Page 34 of Redeeming Violet

“Right,” she laughed.

“Seriously. There’s nothing between us. He’s only staying here because he doesn’t trust me to be by myself. He thinks I’ll try and run.”

“That is the worst possible thing you can do. I’m going to pass along some advice from my friend Caroline; she’s married to a big badass SEAL. Listen to everything Jaxon tells you. Do not under any circumstances go against anything he tells you about your safety. He knows what’s best. There were times when I wanted to argue with Leo. Like one time when we were hiding out in a cabin, he heard a noise and told me to get in the closet. I didn’t want to hide in the closet and I didn’t want him to leave my side. But I remembered what Caroline told me. He left me in the damn closet for like an hour while he did his badass stuff downstairs.”

“Wolf’s wife Caroline?” I asked.

“Yeah. You know her?”

“I know of her. But, no, not personally.”

I’d read the SEAL Platoons service records and I knew about Matthew Steel and his wife Caroline. I also had read the SITREP about the plane she was on being hijacked and her saving the aircraft. She was a brave woman.

“You would love her. I talk to her every once in a while.”

I’m sure I would like Caroline, only she wouldn’t like me.

“I’m sure.”

“If you need anything, even if it’s just to vent or gossip, I’m always around.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think Leo would appreciate that too much,” I told her.

“Please. He’s all bark, no bite.” I couldn’t help it, I roared with laughter. That may have been the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard.

“Hate to tell you, but I’ve read the man’s file. He has bite. Big ugly fangs, and when they come out to play I don’t want to be on the receiving end,” I said through my hilarity.

“Okay. You’re right. He is pretty protective. He won’t even let my mom near me when she’s having one of her episodes.” She smiled. I had no doubt she loved how protective Leo was. I wished I had someone who loved me that much. “He’ll come around. Besides, you’re not some shrinking violet.” She winked. “You held your own out there.”

“I appreciate your kindness. Even if I don’t deserve it.”

“Enough. You did what you thought was best. I understand. For whatever it’s worth, I forgive you. Forgive yourself and move on.”

Forgive myself? How could I possibly do that with the list still out there?

“Thanks, I’ll try,” I lied. It was easier than explaining all reasons I didn’t deserve mercy.

“I meant what I said.”

And in a move that further shocked the shit out of me, Olivia stepped closer and hugged me. I was momentarily stunned before I wrapped my arms around her. “Thank you,” I whispered and held our embrace.

I’d take the olive branch she’d extended. I may not have felt like I deserved it, but selfishly I needed it.

Chapter Eighteen

Jaxon

I hated leaving Violet alone with Jasmin at the barn, but I needed to run by my house to take care of some stuff and pick us up more provisions. I also needed to make a stop and meet with Eric and Zane. We were meeting at an offsite location. I needed to keep a low profile and if someone was staking out the office, I’d be an easy target to follow.

The last few days have been difficult. We hadn’t so much as kissed but both nights when we got into bed she’d cuddled close and tangled her legs with mine. It was the only contact she’d allow. Not that I’d made a move. After Leo and Olivia left, I sensed she needed space. However, now I was regretting giving it to her. She seemed to have used that time to fortify her defenses, which I should’ve been happy about, but it pissed me off.

We spent our time talking. It was a whole new experience for me. We were locked in a room together with nothing to do but tell each other stories about how we grew up. Basically, we talked about anything but us. It was beginning to grate on my nerves.

The problem with talking was the more she told me about herself, the more I liked her. The more I wanted to know. She was funny, kind, and smart. I knew she loved McDonalds but hated Wendy’s. She was passionate about stopping animal cruelty and had even worked with the local police to break up a dog fighting ring near where she lived. She preferred living in an apartment because she didn’t have time to take care of a yard. I couldn’t remember a time I’d known a woman I’d slept with so well. Only now, we simply slept in the same bed, yet another thing I didn’t make a habit of doing.

Today when I’d left the barn I had to fight my urge to pull her to me and kiss her goodbye. I was dying to taste her lips, dying to touch her; I desperately wanted to toss her little ass on the bed and hear her scream my name. I had taken so many showers, so I could jerk off, she probably thought I had some sort of weird cleanliness phobia.

She was driving me crazy, and the more I thought about her the worse it got. Last night, with her legs tangled with mine, I tried to figure out what it was about her that was pushing me toward insanity, but I came up empty.