“Good. Make sure Violet is not disturbed.” With a nod, I leave King to find a shady spot to read the latest intel from up North. According to a former employee of Violet’s father’s company, an incident happened at one of the properties that Violets older sister Amie was managing. Someone attempted to kidnap one of the sisters, left a threatening message that all the Collins’ flowers would be cut down and thrown out. The middle sister was already out of town and so the youngest, Violet, was shipped away as well. The culprit fled the scene when Amie appeared at the apartment complex. She and her sister were saved by an undercover detective on a stakeout. The kidnapper, presumed to be a male, has never been caught, which is why Violet has never been summoned home. Detective Marks took responsibility for the eldest sister, who refused to leave, and Violet was sent away. As the youngest, the family decided to not inform Violet of the danger.
I snap the file shut. There is no reason for Violet to be kept in the dark. Being sent away from her family has left her wary of letting others in. She will have to heal the rift between her and her family before she allows me inside. I cross the beach to Violet’s shelter and set the file on the table next to her lounger so she can read it when she awakens.
I then take out my phone and text Detective Marks.
Me: This is Violet’s fiance. I would like a status report on the assailant.
There is no text in return, but my phone rings immediately. Once again stepping away from the shelter, I answer it despite the unknown caller display. I don’t need a machine to tell me who is on the other line. It is obvious.
“Detective Marks,” I say. “It is good of you to call.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“As I texted you, I am Violet’s fiancé.”
“Violet’s single.”
I shake my head at the phone. “I am disappointed her family takes so little interest in her that they would not send someone down here to keep watch over her.”
“Fuck we don’t,” he spits out.
“Then your person is incompetent because Violet is mine and has been for two days.”
“Two…” The man’s voice dies off. “Look, psychopath, I’m with the New Jersey state police and if you harm one hair on Violet’s head, I’ll have you thrown into prison so fast you won’t even have time to say your lawyer’s name.”
“While I appreciate your bluster in defense of Violet, rest assured that I will be taking care of her from now on. To that end, please forward me the file you are keeping on the attempted kidnapping. Given that the man has not been found, you clearly need my help.”
“And, I repeat, who the hell are you?”
“I am Sokolov of the Sokolov Protection Agency. You have my phone number. Please call when the file is ready,” I reply and hang up.
He will find nothing as my company’s profile is nonexistent. Sokolov exists only to clients on a need-to-know basis. Detective Marks does not fall into that category—yet. Although it is curious that he is still investigating this kidnapping claim despite his promotion from county detective to state police. I will have King run a background check on him. I suspect he has interest in the eldest daughter and for Violet’s sake, I will ensure that her sister is not tied to someone who would present a danger to her family.
I pocket my phone and turn around to see Violet standing by the screen. She has donned her sundress once again and the breeze makes the flowers on her skirt dance. My chest tightens at the sight of her. She’s so beautiful. Heartrendingly so. If I lose her, there would be no reason to continue, so I understand her family’s protectiveness even if I do not approve of how it is carried out. By all means, send her away from danger, but do not keep her in the dark and make her feel unwanted.
My long legs eat up the distance and I have her in my arms before she can draw another breath.
“What is it?” she asks, her beautiful face tipped back so she can search mine. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes. My heart is sore.” I place her hand against my chest so she can feel my galloping heartbeat. “I have not held you in my arms for over an hour.”
A shy smile spreads across her face. “A whole hour, huh?”
“It is far too long. Give me kisses, Kotyonok, so that I once again can be whole.”
“You’re too much,” she says with a giggle, but when my solemn expression does not change, her face grows serious. “You can’t say those things to me,” she says, her chin falling to her chest.
I lift her head with a single finger. “Why not?”
Her cheeks are red. “Because they make me feel things. Things I shouldn’t feel,” she whispers.
“All of those things that make you pink here”—I tap the apples of her cheek—“and warm here”—I pat her left breast—“are the only things you should feel.”
I lift her so that her mouth is even with mine. “When I was young, I would often ask my babushka why I was born and she said that one day my purpose would be revealed. And now that I have found you, the answer is clear. I was born to ensure that your feet never touch the ground and that your face is always full of smiles and your heart is full of love. Now kiss me, Kotyonok, and give me a reason to keep living.”
Chapter 8
Violet