Madison was packing her meagre belongings when a knock sounded on the door. “Come in,” she called out.
Ally opened the door and popped her head in. “It’s almost dark, he’ll be here in about half an hour.”
Madison nodded and sat down on the bed. “Almost ready.”
“Good.”
“I still cannot believe that was Vincent last night,” Madison exclaimed.
“I didn’t hire an impersonator,” Ally returned dryly.
Madison snorted. “I realise that. But what I felt coming from him last night…well it was shocking to say the least. I actually liked him, despite what he did to me.”
“Did you get any answers for me?”
“Did I ever!” Madison cried, her face lit up. “There was so much that hit me last night when he walked into the room. First his shame and guilt over what he’d done to me, but whenever he glanced your way. Woah! He’s crazy about you.”
Ally felt her body crumple with relief. “At least I know I’m not another scheme.”
“No. I mean you might have been, who knows with him, but whatever this is now. It’s real and it’s strong.”
“I almost feel like it’s cheating to get the answers this way.”
Madison laughed. “No, just an advantage. Besides, we both know that Vincent doesn’t play by the rules so why should you.”
“Good point,” Ally conceded and stood up. “I’ll be waiting downstairs.”
Half an hour later, they all piled into the car Vincent had acquired. Ally sat beside him in the passenger seat and gave the car a once over. “Do I really want to know where you got this car?”
Vincent gave a sly smile. “Probably not. But I’ll be returning it tomorrow unharmed.”
Madison piped up from the back. “Regardless of how you got it, I like your taste in cars.”
“See,” Vincent said smugly to Ally. “The girl gets it.”
Ally rolled her eyes. “‘The girl’ is seventeen. Of course she is going to be impressed by a Bentley.”
“And you’re not?” Vincent challenged.
“Oh, just drive the damn car.” Ally grumbled.
Vincent and Madison laughed out loud at her response.
“Just because I’m outnumbered does not make me wrong.”
Vincent took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Of course not, my darling. Now let’s see what this car can do.” He floored the accelerator. The tires took off with a screech as the car flew forward into the dark night.
They made it to their destination in record time.
“Home, sweet home.” Vincent said. He turned to face Madison. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll wait here. Your mother promised eternal vengeance on my black soul when I took you.”
“With good reason,” Madison quipped. “Mum does have a temper issue, so I will excuse you from your duty of seeing me safely to the door.”
Vincent smirked. “You know what, I like you kid.”
Madison rolled her eyes and laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised. Bye Vincent.”
Ally got out of the car and walked with Madison to the door. They knocked but no one answered.
“I wonder where she is?” Madison wondered aloud.
“I don’t know. Is there a neighbour or someone that you could ask.”
“No, not really. We generally keep to ourselves.” Madison went to grab the spare key. She opened the door and walked in with Ally in tow.
“Mum?” She called out.
No response came.
“It feels empty, like she hasn’t been here for weeks.” She went to check upstairs. “Nothing up here either.” She called back down.
Ally wasn’t sure what to do. She couldn’t leave the girl all alone here. It didn’t sit right, but she didn’t know if offering for her to come back to the place she was held captive was right either. She swallowed a groan.
Madison came back downstairs looking so dejected; the words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Come back with us. But as an invited guest this time.”
“How will Vincent feel about that.”
“You heard him. He said he likes you.”
“True,” Madison thought for a few moments. “Alright. I’ll leave mum a note with a number that she can reach me on and go pack some things.”
Ally nodded. “I’ll go and tell Vincent what’s happened.”
“I’ll meet you at the car.” Madison made her way back upstairs. Ally turned and went back outside to Vincent. Leaning against the car, he saw the expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”
She related the problem and that she’d offered for Madison to come back with them. Vincent gave a curt nod.
“Thank you. I don’t feel right leaving her here alone.”
“Better to bring her back to the big bad monsters house.”
Ally snorted. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the nose. “Grandma, what big teeth you have!” Ally mimicked a young girls voice.
“All the better to bite you with.” His flashed fangs and lowered his mouth to her neck. She felt the incisors and tensed. His mouth smiled against her neck and she laughed.
Madison walked out of the house, looking a little wary. Ally pulled herself from Vincent’s embrace and beckoned the girl over. “Come on,” Ally said with a wink. “He doesn’t bite.”
“Yes he does,” Madison called back, but came to the car regardless. She stopped in front of Vincent. “Is it truly alright?”
“I said I liked you didn’t I? Besides I need someone to help me keep this one in line,” he said with a wink.
Madison giggled and got into the car.
The emotion flashing in Ally’s eyes made any inconvenience that Vincent may have felt worth it. For the first time, Vincent was actually jealous of James. If this was what it was like to be with Ally, then the man was a fool for ever losing her in the first place. He sighed internally. How long would he have with her before James eventually found her. He knew that James wouldn’t give up until Ally was dead. And that was not going to be happening for as long as he had her with him.