Page 65 of Code Violation

Silas was nothing like his brother, and when he reached out an arm and pulled me into his body, that fact had never been more obvious.

He smelled of fresh pine, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, his body heat penetrating my clothes instead of the cold.

“Ves?!” Kane’s agitated voice filtered outside.

I pulled away from Silas so fucking fast that I almost fell through the frosted glass in our front door.

“You should go,” I instructed Silas.

Technically, he could still come in, but explaining to Kane what we were doing out on the porch for so long was going to be difficult.

He was already mad as hell at Silas for butting in on our relationship the other week.

Reaching into his pocket, Silas handed me a folded piece of paper and then stepped backward off the porch. He didn’t take his eyes from me.

“Open that when you get back inside.”

I wanted to thank him for whatever it was, along with coming to check on me. But in the end, all I said was, “Okay.”

And then he turned on his heel and headed for his truck, throwing me one last smile before he climbed inside and sped off down the road.

Certain my lips were turning blue, I stepped back inside and leaned my back against the front door as it clicked shut behind me.

I stared down at the paper in my hands.

“What are you up to, Si?” I whispered beneath my breath, unsure of where Kane was located.

My fingers shook as I opened it up, uncertain if my trembles were because of the cold or the anticipation of what I’d find written down.

My brows pinched together. Confused.

It was a receipt, dated today and only a half hour ago.

A bubble of laughter rose up my throat when I spotted Silas’s handwriting at the top and then the item he’d purchased.

Ves,

I wanted to say sorry for overstepping the other week.

I think I got you the right size, but I figured you liked Nike from the sneakers you had worn the other night.

Congrats again on your new job.

If you don’t like them, return them, but please promise me you won’t give the money to my brother.

Here for you. Always.

Si.

They cost over $200, and he’d paid for same-day shipping.

Excitement fizzed inside me.

Quickly, I pulled my phone from my pocket and shot him a text.

Me

My feet want to thank you. And so do I.