Chapter Eight

ROUGH FINGERTIPS STROKED her hip, and his voice rumbled in his chest against her back. “How you feelin’?”

Violet opened her eyes, blinked, and closed them again. His stubble scratched her cheek when he leaned over her.

“Talk to me?”

The trepidation in his voice nudged her properly awake. She rolled from where she’d been on her side with him spooned up behind her and onto her back.

“Sore,” she hissed when she turned her head to look at him, and the bandage on her shoulder puckered. Her skin pulled around the bite. “But good.”

The frown lines beside his eyes melted away. “No regrets?” he clarified.

Violet stroked the jut of his cheekbone. “No regrets.”

Mikel leaned down and caught her in a kiss. She returned it for a moment, then pushed him off to go brush her teeth. She smelled the toothpaste already on his breath.

“Your eyes,” he reminded her as she reached the bathroom door before she could look in a mirror. “You look beautiful,” he reassured her.

Violet thought she saw the faintest tinge of gold in his when he said it, but she was too far away to be sure.

“Won’t last forever, if you don’t like it,” he offered, and she ignored the trepidation in her gut.

Violet was careful not to look before she used the bathroom and brushed her hair. When she brushed her teeth with her head bent over the sink at an odd angle, she realized she might be avoiding it. She rinsed, spat, and stood up.

“Holy shit.” No matter how she tipped her head or turned, the gold ring in her irises stayed, bright and blazing. It made her brown eye look darker but richer, like embers, and her green eye shone with hazel now. She studied them until she could finally tear her gaze away to inspect the huge Band-Aid she didn’t remember him putting on her last night.

“Well?” he called from the bedroom.

Violet peeled the bandage back slowly. He’d cleaned up the worst of the mess. Sense memory struck, and she could feel that rivulet of blood making its way down to her collarbone, the cold, damp soil under her knees, and the blooming heat in her belly when he finished with his teeth in her.

She poked gingerly at the marks, an upper and lower set of teeth that made a whole. It was already scabbed, the skin around it shiny and healing.

“Good,” she announced, taking one last look at her eyes before she went back to the bedroom.

Mikel had been doing something on his phone. He glanced up at her return. Violet watched his gaze move from her face, to the now uncovered mark, and the reaction that ricocheted visibly through him.

“Come here.” His tongue wet his lips after he spoke, and she moved to him like a moth to a flame. “Stars, Violet, you’re beautiful.”

He caught her around the thighs and tugged her back into the bed. He rolled them until he was over her, and she was laughing, breathless at the humor dancing in his eyes. He slid down to lie between her legs, caught one when she flailed and kissed the inside of her thigh. Her body stirred to life, even though she could still feel where he’d been inside her the night before.

He raised an eyebrow. “You can blame that on the moon now.”

She looked down at him. “Yes, it’s the moon making me horny and not my—” She stumbled; mate was still such a strange and awkward word for her.

Mikel cleared his throat. “Boyfriend?” he offered.

It still didn’t feel entirely right, but it was easier.

“Not this ridiculously sexy man who ravaged me in the woods last night, lounging between my legs.”

He kissed her again, and she huffed out a breath.

“It might be more the moon than you think,” he said seriously. “Do you remember last night? Drinking from the fountain?”

“The moon water?” She tried to focus on this entire conversation they were suddenly having, and not the tickle of his breath, there. Like he understood, he kissed her once more, then moved up to lie beside her.

“It shouldn’t have affected you, but your scent was like you were in heat.”

Violet covered her face. “Kill me.” Now that she was thinking about the fire, she remembered more pieces. The dancing, the woman, and wanting him. “Maybe you were just horny?” she tried.

“Daniella called me because she could smell you. Apparently, Natalia noticed too.” He let that hang ominously.

“That’s the chick who was dancing on me? I was out of my head thinking about the drums and you, and you know…”

His expression stayed blank.

“Mating,” she spat out. “It felt like being in a trance, and I just wanted you to be there so we could do it. I barely noticed her.”

