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“Before you go,” Margie said, struggling up from her chair and effectively dismissing them, “let me get you a box of my tea to take?” She gave Violet a wry smile.
“Sur—” Red started.
Violet cut Red off. “No, we’re good. Thank you.” She couldn’t fight returning Margie’s smile at the mischief in her knowing eyes.
MIKEL PULLED THEhair off her neck and pressed his lips there. The movie had finished half an hour ago, but they’d stayed on the sofa talking about customers and then the New Year’s Ball, which he thought they should probably attend. He pulled back and surprise snapped on his face.
He blinked. “Violet, your eyes changed.”
“I know.” She smiled at him.
Then unease sunk like a stone into her stomach. It’d been easy to come home, shake off all the weight of her conversation with Margie, and just get lost in him. “I went to the bookstore today. Red wanted to pick something up.”
“Redwanted to pick something up,to read?” The clarification was heavy with skepticism.
“Yes,” she insisted, “and Margie told me how to start practicing. She thinks the change will be done soon.”
His brow furrowed. “What else did she tell you?” The chill in his voice hadn’t been there before.
Violet steeled herself and went right for the jugular. “That I’m in danger because Kane knows that I know him. She thinks he’s going to try to ‘remove me.’”
“She’s old and stuck on her agenda,” he insisted darkly. “There’s no reason for you to be scared.”
“Isn’t there? I know you don’t want to talk about it, but she agrees that someone isn’t telling the truth about what happened back—”
“Violet.” His face was like thunder.
“Mikel,” she insisted, scooting up onto her knees to face him on the sofa and take his hands. “I know you don’t want to talk about this, but something is going on here. And if I’m right, Kanemaytry to shut me up, and also, it changeseverythingfor Frankston and Forest Bluff. Magnus should never have been mayor. He should have been in jail, along with Kane, andyoushould be—”
“That’s enough.” His hands closed on hers, holding her in place. “That kind of talk is what will get you hurt here, Red too. I can take you to my mom’s grave if you need proof that I’m not joking.”
The wind died in her sails. She’d had no idea he’d lost his mother like that or just how dangerous her and Red’s questioning of things had become.
“Please, Violet.” His eyes searched hers. “Let this go. You’re safe here, and what happens in Frankston doesn’t matter anymore. Can we focus on building our life and not on the past that’s done?”
Violet studied him, looked for a way to penetrate his walls on the topic, but found none.
“What if Kane tries something?”
Mikel shook his head, exasperated. “He’s watched me for years; think he’s scared I can turn too. I know being under the microscope is uncomfortable. I’m sorry,” he apologized gruffly. “I will not let anyone hurt you,” he promised and smoothed a hand up her arm.
Violet knew there was no progress to be made with him, yet. Maybe like her, he just wasn’t ready to touch some painful things from the past. When he tugged her into his lap to hold her, she let herself go.
Chapter Nine
FORMAL EVENTS HADbecome her nemesis over the years. They were long, boring, and demanded she be on her best behavior for long periods of time—something she’d struggled with after the death of her mother.
“Relax,” Mikel prompted low against her ear. Looking at him, handsome in his suit, particularly the shirt she’d had Dani make a size smaller than he’d ordered, helped rationalize this as different. Standing beside him by the bar she felt more like a welcome guest, and not an unfortunate inconvenience, than she ever had at the events of her childhood. “If you’re not having fun, we’ll leave,” he promised. Violet’s heart swelled at his care for her.
“Let’s give it a chance.” She was pleased when that got her a small smile.
He wasn’t having the time of his life either, but she understood why. Margie had been right. Mikel was polarizing, and the majority of the town was automatically repelled when he got close, leaving the two of them always on the periphery.
“My stars, I’m talented,” Dani declared as she and Red sidled up beside them.
“Damn, boss,” Red said, eyes running so appreciatively over Mikel that Daniella smacked her playfully in the gut.
“S’pose I’ll let you help dress me more often,” Mikel told Violet with a wink.
