Page 51 of Brutal Ice

Her chin notched up. “Just the jerk who abducted me.”

Curran stared hard at Royal. “I’ll repeat the question for you, Royal. Got any enemies? Someone who might be looking to send you a message by targeting your girlfriend?”

Royal didn’t even blink.

But Violet surged in front of him. “Royal didn’t even know me when I was abducted. What happened to me is in no way linked to him. And as far as what happened at my place, it was my place. I think his car was hit just because he happened to be there with me. Then I was the one targeted today, not him. Royal saved me. Let me be very clear, none of this is on him.”

“Protective,” Curran noted softly.

“Yes,” Violet fired right back. “He is protective, and I appreciate?—”

“I meant you were protective of him. An admirable trait. One I am sure Royal enjoys very much.” Curran pursed his lips. “Did you see anyone suspicious around the coffin before you were sealed inside?”

“The only person around the coffin when I was put inside was Micah. He closed the lid.”

“Hmm.”

“But some of the stagehands brought it out. I’m sorry—I wasn’t paying attention then. I can’t tell you who they were.” She threw a glance over her shoulder at Royal. Then she looked back at the detective. “To be completely honest, plenty of people in the theater would have been able to get to the coffin. It was just stored in the prop area. So if someone did something to make the lock stick, it could have been…anyone.” Fear breathed in the last word.

Curran’s hard expression softened. “We’ll figure this out.”

She swallowed. “Showtime is coming up fast. We’re in final rehearsal stages. I would hate to think something else could happen. I-I don’t want another dancer hurt because someone is targeting me.”

“And I don’t want you hurt,” Royal told her. She was his focus. Her safety was key for him. He shared another long look with Curran, and he knew the detective understood his message.

Report to me. Find the bastard. I want him stopped.

Royal inclined his head. “I’m taking Violet back to my place. If you have other questions, you know where to reach us.”

Curran moved to the side, clearing the path so they could exit. But just as Royal and Violet passed him…

“One quick follow-up.” Curran cocked his head.

Hell.

“Just why were you here today, Royal? Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly happy you were able to help Violet, but what brought you to the rehearsal?”

Royal slanted a glance at the detective. “She did. I?—”

“I invited Royal to the rehearsal,” Violet said quickly. “Last night, when we were together, I asked him to stop by. He was here because of me.”

Curran’s eyes gleamed. “Protective,” he repeated. No missing the hint of admiration. “Hold tightly to her.”

“I intend to.”

Get away. Get away. Get away.

All Violet wanted to do was break and run out of the theater. She didn’t want to talk to the cops. Didn’t want to chat with the dancers who milled around and told her just how horrifying the coffin scene had been to witness.

She wanted to run. She wanted to flee.

Instead, she had to walk slowly through the back corridors of the theater. She had to answer more questions. She had to pretend like she was not close to absolutely breaking apart on the inside.

I couldn’t get out.

Trapped.

Again.

---