He hummed out his acknowledgement through tight lips, avoiding her eyes. “Well, moon water shouldn’t do anything to—”

“Mikel, wait.” Violet cut him off and pressed in close. It hurt something deep in her chest that he thought she’d wanted to be with that woman, that he believed any part of her wanted someone else, when she’d spent the whole night just pining for him. “I wasn’t interested in her. You know that, right?”

He hesitated.

“I’ve never wanted or needed anyone like I needed you last night, just you.”

“All right,” he conceded, and she saw the weight of it leave him in the way his shoulders relaxed and dipped.

“I like what we’ve got here.” The sentiment surprised her when she said it, but she did.

The little house on the edge of the forest was warm and safe to her now, and she craved his crooked smiles, lost herself some days in running around in the van or watching him build, or painting his creations. By accident, she’d somehow started to carve out a place for herself here. She’d walked the same way day by day, and without knowing it, she’d worn a path, something good. Home, her brain supplied and left her warm and hopeful and guilty.

“Hey.” His knuckle brushed her jaw. “I like it too.”

Violet released a breath and tried to smile.

“Moon makes everything more intense,” Mikel explained. “The change will too. Shouldn’t this early on, but you’re probably ahead because I don’t think you started out entirely human.”

“What?” Her brain sputtered and stalled, trying to change tracks.

“Looks like you had some descendant blood to start. The drums and the drink shouldn’t have been more than a regular party for you. It brought you into heat like an unmated descendant.”

“Can we stop talking about my…heat?” she croaked out.

He looked confused.

“It’s embarrassing!” she hissed. “How would you like everyone to know every time you feel…you know.”

“Violet,” he said, absolutely deadpan. “I have a cock; everyone with eyes knows.”

It wasn’t even that funny, but it was Mikel, stoic, serious Mikel. Violet was worried she’d split the half-healed bite on her neck when she threw her head back and cackled at him.

 

MIKEL WAS PUFFED up when he helped her down from the truck in town. It took Violet a long moment of glancing around at the people watching them to realize it was with pride. He led her by the hand through the door of the bookstore, and she marveled that this was his errand.

Shelves lined the walls, a mismatch of different woods and stains, but they were clean of dust, and the books they held were stacked neatly. The smell of paper and must clung to the air. He stopped in front of the counter and cleared his throat. The woman behind it continued to rock in her chair, a blanket tucked tight around her legs, focused on the book in her hands.

“Ma’am,” Mikel said. Nothing. “Mrs. Bard,” he tried louder. Finally, she looked up, and a smile lit her face.

“Mikel Davis, the day after the moon zenith.”

“Yes ma’am,” he agreed, always the gentleman.

The woman’s murky hazel eyes found her, and Violet offered her a smile while she squinted at her face then the new mark on her. “And you brought your young lady. Moon and stars, boy, she’s lovely.”

Mikel grew three inches beside her, and Violet squirmed under the attention. “Thank you.”

“Well, yes, dear,” Mrs. Bard said and sniffed. “Old blood, not just Davis blood.” A gnarled finger came up to rub her dry lips while she studied Violet. “Yes,” she finally decided, “absolutely perfect.” She looked back up at Mikel. “Your daddy would be proud.”

He shuffled his feet, clearly downcast at the remark, but Mrs. Bard wasn’t done.

“The change won’t take long with your blood. I can fix some stinging nettle tea. Breed her again under the moon tonight, small chance we’ll have the alpha heir before Samhain.”

Violet choked on the breath she’d been taking.

“Thought we agreed we weren’t talking like that anymore,’’ Mikel reminded her gently. “Kane’s the alpha. Don’t want anyone overhearing, and you gettin’ yourself into trouble.”

Defiance sparkled in her old eyes. “I thought you were finally ready to look the truth in the face, boy.” She gestured to Violet. “Finally taking a mate, and a good one at that, getting ready to take your place.” Challenge hung thick in the air. “You look just like your daddy when you’re mad.”

Mikel sucked in a breath.

“About that tea? Only took one cup, and Jenny’s girl took next breeding,” Mrs. Bard turned to her and offered sweetly. Violet looked to Mikel, overwhelmed.

