Vincent (Made Men, #2)(22)

Lake felt like she fit in once the guys started talking amongst themselves, which allowed the girls to chat again. She had to keep telling herself not to look in Vincent’s direction every now and then, though. Shit, why did you look? A couple of times, she was unsuccessful.

She had begun to notice Chloe wasn’t talking as much as the rest of them and after a fit of giggles, she whispered something to Elle then got up to leave. Lake watched her walk to two backdoors before she disappeared.

Something about Chloe called to her. She felt almost responsible for why she had left.

Getting up, she shoved the barely half-eaten plate back at Vincent. I won. Then she quickly went to the backdoors Chloe had just exited from. Opening them, Lake was taken aback by the beauty of the backyard.

The whole yard was huge with plenty of green grass, but it was the garden which drew her attention, and within it sat a gazebo strung with white lights. It was stunning.

“It’s so gorgeous,” Lake said in awe.

Chloe looked over at Lake and smiled. “I-It is.”

Glancing over at Chloe’s half-covered face, her heart slightly burned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare earlier.”

Chloe looked down at her hands and began to wring them. “It’s okay. I’m u-used to it.”

Lake went to place her hand on Chloe’s shoulder, but Chloe practically jumped ten feet out of the way.

“S-Sorry, I’m germaphobic.” Chloe grabbed the shoulder she had almost touched.

She held up her hands. “No, I’m sorry.”

Lake finally understood why Chloe called to her. Although she could relate to her pain, Lake knew the torture behind Chloe’s eyes was far worse than hers. Not in a million years would I want to know her nightmares.

“If you ever need someone to talk to, I would listen. I know what it’s like to be alone.” Lake went to leave so Chloe could have her time alone but before she did, she felt compelled to say something else. “You shouldn’t hide your face. It’s beautiful.”





Chapter Sixteen

The Good Has Been Strongly Outweighed by Evil



Chloe found herself under the white gazebo once more. Months before, she had been there in the dead of winter when there was snow yet a promise of flowers. She had found it beautiful then, but now she found it… Breathtakingly beautiful.

Looking through the windows into the party, she realized she wasn’t any better at social gatherings than the last time. However, this time was a little different. She hadn’t expected Lake to go out of her way to say those things.

You shouldn’t hide your face. It’s beautiful.

Chloe reached up and swept her hair behind her ear, remembering her words. She had never thought that maybe they weren’t staring at her scars, but instead maybe her. Regret was setting in that she hadn’t said much to her or thanked her for being so nice, but the truth was she hadn’t grown used to kindness again. The good had been strongly outweighed by evil in her life.

Chloe knew if she didn’t expect kindness, she wouldn’t feel pain again. She knew the moment she grew used to kindness would be the moment it killed her all over again. The next time, I won’t survive.

“Hey, darlin’,” a familiar, deep voice greeted her.

Chloe looked up at Lucca, wondering how he could appear and disappear without a sound. He was the last person anyone would want to catch them off-guard, and she was the first person who shouldn’t be snuck up on.

Lucca pulled out a cigarette and held it with his lips as he spoke. “I hear you’re still saying you’re a germaphobe. Have you ever thought of telling the truth, just once?” He flicked his Zippo with his wrist and lit the end.

Chloe looked down at her lap and squeezed her hands together. “I-It’s not a lie.”

Lucca needed to only take a few strides before he stood above her, where he held out his hand. “Come on, darlin’; just try it once.”

Glancing up through her lashes, she stared at his hand. Just try it once. She didn’t know if it was the truth he wanted or if he actually wanted her to touch his hand. Either one would be a first, and either one would be just as scary.

Chloe released the pressure of her hands and felt an itching need to reach up and touch his.

Hers had only moved mere centimeters before she came to her senses. “I c-can’t.”

“Why can’t you?” his dark voice commanded.

Glancing up farther through her lashes, she met his face. “Because I’m scared to,” she whispered her confession.

Did I just say that out loud? To him?

After a moment longer, Lucca sat down on the chair in front of her. “That wasn’t so bad, darlin’.” Taking another puff of his cigarette, he continued, “It’s summer now, and you’re still wearing long sleeves.”

Chloe quickly pulled the sleeves of her black dress down to make sure her arms were covered. How does he always know? She didn’t know whether the trait added to his scary or sexy side. It was too hard to tell right then when she was looking at him.

His appearance seemed even rougher than the last time she had seen him since his black-brown hair and beard had slightly grown out. However, he still kept up his bad-boy appearance by wearing dark jeans and a black T-shirt which hugged his muscular frame.

Lucca flipped out his silver Zippo and began rolling it through his fingers. Then he waited for her to become entranced in the flame. “Are you going to college?”