Vincent touched her arms, making her tense. “Don’t say anything, please.” She couldn’t handle the ridicule right now. Calling her an idiot for putting herself in that kind of position. That she was naïve and deserved what happened to her.
“Whydidn’tyou tell me?” he asked softly.
Fiona opened her eyes. Where was the laughter and mocking? Where was the scorn? She turned around but couldn’t look him in the eyes. As soon as she did, he would lay into her. So instead, she stared straight at his chest.
“Whydidn’tyou tell me?” he repeated.
“Ididn’twant anyone to know my shame.” She looked down at her feet.
Vincent tilted her chin up with his finger. “Look at me.”
Fiona did.
“We’re going to find out who did this. I promise.”
“How? I don’t even remember what happened. At least not most of it.” That had been the worst of it. Not remembering what happened. Just glimpses, unable to tell what was real or her imagination.
Vincent looked puzzled. “What do you mean you don’t remember?”
Fiona looked over at Squeaker, who was oblivious to them as she worked on her computers.
“She’s in a zone and doesn’t know we’re here. Tell me.” Vincent’s voice was calm and soothing, helping her get through this.
“I was having a bad day at work, and my friend David took me to the bar. He kept handing me drinks as I told him why I was upset. After a while, I started relaxing. My head felt foggy. Then the idea came to lose my virginity. David agreed and I started hitting on guys around the bar. I finally picked one and went home with him.” She left out the fact she picked one that looked the lease like Vincent. “I know it was stupid and isn’t like me at all, but it was like I had no control over my body. I only remember pieces of it. I thought it was a dream or something until the photos arrived a week later.”
Vincent’shands tightened around her, pulling her in for a hug. “Damn,I’mso sorry, Fiona, that you had to carry this burden. It isn’t your fault.”
“It is,” she wailed. “If Ihadn’tbeen in that bar that night and put myself in that situation, I wouldn’t be here.”
“From what it sounds like, I think someone may have put something in your drink that night.”
Fiona stiffened, pulling back slightly so she could look up at him. “You mean drugged me?”
“I fear so.”
“Oh god.” Fiona thought she might be sick. Someone had drugged her. It all made sense. She wasn’t a big drinker but shedidn’tthink she had been drinking enough to make her black out and not remember.
“I swear to god, I’ll find out who did this,” he vowed, making her shiver. Vincent sounded so earnest. She expected him to react differently to finding out, but she was glad shedidn’thave to bear her secret alone anymore. “Is there any chance it could be the man you. . .you were photographed with?” He asked carefully.
“I don’t even know who he is. I had never seen him before or after. It’s unlikely.”
“For someone to do this to you, it must be something personal. From now on, I don’t want you going anywhere alone.”
“You’re not putting me under house arrest and wrapping me in bubble wrap?”
“The thought did cross my mind.” He smirked. “But I know you would never go for it.”
“No, I’m tired of hiding.”
Vincent looked down at her warmly. They stared into each other’s eyes, an electric energy humming between them that grew the longer they stood there staring at each other. His hands tightened on her arms before he leaned down like he was going to kiss her. Fiona stepped back. She had to before she did something stupid like fling her arms around his neck and beg him to keep her. He didn’t want her. He desired her but he didn’t want her.
Vincent looked like he wanted to say something but Squeaker interrupted them before he could. It was just as well. She was sure it would be some excuse or another.
“What? What is it?” Vincent abandoned her to look over Squeaker’s shoulder. Fiona took a moment to wipe her tears away and compose herself. What was it about Vincent that made her forget all reason? One look from his baby blues and she forgot his numerous rejections. She couldn’t forget. Nothing would ever happen between them no matter how much she wished it.
“I found a trail. It’s in Florida. From the photos sent to her phone, I was able to find out they were taken from a cell phone.”
“Good work, Squeaker.”
