“No,” I counter, more for myself than her.
She pulls her knees into her chest, like she’s protecting herself. “Yes, they would have. If you hadn’t come back, they would have—”
“No,” I say more forcefully this time. “No, because I was always going to come back for you, Violet. There isn’t a universe in which I wouldn’t have. I truly believe fate brought me here when you needed me most, when we were ready for each other.”
She shifts so she can look up at me. “Do you really believe that?”
“Yes, I do. In this life, and in every life before and after, I believe it’s always been you and me. That’s why you trusted me when you didn’t know who I was. Your soul knew, your heart knew. And mine did the first time I saw you.”
“But you left.”
“I left because I was fucked up and I didn’t want to be some dark storm in your life that took away your light or your happiness. I knew what I needed to do, and I couldn’t bring you along with me. I couldn’t involve you in it.”
She laughs. “I think I’m well and truly involved now.”
I brush the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs. “Yeah, I guess you are.” I can’t say I’m unhappy with the idea of having Violet as a part of my life, even if what I do can be dangerous. I’ll keep her safe.
She scrunches her forehead for a moment, like she’s thinking. “So, did you have a target here in Ridgewater? Is that why you came back?”
“Yeah, I’ve been watching him around town and just waiting for him to come to the fair.” I run a hand through my hair. “I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t yet, but we’re here for another week, so there’s still time.”
“What did he do?” she asks.
I debate whether I want to tell her or not. Obviously she’s not ignorant to the terrible shit that happens in the world, but do I really want to be responsible for her knowing more? I guess if she’s going to stick around with me, she should know the type of people I target.
“His name is Robert, he’s a teacher at the local high school and volunteers for different camps in the summer. He assaulted an eighteen-year-old girl on her birthday, and he got away with it because she wasn’t a minor.”
“That’s terrible.” Violet clenches her little hands into fists.
I grab one and kiss her knuckles. “Terrible people get away with things like this all the time. That’s why we exist. To help the survivors get the justice they deserve. The peace they deserve.”
“Like you helped me get tonight.” Her gray eyes are shimmering with fresh tears, and I can’t help but cup her face, bringing my forehead to hers.
“I’m so sorry you went through all of that.” I place a kiss on her cheek. “But they’re gone now, and you’re safe with me. No matter what happens, even if . . . even if you don’t want tobewith me, I’ll keep you safe.”
She shifts fully so she’s straddling my lap. “Of course, I want to be with you, Damon. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Then she pulls me in for a kiss that consumes every part of me.
When we finally come up for air, I grab the soap and a washcloth and take my time gently scrubbing her body. I still can’t believe she’s here, that she chose me. That I get the privilege of seeing her bare and vulnerable. If I can help it, I’ll be the only person who sees her like this for the rest of our lives.
After, we both dry off and then I take her to bed. I lay her down and kiss every inch of her, tracing every curve and dip with my fingers and tongue to commit her body to memory. Worshipping her the way she deserves. She arches into my touches, gasping and whimpering. When she’s worked up, practically begging for more, I slowly thrust inside her tight pussy, taking my time. There’s no rush like the first two times. I make love to her, savoring every gasp, every shiver. And when she comes, I’m right there with her.
Epilogue
Violet
Six Days Later
“NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.”Damon shakes his head, his arms crossed over his chest. The position accentuates his thick, tattooed biceps, but I can’t let them distract me right now.
“Come on, Damon, it’ll be fine,” I plead. “I’ll lure him in, and then you can take care of him. I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”
The night I killed Aaron, Tyler, and Zach, Damon told me all about his work with the Venatores and his target here in Ridgewater. The thought of that pervert walking free made my blood boil. I want to help get rid of him.
I found killing my abusers so cathartic that I probably need therapy, but I think helping Damon hunt down other people’s sounds like more fun. So does traveling the country with him and the fair, which I plan to do. We went to my and Aaron’s apartment the other day and got my stuff. Damon told me not to worry about people wondering what happenedto the guys. Apparently the Venatores make people disappear easily and often.
He takes in a frustrated breath. He does not like my idea of me finding Robert at the fair and flirting with him to lure him into the haunted house. “What if something happens before you get to the house? What if he . . . fuck, I can’t even think about it. I’d tear this fucking fair, the whole goddamn town apart to get him if he fucking touched you.”
The murderous rage flashing in his eyes right now should not be a turn on, but damn, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love this side of Damon. He’s possessive and protective, but I know if I asked him to let up a little bit, he would. He’d never do, or make me do, anything that I didn’t want to.
