Chapter 18 My First Love Wants Me Back
I waited until the bandages were off and the burning sting in my arm turned to a dull throb before I told Vincent.”
We were sitting on the couch. The news was playing low in the background, half a bowl of popcorn between us, and Vincent had just cracked a smile at something stupid I said.
And I ruined it.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.”
His smile disappeared, suddenly serious. “What is it?”
I hesitated. “James came to see me. The other day. Before everything.”
His jaw locked up instantly. “What did he want?“>
“To talk. But not the friendly kind.” I looked away, in shame. “He said some things. Made veiled threats. I didn’t tell you because I thought maybe I was overreacting, or that he wouldn’t come back.“}
Vincent didn’t speak for a long second. His eyes went dark. Calm. Calculated.\
And that scared me more than if he had yelled.“)
“You should have told me sooner.”
know,” I said. “I just didn’t want to make things worse.”
He exhaled, rubbing his jaw like a man making a decision. “Don’t worry about James. I know what I’m going to do about him.”
I looked at him. “What does that mean?”
He just stood up and offered me his hand. “It means you’re safe now. Come on. You need rest.”
We went to bed early that night, said our goodnight and went to our rooms.
The house was dark.
Silent.
Until it wasn’t.”
CRACK.
The sound of the floors creaking pulled me out of sleep in an instant.}]
I sat up, breath caught in my throat. Then I heard it… footsteps. Inside.
Inside the house.”
My bedroom door creaked open.
And there he was.!!
James.
Eyes wild like a man drunk on drugs.
Hair brought. Breathing hard like an animal. He crossed the room in seconds and reached for me and I was about to scream when the voice came…
“Get off her,” said frok behind him.
Vincent.
Not groggy. Not confused. Fully awake. Fully focused.”
Like a soldier. Why haven’t I seen this side of him?!
He tackled James from behind, dragging him off me, slamming him into the floor with precision. James fought back, but he never stood
a chance. Vincent moved fast, brutal, twisting his arm, pinning his knee into his back, grabbing something from the nightstand.
Zip ties.
“Thought I wouldn’t be ready?” Vincent growled.
James screamed, but it was useless. Seconds later, flashing red and blue lights lit up the front of the house.
The cops stormed in, and just like that, it was over.
James was dragged out in cuffs, still screaming my name like I ever want to hear it again.”
I stood in the hallway, shaking. Vincent walked up to me, eyes softening as he reached out.
“You okay?”
I nodded, barely.}}
“You were standing there, watching, going to let him take me,” I whispered.!!
“No,” Vincent said. “I was going to stop him. And I did.“}
I nodded and wrapped my arms around myself as I sat on the edge of the couch, Vincent just a few feet away, arms crossed, watching everything like a hawk.!!
A detective stepped forward, flipping his notepad closed. “I need you to confirm something for me, Miss Lesley,” he said, crouching slightly so we were eye level. “Who exactly is James Wilson to you?“>
First Love Wants Me Back
I took a shaky breath.
“He was… an old lover. We went to college together. He helped me get a job when I first moved out here. I trusted him. We loved each other” My voice wavered. “Until he started actimh weird. Saying things. Watching me. He got angry when I told him I felt unsafe… And then… everything changed. He simply disappeared, but not before breaking me.“”
Vincent’s jaw flexed beside me.
The detective nodded. “Thank you for your honesty. You don’t have to worry about James anymore.””
I blinked at him. “Why?”
“Because we’ve been looking for him for a long time,” Detective said grimly. “James Wilson is tied to at least seven open investigations across three states. Stalking, breaking and entering, assault, even attempted abduction. We just never had enough to nail him… until tonight.“E
My stomach dropped.
“Tonight?” I echoed.
“He broke into your home with intent to kidnap you, possibly worse. And thanks to your partner’s quick thinking, we’ve got him dead to rights.” the detective’s eyes darkened. “James Wilson is going away for the rest of his life.”
I exhaled shakily, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of peace.
“What happens next?” I asked.
“We’ll need your full statement tomorrow. After that, we’ll keep you updated on the case. But for now, get some rest. You’re safe.“}]
Safe.
The word I longed to hear.
Detective stood, gave Vincent a nod of respect, then left with the rest of the officers.
I turned to Vincent. “Did you know he was going to try this?“%
“I knew something was off the second you said he showed up out of nowhere,” he said. “Guys like that don’t knock. They lurk. And they wait.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything.”
He looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.”
“Always.” he mused for a minute, “But, just so you know. They’re going to get Trenton and Sophie too.“@
My eyes widened. “What?”
