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“He didn’t make it. He attacked Detective Turner with a knife and was shot. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.” She’s quiet after that, turning her head and closing her eyes. I let her have a few minutes to absorb the information before I ask, “Violet?”
“Does it make me a bad person that I don’t feel sad that he’s dead? I mean, shouldn’t I not want him to die? He attacked me, but we used to be friends. I should feel bad, but I just feel happy instead. I’m glad I’ll never have to see him again, and I’ll never have to worry about him coming after me.”
“There is nothing wrong with that, Violet.” There’s conviction in my voice. I need for her to believe me. “Of course you’re happy he’s gone. I’m only not happy because I want to kill him myself for laying a finger on you. I’m the one that’s sorry. I should have been there.”
She looks away from me again and it breaks my heart. “Thank you for coming to see me, but you really don’t have to stay.”
That sends me reeling. How could she think I would leave her here? I tighten my hold on her hand. “Why would you say that? Why would I leave?”
“You made it pretty clear the other night that we didn’t mean anything to each other. In private you call me your girlfriend, but in the light of day, when I was getting called a side piece and your intentions were being questioned, you had nothing to say. That tells me how much you valued what we had.”
“What wehave, Violet. This isn’t over between us. I’m so sorry things happened the way they did. I was taken by surprise with Bianca and Amanda showing up, and the truth is, I was scared. Scared about what would happen to your relationship with Bianca. Scared to let you know how much I need you. Scared that once our relationship was out in the open, people would make you realize that you’re just wasting your life with an old man like me. You could do so much better.
“You were one hundred percent right when you said that I don’t deserve you. I don’t. But the problem is, now, I don’t know how to do this without you. I was fine until you came along. I had my daughter and my company, then out of nowhere you came crashing into my life, and there’s no way I can ever go back.
“You’ve filled up every hole in my life that I didn’t even know existed. Just the thought that I might’ve lost you showed me I have to be brave and risk the pain I’ll feel if you leave. None of that matters because you, Violet Daniels, are the love of my life. You’re my first and last love and my best friend all rolled into one. I patiently waited thirty-nine years for you, and now that I have you, I’m not letting you go.”
Tears are silently streaming down her face. “Is all of that true?”
“It’s the truest thing I know, baby.” I dig deep into the bottom of my pocket where the tiny jewelry box has been since I pulled it out of my safe deposit box earlier today. “In fact, the reason I didn’t come over earlier today—” I choke on the words because I know if it wasn’t for this, I would’ve been with her.
She gives me a small grimace that I take for a smile and nods her head at me, sensing I need her reassurance right now.
I clear my throat and continue, “It was because I was getting this out of my safe deposit box.” I open the velvet jewelry box and show her the ring nestled inside. “I was coming over tonight to ask you to be my wife. This ring was my mother’s. She left it to me when she passed away. If you don’t like it, I’ll get you a new one. If it’s too soon for you, that’s okay too. I’ll wait until you’re ready. The only thing I won’t do is live without you.”
She squeezes my hand three times, just like in that Taylor Swift song she loves. “I thought for years I was in love with you, but I was wrong.”
My stomach clenches, and I hold my breath. She can’t possibly be telling me she doesn’t love me after I poured my heart out to her.
“How I felt for you then is nothing compared to what I feel for you now. I love you so much. I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another person. Hell, you’ve taught me what love truly is. I didn’t learn that from my parents like I should have. I learned it from you. How you treat me, how you make me feel. I want to be with you.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief.
“But I also want you to put that away for right now.” She pulls her hand from mine and reaches out, closing the box I’ve been holding in my hand. “I’m not saying no. In fact, if anything, I’m saying soon. Just... not right now when I’m in the hospital and we’re just making up from our first real fight.”
Am I disappointed? Sure. Am I willing to wait until she’s ready? I’d wait until the day I die for her. Plus, she said soon. I’ll take it for now. I put the ring back in my pocket and retake her hand in mine. I need to tell her about the baby before some doctor or nurse slips up and tells her before I can, but right now doesn’t seem like the best time.
I get up out of my chair and lean over her, barely brushing my lips against her bruised and battered ones so I don’t hurt her. Patient. I can be patient.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Violet
You’d think that I’d be used to being overlooked by my parents by now, but I’m still a little surprised when, hours later, they still haven’t come to see me in the hospital. They live twenty minutes away. It’s not exactly a long trek. I can tell that Dante’s fuming, but he won’t talk to me about it. I know he’s been trying to get ahold of both my mom and my dad all day and night, but the furthest he’s gotten is leaving a message with my dad’s secretary.
My body is radiating a constant, aching pain that’s making me a little sick to my stomach. Whatever meds they’re giving me don’t seem to help a whole lot. Dante told me I was going to need to stay overnight as a precaution because of my head injury, which is just fine with me. I’m not particularly fond of hospitals, but the thought of pulling myself up and walking around holds no appeal, especially with the deep pain emanating from my ribs with every breath.
It’s not long before we’re moved to a private room upstairs that looks more like a hotel suite than a hospital room. I mean, my parents are wealthy, but I’ve never seen something like this. I look at Dante questioningly, and he just gives me a smile.
“Archer,” he says.
Ah, I should’ve known. I’ll have to thank him.
Bianca arrives with overnight bags for both Dante and me. The second she sets eyes on me, she bursts into tears, which honestly freaks me the hell out. I’ve never seen Bianca cry. Not once in the four years I’ve known her. She rushes to the bed and grabs my left hand, since the right is bandaged tightly.
“I’m so sorry, Violet. I should’ve gotten there sooner.”
“What are you talking about? You saved my life, B. If you hadn’t come home and gotten Detective Turner...” I trail off not wanting to think about all the things Tyler would’ve done to me. Dante gets up from the chair he’s been sitting in and places a gentle kiss on the very top of my head.
