Page 21 of Outplayed

She sighed, shaking her head. “I’m too tired for this shit. Just leave, Travis.”

I started around the bench, and she backed up. “Violet, please try to understand my actions for tapping your phones were made with good intentions. To have your back when someone else couldn’t. I just wanted to protect you.”

She glanced to the side. “I know. But it’s still…” She shivered. “Wrong.”

“I know. It was stupid of me. And my business—”

“Don’t. We’ll talk another day.”

“Violet—” I snapped my mouth shut when my phone started ringing. It was Link’s tone. He wouldn’t ring unless something was wrong. Dread filled my gut. I ran into the living room and snatched up my phone. “Link?”

“That fuckin’ pathetic bitch of an ex of yours is here wanting to see Izzy.”

“Fuck,” I clipped. “I’m on my way.” I ended the call and made my way to the front door.

“What’s wrong?” Violet called.

“Nothing.”

“Travis, you can’t just walk out of here looking ready to kill someone after a phone call and not tell me.”

“Violet, it’s not for you to worry about.” I opened the door.

It wasn’t, nothing in my life was for her to concern herself over… yet.

There wasn’t a chance in hell I would subject Violet to Izzy’s mother.

“Travis Stewart,” she snapped, stomping my way. Her hand landed on the door, pushing it closed. “You owe me after what you’ve done. Tell me what’s going on.”

Straightening, I turned to her. She was right, I did owe her, but it wouldn’t be— “What was that for?” I asked, rubbing my gut where she hit.

“You’re thinking of not telling me. I might be able to help.”

“You can’t help. I have to go.” I went for the door again. She slipped between me and it, crossing her arms over her chest. “Violet,” I growled out.

“Travis.”

“Fuck. It’s my ex. She’s at the house wanting to see Izzy, but I refuse to let her.”

She nodded. “Right. Let me get changed.”

“I don’t have time to wait.”

“That’s all right. I’ll meet you there.” She raced off towards her room.

“Violet,” I called. She turned at her doorway. “I don’t want you around the evil bitch.”

She laughed. “See you there.”

“Violet—”

“You need to go. So go.”

Frustrating woman. Still, I did have to go. Shit, this wasn’t going to be good.