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"Yes, I do," I say, bending and canting my head to hold her gaze when she tries to look away. "I know exactly how you feel because I'd do anything to bring my sister back. Anything to get my hands on the man who hurt her just so I can have the satisfaction of killing him myself instead of him getting to take the easy way out. But as hard as it is to hear? To do? You have to let go of the anger so it doesn't mess with your head."

She huffs out a disbelieving laugh. "You can't be serious."

"I am. And I'm speaking from experience here. You can't do something reckless, or you're going to get hurt. You're angry, and I do understand, but you need to rein it in before that anger puts you in harm's way instead of him."

The words are nearly identical to the ones Gabe said to me all those years ago as he led me away from spiraling out of control and into taking steps toward putting that rage into saving lives instead.

I take her face in my palms, cradling her in her fury when all I want to do is wrap her up in my arms. "You’re shaking."

"Because I rage! How dare he do this? To me and to Jas! She has nothing to do with our past. First he hurt Ty, and now he's hurting her! It's not right. And it's all because of me!"

I hear a door open and see Jas peeking around a wall in the hallway, tears streaming down her cheeks. She doesn't move, though. Doesn't try to interrupt Violet's rampage because Jas seems to know her sister is finally letting loose years of pent-up emotions.

"It isn't right," I agree. "But keep it locked down inside you and rage will get the best of you, baby. He will get the rest of you, all that's left," I stress. "And God knows, I want you to myself."

She closes her eyes and squeezes them tight, mouth trembling with the force of her emotions. "I have to do something, Sully. I can't just sit and wait for him to strike again. I can't," she says with a shake of her head and a break in her tone.

"Then don't. Focus on seducing me and my ego," I say, throwing her description of me back at her. "Focus on us, right here, right now. Focus on what we will have together as soon as all of this is over."

"Sully."

"You can't change the fire. What you have is right now. So how can I help you right now?"

She swallows hard. Rolls her shoulders back and lifts her chin. "You're actually asking?"

I wink at her and her wry tone. "You've got me wrapped around your tiny fingers. I'm learning. What will make today better? Even a little bit?"

She inhales and stares up at me, her rage fading to a heartbreaking expression that tugs at every heartstring I have.

"Let's go to Safe Harbor. If I can't clean up this mess, I need to train and—and hit something."

I chuckle at her words. "There's my girl." I lean low and brush my lips across hers, lingering over the kiss before pulling away. "Let's go, Violence."

Lawson pushes Violet to exhaustion. The man seems to sense she's unraveling due to the latest turn of events, and he trains her hard while also tiring her out. Once the session is over, however, Violet is still edgy. Unable to sit still. So I convince her to take a ride with me. She needs to get out of her head, and since I can't take her to bed and make her forget all the bad things that way, because we aren't there in our relationship—yet—and I will not disrespect her boundaries, wind therapy is the next best choice.

I put out a text and get quite a few responses back from those available for a spontaneous ride. The cold, brisk night gave way to a beautiful sunny day that's warmed up nicely.

I get my girl geared up and kiss her until she's hazy eyed and glowering at me before she climbs onto my bike behind me. I grab my phone for quick selfie, earning some ribbing from the guys that leaves Violet blushing even more and me grinning like a fool. It's the lightheartedness we need, though, and she seems to be getting used to the guys being the teasing, protective older brothers she never had.

The Saints automatically file into place in front and behind us to act as a buffer. I don't think Violet's ex is stupid enough to try something public, but no one is taking any chances, and I'm glad I didn't have to ask for the extra protection.

As my backpack snuggles more tightly against me, I let go long enough to slide my hand over her thigh and squeeze it. I love having her wrapped around me and the feel of her relaxing into my body after all she's been through.

We tour the island and decide on lunch in Southport, taking the ferry to the restaurants at the end where we have a view of our bikes and the water. A few of the guys have brought wives and girlfriends, and I like how they go out of their way to include Violet in their conversation.

By the time we pay our tabs and head back toward Carolina Cove, the rage inside of Violet has seemingly lessened. She checks in on Ty, getting a list of to-dos before she cuts off the hospitalized man and orders him to rest while promising to take care of his bar.

The Pelican stays busy the entire evening until closing.

The Saints are out in full force, and I appreciate the backup even though it's an uneventful night. They've all heard about Betty being burned up, though, and they're angry and watchful throughout the night.

We lock up, and I press the buttons to set the alarm Ty's had installed before taking my girl home.

Once we've both showered and put on comfy clothes, we inevitably wind up in my bedroom. The TV is on, the sound low.

And…there's a sense of awkwardness for the first time.

Violet is standing at the window looking out, her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach. I move behind her and settle my palms over her bare shoulders, smoothing them over the chill of her skin and the straps of her pajamas. "What's going on in that head of yours?"