Linked ~ Anxiety

Warning: Strong Language

After departing with the Amos and Izabella, Vincent had a long, quiet car ride home. Endless potential suspects swirled in his mind as he tried to solve this on his own. He hated involving the Haines' in the mess he created, but he didn't know who else to turn to. This world is full of traitors and they were the only ones he knew he could trust without a doubt.

I have to protect her. I have to protect my Gia. If anything happens to her, I... I don't now if I could ever forgive myself.

I almost lost the love of my life because of this world. You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now. I know I need to tell Maeve, but I just can't. I can't disappoint her again. I can do this. I can keep my family safe without having to worry them.

He pulled into the driveway expecting to see the lights in the house turned off, but much to his surprise, most were still on. He checked his watch before stepping out of his vehicle and making his way inside.

Upon entering, he saw his wife sitting on the couch watching one of her shows. She heard the door open and glanced over her shoulder.

She smiled at her husband warmly. "Hey, babe. How was dinner?"

"It was pretty good," he replied quickly before beginning to walk away.

"Are you sure?"

He paused. "Yeah, why?"

"Well, you just seemed to brush the entire thing off. You usually like to tell me about your little adventures."

"Not tonight, Maeve."

He headed for the kitchen. Maeve stood from the couch and followed behind him. "Vincent."

"What?!" he snapped.

She took a step backward, startled by his outburst. Vincent quickly apologized and rubbed his face. Maeve stepped closer. "What's wrong? Talk to me."

"Don't worry. I'm alright. Just been a long day," he replied, kissing her forehead.

She placed her hand on his shoulder, but retracted soon after. His entire body was stiff. She knew something was wrong and she wished he would share with her. Her heart began to race as endless thoughts flooded her mind. She tried to push them all aside, knowing that he would tell her when he was ready.

"Well," she said softly, almost whispering, "I'm going to head to bed."

"I love you."

She mumbled something back, but wasn't able to speak at full volume. The lump in the back of her throat grew to an unbearable size, and she wanted to get away before Vincent could notice. Vincent's shoulders slumped. He felt guilty for lying to her, but he was doing it to protect her.

Before following Maeve to the bedroom, Vincent made his way to the room his daughters shared. The anxiety rising within him wouldn't rest until he could see his children safe. Both girls were already sound asleep. Vincent breathed a sigh of relief. He watched them both for a few minutes, reflecting back on all of the moments when they were younger. Now they're almost adults, and their beginning to explore new paths of life. Time truly does fly and it was moving faster than Vincent would have liked.

Now that he could see them safe, he wanted to check on his remaining children just to ease his mind. He went to open Dominic's door, but it was locked. More than likely, he was chatting with someone online or listening to music with his headphones in. He often needed his alone time; he wasn't nearly as social as the triplets.

Next, he made his way to Liam's room. Before he would even reach the door, he could hear him screaming on the other side. He was probably playing games with Valentino, the Haines' eldest child. Vincent opened the door, witnessing the stress of his son's face. It was quite hilarious. He leaned against the wall, watching Liam with a gentle smile.

Liam turned his head slightly and caught Vincent out of the corner of his eye. "Oh shi- jesus, dad. What the hell?"

"What?"

"I almost shit my pants, that's what!"

Vincent chuckled.

"Stop creepin', bro."

Vincent exited the room, still laughing. Liam was something else, but he cherished all the little moments with him.

Vincent quietly entered the bedroom to find Maeve laying in bed, her back facing the door. He changed quietly, careful to not disturb her and climbed in beside her. He planned to just fall asleep beside her until he heard the shallowness of her breathing. He stared at her back, watching her curl more into a ball.

She was upset. He could tell by just looking at her.

He reached out to her. "Honey, are you okay?"

She only nodded her head in response.

He grabbed her wrist and tried to rotate her to face him.

"I'm okay," she said. "I'm okay... goodnight."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following afternoon after everyone left the house, Vincent made his way next door to the Haines' house. There was still much that needed to be discussed. They waited until all of the kids and Maeve were out before meeting.

Vincent sat at the dining table after being invited in and began running his hands through his hair. The stress from the days prior had yet to leave his body.

