Cringing, Ellis and I both know that was the wrong thing to say.
Violet takes a shuddering breath and raises her chin. "It's a big deal to me!"
"What's going on?" I ask, stepping in because Violet's close to yelling in a public space. And honestly, I don't like that Jamie's hurting her. Someone needs to be there for her to lean on, and I intend to be that person. But to be here for her, I need some information.
Jamie looks at me, slight annoyance now playing in the crinkle of his nose, but he still answers my question. "I told her about my MC friends keeping an eye on her for me to keep her safe."
"Oh, like Bash?" Ellis blurts, and I have half a mind to fucking spank him when Violet looks at us with hurt.
"You knew?" she accuses.
Ellis pales, realizing his mistake. "Bubbles, we thought you knew."
Violet steps away from Ellis now and places a hand on her chest like he struck her. "Don't call me that," she says, pointing at my partner.
"And you," her voice trembles when she turns to Jamie again. "You should have told me a long time ago you were having me followed!"
"It was just for your safety, Violet. You would have told me to stop, but you fucking walked home from my place every weekend in the dark. No, I didn't tell you.But that was a safety choice I made foryou." Jamie isn't budging, and while I don't blame him, I think he's coming at this from the wrong angle.
"That's not the point." Violet confirms my suspicion. "I'm mad you kept it a secret. Secrets get people hurt, Jamie."
Fuck. My heart clenches and my brain tumbles through all the hurt Ellis and I could cause ifoursecret ever came to light.
"Youdidget hurt. It's a good thing Bash was trailing you." Jamie reiterates the wrong statement.
"Hey," I interject, stepping forward only to be ignored as Violet snaps.
"That's not the fucking point, Jamie!"
"Then what is the point?!" Jamie does well keeping his voice low, but the exasperation in his tone makes itfeellike he's yelling.
I'm about to suggest we go upstairs to talk this out when Violet deflates with tears running down her face. "The point is this is just another thing thrown at me that I don't know how to cope with immediately."
Jamie frowns, but it soon morphs from confusion to realization. I feel for the man, I really do, but this was his fault. He sounds pained as he reaches for her.
"Violet—"
Unfortunately for him, his movement triggers Violet to turn to me with big pleading eyes. "Can you take me home, please?"
"Violet," Jamie gasps, like he can't believe what he's hearing.
My heart is in my throat. She's asking me to be hersafe space right now, and, fucking hell, it feels so good. I clear my throat and hold my hand out to Ellis for the keys. "Of course, baby. I'll drive you home."
"Come get me when you're ready," Ellis murmurs to me with a nod of acceptance. He can hang out with Jamie for a while, maybe help him figure out how to fix this.
"Thank you," she whispers, fidgeting with her hands. "I just need time to think," she says to Jamie and gives him a little smile.
Poor fucker looks ready to cry or tie her to his bed, whichever it is, I feel bad for him. This time his loss is my gain.
Jamie seems to gather all of his courage, because he nods. "I understand. I'm very sorry for throwing this at you right now."
"Thank you," Violet offers like the sweetheart she has always been. "Good night. Happy birthday."
"Good night, my love," Jamie responds, sounding so pained I don't want to take her from him at all. Violet shuffles toward me and tugs on the arm of my jacket to get my attention, but Jamie tells me, "Text me when she's safe."
I nod. "Of course." To Violet, I smile and grab her hand to lead the way. "Come on, baby. Let’s get you on Ellis' heated seats. They can fix anything."
She nods sadly, seemingly lost in her head already now that I've walked her away from the reason for her pain. That's okay, I'm just happy she feels safe with me for a while.
