“Okay, well you’re welcome here, love havin’ ya, you know that, Violet. But if you’re there workin’ it out, that’s gonna mean a better chance of workin’ it out. Not good to go to bed angry. Even worse to go to sleep in different beds. Your grandmother and me didn’t have a perfect marriage but we always kept trying. As long as you both are willing to try, I say give it a go. So long as he’s good to you and makes you happy. Don’t wanna see you like you were with that blond fella. He was no good. Much prefer how you’ve been these last coupla months.”
“Thanks, Grampa. I’ll keep you posted. Love you. Thanks for being there for me and for being you… not hassling me.”
“You know it. Love you too, kiddo. Bye now.” He hangs up.
Just him giving me his opinion like that is a surprise. He must actually like Killian.
I call my mother as Susanna is back and heading to the kitchen counter. She empties her wine glass into her mouth as she lifts the wine bottle off the counter.
Mom doesn’t answer so I send her a text.
I’m just checking in. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.
“So, first of all,” Susanna says, “How can you be physically cringing like that when that beautiful man of yours touches you?”
I sigh. “Can we change the subject, please?”
She frowns.
“Please,” I beg.
“I had a date last night and it went pretty amazing,” Susanna says.
“Oh yeah? Fill me in.”
A distraction sounds ideal.
“I will. Let’s get food. I’m thinkin’ Mexican?”
“Perfect,” I say and scroll to my food delivery app.
25
Killian
I’m taking Susanna’s visit as an opportunity to make surprise appearances at all four locations tonight. Showing up unannounced on occasion keeps staff on their toes and helps them not get too complacent about quality. I wouldn’t have left Violet alone tonight otherwise.
I’m stopping by Genesis first, though I’m not at all concerned about the running of my first club since I have every confidence in Alana. When I get to the parking lot and lift my phone from the inside pocket of my leather jacket, I spot a missed text from Violet.
Dimples: Why did you tell Susanna to stay over? Was it so we wouldn’t have a guest bed? Because you can sleep on the couch or the floor, you know.
Feisty.
Dimples: Or she could sleep with me, and you take the guest room.
I tap out a reply.
Me: I think we both know that if I try to sleep in the guest room what’ll happen. You’ll wake up with me climbing in bed with both you and your best friend. Is my wife still feeling possessive and jealous?
She responds immediately.
Dimples: Haha. Very funny. I ordered you a burrito. Not that it means I think you deserve one.
Me: Funny haha. Thanks baby. Be home later. I’m doing surprise visits at all 4 clubs tonight so I’ll be in late.
I guess I tell her this so she won’t wonder if I’m gone to the house, won’t wonder if I’m off causing Iadanza bodily harm, even though the thought is tempting.
Violet reads my text message immediately but doesn’t reply.
***
I’m leaving Exodus.
I’m not happy with two of the three locations I’ve visited so far tonight. The Numbers manager Craig is getting a call in the morning as I wasn’t happy with some of what I saw including the fact that he wasn’t around, he was short-staffed, and his assistant manager Jose was closing. Thursday nights are one of the busiest nights of the week.
I didn’t like the condition of Law’s kitchen, so I read the manager, Blake, the riot act about that.
Before I drive off from Exodus, I pull my phone out to check on the apartment’s surveillance app. Violet and Susanna are sitting on a couch together. Violet’s sideways with her feet on Susanna’s lap while Susanna paints Violet’s toenails.
My body tightens because Violet dabs at her eyes with a Kleenex. I shouldn’t eavesdrop, shouldn’t even have opened the app, but I can’t help myself.
“I don’t wanna talk about it anymore,” Violet says. “I said more than I wanted to say.”
“You can say anything to me. Anything,” Susanna tells her.
My gut pitches. What has Violet said?
“We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.” Violet shrugs. “But let’s just say that among other things, those extreme stalker tendencies of his have put me on edge. How do I trust him?”
I bristle.
“Trust is huge in a marriage. I get it though,” Susanna says, dipping the brush into the bottle, “Devil’s advocate?” she asks.
Violet rolls her eyes and Susanna must take this as a green light.
“A guy like that with all that money and those looks, of course it makes sense he’d look into you. Do some tracing, and spying on you. See if you are who you seem to be. I bet gold-diggers are lined up for miles to get a taste of all that’s Killian Coulter.”