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“No, Shawn. He can't get to me. Please.”
“I won't let him,” I bit out.
Eric turned, his eyes zeroed in on Violet, and he started toward us. Violet ran to hide behind me, her fingers digging into my biceps. Her broken cries tore through me.
“Hand her over!” Eric shouted.
“Can't you see what you're doing?” I barked. Violet's tight hold on me was the only reason I wasn't reaching out to deck him. “You're hurting her.”
“She's mine.” His eyes looked maniacal. “Vivi, baby.”
I blocked her fully from his view. “Don’t speak to her, you bastard.”
Eric took a step forward, but Tony and his men closed in from behind and grabbed him by the shoulders. He grew desperate, kicking away, but they held him steady and tugged him toward the exit.
I sighed once he was out of the restaurant and turned to pull Violet into my arms. I didn't care how many people watched us. I only cared that Violet was safe.
“Mr. Hart, I'm so sorry.” The manager showed up next to us. “We have never seen that man before. I'm calling the police right now.” He made a show of dialing the phone.
I shushed Violet's whimpering and held her close. “He's gone, sweetheart. You're safe.”
Chapter24
Violet
I woke up alone in Shawn's bed. The sheets were rumpled and warm where he'd slept. Though my eyes were still heavy, there was no way I could go back to sleep. Shawn was the only reason I got any rest. Once we came home last night, he led me to his bedroom and helped me out of my clothes. It'd been a blissful evening until Eric showed up. And even after we finished our meals, I couldn't quite shake him off; no matter how much I tried to forget, I still trembled like I had a fever.
I hauled myself out of bed and padded to the bathroom. My hair looked disheveled, so I finger combed it, but I couldn't fix the tightness around my eyes and chest. Though Eric was taken into custody, I had no idea how long that would last. What if he made bail? He was nearly crazed with his need to get to me last night. What if he does something worse in his desperation?
“Violet.”
I jumped, turning to the doorway. It was only Shawn. He peeled himself off the doorframe and came to wrap strong arms around me. Warmth threaded through me, chasing away some of the anxiousness squeezing my insides. He'd been there for me all night and even now. My throat clogged up. After shielding me from Eric, he still held and comforted me. I wanted to be strong for his sake.
He stared at my reflection in the mirror. “How are you feeling?”
"Good." I smiled. "It startled me when you came in."
"I understand." His eyes gave away nothing. "Will you come down and help me make sense of a recipe?"
I smiled. Sounded like the distraction I needed. “Sure.”
Once I washed my face and brushed my teeth, I headed to the kitchen. Ingredients covered the countertop, and a glance at the website revealed we were making a sweet potato and kale frittata. Shawn's eyes brightened as they fell on me, and he handed over the tablet.
I chuckled, looking through the recipe. “This will be easy.”
Most mornings, we tried out a new breakfast recipe for the kids, and they loved it. We did, too, enjoying each other’s company in the kitchen. Shawn was adept at cutting fruits and vegetables in fancy shapes, and I covered everything that had to do with seasoning. We were a great team and would usually laugh our way through the preparation.
However, the mood wasn't so light today. Shawn kept watching me, and to make him less worried, I cracked jokes. Dry ones. Ugh. I just wanted this to be over so I could return to my bed and wallow.
Mercifully, we finished the prepping, packed the boy's lunches, and laid out their breakfast. We cleaned up while they ate, and when they were done, they stopped by for goodbye kisses before Wanda took them to school.
The kitchen was spotless, kids' bellies were full, and I was free to cry into my pillow. I glanced at Shawn's back as he rinsed off his hands at the sink, started to speak, then stopped. I left the space and was halfway upstairs when his voice stopped me.
“Where are you going?”
I glanced down. “Upstairs.”
His eyes watched me too keenly. I tried to keep my face passive, but Shawn was too perceptive and knew me too well. "I want to see you in my office."
