by Rose, Lila
“Zara, it’s going to be okay. We’ve got you,” I whispered, gently lifting her hair from her face. She nodded, only to wince.
“Damn it,” David screamed.
“Talon!” I yelled. “We have to go, and now.”
“Griz, take him. Clean this. I’m getting my woman outta here.”
“Sure, brother,” Griz replied.
Talon stopped beside the couch, kneeling. He swallowed over and over at the sight of his woman. It was bad, very bad. I wanted to cry, scream, kick something, but I didn’t. I’d hold it back.
“Jesus, babe,” Talon whispered.
“I-I k-knew you’d come. Kids? Parents?”
He ran a hand down her cheek softly. “They’re safe. Now let’s get you safe.” We both knew there wouldn’t be time to wait for paramedics. Talon picked her up as gently as he could, but she still cried out. My jaw clenched, along with my fists.
“Vi, clear the way. Make sure the kids don’t see.”
“On it,” I said, running from the room.
* * *
We made it out without a problem. I raced to the car Warden just exited and got in the driver seat. “She okay?” Warden asked through the passenger-side window.
I shook my head. “Get the back door open. Help Talon get her in.”
He nodded and straightened just as Talon came out of the house with Zara in his arms. My breath hiccupped. I beat down my emotions once more.
“Talon?”
“She’s passed out,” he told me, his face hard. They managed to get her into the car and on Talon’s lap. Warden jumped in the front, and I drove off like hellhounds were chasing us, knowing Talon would brace for my erratic driving. Even Warden leaned through to the back and helped hold her still. He would surely be bruised tomorrow for it.
“Nearly there, kitten. Hold on for me,” he begged, kissing her forehead. “Fuck,” he snarled low.
I bit my bottom lip to keep from crying. Hated seeing Zara on the edge of…. I couldn’t bring myself to think it, say it. What I also hated with my whole being, was seeing my brother crushed with anguish.
The tyres screeched when I pulled up at the back of the hospital, the emergency area. Sniffing, I got out as people stormed out. “You can’t park—”
I waved my arms, they paused. “Help.” I pointed to the back of the car. “She needs help. Three gunshot wounds and she’s been beaten.”
They rushed forward, one calling for a trolley. From there on, it was go, go, go. Talon nearly went berserk when they wouldn’t let him through with her. I grabbed his arms and whispered into his ear, “They need to do their work. Let her go so they can work, Talon. Please.”
He stilled, then nodded. The emergency team raced through the halls while we were led into the waiting room.
I sat beside Talon with my arm around his shoulders, and we waited. Brothers arrived. Griz deflected the cops, informing them what went on at the warehouse. Though, it wasn’t the full truth of course. Deanna kicked up a stink about not getting her hands on David, until Talon informed her there was still time. Her smile was evil. Nancy, Richard, and the kids arrived freshly showered, and they all surrounded Talon. It wasn’t until a police officer said some words Talon didn’t want to hear, by saying they would need Zara’s statement if she pulled through, that my brother lost it once more and he hit the man.
The brothers crowded Talon. I pulled the cop aside while he ranted about pressing charges, and told him, “You know who he is. He lives hard. Do you think he doesn’t love just as hard? The woman in there is his world, and you saying if she pulled through doesn’t cut it for him. Give the guy a break. Please.”
The cop sucked in a breath, glanced at Talon and then back to me. “I won’t press charges.”
I sighed. “We would appreciate it.”
The room fell silent. I wasn’t sure how long we waited until the doctor came through the doors. Her steps faltered a little on seeing Talon and his men. “Uh… family of Zara Edgingway?”
Talon stood, holding the kids close to him. “That’s us.”
“Oh, okay. I just wanted to say she’s through surgery, and it looks like she’s going to be okay.”
I watched as Talon sank to his knees in relief, the kids going down with him, both crying. I closed my eyes, tipped my head back and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Chapter Five
Travis
She was likely to kill me for being here, but I knew she’d had a rough day. The good news had reached me that Zara and the kids were alive. But I still wanted to make sure Violet was okay.
I stood outside her door and knocked.
There were no footsteps, no sounds on the inside, so I looked behind me and caught sight of her car. She had to be home.
I knocked again.
“Go away, Travis,” I heard from just behind the door.
“Violet, let me in.”
“No. Go away.”
“Violet, please. I’ve heard Zara and the kids are okay. I just had to check on you.”
I heard a noise; it sounded like a sob. “Go. Away.”
Reaching out, I touched her door. “Open the door, Lettie,” I said, using the nickname I had given her back in university.
The door abruptly opened. Her eyes were filled with tears, her cheeks stained from previous ones and her running make-up. Her hair a mess, but to me, she was still beautiful.
“Don’t you dare call me that,” she snapped, then wiped her nose using the back of her hand. “Leave me alone, Travis. If you think that kiss meant something, you’re wrong. It was nothing. Just a moment and that moment ended when I walked away.” She sniffed. “Go away.” Violet went to slam the door in my face. I pushed it back and grabbed her wrist, hauling her into my arms.
“Don’t,” she cried.
“Zara will heal,” I told her.