Vincent: Thanks for letting me come over. I still have so much on my mind. I barely slept.

Izabella: I can only imagine what was going through your head last night but today’s a new day-

Amos:  So, *taking a seat* where shall we begin?

Vincent: I don’t even know. I’ve been trying to figure out who would have planned this and why, but I just can’t seem to figure it out.

Amos: I’d say start with whomever you’ve pissed off, but that list is probably longer than that of those you haven’t *smirks but stops when Izabella gives him a questionable look*

Ha, it's true. The list I've created for myself is longer than I can even comprehend.

Vincent: It would take years to figure out who I pissed off that much. But specifically Gia? Not saying that I would want anyone in my family targeted, but I thought they would go straight for Maeve again.

Amos: That’d be too predictable, they know you would’ve seen that coming from a mile away.

Izabella: If it’s Gia they want dead, it’s personal. *looks over at Amos* If it’s ever the children, from our experience, it’s someone you’ve royally pissed off. Maybe even more than just pissed off.

Vincent: I guess you’re right. If they really wanted to hurt me or my wife, they’d take a child, and I’m sure even a stranger can see how close I am to Gianna.

Amos: How long ago was it when you were first made aware of this bounty on her? That may help narrow things down for us.

Vincent: I only found out about it a few days before I told you. I couldn’t keep it to myself. But from what I hear, it’s been set in stone longer. No one wanted to tell me about it.

Amos: Do you’re people know we’re in the area: me, my wife and the kids? Did they know we asked for your help when coming to Newcrest?

Vincent: I never openly spoke about you and your family coming here. I didn’t see it as something I needed to bring up to anyone.

Amos: That’s good, that rules out anyone that you’re close to. I know it’s hard to think that someone you’re close to could do this, but it’s not impossible.

Vincent: I know. I don’t think I’ll be able to fully trust anyone aside from you until this is solved. I don’t know who could be working with whoever ordered this. I can’t make the same mistakes I made in the past.

Izabella: Whoever they are, they’ve been planning this for a long time.

Vincent: Yeah. They must have been holding a grudge against me for a long time now. I just don’t even know wh-

The front door opens and Valentino enters the house. Everyone at the table falls silent.

Vincent grew tense at the sight of Valentino. He knew he would have to talk to him eventually, and that deeply upset him. He and Gia are together; he has every right to know. But how will he take it? Surely not well. The last thing Vincent wanted to do was hurt anyone again, but it was far too late for that.

Valentino: *notices them together, takes out his earbuds* hmm seeing all of you together, that can’t be any good.

Amos: What? We can’t all just have an adult day without something being wrong? *chuckles lightly*

Valentino: Mmm i guess *squints* still very sus *smiles and heads upstairs*

Vincent: *waits until Valentino’s footsteps become distant* Well, that was cutting it a little close.

Izabella: He’s probably already getting in the shower, we should be clear to continue.

Vincent: I’m just trying to figure out if I fight back and risk angering this person, or if I need to take Gia and hide her somewhere safe.

Soon after her name rolled of Vincent's tongue, heavy footsteps came down the stairs. Valentino reappeared, only his expression wasn't so light anymore.

Valentino: What about Gia?

Amos: It’s nothing, do-

Valentino: Nah! It’s never just “nothing” here. What the fuck is going  on?

Amos: Don’t raise your voice!

Izabella: Bebe, just calm down-

Valentino: “Don’t raise my voice”?! My girlfriend was just mentioned in a conversation with three criminals and i’m supposed to be calm? Nah, tell me what this is about!

Vincent: Okay, okay. Calm down, Valentino. I started this, I’ll be the one to tell you.

Valentino: Then start talking!

Vincent: Basically, someone who has a grudge against me has put a bounty on my daughter’s head.

Valentino: If this about you, why Gia? Huh? Why family?! This is just like-

Izabella: *looks sternly at Val* Don’t, we don’t talk about what happened in this house and you know that. *Val falls quiet* look, just go take your shower, you’re too attached to this to take this in clearly.

Valentino: But-

Amos: Just do as you're told. I promise that we’ll fill you in later.

Valentino looks at everyone before reluctantly going back upstairs.