“No tea. Brought you this.” He stepped in and procured a palm-sized flat stone from his pocket. Then, he set it on the counter. She seized it in her sun-mottled hands and crowed her delight.

“Moon charged?” She pressed it to her cheek. “Yes, yes,” she answered before he could. “You’re a good boy, Mikel. Think about what I’ve said, won’t you?”

It was a sweet request with an ocean unsaid beneath. It dawned on Violet then that this woman knew something about Mikel’s father, and probably about the accident/massacre.

“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed, ever polite. “What did you mean by old blood for Violet? She was an outsider.”

“Well then, somebody’s been very naughty because the blood of the Davis pack isn’t all that runs in her veins. She should have grown up in the community and been initiated at her first monthly blood.”

Being there with them was feeling more and more like a dream. Violet knew she wasn’t a descendant before; she was just Violet, the town fuck-up with the dead mom and the rich dad. Now, she had werewolf blood, and she was Mikel’s mate. The thought still made her feel light and fizzy inside.

“Moon water brought her into heat before we mated,” Mikel explained. She shot him a death glare because again with the heat thing. He shrugged and quirked an eyebrow.

“As expected,” Mrs. Bard said, like this was just par for the course. Her hazel eyes watched Violet, old but sharp. “Thank you for the rock. You were late, and I thought today might be the first time in all these years you’d forgotten me. Turns out you were just bringing an extra gift.”

Mikel’s hand settled at the small of Violet’s back, and he smiled down at her then back across the counter.

“Why don’t you get back to your book, keep your mind off of your schemes?” he offered fondly.

“As you wish, dear boy,” she declared and eased down into her chair. “My door’s always open; come anytime,” she called after them as they made their way to the front again. Violet couldn’t help but feel the message was for her.

“That your grandma?” she asked, once they were back in the truck.

“Family friend,” he clarified. “Sorry. A lot of that generation cling to the old ways. Doubt anyone else will bother you about breeding. Most of this town isn’t eager to see me procreate.”

Something inside her squirmed with discomfort, and she was glad to leave the subject of procreation well alone.

“Why did she keep implying you were the alpha?”

Though he was driving, Violet had the feeling he was avoiding looking at her.

“She was my grandmother’s best friend, sort of town shaman back in the day. She watched my parents grow up, so it’s hard for her to believe my dad did it. Thinks it’s all a big set-up and has been waiting for me to fix it since.” He did glance at her then. “Don’t get any ideas. She’s a lonely lady who prefers a fairy story over the harsh reality; that’s all.”

Violet itched to argue with him. It wasn’t impossible that Mrs. Bard was right, but his jaw was set, and she knew he wouldn’t hear it. “And apparently she’s really concerned with my reproductive health,” she said instead.

“Old ways,” he offered again, apologetic.

“Do you want kids?” Just saying the words sent hot panic crawling through her.

“I want you.” His hand settled on her thigh, but her mind still raced.

“Should we be using condoms or birth control?” She would rather tear out her tongue than have this conversation, but the thought of a baby atop every other change that had happened recently was terrifying.

“Doesn’t work like that for descendants.” He squeezed her thigh and took his hand back to scratch his neck.

“How does a physical barrier between your”—she waved her hand—“and my”—she blinked at him—“not work.” She finished with air quotes.

“Condoms usually uh, fail,” he explained gruffly. “Your physiology isn’t human anymore, so birth control is out. I’ve been taking mugwort since we…were together. The effectiveness is about the same as condoms for your average descendant.”

Violet caught the undertone in his words. She could get behind male birth control.

“And what about for you, son of the ex-alpha descendant, because I’m getting the feeling it’s different.”

“Not sure,” he admitted. “Our reproduction rate in general is lower than humans. Most aren’t concerned about it, and if they are it’s because they’re trying to get pregnant.”

“Oh.” That was reassuring, she supposed.

“I don’t want you to feel pressured. I should have warned you about Marjorie.”

“I don’t. Awkward, yes. But I’m just…learning.” Violet took his hand and blew out a breath. That seemed to placate him.

“All right.”

She was beyond thrilled to let the topic die.

