Enemy Mine

Chapter 21

Vincent's grandfather insisted on staying after the other magisters returned home, making himself comfortable in Vincent's living room and putting everyone to task. When the other Valentinos finally escaped, Colin was the last holdout. A chess board sat between him and Boris, and the two were locked in a battle of egos when Vincent tugged on my arm.

"C'mon, Reese. Let's take a nap." Vincent made sure his grandfather heard the announcement before he ushered me into his bedroom and closed the door. "Arms up," he said as he grabbed the hem of my cashmere turtle neck and pulled it over my head. "Is that better? You looked uncomfortable."

"The cashmere makes it tolerable, but topless is fine too."

We arranged ourselves on the bed, and I snuggled my black lace breasts against him, provoking a contended moan from his throat. "Did you ask Colin to stay and keep your grandfather company?" I asked.

"Yes. Boris has business in town tomorrow, and he insisted I be the one to accommodate him until then. He's doing it to make some self-satisfying point, but he doesn't realize the risk he runs. If he insults you one more time, he'll be feeling both sides of a blade across his throat."

I gasped at his savage remark, although I knew he didn't mean it. "Vincent, you shouldn't talk about your own flesh and blood that way. He may be a brute, but he's still family."

"Your acceptance and compassion is inspiring," he said as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "We just need to find a way to keep those redeeming qualities from getting you killed. Sleep now, baby. The worst is over."

I wanted to believe him. I really did, but there were too many warning signs to ignore, and when I closed my eyes, my mind tried like hell to do the opposite of sleep. Sometime later, my phone rang, so I managed to doze, and Vincent fumbled for it in a semi-coherent state, handing it over before rolling onto his stomach. When I read Sylvie's name on the caller ID and noticed the late hour, my worried mind took over again.

"Sylvie? Are you okay? It's after one in the morning."

"Of course, I'm okay. I just moved into a new apartment and I'm still unpacking. Did I wake you up? I know you keep strange hours now."

"I'm up," I said as I kissed Vincent on the cheek and slipped off the bed. "Is everything working in the apartment? I thought Colin checked the appliances and the thermostat."

"He did, and everything is working great. I just called because I feel a little lonely. I've been texting with Colin about our sleepover, but he says he's busy beating his grandfather at chess."

As I listened to Sylvie, I slipped on one of Vincent's sweatshirts and walked out of the bedroom, following the wall to the balcony door and keeping out of visual range of Boris. Colin caught me sneaking outside, and acknowledged me with a chin jut when I pointed to my phone. The cold caught me a little unprepared, but it was fine once I hugged myself and stood against the protective cover of the balcony wall.

"I'm sorry you feel lonely, Sylvie. That's my fault. You just moved here and I'm on the other side of town."

"My loneliness is not your problem, chica. I understand why you can't be here. I assume you've been given permission to sleep in your boyfriend's bed again?"

"Yes, on a pro tem basis, but I'll see you tomorrow for sure. I want to hear all about your first day at Harper and Smythe. Let's plan to have dinner here, just the four of us."

"I'd like that."

I heard the balcony door slide open behind me, and I turned to find Boris walking outside.

Ugh.

"Hey Sylvie, I gotta go," I whispered into the phone. "Vincent's grandfather is still here. You going to be okay tonight?"