His hair was curling at the top from a fresh shower, and his chest was rising and falling periodically. Vincent's breaths were quiet and quick, as he dozed. She placed her chin in her hand to watch him sleep and blushed when she realized how weird the encounter would be when he woke up. He was dressed in a white button-up with the top buttons undone and black slacks, and she sighed. It would seem that he felt the need to dress up as well.
Charlotte had the compulsion to reach out to touch his hair, the soft strands slipping through her fingertips, and she suddenly pulled back, clutching her hand. What was she doing? Embarrassed, she leaned back into the leather seat and a flush worked its way up when Vincent opened his eyes, the dark gaze piercing her in her seat.
He straightened in the chair and brought his hands together, making his shirt strain from the tight muscles. Her gaze fell on his arms which were sturdily built and threatening to burst out of the shirt. She had to close out of the mental image of him topless, and she covered her face with her arm when the fantasy and reality were getting mixed up in her mind.
His eyes swept over her, darkening as he took in her beauty. Vincent didn't know why Sebastian got her dressed up neatly, but he didn't mind seeing her freshly washed and in a beautiful dress that showed her charms.
Charlotte unbeknownst to his thoughts brought her chair closer to his desk. "Awake now, sleeping beauty?"
Vincent bit out a smile. "Always up for a fight now, are we?"
Charlotte covered her grin with her hand. "Why not?"
Vincent shook his head. "What did the doc say?"
Charlotte lifted her bandaged hand that didn't get wet from the bath from Natalia's efforts. "The bullet only grazed me. A bandage should do and some salves, so that it doesn't scar."
"That's good. Make sure to put it on every day."
"I will," she said. "I also have a minor concussion."
Vincent frowned. "Is that all?"
"Yes. I'll have to be careful to not do any activity and rest."
"I'll leave Sebastian to watch over you in case you do anything troublesome."
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "I won't. I will gladly do nothing and rest."
Vincent smirked. "Now, let's get down to business shall we?"
Charlotte thought that he was worried for her for a moment, but the smirk returned, and she wanted to punch it off his face. Then again, it was her insatiable curiosity that got her into this, so she did have a guilty conscience. She leaned forward. "That is a spectacular idea."
"Questions. Shoot."
"Those people who came into my house were vigilantes, correct?"
"Yes."
"Why do they want to find you?"
Vincent looked over her shoulder. "That is personal."
"I said, why do they want to find you?"
"I accidentally killed one of their men."
"You can't just accidentally kill them."
"Vigilantes are vampire hunters, so their sole existence is to kill me anyways."
"I... guess, but that doesn't explain their fixation on you."
"The time will come for when I will tell you."
"Vincent!" Charlotte shot up from her chair. "I didn't take you for beating around the bush. Just answer me."
Vincent sighed. "I may have killed of their leaders that were in a meeting since they were targeting young vampires and luring them to do their bidding."
"The vigilantes are using vampires?"
"Yes. There is a power struggle at the moment as well for the vigilante groups, and they are doing whatever they can to stay on top by using vampires to kill other vampires."
"How would that even work?"
"Young vampires still have their human instincts. They will promise left and right if it pertains to someone or something important."
"That's horrible..."
He smiled. "You already did it."
Charlotte stared back in horror. "What did I do?"
"I mean," Vincent got from his seat and leaned down until their lips were inches apart. "I made a promise to you."
"I don't..." her mind went to the time in her kitchen. "I made you promise to not kill me..."
He brought her hand from the desk that was turning white from clutching the side tightly to his lips. His lips brushed across her knuckles, and Charlotte pulled her hand back to her chest, making her skirts sway. Promises with vampires were eternal it would seem.
"Your wish is my command."
Charlotte blushed and suddenly blurted out, "Are you going to confiscate me?"
He laughed. "You want money?"
"Hey! It was your fault that my house burnt down."
Vincent sat back in his chair. "I will wire you the money. For the time being, stay here where I can keep my eye on you."
"Will the vigilantes keep targeting me if I go out?"
His lips settled in a grim line. "Yes."
"My family..."
"Will stay unharmed. I have already placed people by their houses to guard them."
Charlotte breathed out a relieved breath. "Thank you... what is your plan then?"
"I don't know yet. There are too many to take out on my own."