 

“HEY, ARE YOU and Mikel coming to the New Year’s Ball?”

She and Red had spent the better part of the last two days in the Town Hall, screwing together the pieces of the huge ornate buffet table the planning committee had commissioned for the ballroom. Violet hadn’t thought to ask him.

“Don’t know, maybe? I kinda have an aversion to formal events.” Silently, she thanked Magnus for that, and in the same breath was hit with a heavy dose of longing for Lila.

The van rolled on, headed back to the shop.

“It’ll be fun,” Red insisted. “At least this time you won’t pop into heat and almost fuck the town thot in front of god and everyone.”

Violet cringed at the memory. “How was I supposed to know I allegedly had a drop of wolfy blood that the moon juice would activate? I can’t believe I’m saying this with a straight face.”

Red just laughed at her.

“Relax. Even Dani thinks it’s funny now. But anyways, the New Year’s Ball.” She went on to tell her at length about all the dresses Dani had made for various people in town. Violet’s mind wandered. Time had passed easily since Mikel had bitten her. It had been a little under two weeks, but her scar was already silver and flat, and they’d already settled into a rhythm that felt right.

He was easy to fall for, and he doted on her. Life was dangerously good, yet one thing about the Bluff still nagged her.

“Okay, babe, for real, where’s your head?” Red asked when she realized Violet wasn’t listening. For the millionth time, Violet wanted so badly to tell her.

“What do you think of Kane?” she hedged carefully.

“The alpha?” Red clarified, and Violet nodded.

“This is about Mikel’s dad, isn’t it?”

Violet shrugged.

“You can talk to me. Obviously, I wasn’t around, but Dani told me the story. She was like fifteen when it all went down. It’s dumb that half the town treats him like they do. Guessing he doesn’t like Kane very much?”

“The opposite actually. He’s weirdly chill about the whole thing, thinks his dad went psycho and killed sixteen people from my town.” She tried to reason with herself that this wasn’t betraying Mikel’s trust. He’d never expressly told her not to discuss this, and Red was a friend.

“I never put it together that you were from there. Nobody you know, right? I know your mom—” There was a long pause, and she watched the pieces fall into place for her friend. “Oh shit, Violet.” Red turned to her, stunned.

“Watch the road!” Violet rushed to remind her. “You cannot tell him. Promise me?” It was a gas leak, she reminded herself over and over, like she did every time this came up.

“How…? Your mom,” Red spluttered. “I mean. Not like Mikel had anything to do with it, but are you okay with this?”

“Promise me you won’t tell him?” she demanded again.

Mikel was already guilty enough over it and Violet wasn’t convinced guilt was even warranted. Knowing her mom had died in that building would only make it worse.

“Promise,” Red agreed, grabbing her hand and squeezing. “Not my thing to tell.”

Violet exhaled. “Thanks. And I can talk to you, right? Like, you won’t repeat this?”

“I won’t even talk to Dani if you don’t want me to. We’re friends; you’re stuck with me.”

The sentiment made Violet smile, but the smile didn’t stay.

“My mom died in a gas explosion, Red. A wall blew out in that building, and it took half a block with it.” She swallowed, searched for a way to say it without saying it and found none. “My mom wasn’t torn up by some animal, she got crushed under a beam when the ceiling fell on the other side of the place. Probably died from smoke inhalation before they found her.”

“Violet—”

“It’s fine. It was a long time ago. But it gets weirder.”

Red shot her a look, then made a hard left into a parking lot. The van jerked to a halt parked over three spaces. “Go on,” she said as she killed the engine, and Violet hoped she could trust her.

“When I first got here, I recognized this guy in the Target parking lot. My dad’s the mayor of Frankston, remember?”

Red nodded.

“This guy, Jared, he came to my house to meet with my dad, picked me up from school a few times. He wasn’t there every day but enough that I knew him by name. Figured he was part of Magnus’s security.”

“Why would a descendant have a job outside of town?”

