As the elevator opened at our floor, we both noticed a large package sitting by the door. It was nearly four feet in width and height, wrapped in brown paper. Stefan and I exchanged a glance and he unlocked the door, letting me in to turn on the lights as he retrieved the package. He carried it inside, his eyebrows furrowed.
“It is addressed to you.”
“To me?” I asked. Curiosity had gotten the better of me and I walked quickly to Stefan’s side. I glanced at the package to see the label. It was addressed to Josephine Ahearne.
Fucking Kian and his overbearing bullshit! I viciously ripped the paper, gasping when I saw the swirls of red and blue. It was the painting from the art gallery.
“The painting,” I breathed out in disbelief. There was a card attached to the back of the canvas and I held the heavy card stock with shaky hands, silently reading the exaggerated cursive writing.
My dearest Josephine,
I watched you admire this painting and couldn’t bear to see something so beautiful belong to another.
There will be a day we will see eye to eye, either by choice or by circumstance. Until then, know that I will be waiting...and watching.
Your loving father,
Kian Ahearne
The meaning behind his carefully crafted words were crystal clear to me. He abhorred that I was with Stefan, knowing that Stefan considered me his property. My father only wanted me for what I could do. He valued people and vampires as collections. He was also reminding me that he was privy to exactly what I was doing and where I was at all times.
The entire situation made me sick.
“Josephine?”
Stefan’s hand on my arm brought me back out of my thoughts. “Read this.” I handed him the card and our eyes met for a moment before they dropped down, quickly scanning over the card.
His blue eyes flashed when he looked up from reading the note. He turned and grabbed a beautiful glass vase, throwing it at the wall with such force and speed that it damaged the drywall and the vase exploded. I jumped back as tiny slivers of glass splintered, my eyes widening as I watched the dust and shards settle over the wood floor. Fixing my gaze on Stefan, I watched him rise to his full height, his wide shoulders rigid and tension making the faint lines around his eyes more defined.
“I have had enough of his insinuations and threats, Josephine. He is giving you a warning. Can you see that?”
Not waiting for my answer, Stefan’s phone was in his hand, his fingers flying across the keypad. He brought the phone to his ear and spoke so fast his voice sounded like a series of hisses and growls, becoming a blur as he disappeared down the hallway.
I stood in the middle of the living room, trying to make sense of what happened. I went into the kitchen and found a dustpan under the sink, busying myself in cleaning up the glass and drywall dust that was all over the corner of the living room. As I cleaned, an unsettling silence filled the the apartment. Dumping the glass in the trash, I headed off in search of him, the sound of my heels echoing in the hallway.
I found him in the bedroom, his eyes distant as he focused on a spot on the floor. He didn’t look up when I entered and I silently watched him for a moment from the doorway.
He was slouched over, his long arms resting on his thighs as he sat on the edge of the bed, gripping his cell phone in his hands. His mind was moving at warp speed, searching the future and becoming annoyed at the black spots and holes he would encounter, causing his thoughts to become ominous with uneasiness and irritation. He was furious at my father, angry enough to start making phone calls and plans that would lead to Kian’s death. Even though I wouldn’t mourn my father’s demise, Stefan didn’t need to be impulsive. I refused to risk losing him over a silly painting and thinly veiled threats.
Walking to stand in front of him, I took the phone away and placed it on the dresser, putting his empty hands on my waist. Cupping his face, I raised it so I could caress the angular lines that made his face one of the most beautiful I’d ever seen. He closed his eyes when I kissed the tops of his cheeks, brushing his mouth with my thumb. He sighed wearily as he parted them for me, letting me caress the soft skin of his lips.
Crouching down, I knelt between his legs. “Kian isn’t worth it, Stefan. What did you say to my brother about revenge?”
“Someone that seeks vengeance craves retribution more than he wants to live,” he muttered under his breath, almost repeating his earlier words verbatim. “I hate it when you are right. I only spoke with Lukas. I promise that I will not act rashly.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly to me. It only took a moment until I felt his strong arms wrap around me, a shudder shaking his chest. He was still worried and upset.