Violet “How long have you been skulking around listening to my conversation?” I set my jaw. “I would think you had more important things to worry about.” “I’ve had enough of this, Violet,” he hissed. “You’ve taken it too far.” “What—” “Humiliating me like this… He must have fucked you pretty
“If this so-called evidence is so decisive, why didn’t you bring it out during the first trial?” His smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered, straightening his posture. “Because I didn’t need to. I didn’t think it would come to this.” Lie. So he had to be planning to get
Theodore The banquet hall hummed with laughter and chatter, but I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling crawling under my skin. Violet had stepped out with Helena a while ago, but I hadn’t seen her return. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a flash of her dress or the shine of her hair, but she
I stumbled, my legs barely holding me up. “I’ve had enough of this!” He kicked me hard, back into the pool. Then his hand was in my hair again holding me down as I struggled. My lungs burned. I reached down into the pool, hoping for a weapon. My hand fell on a rock. I grabbed it and slammed it aga
Violet Lucas’s scream echoed through my ears, sharp and furious, but not loud enough to summon help. I didn’t unclench my jaw even as he hissed and tugged. “Let fucking go, you bitch!” I snarled, keeping a hold of him until I couldn’t, and he ripped his hand out of my mouth. I spit out the t
The first thing I would do was kill him. It was a small comfort as he shoved my legs apart and started to rip my dress’s skirt, shoving it up and fighting with the delicate beading that wouldn’t tear easily. “This fucking dress,” he snarled. I felt his gritty hands on my bare legs, ripping at my
Theodore The ambulance ride felt like an eternity, the sterile smell of the vehicle mingling with the sharp scent of blood that lingered on her clothes. Violet’s body was unnervingly still on the stretcher. They’d left her wrapped in my jacket, but they were struggling to stabilize her as whatever
“Did he… He looked like he was going to—” I couldn’t even say it. “Or that maybe he already had…” Her gaze softened. “Would you like me to add that to the list of examinations?” “Yes.” I took a deep breath. I’d need to add it to the case. “Would you like to stay for it?” “Yes.” He paused a
She didn’t flinch at my tone, just watched me with that calm, unyielding gaze of hers. “How do you go from talking about delicate balances and planning to flip the whole table?" She shook her head. "I know you're upset. I know you're running on a million and five instincts screaming at you, but I
Theodore I looked at Violet. "What do you mean?" Tyron was still on the line, and no one else said anything, but I could all tell they had a lot to say. My mind wasn’t quiet. The thought was like a brewing storm in my head. Part of me knew what she was going to say, hated it, agreed with it, and
"And one more thing." Kincaid dug through his pockets for a small box and offered it to me. Theodore went tense beside me. I looked at him wondering what his problem was only to find him glowering at Kincaid. Kincaid blinked and chuckled before offering it to Theodore. "Returning it on behalf of t
Violet I woke slowly, the sterile scent of the hospital room giving away my surroundings before I even opened my eyes. The ache in my body from the fight reminded me of everything that had happened, but it was the warmth at my side that pulled me fully into consciousness. I shifted slightly and
“I’m not going anywhere, little flower.” She let out a soft, sleepy chuckle. "My mom used to call me that…" I wrinkled my nose. "I'll have to think of something else then." She chuckled again and started to relax. She closed her eyes and rumbled with contentment as she fell asleep. A warmth
Theodore My heart felt light enough to fly when she leaned into the kiss, melting against me the way she had that first night we met, yet now it felt like so much more. Her fingers curled into the fabric over my chest as she leaned closer, tugging just enough to let me know that I could give her
Her brows furrowed. “Acknowledge what?” “That we’re mates,” I snarled. “You know it. I know it." I gestured to my forehead where I was sure the band still was. "The Goddess has said it. What more do you need?” She flinched. Her lips parted, but no sound came out at first. Then, like a dam breaki
Theodore I was across the room before I realized it. She blinked slowly, confusion clouding her gaze at first. But then she looked at me, and I could see the recognition in her eyes. I wrapped my hand around her. Her lips twitched with discomfort. She tried to speak, but her throat was dry. She
“Did he… He looked like he was going to—” I couldn’t even say it. “Or that maybe he already had…” Her gaze softened. “Would you like me to add that to the list of examinations?” “Yes.” I took a deep breath. I’d need to add it to the case. “Would you like to stay for it?” “Yes.” He paused a