Violet’s P.O.V.Her hair was a waterfall of ebony that trickled down her narrow shoulders to her tapered waist. A slender jaw, high cheekbones, and deep-set eyes of the warmest brown I’d ever seen made up her face. Everything about her was flawless, from the maroon cocktail dress she wore, to the golden tan that radiated off her skin.She spared me a quick glance through her long lashes, but her attention was solely reserved for my best-friend.“Olive Chen, we finally meet. I am unsurprised Katherine managed to weasel her way out of this meeting, but the result is not terrible.” Cortana Santino had a heavy Italian accent that made each word sound like a melody as it slid past her plump and perfectly heart-shaped lips. She gestured to the other side of the couch and ushered a one worded command that left no room for argument. “Sit.”Killer slinked off to the shadows, leaning against the far wall where a mountain of a man stood. The creep’s eyes crawled over my skin like the furry legs
Violet’s P.O.V.“Alright, lets get things moving along. I don’t have all night and I’d like to play with Violet here before…well, that part doesn’t matter.” Lorenzo huffed, waving his hand dismissively. “Olive, you can leave now. Go home, take a shower, make sure your mother isn’t face down in a pile of her own vomit, crawl into your comfortable bed, and forget this night ever happened. Should Hael Ashford come asking questions, give him my name.”“Olive, don’t.” I warned her when she stiffened. Lorenzo wanted me, whether it was to piss off Hael or for something more, but he didn’t want her. He’d have no qualms killing her, and while I’d survived murdering my own share of people, I would not survive if my best-friend died trying to save me.Stubborn as ever, she shook her head. “I won’t leave you.”I’d never in my life heard the sound of a gun being loaded, but the moment the rapid ‘click’ hit my ears, I had no doubt what it was.In Lorenzo’s hand was a gun, and it was pointed right a
Hael’s P.O.VThe jet had just taken off and already I knew this was a mistake. I shouldn’t have left Violet back at home, not with everything going on and definitely not after I fucked things up between us. That day hung over my head, a storm cloud ready to burst that even Cole began to notice. If he told me one more time to beg for her forgiveness, I was going to throw him off the jet. Realizing I was wrong was one thing, but actually apologizing for it…Never in my life was I the one to apologize. The words weren’t in my vocabulary, but I knew that if I didn’t do something to atone for my mistake, I’d lose her forever If I haven’t already…Fuck, I should’ve found a way for her to come with us. My leg continued bouncing no matter how many times I tried forcing it to still. Cole noticed instantly, a knowing look on his face as he settled into his seat.“How much trouble could she really get into in one weekend?” He had asked. I returned his look with a much dryer one.
Hael’s P.O.V. “Cole, give her your shirt.” I ordered him. He tossed it at her face. She caught it just in time, flipping him off before shrugging it over her shoulders. It reached around mid-thigh and was the perfect length for what I had in mind. I darkened my features, drinking in the rage and hopelessness I’d been feeling these past few days, since I heard her and Violet’s conversation in the hall’s at Darling. Mykelle’s treatment of Violet had been my fault. I didn’t tell her to make her life hell, but I’d also done nothing to stop her. Hearing her say she wasn’t wanted, that it was a feeling she was used to, tore me to shreds. Even now, I could feel the soul deep agony and hear the mate-bond crying out, echoing Violet’s pain. Mykelle’s expression shuttered as she took in the obvious change. It pleased me more than words could express that she stepped back when I approached, glancing at Cole as though he’d dare help her. “You don’t get to know what this is about. You’re goin
Hael’s P.O.V. This small act of kindness changed nothing. I still couldn’t stand Mykelle, whether it be her voice or the way she clung to power like she couldn’t breathe without it. I didn’t want there to be more to her, because if there truly was something human lurking beneath the surface, then it just might make me hate her less. The inside of the place was as luxurious as one would think a long-term mental facility would be. Polished tile floors and spotless walls paved the way through a series of hallways that all looked the same. There were doors everywhere, each one with darkened windows. We made it to a set of elevators without seeing a single person. “The employees are on the other floors. This floor is where they process new patients. Second floor is where group activities are held and for short-term patients. Third floor is long-term patients, but there’s a room that’s bigger than the rest. I heard two of the orderly’s talking about it, and they say the person in there
Hael’s P.O.V. Rushing to ease her panic, I grabbed her trembling hands. “Yes, it’s me. You’re right.” In the very back of my head, I processed her words. The little boy she took. That meant it wasn’t her. Someone else kidnapped me. “Who is she, Evelyn? Did she hurt Violet too?” I asked without thinking. Evelyn let out a strangled croak. “Violet. Oh, my poor Violet. My sweet Violet. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve to die.” Die? She thought Violet was dead? I had no doubt that if someone were to blame, it was the same fucker who put her here—my father. “Violet isn’t dead, Evelyn. She’s alive.” Evelyn shook her head, going faster and faster until I wondered if I should restrain her. “No, no, no, no, no. She’s dead! Gone! I was there, I saw it. I saw it all! He got her….” I grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her firmly enough that she couldn’t escape. Each word that left my mouth was spoken carefully. “I just saw her, Evelyn. She is alive and well. I’m going to kee
Violet’s P.O.VWhat the hell did I just do? I must’ve been having an out of body moment, because as I looked down, I could see myself descending into a full blown spiral.Lorenzo Santino and his mother, head of the fucking Mafia, were dead.Olive, who was comatose in the front seat, was clearly going through the same inner struggle as I was. Then again, I never did ask whether or not Olive had ever killed before. Up until now, it wasn’t exactly a question that crossed my mind.Like some kind of femme fatale, I set their bodies and the entire bar on fire. Oh, this was so not good. Goddess, if Elijah knew the kind of person I was turning into, he’d likely have a stroke.There was a war brewing in my body, tearing my soul in two. The girl I once was, the one who only knew danger through the novels she read, was fighting the person I had always been, the one I caught glimpses of in my forgotten memories.I didn’t want to be a murderer, but I couldn’t go back to the girl who was terrified
Violet’s P.O.V.It was Olive, and she was pissed. Rarely ever did she raise her voice, or toss aside her cool and aloof persona. The octave she was hitting told me exactly who was on the receiving end of her wrath. “I didn’t know, Olive. Fuck! Do you think I’d knowingly put either of you in danger?”There was a sharp smack that had me stopping in my tracks, my feet sinking into the dark carpet I stood on. Erik wouldn’t have hit his sister, no matter what stupid mistakes he’d made. If it was Olive that resorted to violence, then I was truly worried for their relationship.“She has someone after her, Erik!” She hissed venomously. “Someone who wants to kill her. If you had come to us with this instead of going behind my back, we could’ve told you that the person who wants Violet dead knows the Santino family.”I didn’t dare let myself think about the fact that my mother’s stalker hadn’t wanted her dead. No, he wanted to keep her. In a way, that was worse.Erik was silent for several se