Charlotte returned after her shower to the kitchen and was pleasantly surprised to see that Vincent was still there. She was taking her time in the bathroom since her image reflected in the mirror was horrendous. Her lovely figure couldn't save anything.
She was on her phone for a couple of minutes after her shower, but her stomach started grumbling which forced her out of her blanketed sanctuary for a moment. Sighing, she ran a hand through her freshly washed hair, fluffing it up.
As she entered the kitchen, Vincent gave her a private smile before replying to the receiver of the phone call. He was leaning back on the chair leisurely, and his brows were quirked enough to know that he was irritated.
He seemed to be taking an important phone call, so she silently moved to her cabinets to get the vegetables prepped. Cleanly cutting the vegetables, she cooked them in a skillet to make a simple stir fry. She seasoned well since she was not one to eat bland food.
Charlotte's mind was elsewhere when she was stirring the pan and didn't realize that Vincent moved up to the island to sit on a bar stool. She lifted her eyes and turned off the stove. After plating the dish, she slid one of the plates over to Vincent.
"What were you talking about earlier?" Charlotte asked as she spooned some rice into her mouth.
Vincent also took a bite and took a second to chew before answering. "I was reporting my mission." He paused. "This is good."
She didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult with his confused face. But at least, he was praising her for her cooking. It wasn't like she was going to serve him food that was anything short of delicious.
Charlotte smiled. "Hopefully, I didn't get in the way of your mission."
"You didn't. I had a disperse a group of vampires before I saved you."
Charlotte shot him a glare for his off-handed comment before chewing. She wasn't weak nor needed to be coddled. "Do you always have to report your status like that?"
"Unfortunately. The Board keeps constant tabs on every cavalier. It will be of help when a situation goes out of control but most of the time it's a nuisance."
"I'm sure," she said. "Do you have anywhere else to be or are you humoring me?"
Charlotte stood to grab glass cups for water and passed him a glass before entwining her fingers. She has been letting her guard down around him. It was funny though since every time he was at her house, he was asked to eat. Today, it was that day.
Vincent didn't answer, but the doorbell rang for her in reply. Charlotte sighed and took off her apron to hang on the pantry door. It wasn't like her to kick out her family, but she wanted to rest. Charlotte didn't even think to check the window as she padded to the foyer and pulled open the door.
The men at the door were wearing all black with shades on despite having no sun out. She scrunched her face before angling back to check if Vincent was still there. At the angle, she couldn't see, so she faced the visitors.
They had guns strapped to their waist, and there were five men in total. They were all huge and took up most of her doorway as they tried to crowd in. Charlotte put her hands out near the doorway to try and stop them. They seemed like policemen, but Charlotte had a gut feeling that they were definitely not.
"Hello," Charlotte greeted with a fake smile. "I don't have an emergency."
She tried to close the door, but they were blocking the way with one man having his foot through the crack. Charlotte applied more pressure. She didn't want them in her house! Vincent was in the back having no idea what was happening in the front.
"Ma'am, I'd advise you to take a step back."
Charlotte continued to shut the front door but saw their stances change, and she immediately jumped back. Screaming, one of the men rammed the door open, and splintered shards of the wood flung in the air. The men advanced toward her, and Charlotte fell to the ground. Her lips froze in fear as she stared up at the intruders.
The men surveyed her house and began to flip it upside. Nothing was left unturned. They shredded her sofa and threw every piece of furniture over. Checking every drawer, they tossed all the contents onto the floor. Charlotte screamed for them to leave to no avail.
Vincent didn't make a fuss, and Charlotte ran to the kitchen. There was no trace of him to see. Even the dishes disappeared. Harsh hands yanked her back, and she tumbled into wall.
Striking the harsh edge of what separated the living room and kitchen, the wind was knocked from her lungs. Charlotte gasped for air while the men whispered among themselves.
"He wasn't here."
One of the men shook his head. "He doesn't like to leave traces. He should have come for her by now."
It finally clicked into her head what they were here for. To clarify, who they were here for.
Vincent left her. Charlotte clenched her teeth. That brat.