Violet shook her head. “Just wait. Then, Kane happens to show up at the hardware store on the exact day Mikel goes every month for his supplies and tells me I look familiar. Mikel jumps in and brushes it off, and they have this weird exchange. Problem is, Kane is familiar to me. He’s been having dinner with my dad forever, back when my mom was still alive even.”

Red clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. Violet continued.

“Magnus, my dad, became the mayor of Frankston after the previous mayor died in that explosion. He was supposed to be at that meeting. My mom went. He stayed home with the stomach flu.”

“Violet,” Red breathed, and it was a relief to see someone else putting together the pieces and coming to what looked like a similar conclusion to the one she had, rather than immediately playing it off.

“Magnus became the mayor because the previous mayor died in the explosion, Kane became the alpha because the same people died in an ‘attack’”—she made air quotes around the word—“and Mikel’s dad got the blame. Kane’s been at my house since. I saw him maybe last year, maybe the year before. They stayed in contact.”

She finished, and Red just blinked at her.

“Is Mikel going to try to get revenge?” she finally asked.

“No, he still thinks the explosion was a cover-up, and that his dad killed all those people. He barely wants to talk about it.”

“Okay, but is there any way it could have been a cover-up?” Red held up her hands, asking for patience while they considered it.

Violet’s gut said no, but that wasn’t logic. “Theoretically yes. But then why blow it up with people who weren’t involved in the attack still inside, like my mom? Why take out the school and businesses when a smaller leak would have done enough to just clear that room. Why kill all those people to get to just two?”

“Maybe someone botched the cover-up?”

“Possible. I was ten years old, I don’t have a ton of details, but I definitely don’t recall a single thing that says it was anything other than an explosion. The whole town was all over it for weeks afterwards.”

She could tell she’d lost Red a little bit, and she supposed it made sense. It was easier to believe the version of events you already knew and had processed, not the crazy alternative. Maybe that was the case for her too, and she just didn’t want to accept she lost her mom in some power scheme, or that the end was even more brutal than she’d thought. “But I’m not the only one who thinks something’s up. You know Bard’s Books?”

“Yeah,” Red frowned, not following her jump.

“The old lady who owns it, she was a family friend of Mikel’s parents. He looks out for her and stuff. Anyway, he took her a moon rock or something, and after she got done trying to have him knock me up”—she made a face and Red scoffed—“she was talking like Mikel should be the alpha. He told me she thinks it was a set-up too.”

Red gawked at her. “I’m not trying to be insensitive, but I feel like I just stumbled into a detective show. Wait, do you think you’re in danger? If Kane somehow cheated to become the alpha, and he knows that you recognize him—”

“He definitely knows,” Violet told her. “Mikel ‘doesn’t like his interest,’ but I don’t think he’s thought about it beyond Kane being curious about me because he doesn’t trust him. What happened with his dad, or what Mikel thinks happened, weighs on him. You know he’s not chatty anyway, and when it comes to this…” She mimed zipping her lips.

“Okay.” Red chewed her thumb, looking around the mostly empty parking lot like she’d find an answer there. “So, we go talk to Mrs. Bard!” She turned the key and the van roared back to life.

“Now?”

“Why not?”

“Good point.” For weeks Violet had wanted answers, but now they felt closer at hand, now someone else had validated her suspicions, she was inexplicably reluctant. The drive to the bookstore passed quickly and quietly. Maybe Red was lost in the details, chewing it all over in her head.

Violet told herself her stomach was only in knots because they’d talked about her mom. It was a memory she was careful not to touch, and she was aware it could be influencing her perception of all this. Having to come to terms with her mom dying in a cold-blooded attack, not an accident, at the hands of Mikel’s dad… She pushed the thought away.

“Violet Davis,” Mrs. Bard announced as soon as they entered the shop, appearing from behind a shelf and leaving Violet to wonder how she’d seemed so deaf the first time they’d met.

“Uh—” She started to correct her, and Red elbowed her.

“You go by pack name here,” she explained before Violet could continue.

“I had a feeling you’d be back.” She tottered over and squinted at Red. “Daniella Hawthorne’s young lady,” she announced. “Aren’t you cold, girl?” She gestured at Red’s teeny shorts. Violet was instantly thankful she’d chosen jeans that morning.

