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I dread tomorrow. Dread being away from my girl again.

I've always loved what I do, the satisfaction emergency services and firefighting bring. Even the adrenaline rush.

But right now, I want to call off and wrap myself around Violet like a bulletproof vest.

The waiting and tension are weighing on all of us.

Ty's weeknight bartender and Lawson are set to close the Pelican tonight, so I drag Violet out of there that evening, protesting that there's more to be done.

Ty's still in the hospital undergoing intravenous antibiotics to combat the pneumonia and subsequent infection, but a check-in reveals he's hoping to be released again tomorrow or the day after.

I glance across the cab of my truck and take in Violet's stormy expression. She's reaching the end of her rope when it comes to the chaos, and it shows. "He's going to be okay. You heard him. Tomorrow or the next day."

"He shouldn't be there at all," she says, staring out the window at the homes lining Carolina Cove's streets. "None of this should even be happening. Still happening. Enough already."

I cover the hand resting on her thigh with mine and squeeze. "MacGyver and the guys are working on it. He's lying low because everyone is on the lookout."

"He's still getting away with it," she mutters.

I make the turns necessary to get us back to my place, following the motorcycle in front of me while aware of the one behind us.

There's also Havoc, his big bully head and alert gaze staring back at me in the rearview mirror like he's the one who should be driving our girl and he's judging my skills. "Not for long. He'll screw up, and then they'll get him."

Violet doesn't seem convinced, not that I can blame her.

We're all tired from being on edge. I know how this has impacted me at work and how I sleep, and I can only imagine how Violet feels. I see glimpses of her anger when she talks of Betty and on the mat with Lawson.

My efforts to distract her are less effective, and I feel her withdrawing from me, sliding back into the shell where she hid from him before. That's what angers me the most. I finally have my girl—and he's hurting her.

Something's gotta give and soon.

At the house, we lock ourselves inside. Havoc hops up onto my couch and makes himself at home right next to the spot where Vi likes to cuddle. The dog leaves her just enough room to squeeze in—and none for me.

I narrow my gaze at Havoc, but in response, he yawns.

I shake my head. "You hungry? I can fix you a snack."

Violet shakes her head, and I frown when I see her standing in the middle of the room, unmoving. She's just standing there, like she doesn't know what to do next. "How about I run you a bath then? That'll feel good. I might be able to find a bottle of wine, too."

She doesn't say no, so I head down the hall, quickly turning on the faucet and checking the temp so the deep tub can fill. I dim the lights, then go back to the kitchen to find that bottle of wine.

Violet's in the same spot. She hasn't moved. “Violet?” I approach her slowly. "What's going on?"

Her arms are wrapped around her body like a shield.

"I feel him. He's…out there. Close. I can’t explain it, but I feel him, Sully."

I go to her and hug her, her back to my chest. "You're letting him in your head again. Yeah, he's out there somewhere, but you? You're safe. You're right here with me and that ugly dog⁠—"

"Havoc's not ugly."

I grin, knowing that would get a rise out of her, and kiss her cheek.

"He doesn't mean that, baby."

"You're calling him baby when I've got a hot bath waiting for you and plans to make you forget all about the idiot from your past?" I say, letting her hear my jealousy over the mutt.

She laughs softly as I intended, and I squeeze her before releasing her with a smack on her behind. "Stop flirting with Havoc, and go get in that tub. That's an order."