Page 35 of Saviors

“What’s that?”

“Simon’s ring.” His psychotic smirk would’ve had most people running in the other directions. If not, the blood on the jewelry would. “I thought my belladonna might want it.”

“That’s sick. You can’t give that to her.”

He just shrugged. It was hard for him to understand not everyone was as broken as we were.

But wasn’t Violet?

A voice in my head asked. She fit our fucked up puzzle perfectly. Her sharp edges, nestling next to ours.

I grabbed my drink, turning my stool to observe the club. Hoping it would push thoughts of Violet from my mind. Mav followed.

I tilted my chin towards the room. “You going to find someone?”

He usually did after a fight. It wasn’t enough for him. He always needed more. Another outlet.

He downed his glass before standing. “Not interested.”

I knew what he meant. I’d been staring at the crowd all night. Watching as women were bent over every surface and fucked. I’d seen men drop to their knees and eat out their cunts. Watched as they then got their dicks sucked.

And I felt nothing. Not even a single twitch below the waist.

He stuffed the ring in his pocket as he moved towards the door. I grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t get attached, Mav.”

His psychotic smile didn’t waver as he walked away. I wasn’t sure who I was talking to anymore.

“Take a shower.” I called after him. “Don’t let her see you like that.”

* * *

I stayed at the club until it closed. Until everyone had left except the cleaning crew. Until Ivette yelled at me to go home. I stayed to prove to myself I could. That I had nothing to rush back for.

It was a lie.

I spent every goddamn minute thinking about Violet.

The house was dark as I walked up the stairs. I liked it at this time. When it was quiet. There was safety in the night. In being the only one awake.

My feet stilled as I reached Violet’s door. It was ajar. My fingers itched to push it open. I told myself I was just being a good person. Making sure she was okay after earlier. It wasn’t personal. It meant nothing.

Light from the bathroom cast the room in a dim glow. I shook my head as I took in the scene. Connor was asleep; slumped in an armchair at the foot of her bed. He dragged it from the corner to be closer to her.

My lips rolled together as I saw Maverick sleeping on the floor. He was on his side, one arm sprawled across his stomach. The other rested on the mattress like he’d been holding her hand.

Lovesick idiots. What were they going to do when she was gone? She would break them. And I’d be stuck picking up the pieces.

Reluctantly, my gaze pulled to her. The light hit her face, making her hair shine. But it was her green eyes in the dark that caught my attention. They were bright. Focused on me like she’d sensed I was there.

“Go back to sleep.” I whispered.

Her teeth sank into her pale pink lips. “Will you stay until I do?”

No. You don’t need me.

The words were on the tip of my tongue. But I couldn’t make myself say them. Instead, I moved to the window. She rolled on the mattress, watching me. The movement had me wondering what was under her covers.

Was she wearing pajamas? Something sheer like the girl at the club? Or was it another of my shirts?

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