“I run hot,” Red replied gamely. The old woman only sniffed in response.

“Mrs. Bard,” Violet started and glanced around the empty store for listening ears.

“Call me, Margie, pet. Mikel’s too polite, has been since he was a boy. He makes me feel old.” She shooed them aside and lowered herself down into a chair beside a reading table, then gestured to the love seat across from it. “It’s safe to talk here. Now,” she started once they sat, “what have you come to ask me?”

Violet shared a glance with Red, unsure where to start. “Well…” She rubbed a hand over her denim-clad thigh. “To be brief, my dad is the mayor of Frankston. He became the mayor after the previous one died in what I grew up believing was a gas explosion in the town hall.” It was startling to see Margie’s eyes flash gold. “Then, I come here and learn the previous mayor supposedly died in a werewolf attack. Then, I realize Kane, the alpha, I know him. He’s been having dinner with my dad every once in a while since before the accident. My mom was in that building. It was an open casket funeral, and she wasn’t…” She stumbled over the words. “She was trapped under a ceiling beam and died of smoke inhalation. She wasn’t mauled. I—I saw her.”

Margie’s eyes were blazing, and she was so still for a minute, Violet grew concerned.

“It just seems like a coincidence that the two men who would directly benefit from the accident were in contact before it happened and still are now. And nothing in my memory ever suggested it was anything but a gas accident, not a massacre.”

“Elias was a good man,” Margie finally spoke. “A good leader. He loved this town, and he advocated for better relations with the humans in Frankston. Saw him change with my own eyes when the council came for him, but I know he didn’t do what they said he did. And it sounds like you’ve whittled out the truth. Let me guess; Mikel won’t listen?”

Violet nodded, unable to hear whatever she cursed out under her breath in response.

“Hard-headed, that boy. Thinks he’s been being noble, flagellating himself all these years.”

“Alpha Kane recognizes her,” Red cut in. “He tried to ask if she knew him.”

Margie’s face twisted to concern. “Over a decade, and it’s coming to its peak,” she warned darkly. “Kane’s dangerous.”

A pit formed in Violet’s stomach.

“So, what do we do?” Red asked, leaning forward, clutching her knees.

“Well, Mikel needs to unbury his head,” she explained, like it was that easy. “He’s stronger than Kane, but the fighting days are over. Now, favor is won and lost through the whole town and the elder council.”

“So, we’ll tell everyone what happened, and then what? Mikel gets elected as alpha?” That was the world Violet knew—scandals and power plays and elections.

“No, child,” Margie scoffed. “This will split the Bluff, tear it down the middle. The echo of that massacre is in folks’ blood now. Even with the reality staring them in the face, they’ll still side with Kane because he’s known, and he’s safe. The Davis family has been the monster under the bed for twelve years.” She wet her lips. “Kane will try to remove you, Violet, before what you know can threaten his position.”

Violet’s blood ran cold at her words.

“The question is,” Margie continued, cool calculation in her gold-ringed eyes, “what will Mikel do about it?”

“We can’t just wait for something to happen to her,” Red pointed out, her voice filled with emotion. “Surely we can start spreading the truth—”

Margie cut her off. “The truth is what is believed by the majority. You’re girls stepping into the middle of a decades-old minefield.” She licked her lips again and held Violet’s eyes. “Unless you have absolutely irrefutable evidence of what Kane did, your hands are tied until the end.”

“What do you mean until the end?” Violet demanded.

“Until Mikel moves to take over the community,” she explained, like it was a foregone conclusion. “He has the heart and the strength, but he’ll need your perception. He needs his mate to ignite what’s in his veins after all these years of stifling it, then watch his throat when he steps into what he really is.”

If that wasn’t daunting, Violet didn’t know what was.

“How about if we just forget this and don’t tell anyone?” Red was shaken, Violet heard it in her voice.

Margie shook her head. “You can’t un-ring some bells, and this one’s been tinkling for years. Kane won’t chance loose ends with his leadership at stake—look what he did to get it.” She paused to consider. “Perhaps you’re lucky, and he hasn’t realized how much you know, but that grace period is coming to a swift end.”

