Chapter 4
Chapter Four
WHIP
Her face's flushing with the deep mauve color, telling me just how much my words are impacting her. I’ve played the protective type for far too long. Ash asked me to come over here and make sure Violet’s all right, and from the looks of it she’s perfectly fine.
A bit aggravated, sure, but she isn’t as heartbroken as I thought she was going to be. I’ve kept myself an arm’s length away from the woman because she’s my little sister’s best friend, but in reality, I think doing that only made things worse.
For the last couple years, I’ve tried to slowly integrate myself into her life, waiting for the right moment, but fuck I’ve been lying to myself. There are no right moments, only golden opportunities.
I grab a bottle of the bougie sparkling water from the fridge my sister’s constantly buying and twist it open.
I saw an open bottle of tequila in there, and some unopened bottles of wine, but I won’t be drinking tonight.
Not when Violet already is and I’m sure she’s still trying to wrap her head around the comment I just made.
I could walk over to her right now and tell her exactly what I think. I could get straight to the point with her and lay down the law, but I won’t. Not today. Not tonight, when so much has already happened in the last twenty-four hours.
As I shut the door to the fridge and turn around, she’s already bringing the wine back up to her lips. Surely finding the courage to say something.
I take a sip of my water and stare into her dark almond eyes, waiting because I know Violet, and I know she won’t stay quiet. It’s half the fun right now.
“Yeah, I deserve better,” is all the response she gives me.
Silence fills the air between us and Violet picks up her fork, eating the Mexican in front of her. I follow her lead and opt to stand while digging my hands into the crispy guacamole tacos I got from my favorite restaurant here in Santiagoville.
They’re crunchy, smothered in guacamole, chicken, refried beans, and cheese.
I could’ve gotten some pollo like I normally do, but after today I needed a cheat meal.
I’m usually pretty good about watching what I eat, making sure I’m getting a good amount of protein in, not too many unhealthy carbs and whatnot, but today I’m going in for the good shit.
That’s just how my day’s been. Hell, I even got a client off death row so I’m feeling pretty damn good.
He told me he didn’t do it but judging him isn’t my job.
My job’s getting him out of whatever mess he allegedly got himself into, and I’m the kind of attorney who fights until the bitter end for my clients.
We both eat in silence for a few minutes before Violet clears her throat. “You must be having a cheat meal, or a celebratory one.”
Like I said, we’ve known each other for years so at this point she knows my habits.
I nod, shoving another nacho in my mouth. I chew on it and swallow before answering her. “A bit of both. Now, not to dive deep into your shit, but Ash told me you didn’t get all your shit from the apartment yet.”
Violet’s expression immediately shifts to a somber one. “Yeah, I haven’t. I will, soon.”
The way she pauses in between speaking makes me feel like it’s something she’s dreading.
“I can go get it for you, Vi, if you don’t want to be around him,” I offer.
Little does she know I’m going to go over there either fucking way.
I’m gonna make sure a fucker like him doesn’t do the same shit to another woman, and that she gets not only her belongings back, but the money she put down on the apartment too.
“You don’t need to do that, Santiago. I didn’t ask you, and I can handle it.”
“I know you didn’t ask me, but I’m still gonna offer. I don’t like seein’ you get walked all over. Surely you know it.”
Violet’s eyes lock right onto mine and I watch the way she drags them down my body just a tad. Just as I’m about to think she’s going to give in, she does the exact opposite. Within a second she’s rolling her eyes.
“I’m not getting walked all over and I don’t like it when you say I am. I’m just a woman who picks the wrong people, Santiago. There’re always constant changes in life and relationships are one of them. So, will you relax? You’re acting like I’m some charity project or something.”
“No, I wasn’t saying anything like that and I’m sorry if I insinuated it. I’d never . . . shit, I’m sorry. Just don’t want to see you hurt is all.”
Violet closes her eyes. “Pain is part of life. None of us can evade it.”
Her words make me think she’s putting on a tough face about her relationship being out of convenience. Even if she had a small care in the world for her ex, I’m sure it hurt her in some way.
She’s a great woman, smart, beautiful, and witty, so seeing her heart aching in any way is unbearable. I understand she thinks this isn’t a big deal, she believes this isn’t hurting her, but her words and body language are telling me a different story.
“True, but promise me something for the next man who walks into your life,” I say, waiting for her to open her eyes and look at me. Once she does, I speak again, “Make sure he’s a man you’re passionate about, not one merely in your life so you aren’t alone.”
Violet sucks in a deep breath and nods. “I promise. I’ll nip my bad habit in the bud.”
I pick up another chip and toss it into my mouth, wondering if she’s putting together the pieces yet. She’s out of a relationship, has started her career, and it’s no longer inappropriate for me to have lingering eyes for her. It's not like she's a minor, and my sister would have to deal with it.
Fuck, Ashley's the one pushing me toward her, so where's the shame in seeing where things could go?
When she was eighteen, I felt she was too close to being jailbait for me to show any interest in her. Then again, I felt like she didn’t know what she wanted in life. None of us really do when we're that young.
But, now the game’s completely changed.
I’ll have Violet one way or another.
She’s older now, matured in a way she wasn’t when we were younger. The world has chiseled away at her innocence and replaced it with strength. She won’t need to be so strong when she’s mine. I’ll be strong enough for the both of us.
Her voice pulls me back to reality, "You're too quiet."
She juts out her lower lip, a playful pout that tugs at some long-buried emotion within me.
I let an amused smirk tug at my lips before retorting, “Just thinking about how grown-up you’ve become.” I let the words linger in the air between us.
There's a flicker of surprise in her eyes followed by a hint of curiosity. She opens her mouth to respond but is interrupted by the sudden ringing of my cell phone.
Ashley's name flashes on the screen as I step into her bedroom to answer it.
"She's doing all right," I assure Ashley, trying to keep my voice quiet, not wanting Violet to overhear me at all.
Even as I speak, my thoughts are filled with Violet, her laughter, her strength, her radiant beauty.
"You’re sure?"
"As sure as I can be. She's all good, Ash."