Page 147 of Violet

“Oh good,” Iris says, “you’re alive. You passed out in the car. Now don’t worry. Only Heath and I know you’re back. The socials and Stitch are talking about Felicity and Asher reconciling as friends and how she liked his mate…you, but that’s it. Both he and you have disappeared. General rumor online is that you’re both having a second honey?—”

I bury my head in my hands, and she touches me lightly.

“I’m sorry, Vi. I just thought you’d want to know there isn’t any scandal.”

“Yet,” I say. “Yet.” I lift my head. “He told me he couldn’t have kids. He can, but he doesn’t want them with me. And…” I swallow. “And…oh, Iris. Am I wrong?”

The whole story tumbles out of me, and she listens to the entire thing in silence.

When I’m done, she stalks to my bedroom window and stares out. “I don’t think we should tell Heath. He might kill him. I mean, I want to kill Stephan myself, but Heath actually might.”

I jump up, my clothes rumpled and I don’t care. I don’t even care I slept in them. But I need to shower, to change, to burn these things since I can still smell Stephan and I want to be done with him. Entirely. “Where is Heath?”

“He drove back to the townhome to see Mom and the others, to pretend it’s all fine. This is a mess.”

“I know.” My voice is strangled. “And it’s my fault.”

“How is that, exactly?” She’s as savage as Heath. “You are innocent. He took your rights from you. I don’t care if that man thinks he’s doing the right thing…”

Iris trails off, then she turns and smiles.

“Go shower, and I’ll make breakfast.”

I do just that, mainly because I need it rather than I trust her motives. Oh, they’re not against me, but I think she’s up to something. And when I dress and step into the hall, the lack of cooking smells alerts me. As does the absolute silence in here.

I peek out the window and almost collapse.

There, out in the front gardens, in the big patch ofgrass, is a sleek black helicopter. And Iris is screaming at someone.

I grip the sill.

At Stephan. She’s screaming at Stephan.

For a moment, I think of hiding, but anger overtakes me, and I fly out, taking the stairs two at a time. I burst out the front door.

“Violet,” he cries, moving Iris out of the way. He strides toward me. “Please listen.”

“Go away!” I say, turning and going back into the house.

But voices follow. Stephan, Iris, and someone else.

Things thump, and I get to the library, ducking inside.

Stephan appears, as does Iris, and he has a huge bunch of wildflowers. Like my bouquet.

The thought makes a sob climb up my throat.

“I told you to get out. You’re not welcome here,” Iris says. “Don’t make me call Heath.”

“And he’ll do what? Fight me? It’s been done,” he snarls.

My traitorous heart lurches and leaps, and the scent of him starts trying to seduce me. But I harden my defenses.

“Touch my brother, and I’ll kill you,” I tell him.

Iris adds, “And I’ll help. Give me those.”

She snatches the flowers.

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