Vincent: *rubs the back of his neck* I’m sorry I’m causing so much strain right now.

Izabella: *visibly distressed* Anyone want anything to drink? Tea? *walks away into the kitchen*

Amos: *sighs* No need to apologize for this…  this  sort of thing is never easy for anyone involved.

Vincent: I know this really is going to hurt for him. I had to tell him though. He’s closely involved with her and he deserves to know. The real question is do I tell Gia and the other kids?

Amos: It is about her after all, so  you should tell her that she is in danger. I’d recommend that you tell your other kids, especially your wife. But even then, that would only cause panic.*looks directly at Vinny* that part is up to you.

Vincent: I… I have to think about this.

Izabella: *setting drinks down* whatever you decide, you can count us, as long as your family is prepared too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the Manning household, the girls had just returned from a shopping trip. They went to their bedroom to drop off all of their bags. Gianna flopped on her bed, and Ny did the same soon after.

"I think my arms might fall off," Gianna said as she gazed at the ceiling.

Ny giggled. "Maybe don't buy so much next time."

"Like I'd ever do that."

Both of the girls burst into laughter.

When they calmed down, Nyomi spoke once more. "How are things with you and Valentino?"

Gia's smile grew instantly. "We're great. He makes me so happy, Ny."

"I can tell. It's good seeing you with a good guy. I mean, you two are practically endgame."

Color rose to Gia's cheeks. Ny smiled, watching her sister get giddy over a boy. They both knew Valentino wasn't just any boy though. The whole Manning family saw them being together forever. Nyomi just prayed that would hold true. Those two deserved happiness and she truly believed that happiness was only accessible if they are together.

"Hey, want to chill in the back?" she asked.

"Sure! Let me just call Val and check in with him. I'll be out in a few."

Ny exited the room and Gia went to the bathroom to fix up her hair and makeup before calling Val. The phone rang and rang and rang until it finally went to voicemail. She decided to leave a voicemail saying she was just checking in and to call or text her when he had the chance. Then, she went to her sister outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over at the bowling alley, Liam and Maricarmen were testing each other's skills. Liam is one to talk big game, but sometimes his words don't match his "skills" or lack thereof. Nonetheless, being able to spend time like this with Mari was something he silently looked forward to all the time.

Mari was getting ready for her turn. She looked at Liam. "If i get another strike, you have to it that i’m better at this than you."

"Well, we both know you’re not going to. No one is better than I am at bowling."

She cocked her brow. "Just like no one is better than you at call of duty? Last i checked, my brother gets more kills than you."

"Hey now, he had the advantage last night. I can beat him any day."

"Mhm sure, if you say so."

"Speaking of last night, my dad was being a total weirdo."

"How so?" she asked as she finished her turn.

"He just walked in my room and was just staring at me silently. It took me a second to even realize he was there since I was too busy sniping your brother, but it was really creepy."

Mari burst into laughter. "Sorry don’t mean to laugh but it just reminds of Spongebob where I think Patrick goes 'He’s just standing there… MENACINGLY!'"

Liam could no longer hold in his own laughter. "It really was like that now that I think about it. Count on you to make that reference."

"You can always count on me to be the funniest girl you know."

"Suuure, keep telling yourself that," he replied with a smirk.

"You know it’s true though," she said, moving in for a kiss.

Liam pulled back and flicked her forehead. "Nope!" Then, he pulled her close and gently pressed his lips against hers.

"Don’t have to be so rude," she said afterward, flipping him off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Gianna got ready to relax for the evening, only one this was on her mind: Val. He still hadn't responded to her call. She began to worry a bit, wondering if she had done something wrong or if something had happened to him.

As she became consumed in her own thoughts, she heard her phone go off. She checked it and found a message from Val reading, "Sorry, was still busy at the gym. Talk later."

Her heart sank. This wasn't like Val. He was one to respond quick, or if he couldn't, he would say more than that. She sank into her bed, trying to dispel all of the thoughts swamping her mind. She put in her headphones and drifted into the world of music in hopes to distract herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for reading this part! This story is in collaboration with Story.Book Sims! Please make sure to check out her part as there is information you won't see in mine.