the phone, her face pulled into a tight frown as she paced in the restaurant's corner. A cold sweat erupted on my neck as a chilling thought settled in my mind: something was wrong.
“She's strong,” Cyrus offered in a gentle voice, contrasting starkly with his burly exterior. “She'll come around once she understands why you did what you did.”
“But will she?” I asked, my voice an annoying squeak even to my ears. A weight settled on my chest, its presence heavy and insurmountable. I turned my gaze toward Cyrus, hoping for an answer before I shifted my attention back to Wendy.
I watched as Wendy ended her phone call and slowly walked toward us, her face unreadable.
“Vincent,” she began, her voice steady and calm, though I could see how her hands trembled slightly at her sides. “We have to leave.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” I placed a hand on each of Wendy’s shoulders.
“There’s been an accident at the restaurant.” Her face stayed deadpan.
“What kind of accident?” I exchanged a quick glance with Cyrus, who clenched his jaw.
“An oven exploded. No one was hurt, thank God. But I have to get back to help Marissa.”
I could only stare at Wendy, the implications of her words sinking into my mind. My past, it seemed, had decided to twist the knife a bit more, sending my heart straight to the pit of my stomach.
“No,” I responded without thinking twice.
“What do you mean, no?” Wendy did a double take, shifting away from my hold. “I’m leaving, Vincent.”
“No, you’re not. It’s not safe. What are the fucking odds of an oven exploding in your restaurant? Has anything like that ever happened before?” I pointed to her creased forehead.
“You already know the answer to your dumb question, you jerk.” The veins on her neck threatened to bulge right from her flesh.
“Then, don’t be so ignorant. Wake up and start believing what I’m saying. You’re not safe there. You need to be here right now while I figure this out.”
“Yeah? And how’s that going so far?” Wendy rolled her eyes, pivoting away from my body. “I’m leaving. Cyrus, can I have a ride back to the cabin?”
My eyes shot to Cyrus, ready to stop the hulk of a man. “Don’t you fucking move,” I warned him. Cyrus froze, torn between his loyalty to me and his desire to keep the peace. I could see the indecision in his eyes. Wendy shot him a pleading look, her hands balled into tight fists at her sides.
“Vincent,” she implored softly, “I have to go.”
I knew I couldn’t stop her, but I also knew something else. As long as the threats were back and even explosive, I had to stay away from Wendy until I figured out who was behind everything. But, this time, she would know I planned to return, and I wasn’t abandoning her. She had to understand.
“I need you to understand something.” My voice cracked as I reached for her, but Wendy offered me nothing.
“I don’t need to do anything.” Wendy crossed her arms, swallowing hard. “Just say it, Vincent. Say it. You’re not coming back with me, are you?” Her voice quivered, breaking her armor and breaking me.
I swallowed, the lump in my throat making it nearly impossible to speak. Finally, I managed to choke out two words. “Not yet.”
“Not yet?” she repeated my words, softer this time. Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, and each held an accusation that cut deep. Her face twisted into an expression of pain and disbelief. She recoiled from me as though she’d been slapped. She looked small and vulnerable in her shocked silence, making me want to reach out and pull her to me. But I knew better than to breach the distance she created. Instead of saying anything more, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the restaurant, leaving me and Cyrus.
What just happened? I let Wendy leave just like that. Alone. I didn’t think twice and bolted from the restaurant, with Cyrus following behind. I found Wendy in the parking lot, furiously dialing away on her phone.
I ran up to her, grabbing her elbow. “Wendy, you can’t go alone.”
“Don’t you fucking touch me!” Wendy wrestled away from me like I was some venomous snake. “And you will never touch me again. Do you understand?” The next move broke me. She yanked off the pink diamond on her finger and threw it squarely at my forehead.
I flinched, attempting to catch the ring but missing it by a fraction. It clattered onto the pavement, its sparkle momentarily lost amid the dirt and gravel. “Wendy, I’m not leaving you. I’m going to be right here in the middle of fucking nowhere, and you should stay here too. He might not know where you are.”
“So you’re telling me that if I head back into the danger now in Newport, you’re going to stay here?”
My brain was melting out of my ear. I was so fucking confused I wasn’t sure what the right thing to say was anymore. I knew she wasn't safe as long as we were together. “Go back to Newport with Cyrus. I will be here figuring everything out, and I’ll be back soon. I promise. This is what’s best for you right now. You have to trust me.”
“No. No! I’m not going to let you lawyer me to a decision.” Wendy exhaled. “I’m done.”
My blood ran cold. My biggest fear next to Wendy being actually harmed was coming true. “What do you mean you’re done?”
“I can’t live this way.” Wendy clutched her heart with her naked hand as a single tear fell from her eye. “All I want to do is face this together, but you’re doing the same thing you did years ago. Leaving me. What if this takes a year to solve? Five years? You won’t let yourself near me for however long it takes, and what? I’m just supposed to wait for you to come around?” She shook her head, and I knew she was right, but I was too stuck to listen to any word she had to say about the topic. My mind was made up.
“If that’s what it means to keep you safe, then I will stay away.”
“Cyrus, can you give me a ride back? I’ll take a car from the cabin.” Wendy completely ignored my existence, indicating she was done. I couldn’t blame her, but this was necessary. Creating distance between us for this stalker to see because I was the problem. Until I returned, Wendy’s life had been peaceful. And now? It was turning into a slow chaos. For me to stay with her would have been selfish.
“Wendy, I love you.” The words fell from my mouth, but she didn’t acknowledge me. Instead, she turned her back on me and walked with Cyrus to his black SUV parked in the rear of the parking lot.
I watched her go, unsure of when I’d see her again.
As they disappeared into the car, my heart pounded in regret. I knew I'd done the right thing, but it didn't make the emptiness left by her absence any easier. I looked down at the ring lying on the pavement, desolate and forgotten. Its glint in the fading sunlight seemed to accuse me of cowardice.
I picked it up carefully, feeling its cool weight in my hand, a bold reminder of our love. All our moments, shared laughter and whispered promises suddenly felt like distant memories from another lifetime. My eyes stung with unshed tears as I pocketed the ring.
Even three years ago, I hadn’t felt like I lost Wendy completely. Except, this time, it swam differently in my head. And when I watched Cyrus drive away with Wendy, it finally hit me.
She was gone.