Page 26 of Violet

The mythical Luxe sister? Violet? Maybe that’s what I smell…but a violet is an old lady flower, isn’t it? Like…mothballs.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. There’s no fucking way Heath’s sister is my little Cinderella Omega.

“That was her?” I start to turn, not sure what I’m going to say. “Gardener?—”

“My sisters are nosey.”

My mouth has gone dry from the shock, and all I can think about is the beautiful dancer with the perfect manners and sharp tongue. I’ve been carrying her ribbon in my pocket since that night, had even visited the dancing studio she’d talked about and the boathouse where we’d met at dusk, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. But she’s stayed away.

Just the thought of her being here—so close—makes my heart skip.

“Maybe we should let her in,” I say. “It might be something important.”

But Heath shakes his head adamantly. “If it were urgent, she wouldn’t be the only one storming in here. Believe me. And besides, I’d like to keep you away from my sisters for as long as possible.”

“Ouch, Gardener.” I sit on one of the chairs at the gleaming black gaming table. “What’s wrong with me?”

He tops up my drink, then sits. “What’s right? You’re Emporia elite, you drink too much, take too many drugs, fuck too many women, and make shitty movies.”

“Movies that women like.” I don’t disagree about them being on the cheesy side, mostly rom-coms and feel-good types about finding love and being true to oneself. Soppy bullshit, really. “And stop reading social media.”

“Keep away from my sisters.”

“I don’t want your sisters. Any of them.” Then I pause. “I do owe your little sis—Rue?—an apology, though. I’ll send some signed pics.”

“Her favorite star isn’t you, dickwad. It’s Trixi Belle.”

“That hack? She can’t even sing.”

He stares at me.

I sigh. “I’ll get Rue some signed merch from her, then.” Honestly, kids these days have no taste.

“Wait, why do you owe her an apology? She’sfourteen.”

I’ll have to punch him if he pulls big angry brother on me, but as I eye his slowly curling fist, I say, “She followed me to bombard me with questions at the fucking picnic. I didn’t know who she was, but I was…me.”

“An asshole.”

“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck. “So how bad are things, Heath? Do you want money?”

“For my sister?”

“No, shithead, to help with the debts your father left.”

He sighs. “I can’t just show up with debts magically paid.”

“Why not?” I shrug. “I can afford whatever it is.”

“Because you’re my friend. And if and when it comesout, my sisters will suffer. I can’t even sell off land or property.”

“I fucking hate this place,” I grumble. “What if your sister catches the eye of one of the fat older fucks?”

Heath’s jaw works hard. “I’m not letting a disgusting, abusive man touch her.”

“Even if he’s rich?”

He balks at that. “What do you think I’m trying to do? Prostitute her out? No, Violet deserves security. Love. Happiness. Probably more than any of us. When Dad died, Mom was a mess. Couldn’t function. Vi stepped up and ran the household, kept us all together. I just…”

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