Page 114 of Saint

“Tonight. Seven.”

“I’ll be there.”

“No. I’ll pick you up.” He kisses the side of my neck. “And if you’re lucky, maybe when we’re done, I’ll remind you why your dark little heart enjoys my blasphemy.”

36

Sympathy Votes

Violet

I’m tired after along day of school and work, but I’m pushing through. At least with Kole at my side, he brings life back into my bones. His arm is wrapped around my shoulders, like it is every time he’s around me in public, ever since that first time he claimed me in front of my friends.

Walking up the steps to his parents’ house, he keeps me close. His grip tightens with every step, and even if I know he’d never admit it, I sense nervous energy radiating off him.

Kole’s fingers rub my arm as he presses the button of the doorbell.

It’s a haunting sound. A chorus of bells that might as well ring down the entire block. They wake my doubt and draw it to the surface.

After my interaction with Kole’s stepfather and the stories Kole told me about him, this is the last place I want to be. Face-to-face with a man who doubts both of us. But I couldn’t turn Kole down, and if I’m going to have to answer his questions, I’d rather Kole be at my side this time.

“You’re nervous.” Kole glances down at me, tipping my chin up to face him.

He’s wearing jeans and a black hoodie, looking casual for dinner. I went with a knee-length black dress and jean jacket when my nerves got the better of me. It’s not fancy, but now that we’re standing at the doors to the Christiansen-Evans estate, it feels out of place.

“I’ve never met anyone’s parents.” I bite my lip, unable to hide my anxiety.

I’ve barely entertained a real relationship, much less met a guy’s family. The closest I got was meeting Liam’s brother. And that was only because we had classes together. But I avoided anything having to do with his parents for fear it would just be awkward.

It could be a side effect of having an absent father or the result of having an extremely independent mother, but I’ve always kept certain barriers in relationships.

Until Kole.

We’re all in. Head under the water and not missing the air in our lungs so long as we have each other. Beating hearts in our hands and refusing all logic just so we can sit with the rush for a little longer.

It’s addictive.

“You’ll be okay.” He drags his thumb over my mouth, pausing there.

The front door swings open, and Kole drops his hand as his attention turns to his stepfather.

“Kole.” Captain Evans nods once then glances at me. “Violet.”

Stepping to the side, he opens the door wider to let us through, and Kole holds me close as we make our way inside the house.

A fire crackles in a nearby room, and the warmth should seep through my bones when the chill of the cool winter night had me shivering. But even the heat doesn’t settle my nerves.

Kole’s stepfather guides us toward a large dining room on the left, and there’s another fire burning in this room. I inhale the campfire smell and sink against Kole’s side, letting him relax me.

The walls are heavily decorated in gold-framed paintings, and everything about the décor and furniture is expensive—from the details to the materials used to craft them.

The apartment I grew up in could fit in this dining room alone, and I can’t imagine what anyone could possibly need with all this extra space.

“You made it.” A woman walks into the room.

Her whole face lights up when her stare lands on Kole, and for the first time since walking through the door, I sense genuine love. But when her gaze moves to me at his side, her cheeks pale.

“Mom, this is Violet.” Kole slips his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

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