Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
JAMIE
"Jamie, I want to go to my home." In the passenger seat of my car, Violet sniffles while scowling at the side of my face.
I ignore her, my emotions way too fired up to have a normal conversation. Fearing I'll scare her keeps me quiet as I drive through the streets of downtown Detroit. I should bring her home, but I can't make myself do it. My white knuckled grip on the steering wheel won't budge on this.
Ellis and Nate fucked up again. How many chances can I give them before I write them off as a pair of fucking assholes who can't see what's right in front of them?
But that's not quite true now, is it?
I saw the confusion and shock on Ellis' face when he really looked at Violet. It was like he was trying to actually figure her out. When he did, I had to force my heart to stay steady instead of breaking for both Nate and Ellis.
Their worry was palpable when Violet started shaking. It took every ounce of strength I had to stay away, and fucking hell, it was one of the hardest things I've had to do.
As soon as she launched out of her chair, I was across the room and pulling her into my arms. Her plea to go home just about snapped my control.
The desperation and honest sadness etched into Ellis' features dulled some of the rage I felt for him. He pushed her too far, and he knew it. He’d better fucking learn from it.
Nate looked ready to take her from me and wrap her in bubble wrap. Unfortunately, I think they may have lost their right to comfort my woman.
Maybe if they hadn't made her cry and panic each time she's seen them, it would be different. I wish it could be different. Instead I'm driving her to my place alone, and I'm not letting her leave until she's feeling better.
"Jamie..."
I've always wanted Violet to show me more emotion and vulnerability. Now that I have it, I'm freaking the fuck out. I hate seeing her cry. Her usually confident posture has drooped, and the seductive lilt of her voice that I've become accustomed to over the years has faded into uncertainty.
Violet has been disarmed by Nate and Ellis. I don't know whether to kiss them or rip their spines through their throats.
"Jamie!"
"What?! Shit," I curse, looking over at her wide eyes. "Fuck. I'm sorry. V, I can't bring you home."
"And why the hell not?" She crosses her arms.
Thank fuck for small bratty mercies.
Whipping into my parking spot, I once again ignore her words. She stays in the car as I come around to her side, but she doesn't move an inch when I open the door.
"Violet. Come here, please," I say, voice tight, but I'm trying to be gentle. She shakes her head while looking out the windshield. "Now."
"Fuck off, Jamie."
Something tangible in my brain snaps. Reaching inside, I unbuckle her seatbelt and grab her calves. Violet gasps and starts to wiggle away from me, but her feet are already on the concrete and I'm pulling her out by her clammy hands.
"Goddamn it! Jamie, stop. I want to go home and sleep in my bed for a year," she exclaims as if that would get me to let her go.
"That is exactly why you're staying with me for a bit." Slamming the car door behind Violet, I tuck her hand into the crook of my elbow and start our march into the building.
"But—"
My feet take a turn, putting me in front of her with her dainty little nose millimeters away from my collarbone. "Violet," I warn, allowing her to see how I too am struggling. "You're coming inside. At least for a while until I know you'll be okay on your own."
Blue sparkly eyes bounce back and forth between mine. Her chest rises and falls with a deep breath as her bottom lip wobbles. "Fine," she relents.
Grunting like a fucking caveman, I press a kiss to the corner of her mouth and lead her inside where it's warm. Thankfully she doesn't fight me the rest of the way to my apartment, but she's awfully quiet.
It's probably for the best though because I don't think I'm capable of being gentle right now. She's cried so much today. Getting some water in her is first on my agenda.
Some of the tension releases as we step into my apartment. I may be imagining it, but Violet seems to relax a little as well. She kicks her shoes off and hangs her jacket like it's the most natural thing for her to do. I love how comfortable my sweet woman is in my space.
"I'll get you some water," I mutter. Grazing her lower back with my hand as I walk past her, I strut into the kitchen with purpose.
As I'm filling the glass, my mind conjures up what they could have talked about. How cruel was Ellis? Did Nate demand too much from her?
"It's full," Violet tells me, shocking me out of my head. Cool water flows over my hand and onto the floor. Quickly I move to the sink and dump some before tossing a rag on the floor to mop up the mess I made.
