Page 100 of Wallflower in Bloom

“A gun,” he uttered, his hand smashing his face to feel some tension release.

“Aw, I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

“My American accent is tenuous at best. Add on a gritty mafia boss? Rubbish. All one thousand takes.”

She walked toward him and raised her arms for a hug. “You need a break.”

She pressed her body against his, wrapping him in a tight hug. He cuddled into the welcome embrace and felt a coil of tension within him release.

He’d been at this for hours trying to get it right, which wasn’t exactly in the spirit of a self-tape. Maybe this was his sign from the universe that he should just learn to disappoint his mother. He barely wanted the role anyway.

Violet’s hug was firm like she meant business. He breathed in the scent of her hair, the lavender and blossoms he now associated with sleeping like the dead. Something about sleeping next to her allowed him to finally relax. He pulled back and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. Nuzzling into the heaven that was her skin had become his favorite coping mechanism lately.

“Thanks. I think I needed that.”

Her hand came to his beard, and her thumb brushed his cheek. He leaned into her hand, feeling that deep, core jolt of happiness when his body connected with hers. The white robe clung to her curves, and her hair had been neatly swept up. Those big emerald eyes took him in, and he wanted to drown in them. Jesus, he wanted this woman. Craved her.

“Tell me about the scene.” She smiled guilelessly up at him.

He swallowed his feelings and tried to focus. “Uh, a mafia boss’s wife has been captured. He vows revenge for them hurting the only woman he’s ever loved.”

“Ooh, dark and gritty.” She shivered.

“A far cry from Lord Eagleton, unfortunately. Maybe too far a cry.” His hand tugged at his hair as he looked at the script for the millionth time.

“I believe in you. You’re nothing like Lord Eagleton anyway.”

He snorted, eyes peering up at her. “I’m not hopelessly charming?”

“You are not a cold, obtuse, 18th-century peer. You are lovable and funny and goofy and charming.”

“Lovable, huh?” he said, winking at her, his hands coming to her waist. His thumb ran underneath her robe and nipped at the edge of her swimsuit, and she giggled.

“Keep your eyes on task, Mr. Grant. Maybe I can help.”

He stroked his chin. Maybe that was his problem. He usually worked with a scene partner. “Stand behind my phone so you’re in my eye line. I’ll imagine you’ve been captured.”

“Ooh, I’ve got an idea.” She grabbed a scarf, tied it over her mouth like a captive, and placed her hands behind her back.

Seeing her trussed up had his blood pumping. He should have tried this trick hours ago. He hit the record button on his phone.

Closing his eyes, he channeled his inner rage at someone capturing Violet, torturing her, and locking her away.

He would fucking murder them.

Anger coursed through him, and he opened his eyes, glaring at Violet next to the camera.

“She is my soul, and you’ve made your last enemy,” he growled in a thick Brooklyn accent, staring beyond the camera. “You would take someone so precious, so innocent, and drag them through the mud of our business? This was out of line, Joshua, even for you.”

He took a breath, imagining beating a man senselessly for hurting her.

A sinister smile twisted his face as he gained steam. “I will delight in breaking every bone in your body as your wife watches. And on the day you’re lowered into the ground, I will dance with my wife on your muddy grave. I will make love to her, spreadin’ her out, makin’ her scream my name because I’m still alive.”

He lowered his voice, stepping closer to the camera. His anger was low and simmering, and he spoke slowly. A threatening promise. “I’ll find every last person you ever loved and destroy them. When you hurt my wife, you captured my happiness. For taking my everything… You. Will. Have. Nothing.”

He stared at the camera as his teeth ground together, breathing through his rage, imagining what he’d do if anybody ever hurt Violet.

Coming back to himself, he blinked and hit stop on the recording.

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