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Out Of The Ashes

Page 66

by Kay Lyons

"Better than you, I think," Violet says back in a soft voice before stepping forward and giving the man a light and awkward hug.

Ty's gaze locks on mine above her head as though debating whether he should accept the embrace. I force myself to extend a hand. "Good to see you up and about, man."

We shake hands once he releases Violet, and Jasmine leads the way when Ty invites us into his home. It's a bachelor pad of bare walls and big furniture, but the new kitchen and stainless-steel appliances and large screen TV keep things simple and aesthetic. The coffee table is covered in an empty pizza box, empty plastic drink bottles and an assortment of snacks.

Jasmine gives the man a motherly shake of her head before she orders him to sit and begins cleaning up the trash.

"We won't stay long, but I wanted to check on you," Violet says to him. "And I wondered if you've remembered anything else about the men who attacked us. Did you get a look at them?"

Ty gingerly lowers himself to a recliner and leaves the couch for us. Violet sits closest to Ty, and I stay standing while Jasmine putters. I'd pitch in to help, but I don't want to miss anything Ty might say.

"No, sorry. I haven't." Ty stares hard at Violet. "MacGyver says the one guy didn't speak at all to you?"

She shakes her head, but I see her pale.

"That's odd," Ty says. "Almost like he didn't want one of us to recognize his voice. The other two mouthed off plenty as they pounded on me.”

I see Violet's nostrils flare as she takes a breath, a dark look stealing over her beautiful face. I fist my hands, hating that the guy had touched her, scared her. Hurt her. "How tall was he?"

The question seems to surprise them both, and Ty shrugs. "Average. Five nine? Ten? Pretty bulky from what I remember."

"Fits the description of the guy I saw earlier," I say softly, earning a surprised glance from Ty.

"Where?"

"Watching the bus and the girls."

"Or anyone else in the vicinity," Violet argues. "You don't know what the man was looking at."

"Fine," I concede. "But he was definitely focused on something." My gaze locks with Ty's, and we exchange a stare. Ty's nearly imperceptible nod lets me know he'll be on the lookout when the time comes.

"Since the Saints have the week covered on the bus," Violet says, "I'll work the bar while you're off."

Ty, Jasmine and I all protest at once, but Violet holds up her hand.

"I'm doing it. I'm in way better shape than you are, and even with a few of the guys there pitching in, they don't know how things should be done. How to make the orders to restock or deal with problems. Not to mention, they're not bartenders. Don't argue."

Ty glances at me, which ticks Violet off.

"I did not just see you do that," she says. "Sully doesn't have a say in my job, Ty." Her tone is incredulous. "This is my life. Not his."

"Whoa," Jasmine says, moving back to the living area where we are. "Sully, you and Ty both know the Saints will be underfoot for the near future. She can't ask for better bodyguards."

"That didn't help the night of the attack," I mutter.

That earns a glare from Vi, and I shrug. "Facts."

"Yeah, well, fact is," she counters, holding up her hand and one finger that points at me as she speaks, "you don't know that one more man would've made a difference that night."

Another finger goes up.

"You don't get to tell me what to do like I'm a child."

Another digit rises.

"The guy today could've been staring at anyone or just people watching."

Another finger comes up.