Page 115 of Saint

His mom stares at me, and I can see where Kole gets many of his features—from his thick hair with hints of copper to his dark, endless eyes. But her face is softer. And I wonder if Kole’s strong jawline and height come from his father.

“Hi, Violet.” Kole’s mom clasps her hands together in front of her as her eyes dart between us.

“Mrs. Evans.”

“You can call me Mona.”

I nod, but the tension in the room is so thick it’s molasses holding me in place.

His mom forces a smile. And unlike when she first walked into the room, there’s no more light in her eyes. Her posture is stiff as she watches Kole hold me. She glances from her husband to us, and I catch a flicker of fear in her eyes. Like she’s scared for me and begging me to hear her silent warning.

She wouldn’t be wrong, given how dangerous her son is.

Not that it changes anything.

“Dinner’s ready.” His mom takes a step back, motioning to the table.

There’s a full meal already served, and I appreciate that it will give me something to focus on outside of awkward conversation.

Kole pulls out my chair, seating me across from his mom, while Captain Evans sits at the head of the table.And when Kole takes the seat beside me, he pulls my chair closer to wrap his arm around the back of it.

“So…” Kole’s mom unfolds her napkin, placing it in her lap. “How long have you two been…?”

“Dating?” Kole finishes when his mom trails off.

She nods, glancing at me again with a nervous gaze like she thinks I’m in danger.

“A bit.”

He doesn’t put a date on it, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s avoiding a specific timeline with his stepdad watching us or if it’s because we don’t have one. But at least it saves me any awkward explanations when Captain Evans knows I was dating Kole’s best friend not too long ago.

Kole leans toward me and dips his mouth to my ear. “Eat, kitten.”

I push my food around with my fork, but I’m not hungry with the intensity of his mom watching me.

He doesn’t seem to notice as he grabs his fork and digs into his meatloaf. Following his lead, I take a bite and try to focus on anything except for the unnerving tension in the room.

If this is how family dinners were for Kole growing up, I understand why he’s so comfortable sitting in silence.

“So, Violet, what are you studying?” Captain Evans asks.

He’s relaxed when everyone else in the room is tense.

I swallow my bite. “Criminal psychology.”

“Interesting.” He glances from Kole to me. “You want to go into law enforcement?”

“Not exactly.” I shake my head. “I’m more interested in studying criminals after they’re sentenced.”

“In prison?”

“Yes.”

Kole’s grip tightens on his fork, and I glance up at him, not able to read what he’s thinking as his cool expression hardens.

“That’s an interesting career choice,” Captain Evans says. “Voluntarily surrounding yourself with killers and psychopaths.”

“I guess.” It’s either interesting or disturbing, considering my interest in his stepson.

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