Page 79

Sully

* * *

I frown down at the message that appears on my phone along with a photo from Decoy.

You're in for it now, the text says.

The photo?

One of Violet with her hands taped and held up in a defensive pose in front of Lawson Pike, owner of Safe Harbor. I stand so fast the chair slides behind me and bangs into something.

"What's got your knickers in a knot?" Kace says from across the table.

I thumb out a response, ignoring Kace, even as I remind myself that I'd seen the offer for free self-defense lessons. I just hadn't expected Violet to take up the offer so soon.

Where are you?

Where do you think? Decoy replies. Been here about an hour. She insisted they start training today after he gave her a tour.

She's still recovering from the attack, I shoot back, swearing beneath my breath.

He knows, is all the man texts in return.

I growl out another curse and pace across the floor, aware that all eyes are on me. We gathered for lunch in the kitchen with everyone pitching in, potluck style like we do once a week.

"What's going on, Sul?" Gabe asks.

I turn to face the crew, phone clenched in my hand. "Violet's at Safe Harbor looking like a boxer," I say, flashing the screen so they can see her petite form compared to Lawson's massively muscled frame. "Even though she's still recovering."

"Gonna have to start calling her Violence," Hudson quips, drawing laughs.

I eye the treats from Itty-Bitty Bakery and envision hurtling one into Hudson's smug face.

"She's being smart," Gabe says in his fire-chief teaching voice. "Sad to say, but all women need to be ready these days. If he starts a class, maybe all the ladies can go together."

"She's still in pain from the attack," I argue.

"Maybe so but you know what it's like," Kace says in a too-reasonable tone. "Exercise works out muscle soreness. Besides, I'm sure Lawson is aware that she isn't fully recovered. He'll take it easy on her."

Several agree either verbally or with nods. Jameson rights my chair.

"Eat so you've got the strength not to get your butt kicked when you get home."

It's a bold statement coming from the rookie hire, and I glare at him and Hudson while the others chuckle and take bets on how long it is before Violet tries one of her new moves on me.

I try to take the ribbing in stride, but at the same time, I worry. Violet acts as though all the stuff going on with her ex is no big deal. But if it really isn't a big deal, why didn't she tell me her plans to go to Safe Harbor? Keep me informed?

We're together. She knows we're together. Don't couples usually keep each other in the know about things like that?

I shovel the food into my mouth and chew just enough to get it down. Once I can't stomach the thought of another bite, I take my plate to the sink and run through the motions before heading out to the gear station. Normally the rookies are charged with cleaning and inventory, but I need to do something to keep my mind busy, and going over their work might help.

"She's a strong woman," Gabe says from behind me.

I freeze in the act of checking a tank before continuing. "She is."

"So what's really eating at you? Or is this even about Violet?"

I brace myself when my knees go weak. As much as I want to argue, I can't. "Wouldn't you compare them?"