Chapter 20: A web of betrayal
"I was already nearby," Vincent interrupted smoothly, his tone light. "I saw you and decided to check it out. Didn't realize it was about to get dangerous. You're lucky I was there."
His words were so calm, so convincing, that Claire felt a small weight lift from her shoulders. Maybe she was just being paranoid. There were a thousand explanations for what had happened, and she couldn't possibly expect Vincent to explain it all right away.
Claire let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing as she looked out the window for a moment. She had been a bundle of nerves lately, constantly worried about everything—her father's death, the threats she'd been receiving, and the people she couldn't trust. Maybe she had read too much into things.
"Yeah, lucky," she said finally, offering him a half-smile. "Thanks for coming through, Vincent. I guess I was just a little... shaken. It's been a rough couple of days."
