31. Vincent
This had to be one big sick fucking joke. There was no way my best friend could have betrayed us and handed our lives on some platter to this lunatic. And yet, here was Zachary, smiling next to Stephen, confirming my twisted hypothesis.
How?
My mind screamed the questions, but my lips refused to form them.
“Ah, speechless, I see.” Stephen’s smirk grew, basking in our evident shock. He slung his arm around Zachary's shoulder like they were old pals. “Don’t be so surprised. From what I heard, you were becoming a real problem in Zachary’s marriage.”
“Why are you doing this?” I asked Zachary, who looked to Stephen for permission to answer. This wasn’t the friend I knew. The person I nearly grew up with. He never looked to anyone for the green light to do anything. The only person I ever saw Zachary bend for was Blair, who captured his heart, which was understandable. What loyalty did he owe to this psycho, Stephen?
When Stephen nodded, Zachary began, “I met Stephen the night Blair and I went to dinner in Newport when we visited you. You guys offered to watch Sadie. On our way back, we passed Stephen’s store, and he was there. He knew who I was and made introductions, and one thing fell into the next, and here we are today.”
“Come on, Zach. You’re skipping over the best part!” Stephen shouted. “You offered up Vincent to me. Isn’t that right?”
Zachary’s eyes shifted from Stephen to mine. He swallowed and said, “Yes. That’s right. I did.”
Zachary's words echoed through the room like a chilling wind, cutting through us all. No denials, no explanations. Just the stark, bitter truth. I felt my heart shrivel, my breath hitching as I stared at him. He held my gaze for a drawn-out second before looking away.
“Zach,” I began, my voice dangerously quiet. “Why?” I glanced toward Wendy, whose face was riddled with sweat because she knew the harsh truth about our situation. This probably was not going to end well.
Stephen was still grinning, an ugly smirk that made me want to wipe it off his face. But Zachary looked like he was about to be sick. The man I knew was not this scared little boy trying to grow into his too-big shoes.
“He threatened my family,” Zachary said finally, avoiding our eyes. “And protecting the two of you wasn’t worth it.”
“You see?” Stephen snapped. “That’s fucking loyalty. And I knew that about Zach before I even had to make the threat. But by doing so, it laid the nail right into the coffin.” Stephen’s cackle cracked the thick air in the room as he nodded toward my best friend. “Isn’t that right, Zach?”
Cringed. I cringed.
“That’s right, Stephen,” said Zachary, clearing his throat and staring at me.
The silence that followed was deafening. The room closed in on me, and my mind raced with the enormity of Zachary's confession.
“So this is it?” I finally managed, shooting a last glance at Stephen, “You're just going to hand me over?” I desperately wanted to look at Wendy but feared Stephen’s reaction.
Stephen laughed, shaking his head. “No, Vincent. We're not just going to hand you over. That would be far too fucking easy and boring. You know? I thought sending you threats all this time and knowing it was driving you crazy was fun. But I was so wrong. Stopping the threats for a few weeks here, a few years there? That was fun. Watching you believe you were in the clear or watching you be tortured when I would stop sending little love notes or photos? Now, that was fun. Anyway, now the fun has to come to an end.”
Suddenly, he pulled out a gun from beneath his coat and pointed it at Wendy.
“No!” I screamed, drowning out Wendy’s gasps.
Infused with a sudden rush of adrenaline, I lunged toward him, forgetting I was tied down, and fell sideways onto the dusty floor.
“Please, just stop!” Wendy's cry echoed in the room, her fingers reaching out to me, her eyes wide and terrified.
I turned my head, trying to look back at Stephen even as I struggled to right myself, my bonds chafing against my wrists. Zachary stood frozen, his face a pale mask of regret or fear. I couldn't tell which. Then Stephen's laughter rang out again, cruel and high-pitched.
“You didn't think I'd shoot her, did you, Vincent?” He lowered his gun and ran a hand through his hair. “No, no. That wouldn't be fun at all. See, the thing is,” he glanced over at Zachary, “the both of you are going to die tonight, but I’m not going to be the one to kill you.” Stephen handed Zachary the gun. “Your best friend is. And he’s going to do it in this order. Wendy and then you.” Stephen pointed to the center of my chest.
