Page 81 of Violet

“Shut up, Vi. Go with Mom, now. I’m going to talk to Ashford.”

I look at her, not moving. It isn’t for myself, it’s for her. She looks like she’s going to throw up, and she’s avoiding my eyes, like she knows if we connect then things will explode.

“It’ll be fine, Princess.”

That earns a growl from Heath. But she turns and runs.

Once all the women have disappeared, he rounds on me. “You fucking, pathetic asshole.” He makes a fist and draws back, but I launch myself at him, pinning him where I had Dominic.

And the irony isn’t lost on me.

The beat in my veins is all for her.Mine. Mine. Mine.And Heath’s in my way. I could break his neck if I wanted, the way I feel, the way the urge to lay claim surges, and if he’s in my way, then ending him will?—

Fuck.

Not even with CeeCee did I have this kind of visceral, animalistic response. Where instinct and primal needs obliterate common sense and higher thinking.

I’m blood and flesh and need.

Violet is mine.

Nothing will get in the way.

Nothing. Noone.

I swallow hard and force myself to let him go. This is my friend. I shouldn’t be fighting him, so I stumble back and wipe a shaking hand over my face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

Heath walks up to me, then punches me so hard in the stomach pain blooms as I double over, unable to breathe. Then he shakes his head, as if clearing himself of his own anger.

“Don’t youeverfucking touch me again or I’ll rip you a new asshole. Friend or not,” he says.

Threat heard loud and clear.

“I’m sorry. I don’t feel like myself.” I pace a few steps away and then come back, everything inside me buzzing. “Stockton just… I lost my cool when I saw them together. I…”

“On their walk?” Heath asks.

“He tried to take her. Not just bite. He was forcing himself on her. Touching her.” I gnash my teeth as the fury bubbles up again. “The bastard was going to rape her if I hadn’t stepped in.”

“What?” Heath’s anger now mirrors mine. “Are you serious?”

“Dead fucking serious. So if you want to kill someone, kill him. I’ll fucking join you.”

Heath glances over his shoulder like he’s deciding whether to do just that. “He fooled me into thinking he was serious about her.”

“The only thing he was serious about was not letting her say no.”

“You should have killed him,” he says. “Now I’m pissed you didn’t.”

There’s still time.

“So then what?” Heath goes on. “You decided you were going to take his place and bit her instead?”

“I didn’t mean to. Violet’s so much more than you can possibly even think. She’s good, and sweet, and smart, and I needed… I wanted to protect her and I guess…” I look helplessly at her brother. “Man, a part of me thought if she had my mark, she’d be safe. And?—”

I stop because there’s a cliff drop after thatand. Something deep and new and wild.

“Shit, Ashford. Do you…do you love my sister?”

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