"When I found out, there was only one place I wanted to be. I felt lost, and all I wanted was you," I say, and make a point to make eye contact with all three of my men. My stare lingers on Nate and Ellis for the rest of what I need to say. "I forgive you."
"Violet..." Nate's eyes widen. Ellis sucks in a breath of surprise and I'm sure many other emotions.
Cutting him off, I stand tall and hold their hands. "IforgiveyoubutI know myself well enough to acknowledge thatforgettingwon't be simple or easy. So, can you handle the possibility that years down the road I may have days where I cry over the mistakes we've made? I'll have moments of insecurity and uncertainty. Can you handle that?"
"Yes, of course," Ellis promises.
"You have my word," Nate vows.
No hesitation. They understand the risk of loving an anxious person. There's no guaranteeing that the things I've been through, the pain I've caused and the hurt I've suffered will be gone someday.
At the end of the day, no matter how strong I may be, my vulnerabilities are still there.
But...want to hear something pretty cool?
I didn't need my mom today.
Sometimes a girl just needs the loves of her life.
Forty-Two
ELLIS
“Come on, Jamie. You know better than anyone how beneficial stalking is." Honestly, the guy is being a hypocrite. "I just want to see her for a few minutes. Not a big deal."
"Not a big deal?" Jamie raises a brow and punches my thigh lightly. "And I have never once stalked Violet."
Rolling my eyes, I study the surrounding stores and smile when I catch sight of the coffee shop Violet works for. "Whatever. You hadotherpeople stalk her. It's basically the same thing. I don't know why you have your panties in a twist about this. You're the one who agreed to come with me."
"My panties are gonna be twisted in your fucking mouth if you don't watch yourself," he warns with a glare out the corner of his eye that I don't quite believe.
"Jamie, come on," I grumble. Crossing my arms, I wait for him to take a U-turn for a parking spot closer to the cafe.
"Ellis, if I had a customer while you were spying on me, I could have gotten in a lot of trouble."
Scoffing at his serious tone, I throw my hands in the air. "Well,obviously. I may have made some stupid choices in the past, but I'm not a dumbass."
"Ellis..."
"No, I'm serious. I knew you didn't have a client. The front desk guy confirmed before I went back and watched you gloriously sweeping your office."
Jamie parallel parks, making my dick twitch as I admire the ease in which he can maneuver his car. "Alright, I'm sorry. I was surprised to see you watching me..."
"But...?" I probe, knowing he's holding something back. It's been a while since Jamie and I had one-on-one time so his attention makes my stomach flip around happily.
He laughs and grabs my chin with his thumb and pointer finger. "But, it turned me on realizing you were being naughty and watching me without permission."
I want to roll my eyes. He was literally just cleaning up his workspace for the day while I watched without his knowledge. To be fair, there were a few times he lifted the front of his shirt to wipe his face, but other than that it was innocent.
"And you agreed to spy on Violet with me," I add, because he's being ridiculous. I'm not sure what's up with him, but there's a tense energy I plan on working out soon.
"Let's go," he growls and flings his door open. If I was his Dom, I'd reprimand him for the aggressive way he treated the car. The bratty sub in me is pleased that I made him snap a little.
I follow and feel all warm and tingly as he ushers me into the café. Jamie's presence battles the cold amazingly. My muscles relax as the heat inside the cafe cocoons me.
"Let's order and see how long it takes her to notice us," I whisper and rush to the register without waiting for Jamie. He follows. I can tell by the grumbling curses behind me.
We order, Jamie pays, and while we wait, I sneak glances at our woman. Sitting alone at a table in front of the window, Violet scrolls on her computer. Her camera and coffee sit beside her, but nothing else is on the table. I wonder what she was photographing today.
