Page 42 of Might as Well

“You can run if you want.” At my words, Violet sits upright with wild hair and wide eyes. “But,” I continue, “I will chase you. I love you.” She sucks in a sharp breath. “You’re my wife and I’m not going anywhere.”

She leans forward and presses a hard kiss to my mouth. “If we decide to stay married?—”

“When,” I correct.

Violet smiles. “We should get married again. For your mom; she should see her son get married.”

“Done.”

“And we still need a honeymoon.”

“We’ll start planning something soon. Ow!” Violet snuck a pinch in.

“Sorry. Just checking,” she says. She slides off me and instantly I miss the feel of her. “I’m exhausted; wanna come to bed with me?”

She seems in better spirits; who am I to deny her?

CHAPTER 13

VIOLET

My arms and legs struggle against the straps holding me to a chair. Zane is across from me. He’s bloody and beaten, held up by two faceless people. They begin to drag him away. The straps rub my skin, burning and spilling blood. He’s going to disappear from sight and once he does, my heart screams I’ll never see him again.

“No!” I scream. “Zane!”

“Violet!”

The shout startles me awake and I attempt to bolt upright, but crash into Zane.

“Shit,” I mumble, holding a hand to my face as I watch him do the same.

“Are you okay?” he asks, reaching out to cup my face. “You seemed like you were having a nightmare.”

Embarrassment flushes my cheeks. “I’m fine,” I croak, the despair and heartbreak from my dream still coursing through me. Zane tsks in disbelief, but he gathers me in his arms. “This is humiliating,” I mumble against his chest. “You’re here and now I have nightmares about you being taken away.”

“Not going anywhere, Violet,” he replies with a kiss to the top of my head.

If only my brain would realize that.

“Get some sleep.”

I try, I really do. But all I’m able to do is toss and turn in a restless sleep. I’m glad Zane is here. I’m glad he reassured me, but the irrational part of my brain still worries something will happen. Still pushes me to run away and never look back. I don’t want to miss out on something just because I’m scared. My mind is trying to trick me into believing otherwise, but I know my grandma wouldn’t be happy if I walked away and lost him because I’m scared of that very thing.

Six o’clock rolls around and I slide out of bed to make a cup of coffee and watch the news. Why I do this, I don’t know. Grandma did it. I woke up early sick once and found her watching the news with a cup of coffee. That time I spent with her was so nice and peaceful. We chatted about anything and everything. I loved and cherished it so much I woke up on my own to watch with her. By the time she passed, the habit was firmly in place. Doing it now reminds me of her. Sometimes, I swear she’s still sitting next to me. Never would have thought the news would bring comfort.

By eight, I take a shower to get ready for my day. When I step out of the en-suite bathroom, Zane sits on the edge of the bed.

“Morning, babe. What do you have to do today?”

“Meeting Kayla to get my kit ready to ship. Going to be a long day.” Weariness makes my bones heavy and with an injured wrist, I’m sure to be slow. I already texted Kayla about my injury and that I may need her help more than expected this week.

“Can I come with you?”

Although I’m surprised, I nod. As soon as Zane is ready, we head to my office. He offers to help, for which I’m grateful. Kayla arrives shortly after with a woman.

“Hey. I brought help; hope that’s okay. This is my dad’s wife, Jamie. Jamie, Violet and her…boyfriend, Zane.”

I reach out and shake her hand. Jamie looks pretty close in age to Kayla. Seems like an awkward situation and I’m glad I’m not involved.

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