Zachary reached out and took the gun, his hand shaking. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and he refused to meet my gaze. But he didn't say no. He didn't protest. He just stood there, gripping the weapon like a lifeline, his knuckles turning white.
“Wendy…” My voice cracked, and I had to swallow hard before trying again. “Wendy,” I said louder this time, meeting her wide eyes with desperation. She was shaking her head frantically, pleading with me not to give up.
Stephen moved to stand behind Zachary, his fingers firmly planted on his shoulders, guiding him closer to us. “Come on, Zach,” Stephen taunted. “Are you going to let them get away with their little reunion? After everything Vincent’s done? Look at all the trouble he’s put you through. He doesn’t deserve happiness, love, friends. And poor Wendy. She never stood a chance.”
Zachary’s face was ashen as he raised the gun shakily, aimed at Wendy. His finger trembled over the trigger as he swallowed hard.
“Zach.” My voice was hoarse, my wrists raw from the ropes biting into them as I tried to break free. “Zach, don’t do this.”
I watched as Zachary's gaze finally met mine, his eyes misty and regretful. I saw a tear trail down his cheek, but he quickly wiped it away with his free hand, never lowering the gun.
“No!” Wendy screamed at the same moment gunfire echoed through the room.
But instead of Wendy collapsing before me, Stephen fell back onto the floor with an expression of surprise written on his face. A red stain spread across his chest, and he clutched at it in disbelief before his eyes rolled back, and he slumped lifelessly onto the floor.
No one breathed, let alone moved in the room as we struggled to place Stephen’s killer until the smoke leaving Cyrus’ gun clouded inches from his weapon’s barrel, still pointed at the space where Stephen stood seconds ago.
“Oh, thank fucking God.” If I could have slumped in my chair, I would. But instead, I continued to rock on my side on the floor as sweat dripped off my forehead.
Zachary dropped his gun to the floor after extracting its chamber of bullets. “Why did you wait so long?” he asked Cyrus.
“I wanted to make sure Stephen never would have suspected.” Cyrus shrugged, triggering a gigantic eye roll from Zachary.
“I always had a feeling. I just knew you were going to figure something out,” I said, still lying sideways and tied on the floor.
“Just shut up. You are so annoying,” hissed Zachary as he went to Wendy to free her first. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
She nodded, her wide eyes still fixed on Stephen's crumpled body. “I... I think so...” she whispered, her voice shaky. Zachary managed a small smile for her as he began to cut her ropes.
“Wendy, my love. Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Here, let me help you.” I reached for her, but the several feet of heavy rope stopped my body from moving.
“Just stop, Vincent,” she said, shaking her head.
“Is that a yes or a no? We can go to the hospital. Zach, you have a car, right?” I watched as Wendy squeezed her eyes closed.
“Vincent, I said enough,” Wendy begged as she winced when one of the ropes separated from her wrists.
“I think she wants you to stop,” Zachary added.
“She hasn’t said anything yet,” I snapped, still struggling against my ropes. “And until Wendy does, I will not stop.” Beads of sweat poured down my face.
“Selfish!” Wendy blurted.
I froze. Did she honestly just use that word now of all times? And was I supposed to listen under these circumstances or just bedroom play?
“Wendy, come on, maybe you’re not thinking straight right now with everything going on.” I watched in awe as Zachary freed one side of Wendy’s body.
“Selfish!” Wendy repeated.
“Why do you keep saying selfish?” Zachary asked.
“It’s our safe word,” Wendy admitted shamelessly.
Zachary froze, peering from Wendy and then to me before he cracked a smile and resumed his task. “Unbelievable,” he mumbled.
“Wait, how come you’re acting all angry with me?” I asked Wendy, ignoring Zachary’s grumbles. “And you, Zach. Why didn’t you tell me you knew it was Stephen?” I turned to him.
Zachary and I waited for Wendy to answer first because we were gentlemen. When she refused to make eye contact with me and continued staring at the cruddy ceiling, I nodded for Zachary to proceed.
