Page 10 of Outplayed

We looked at each other and started laughing.

It was a wild night, and I was sure there would be more to come once Talon found out what had happened. Instead of wanting to see the show though, the idea of home, bath, book, and bed sounded like a nice, calming night compared to having to hear Talon rant and rave. And a good book would be a distraction from the man back at that obnoxious house.

* * *

Travis

Violet Marcus.

Of all the people to walk into my house with a gun raised, ready to kick some arse, it wouldn’t have been Violet I’d imagined.

She looked amazing.

Sexy as fuck.

Though, she always had been.

God. Violet Marcus.

The woman I loved. The woman who still held a part of my heart. The woman I’d moved to town to chase. She was also the woman who looked at me like she wanted nothing to do with me.

I didn’t like it.

I wouldn’t accept it.

I knew one day I would have Violet back in my life. She never strayed from my mind. We were made for each other. She may not see it yet, obvious from her surprise and displeasure, but I hoped one day she would.

She’d always deserved better, she really did, but seeing her after so long had my resolve melting. Emotions rose and memories bombarded me. I’d promised her many years ago when we parted it wouldn’t be forever. I was there to make good on my promise. Despite the years away from each other, I knew she was the only woman for me.

Could I have a chance at winning the private investigator, a woman who toed the line, over? My life, my past, my people, were dirty in the worst way.

Women sold their bodies for me. They had sex for me.

As the French would say, I was a souteneur, a protector of the women who worked for me. Others would just call me a pimp.

I was other things as well… but I had no idea if Violet would open her eyes and see what else, to see I was more.

Time would tell.

I had an in with Zara, and I would take it if it meant being in Violet’s life one way or another.

It was after I’d fired and taught a lesson to my fucking pathetic hired help that I stood back in the library staring out the window, with my bourbon in hand, when my door burst open. I didn’t turn, already expecting him.

“Talon,” I called.

“Travis. You fuckin’ wanna tell me what the fuck happened.” He didn’t ask; he never would. It was always a demand, much like the way I was with my people.

Turning, I leaned back against the window and took in Talon standing near the chair his lady had occupied not too many hours ago. A couple of his men were at his back. “I’m sure your sweet woman told you all about it.”

“When you came to me, telling me your business won’t touch my streets, I let you move to Ballarat. Move into my territory. Do not make me fuckin’ regret it.”

“You have my word no harm will come to you and yours from my hands or my people.”

“Already fuckin’ happened, Travis, and it doesn’t sit well with me.”

I sipped my drink and moved forward. “The men who touched your woman have been taken care of.”

“They breathin’?”

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