My heart pounds in my chest as I slide the glass across the island to where Violet sits. On top of the counter with her legs crisscrossed, V looks like she belongs here.
"Here you go, Sweets."
She offers me a small smile which settles me a bit. "Thanks."
I watch like a damn weirdo as she takes a sip. "More," I urge, needing my woman hydrated again.
Eyes narrowed on me, Violet does as she's told, and before I know it, half the glass is gone. With that out of the way, it's time I figure out what the hell made her panic the way she did.
"I know you have questions," Violet says, sighing. She plucks at the strings coming from the holes in her jeans, a sure sign that she's anxious. "They wanted to know where I ran off to. I told them I went on a road trip to escape the reminders of what happened to my mom because of me."
I bite the inside of my cheek so fucking hard I draw blood. There will be plenty of time for me to tell her she's wrong, but right now I need to know the situation at hand.
"My answer wasn't good enough," she whispers, and I can't help but feel like she means she isn't good enough. "So Ellis asked me if there was someone else."
"He what?!" I snarl, my hands slamming down on the counter. That's a fucked up accusation.
Violet's lips twist as she sniffles. "I told him no and that I didn't blame him for asking me that. Then I—then I lost it a little. I apologized, but I don't think they believed me. So I kept telling them how sorry I was for leaving them the way I did."
Jesus fucking Christ. "What did they say?"
She shrugs, and my heart clenches at the sight.
Reaching forward, I wrap my hands around her thighs.
"I don’t know what they said, I guess. Or if they said anything.
It felt like I couldn't breathe, and my ears sounded like they were under water.
I was panicking. I needed them to believe me, but it felt like I was pleading with a brick wall. "
I remember this part. This is when I started moving and heard the worry in Ellis and Nate's voices. Part of me doesn't want to tell her how scared they were so I can just keep her all to myself, but she has a right to know how her words affected them.
"Ellis kept saying your name," I begin slowly, forcing the words out. "Nate was trying to get your attention so you could match his breathing or something."
"Really?" Violet's frown is equally cute as it is heartbreaking. It should not be shocking that people care about her.
Nodding, I rub my thumbs along her thighs. "Really. When Nate stood up and Ellis started panicking right along with you, you launched yourself out of your chair."
Violet nods. "Then you were there."
"Then I was there," I confirm, smiling even though it hurts. "Do you remember anything between then and demanding I turn the car around?"
I lose her eyes, but I allow her to hide from me for a moment. She needs to know she's safe with me, even when I demand answers. All I want is to help her.
"You put my jacket on me and walked me out of the restaurant. I don't know what else. It's all kind of a blur because I was trying to control my breathing. I don't love panic attacks, you know," she teases, glancing up at me.
Chuckling, I grab her ass and scoot her closer to me so her crossed legs touch my hips. "Does anyone enjoy panic attacks?"
Violet nods. "Yeah. Readers love when the main character has a breakdown."
"What?" My eyebrows shoot up, a little surprised at this turn of conversation.
She nods with a little more life in her eyes. "Yeah. In books. The leading lady panics, and the guy or guys is supposed to swoop in and bring her back down to earth."
"We'll come back to that odd desire, but first, did you say guys? As in plural. Is that something you want? To have multiple men loving you and doting on you?"
Fuck. Violet goes pale and I know I've pushed the wrong button at the wrong time. Of course my sweet woman wanted multiple men in the past, Ellis and Nate.
"I'm sorry," I rush to apologize, and the light begins to fade from her eyes.
"Sweets, stop. Come back. I'm sorry for pushing.
I wouldn't judge you. Hell, I kinda like the idea of surrounding you with a few other guys.
More protection, more eyes and soothing hands to keep you from putting those walls back up. "
To my horror, a tear slips free from her right eye, and her lip begins to wobble again. "Fuck. Violet, why are you crying?"
She doesn't answer me. Instead, she tugs her knees up to her chest, dislodging my hold, and spins on the counter. With her back to me, she jumps down on the other side. "I'm gonna go wash my face," she mutters as she walks away.
Groaning once she's out of sight, I hang my head. A few more curses slip out of my mouth. Why must I always push her away? When will I figure out where the fucking line is with her?
I must figure it out quickly because I can't stand my sweet girl crying.