“I didn’t say anything because I wanted to protect you,” Zachary said, his eyes not wavering from the task. He finished with Wendy and moved toward me. “The less you knew, the less danger you were in because you were losing it, Vin. You ran away because of fear. I wasn’t sure what would have happened if you knew it was Stephen. Someone who befriended Wendy the moment she moved.”
“So you found this out the night you went on a date with Blair in Newport?” I squinted, trying to piece all the parts together while Wendy was freed from her restraints. She rubbed her raw wrists and flexed her fingers. I desperately wanted to reach out and touch her, but I knew I needed to be careful. Whatever tender confession Wendy spilled moments ago when she thought our lives were about to end had left this room.
“Correct,” Zachary responded, narrowing his eyes at me as he knelt down to cut my ropes. He huffed slightly as he worked, his focus never faltering from the task. “Blair and I were walking back from the restaurant and passed Stephen’s store. He was outside and instantly recognized us, which I thought was weird. Still, Blair didn’t notice because some retro cooking device caught her attention. He invited us in and had Blair play with some cooking contraption that caught her attention while he pulled me aside with a gun pointed at my back, and that’s when I found out everything. And I also promised Stephen to deliver you after he told me he’d take care of Wendy. But he wanted the two of you together to finish you off while I promised to help; otherwise, he’d go after me and my family. But, I knew there were flaws to Stephen’s plan because he was so angry. It was a stupid plan if you ask me, but I knew I had to follow his silly rules to win this. So I did. And I convinced Stephen that by bringing Cyrus along, we’d have all the security we needed to ensure no one escaped. What Stephen didn’t know about Cyrus was his perfect shot that would eventually end his life.”
Every word out of Zachary’s mouth stabbed me like a hot dagger. All the closest people in my life were exposed and vulnerable all because of my actions. And I was the only one who ran. I was spineless.
“You’re not spineless, Vincent,” Wendy's soft voice echoed through my thoughts. It was almost as if she had read my mind. “You ran because you thought you were doing the right thing. But that does not mean I will forgive you anytime soon.”
“But I put everyone in danger, Wendy,” I countered, hanging my head in shame. “All this happened because of me.”
“Vincent, look at me,” Wendy said, her voice firm. I lifted my head and met her gaze. Her eyes sparkled with determination. “We're all here, alive and together. We managed to survive this because we have each other. I just wished you realized this on your own.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, looking into her eyes with relief. The ropes around my hands fell away as Zachary finally managed to cut them off. I flexed my fingers and stood up, brushing off the dirt from my clothes. And just when I flicked the last speck of dirt from my shirt, Wendy kneeled over, puking bile all over my shoes. Without thinking, I grabbed her shoulders, catching her.
“Aw, baby. Is it morning sickness?”
“No. Maybe.” Wendy straightened and pushed me away. “You don’t get to call me baby anytime soon.” She pointed a finger at my chest.
“But, what about before? When we thought it was the end? You’re so angry now?” I took one vomit step forward, not even caring.
“Yeah, that was when I thought I was about to die. I refused to live my last moments pissed at you. I decided to embrace peace. But now? I’m going to be angry with you.”
“Wendy, I just want you to know I’m nothing without you. The last three weeks apart, I have been nothing. Just tell me what I need to do to earn you and our baby back. I’ll do anything, I swear.”
“Well, if you want back into my life, this baby’s life?” She ran a hand over her flat stomach. “You’re going to have to work for it this time. Really work for it,” Wendy added, her voice dripping with an icy resolve.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I will. Every day you need apart from me will be another day to show you that you are the only thing on my mind.” I couldn’t take my eyes off all that fiery determination in hers. “I'll do whatever it takes to make things right.”
“How many times do you think you can keep saying that, Vincent?” Wendy smirked before peering at Cyrus. “Can you take me home?”
“Sure, Newport isn’t too far from here,” Cyrus replied.
“No. I want to go home to New York,” said Wendy, locking eyes with me, and then she walked to the door, never looking back.
“I think you should go to the hospital.” I swallowed. “Just to make sure you and the baby are okay.”
Wendy stopped mid-step, her hand lingering over the dusty doorknob. Her back tensed as she peered over her shoulder. “Okay, Cyrus and I will go. I’ll let you know what happens.”
And then Wendy was gone.
Again.