Painful Silence Killer. After a tiring church session, Devil wraps up with a short summary of the upcoming plans. While the brothers get up, I stay seated, wanting to share my suspicions with him. "What the hell are you doing?! Did you completely forget about your ribs and thigh, Violet? I told you to rest, not hang onto a pole, goddamn it!" I hear Wilhelm half-shout from the bar. Forgetting my intention to talk to Devil, I get up and walk out of the room and into the bar. Some of the brothers cover their mouths with their hands to stifle laughter as Wilhelm starts lecturing Violet about her health. Her slightly sweaty skin glistens under the bar's light, her heavy breaths and messy dreads giving her the ultimate s*x appeal. The only thing missing would be a seductive smile instead of the deep frown she's currently shooting Wilhelm's way. "Calm down. It doesn't even hurt that much," she tries to explain, finally able to speak when Wilhelm pauses to breathe. "Because your pain tolerance is off the roof! Just because it doesn't hurt doesn't mean it's healing! f*****g hell. Go lie down in your room. Sleep. Stop f*****g moving." Wilhelm points toward the stairs, clearly ordering her to go. Violet raises an eyebrow and turns to whisper something in Haru's ear. Haru giggles before jumping off the stage and giving Wilhelm a pitiful look. "Sorry, handsome. Violet doesn't take orders well." Wilhelm throws his hands in the air in frustration and gives Devil a look that practically screams for backup. Devil chuckles, shakes his head, and walks over to Violet. "Violet, give the man a break and do what he says. He only wants the best for you." Violet turns her glare to Devil and scowls. "Fine." She jumps off the stage, making Wilhelm groan again about her carelessness, and walks to the bar, taking her jacket from Tessa's hands. Without a backward glance, she heads up the stairs and disappears from sight. "Devil, can we talk?" I ask once things settle down and everyone starts going about their business. "Office," Devil replies, already heading that way. I follow him down to the office. I close the door behind me and take a seat in the old black leather lounge chair "What's up?" Devil asks after sitting down in his own chair, his fingers laced together and his posture slightly leaned forward. Painful Silence "Don't you think this is too easy? Too simple?" Devil gives me a thoughtful look before nodding once. "I've been thinking the same thing. I just can't figure out why the Riders would start this kind of s**t with us. They know they can't win. We're a bigger club, we own more property, and we've lived side by side for years. Why now?" I rest my elbows on my knees and lean in. "Maybe they want more land. More power. Maybe they're getting help from somewhere else?" Devil nods slowly, rubbing a hand over his mustache. "I'm hoping Pierce has some theories. It's his money and drugs, after all. Maybe they've been giving him trouble, and we're just in the way-or maybe we're a nice bonus. With the Highway Demons out of the way, the Road Riders could take over the whole state. "Let's talk to Pierce before we jump to conclusions. But I think it'd be a good idea to have Sherlock dig into the Riders." Devil grunts in agreement, leaning back in his chair, resting his head on the backrest, and closing his eyes. "Let me know," he dismisses me. I get up and walk out of the club, immediately texting Pierce for a meetup. When I return to the bar, I see Haru talking with Tessa. Without thinking much about it, I head upstairs toward Violet's room. I knock once. A curse comes from the other side of the door before it flies open. Violet gives me her signature glare. "Again? What do you want?" I say nothing and push her back slightly, stepping into her room and closing the door behind me. "Sure, come in. Want some tea? Biscuits, maybe?" Violet says sarcastically, walking to her bed, taking a seat, and folding her arms under her chest, still glaring at me. "You've been told to get some rest," I tell her, hearing the amusement in my own voice. Maybe it's her whole demeanor that makes her so different from the other women I've met-the ones I've haned with every fiber of my being Violet doesn't want anything from me. She doesn't have some hidden agenda She's real-with herself and with me. instead of replying, she falls back on the bed and turns her head to stare out the window. was senous, Killer I don't want to be an experiment. I've got better things to worry about than your confusion I shake my head and atraddie her before she even knows what's happening. Both my knees press down on either side of her thighs, keeping her in place I sit up straight, looking down at her small frame. "How about we just see where this goes?" < Painful Silence "I can't. It can never happen with you. Trust me." *15 Points She's not looking at me. Her eyes are distant, a cold mask covering her face. It's been a while since I've seen that expression-and something unfamiliar tugs at my chest. More gently than I've ever been with anyone, I place my hand on the side of her face and make her look at "Just try?" She shakes her head, her cold eyes locked onto mine. "Trust me. I can't." "Why?" I'm not the kind to give up easily. Although this is the first time I've had to convince a woman. Usually, I'm torturing someone for information or killing enemies for the club-not trying to talk a woman into giving a relationship a shot. What an interesting life twist this is. Even calling it a relationship feels foreign. I've never been on a date. Never held a woman's hand. Never had s*x with someone who actually wanted me. Could I even do that? After a moment of staring into Violet's dark, guarded eyes, I find my answer. Yes. I can. If it's her-I can. "Because I'm f****d up," she finally answers, her voice quiet. I'd been lost in thought, so I have to backtrack to remember what I'd asked her. "And I'm normal?" I scoff softly. "Babe, I'm anything but normal. Trust me on that." She tries to turn her head again, but I keep a firm-yet soft-grip on her face. "Tell me why. And I'll tell you why I hate women. Fair trade, right? But babe-what we say in this room stays in this room. If you agree, it'll be just us. Not even Devil knows. No one does. You'll be the only living person who knows." Something flickers in her eyes before she quickly masks it. After another long, painful silence, the coldness in her gaze softens-just a little. 137