“How so?” Violet took a deep breath and tried to shake the foreboding that was settling into her bones like lead.

“Your change will be done before the next moon.”

“That’s not possible,” Red interjected. “I’m coming up on a year since Dani bit me, and I’m nowhere close.”

“And you were a human and not mated by the true alpha bloodline of this pack,” Margie reminded her before her gaze settled on Violet. “Think of the safest you’ve ever felt. That moment where nothing in the world can touch you.”

“Uh—” It was too big of an ask with the hoard of new information battering her brain and whispering danger. “I don’t know.”

“What did Mikel do this morning when you woke up?”

Violet thought back. She’d woken up pressed against him, the smell of coffee already coming from the kitchen. His arm was draped over her, and his body was just so warm. He’d kissed her shoulder, and his voice had rumbled against her back while he told her breakfast was ready.

Red gasped.

“What?” Violet demanded.

“Your eyes…the gold was gone for like, a second.”

Her head snapped to Margie, who was nodding. “Practice. Center yourself, think calm and safe and about home to pull it back. Think of passion or hatred or wilderness to let the wolf forward.”

Violet tried it again, but judging by their reactions, nothing happened.

“Before you go,” Margie said, struggling up from her chair and effectively dismissing them, “let me get you a box of my tea to take?” She gave Violet a wry smile.

“Sur—” Red started.

Violet cut Red off. “No, we’re good. Thank you.” She couldn’t fight returning Margie’s smile at the mischief in her knowing eyes.

 

MIKEL PULLED THE hair off her neck and pressed his lips there. The movie had finished half an hour ago, but they’d stayed on the sofa talking about customers and then the New Year’s Ball, which he thought they should probably attend. He pulled back and surprise snapped on his face.

He blinked. “Violet, your eyes changed.”

“I know.” She smiled at him.

Then unease sunk like a stone into her stomach. It’d been easy to come home, shake off all the weight of her conversation with Margie, and just get lost in him. “I went to the bookstore today. Red wanted to pick something up.”

“Red wanted to pick something up, to read?” The clarification was heavy with skepticism.

“Yes,” she insisted, “and Margie told me how to start practicing. She thinks the change will be done soon.”

His brow furrowed. “What else did she tell you?” The chill in his voice hadn’t been there before.

Violet steeled herself and went right for the jugular. “That I’m in danger because Kane knows that I know him. She thinks he’s going to try to ‘remove me.’”

“She’s old and stuck on her agenda,” he insisted darkly. “There’s no reason for you to be scared.”

“Isn’t there? I know you don’t want to talk about it, but she agrees that someone isn’t telling the truth about what happened back—”

“Violet.” His face was like thunder.

“Mikel,” she insisted, scooting up onto her knees to face him on the sofa and take his hands. “I know you don’t want to talk about this, but something is going on here. And if I’m right, Kane may try to shut me up, and also, it changes everything for Frankston and Forest Bluff. Magnus should never have been mayor. He should have been in jail, along with Kane, and you should be—”

“That’s enough.” His hands closed on hers, holding her in place. “That kind of talk is what will get you hurt here, Red too. I can take you to my mom’s grave if you need proof that I’m not joking.”

The wind died in her sails. She’d had no idea he’d lost his mother like that or just how dangerous her and Red’s questioning of things had become.

“Please, Violet.” His eyes searched hers. “Let this go. You’re safe here, and what happens in Frankston doesn’t matter anymore. Can we focus on building our life and not on the past that’s done?”

Violet studied him, looked for a way to penetrate his walls on the topic, but found none.

“What if Kane tries something?”

Mikel shook his head, exasperated. “He’s watched me for years; think he’s scared I can turn too. I know being under the microscope is uncomfortable. I’m sorry,” he apologized gruffly. “I will not let anyone hurt you,” he promised and smoothed a hand up her arm.

Violet knew there was no progress to be made with him, yet. Maybe like her, he just wasn’t ready to touch some painful things from the past. When he tugged her into his lap to hold her, she let herself go.