Page 26 of Riot

“I met you less than a full day ago,” she said, putting her other hand on mine.“When I said you’d shown me more kindness in a few hours than Doug has during our entire marriage, it was the absolute truth.He doesn’t see us as family.We’re possessions.I think maybe in his own twisted way, he loves Caleb, but his animosity toward me -- the physical and verbal abuse -- got worse the more Caleb insisted on staying with me.It was kind of expected as a child, but as he got older, he insisted on staying with me as my protector.He said he liked playing bodyguard.So that’s what he did.”

“Probably had a feeling something wrong was going on.”I grunted.“I know I did.I think I was angrier with myself for not preventing what happened to her than I was with him for actually killin’ her.”

“Oh, Riot!”

The next thing I knew, Violet threw her arms around me and sobbed against my shoulder.At first, I stiffened, not sure what to do.It didn’t take me long to wrap my arms around her and pull her more securely against me.

Her scent filled me with warmth and peace and a sense of homecoming I hadn’t felt since my mother had died.This was where I was supposed to be.And I was convinced with all my heart this woman was meant to be kept and protected by me.

She didn’t pull away, and I didn’t rush her.I knew I’d sit there and hold her the rest of the night if that’s what she wanted.When she shifted like she was uncomfortable, I pulled her across my lap so she sat with her feet to one side.I was rewarded for my efforts with a soft sigh from Violet as she relaxed into my embrace.And I’ll be Goddamned if my heart didn’t swell three sizes.

We sat like that for a long time.I rested my chin on her head and occasionally rubbed my beard-roughened cheek over her silky hair.Violet was so still I thought she might have drifted off to sleep.

I was reluctant to move, worried I might disturb her if she was asleep.But after a moment, I felt her shift slightly against me.“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice soft against my chest.“I didn’t mean to fall apart like that.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.”I stroked her hair, letting my fingers trail through the silky strands.“You’ve been through hell, Violet.You’re entitled to a breakdown or two.”

She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her eyes still wet with tears but clearer now.The vulnerability in her expression knocked the breath right out of me.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”she asked, her voice barely audible.

I considered lying, giving her some bullshit about community service or doing my job.But I’d promised her honesty.“Because from the moment I saw you when you got out of Lena’s car, I fell for you.Fuckin’ hard.”I swallowed hard, knowing I was treading dangerous ground.“And the more I know you, the deeper I’m getting.”

Her eyes searched mine, like she was looking for the catch, the hidden agenda.I held her gaze steadily, letting her see whatever she needed to see.

“I don’t understand,” she finally said.“You barely know me.”

“I know enough.”My thumb brushed away a stray tear on her cheek.“I know you’ve survived years with a monster and still have kindness in you.I know you’ve raised one hell of a kid, one who would give his right arm to protect you.To have a kid love you that much, you have to be a good person.”Two more tears slid down her cheeks.“I’ll never deserve a woman like you.I won’t pretend to think I will.But if you’ll give me a chance to prove myself, I promise you’ll never have someone treat you better than I will.”

“I’m still married.”She stated the fact like it physically pained her.Then she met my gaze with longing and maybe even a small measure of hope.“I’ve never had such an instant pull to someone in my life.You feel safe, Riot.I’d like to know what it’s like to have that security.It might be throwing myself at you for selfish reasons, but I think I’m weak enough to accept that about myself without reservation if it means that maybe we could see where this goes.”

“I’m sure relationships have been built on less.”

“You know Doug isn’t going to let me have a divorce without a fight.Right?”

“Knuckles told me to let him know if you wanted him to take care of the paperwork.He says he’ll get your divorce, and there won’t be a Goddamned thing anyone can do about it.”

Her eyes widened and she sat up straighter.I didn’t like the distance but managed not to growl.Too much.“What do you mean?He can’t just make a divorce happen.”

“He can, because he knows the right people.All you have to do is say the word, honey.”

“I don’t want to take advantage of your club’s kindness, but I’ll get on my knees and beg if someone here can get me divorced from Doug and have it be completely legally binding.”

“What about Caleb?”

She tilted her head.“What about Caleb?”

“I heard him in court.He said he didn’t want anything more to do with his father.Would you want me to ask him if he wants us to terminate his father’s rights?”

She shook her head hard.“There’s no possible way you could do that.Nope.”

I couldn’t help the slow grin that spread across my face.“Like I said, honey.Anything is possible if you know the right people and if those people owe you something.”

“Yes.Ask him.That’s his decision.”She didn’t hesitate.“If you guys can really make all this happen and it be real, then he gets to make that choice on his own.”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow when I tell him my story.”

She looked up at me, hope and longing and hunger in her gaze.Now that she wasn’t trying or wasn’t able to disguise her emotions, I recognized the expressions on her face.I’d seen those exact same emotions but with no real expectation I was what she wanted me to be.

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