“I know,” she yelled, pushing at my chest. She was tired, weakened in her state, or else I would have been on my arse.
“You’re fine. Talon is, the kids are. Everything worked out,” I told her, holding her tightly to me. Gradually, her struggling stopped and she slumped into me, her forehead hitting my chest.
“He shot her.”
“I know.”
“He beat her.”
“I know,” I whispered.
“How can someone be so cruel?” she asked, her voice cracking at the end. “In my line of work, I’ve seen some pigs, some mean bastards… but nothing like that.”
“He will pay.”
“He will, but Zara, the kids, they’ll need time to heal, time to get past what he did to them.”
“And they will. They’ll have all the support in the world. Your brother will make sure of it.”
She nodded against me, then stiffened. Pulling away, she glared up at me. I fought my smile. There’s my woman. Rather than sharing my thoughts, I asked, “Can I come in for a coffee?”
“No,” she bit out. Her body swayed, and she cursed under her breath. “However, I am going to use you. So you can come in and sit in the living room while I go to my room and sleep. Knowing someone else is in the house will help me. Can I use you, Travis?”
My lips twitched, causing her eyes to narrow even more.
“Yes.” I nodded.
“This’ll mean nothing,” she warned.
“Just dinner.”
Her head jerked back. “What? No way.”
“Violet, dinner.”
“No.”
Funny she hadn’t tried to close the door again. “Dinner,” I demanded. She could use me all she liked, but I would be sure to get something in return. “Just a couple of hours with me while we eat. That’s all I’m asking.”
She groaned, running a hand over her face, and said, “Fine. I’m too tired to argue.” With that, she turned and walked down the hall. I stepped in. Grinning, I locked the door and followed her.
When I entered the living room, I saw her walking to another doorway. There she turned. She looked from my feet up to
my face, nodded, entered the room, and slammed the door behind her.
I got the message loud and clear. I wasn’t to enter the room, and knowing her, if I tried, she would have a gun pointed at my face in seconds. Even if she did look exhausted.
Moving to the couch, I sat down, turned the TV on low, and leaned back. Pulling my phone free, I sent a text to Link.
Staying. Get me a reservation at the club in Melbourne.
Link: She agreed to dinner?
Me: Reluctantly and I may have pushed for it.
Link: You’re a dick.
Me: Not something I don’t know. How’s business?
Link: Good. Be better if I was out there instead of babysitting.
Me: You know I only trust you with Izzy.
Link:
Me: Was that a fucking smiley face?
Link: Shit, was supposed to send that to Trisha.
Me: Sure.
Link: Fuck off. Stop annoying me so I can watch Shrek for the millionth time.
Me: I’m laughing.
Link: Why are you so fucking needy today?
Me: Suck me.
Link: Not even if you’re dying. Now get lost. I’ve made the reservation. Have fun. Don’t screw this up because I’m sick of hearing about how she’s your one that got away. Your dream woman. Your… you get the damn point.
Me: I do. Have fun with Izzy.
Link: She wants to do my hair.
Me: I’m laughing again.
Link: Fuck off.
Laying my phone on the coffee table, I stood and made my way into the kitchen. Being in Violet’s house felt strange, and yet, not. While I’d never been there before, the house smelled of Violet. Her scent had stayed locked in my mind since university. It brought up the memory of first seeing Violet in the cafeteria ready to kick some guy’s arse because he brushed up against her the wrong way.
Even back then she’d been feisty. It wouldn’t be until we’d started dating that I realised how sweet she could be behind closed doors.
I’d missed her.
I was wrong to leave her. I should have begged her to come with me.
Regret over leaving, even though we’d parted ways amicably, would always live inside of me because I had been the one to leave. In time, with her around me, I hoped that regret would heal.
Then again, when she found out what my line of work was, it was likely she’d run in the opposite direction.
Unless she already knew.
If she did, I would have thought she’d be up in my face about it by now. Admittedly, we hadn’t had much time together, which would change. That was if she did accept me as I was, with my business and all.
It worried me she wouldn’t. Then what would I do?
Fuck. I couldn’t class what I felt as worry.
It was fear, deep in my gut, and it slowly burrowed into my chest.
Violet was above the law.
I was below.
Could our connection, once she accepted me in her life again, be enough for her?
Fucking hell, I had no clue, and not knowing was the worst.
I poured the coffee into the mug I found, which read, “Have I had my coffee? Then do not talk to me.” It was Violet all over. She hated talking until she’d had at least two cups of coffee. Then it was as if her brain had woken and was ready for the day.
Smiling, I sipped my black coffee and glanced around the place. Nothing matched and yet it looked good. I saw the newspaper sitting on her bench. Picking it up, I leaned into the counter and flicked through the pages.
Nothing new, but it would keep me busy for a while and hopefully keep me from going through Violet’s things like I wanted to.
I knew I’d have to come clean about having her phones tapped.
She’d call me a stalker, a pervert, which I was both… but I did it when I first moved back because I wanted reassurance she wasn’t connected to anyone she shouldn’t have been, that she was safe within her work and the clients she took on. I hadn’t been ready to face her. I needed all the information first to have in my back pocket to make sure I had a good fight before she shut the door in my face. There was also the fact I had to get rid of Pam.
