Page 63 of Playing with Trouble

“You’re right,” I said carefully.“This needs to be handled the right way.”

Going to the police wasn’t just risky because the criminals might retaliate.It was risky because the cops would likely say nothing could be done until the crime actually happened.Without hard evidence, all we had was Christopher’s word.

“So what do you suggest?”Christopher asked, brows furrowed.“I want my sister safe.I know you might not believe me, but I don’t want Violet to get hurt because of my mistakes.”

I thought about the various options and settled on a plan.“I’m going to choose to believe you want to do better,” I told him.“And I have an idea, if you’d be willing to trust me.”

He eyed me warily.“Why should I?”

I arched a brow at him.“Because I know what the hell I’m doing and nobody cares about Violet’s safety more than I do.”

Christopher hesitated.“They might try and hurt her, just because you guys were here,” he admitted.“It’s easy enough to watch a hospital and see who shows up.They might figure out I talked.”

“Then that’s a risk we take, because I can protect your sister, especially now that I know who and what I’m up against.But I need you to tell me who these people are, what the plan is,everything, okay?”

He blew out a shaky breath, hope and relief battling in his eyes.“Okay, but you have to promise that you’ll keep Violet safe, no matter what.”

Nothing was guaranteed, I knew that, but I’d die protecting her if it ever came down to that.“Violet won’t get hurt under my watch.”

It wasn’t just a promise to Christopher.It was a promise to myself.Violet was going to be okay.I was going to make damn sure of that.

CHAPTER24

Violet

Chase made me call Andrea and update her, which was quite the conversation.She was furious at Christopher, rightfully so, but a part of me bristled anyway.She loved me, I knew that, but she’d never really given Christopher a fair chance.Still, I didn’t have the energy to argue.Not tonight.

I disconnected the call just as Ford walked back out into the lobby.

My stomach clenched, because I had no idea how things had gone between Ford and my brother.“What’s up?”I asked carefully, trying not to let the anxiety in my voice show.

Now that I’d finally let myself lean on Ford, finally stopped pretending I didn’t need anyone, it was all I wanted.To collapse.To cry.To let Ford handle everything while I caught my breath for the first time in what felt like forever.

Ford exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting from Chase who was sitting in a nearby chair, to me.“Christopher explained what’s going on.He told me who these guys are and what he knows of their plan.It isn’t everything.They don’t trust him enough to share specific details, but he knows his role in the robbery.They want him to turn off the security system so they can steal the crown.”

A cold chill slid down my spine.“What do we do?”

“Unfortunately, I wouldn’t go to the police right away.Right now, it’s all talk and speculation,” he said, jaw clenched with frustration.“There is no hard evidence, which is what the police would need to act.Otherwise, they won’t waste the manpower on a hunch.”

“We can’t let that happen,” I said, trying to keep my panic at bay.“If they wait until it’s a robbery in progress, Christopher gets arrested right along with them.There has to besomethingwe can do.”

“There is.”Ford’s voice was calm and deliberate.“But it’s risky.And it does require Christopher to be involved.”

I stiffened.“Then obviously he’s not—”

“He’s going to do it,” Ford cut in.

“Like hell he is!”I spun toward the hallway, ready to storm into my brother’s room and shut that idea down.“He’s not getting dragged any deeper—”

“Violet.”Ford’s hand caught my elbow, his voice as firm as his hold.“Listen to me.It’s important that he does this.Hewantsto do this.”

“Why?”I demanded, jutting my chin out stubbornly.“Because you put him up to it?”

“No.”Ford’s voice hardened.“Because he knows he broke your trust.Because he knows you’re in danger because of him.And he wants to fix it.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again.The idea of my little brother “fixing” anything felt surreal.“And put himself in danger?”I asked incredulously.

“He’s an adult, Violet,” Ford said, releasing my arm.“Not a kid.He doesn’t need your protection anymore.He needs you to treat him like a grown man, which means letting him take responsibility for his actions and make things right when he fucks up.”