Page 51 of Violet

“I didn’t say that, dear.” Violet clicks her tongue.

“But...”

“But she’s willing to get to know us,” Bert says. “Hopefully we didn’t bore you too much?”

“Bore me?” Violet gasps. “I’ve had such a lovely morning with you three.”

“We did too, little dove,” Hugh smiles lovingly at her.

“You’re a great dance partner, duck,” Aldo chimes in.

Her three mates all stare at her adoringly, and I wish I could freeze this moment forever. This is how I want to remember Violet after I leave. Sitting on the couch, smiling with her mates... or dancing with Aldo, while Hugh plays the piano and Bert reads on the sofa.

“You’ll be safe here,” I whisper. I won’t be, but I’ll be able to start over somewhere else, knowing Violet is okay. Hoping she chose immortality.

I glance at Liam, and that’s when the real pain hits. It doesn’t matter how I remember my troll—sitting on the sofa, squeezed into his squad car, or walking through the library doors—because wherever he is, he won’t be with me.

I’ll also never get a chance to say goodbye to Cash. Not in person. And I don’t think there’s a goodbye in the world that won’t make me regret leaving him behind.

And then there’s Nole, who will always hate me—and who I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive. But despite all that, I know that I’ll miss him too.

“Take care of her,” I tell Violet’s mates and get to my feet.

Chapter 22

Violet

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it this instant,” Violet scolds. She starts to stand, and Aldo instantly jumps to his feet, scoops her up by the waist, and sets her down in front of me.

“Letty...”

“Don’t you Letty me.” She wags her finger at me. “I know you, Violet, and I know you’re planning to run.”

“You were planning to run?” Liam demands, scrambling to his feet. Trapping me between his huge body and Violet’s frail one.

“It’s for the best,” I tell them softly. “Violet will be safe here—you’ll all be. They won’t come after you if I’m not here.”

“You don’t trust me to protect you?” Liam demands with a mix of hurt and outrage. “I’m a troll, Violet.”

He crosses his arms in front of his chest, arm muscles bulging, and glares down at me like he thinks he can intimidate me with his size.

“Liam...” I place a gentle hand on his arm. “You don’t know what I’m up against.”

“What we’re up against.” Liam scowls. “And why don’t you tell me?”

“Because...” There’s no point. I’d just be wasting time when I need to get out of Silver Springs, now.

“Liam’s right, sweetie,” Violet says softly. “Tell the guys everything. Maybe they can help.”

“We’re vampires,” Hugh says, his heavy British accent making the term sound more distinguished and less frightening. “Of course we can help.”

“And we can call for backup,” Bert adds. “Only reason we haven’t yet is Birdie asked us to talk to you first.”

“See.” Violet guides me back down onto the love seat. “Just tell them the whole story. Maybe they can help.”

I already know they can’t, but I want Liam to know why I’m leaving. I want him to understand that I have no choice.

So I nod, wait for everyone to get settled, and let myself get lost in the memories.