I had to make sure Violet stayed safe while I did my dirty work. I didn’t like she was a private investigator. Like she’d said, in her line of business, she’d met some bastards, and it concerned me to a point I had to make sure she didn’t bite off more than she could chew.
Tapping her private phone was another excuse. It was so I could learn about her private life. What I learnt was that other than her employees, she didn’t really have anyone she spoke with. She deserved more in life.
She deserved—
With my mug halfway to my mouth, I froze when a door slammed open. Quickly, I put my coffee down, pulled out my gun, and hid just behind the kitchen doorway.
Violet stomped in. She looked ready to take on anything and anyone.
“You,” she snarled at me.
“Me?” I asked, putting my gun away, which she eyed. “I don’t think an hour of sleep was enough for you, Violet.”
“Don’t get all smart on me, dickhead. You have some explaining to do.”
I walked back to my coffee. Her eyes darkened when I lifted the cup to my lips and sipped. There was zero sexual intensity in her gaze though; instead, it seemed murder was her only intent. “Explaining? About what?”
When her gaze shifted to her knife block and back, I knew it would be bad if she was already thinking of harming me.
“You tapped my phones,” she fumed through clenched teeth.
Well, fuck.
Had my thinking been aloud?
“Warden called me. He thought it was time to check the system for any bugs. Guess what he found?”
“Bugs,” I said calmly before sipping my drink.
She gripped the counter between us. “Fucking bugs, Travis. He traced the source. He found the company. He fucking found the goddamn motherfucking owner of that company. Guess who the owner is?”
My lips twitched, which wasn’t good since she eyed the knife block again. “Me?”
“Yes,” she hissed. “You. Tell me why you tapped my work and home phone, Travis? And it’d better be a good reason, or I’m thinking you would look good bathed in your own blood.”
“Violet—”
“Explain,” she yelled.
“If you just calm down—Fuck,” I cursed when a vase came flying at my head.
“Do. Not. Tell. Me. To calm down.”
That was certainly something to take note of.
“All right. You may not understand the reason for it right now, but one day you could.”
She waved her hand around. “Keep talking.”
I put my coffee down. “I’ve wanted to reach out to you since I moved back to Ballarat. I wasn’t sure you would want me to. So instead, I reached out in a different way so I could assure myself you were protected.”
“I have my men, Travis. You know this.”
“I do.” I ran a hand through my hair. “You’ve always been on my mind, Violet. Me tapping your phones was a mistake, but I don’t regret it, or I wouldn’t have been able to help with the Zara situation.”
Her jaw clenched. “You’re just fucking lucky you have that as an excuse. Ring your people, Travis. What you did was creepy as fuck. I’ve been on your mind, so you go behind my back and invade my life in a way I didn’t know about.” She shook her head. “Only stalkers do shit like that.”
There was that word. Stalker.
Hell, I probably was one, but my worry for her overtook my mind more. “It will stop.”
“Good. Now go.”
“What?”
“Do you seriously think I would want anything to do with you knowing this? I’ve been on your mind? Man the hell up and come at me instead of doing scary shit like this. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out?”
“I was going to tell you.”
“Yeah? When?”
“Af
ter you’ve warmed to me being in your life.”
“It’s not happening, Travis. I don’t want you to be in my life, and I don’t want to be in yours either. Especially not with the way you have it. Prostitutes, Travis? Really?”
Christ, she did know. Of course she knew. I was dumb to think differently. Dumb to hope.
“Now, Violet, it’s just a business.”
She sighed, shaking her head. “I’m too tired for this shit. Just leave, Travis.”
I started around the bench, and she backed up. “Violet, please try to understand my actions for tapping your phones were made with good intentions. To have your back when someone else couldn’t. I just wanted to protect you.”
She glanced to the side. “I know. But it’s still…” She shivered. “Wrong.”
“I know. It was stupid of me. And my business—”
“Don’t. We’ll talk another day.”
“Violet—” I snapped my mouth shut when my phone started ringing. It was Link’s tone. He wouldn’t ring unless something was wrong. Dread filled my gut. I ran into the living room and snatched up my phone. “Link?”
“That fuckin’ pathetic bitch of an ex of yours is here wanting to see Izzy.”
“Fuck,” I clipped. “I’m on my way.” I ended the call and made my way to the front door.
“What’s wrong?” Violet called.
“Nothing.”
“Travis, you can’t just walk out of here looking ready to kill someone after a phone call and not tell me.”
“Violet, it’s not for you to worry about.” I opened the door.
It wasn’t, nothing in my life was for her to concern herself over… yet.
There wasn’t a chance in hell I would subject Violet to Izzy’s mother.
“Travis Stewart,” she snapped, stomping my way. Her hand landed on the door, pushing it closed. “You owe me after what you’ve done. Tell me what’s going on.”
Straightening, I turned to her. She was right, I did owe her, but it wouldn’t be— “What was that for?” I asked, rubbing my gut where she hit.