He’s there. Jeremy Willis. His cold blue eyes lock on mine and a slow, mocking grin spreads across his face. “Hello, Violet. Long time.”
My world tilts. I can’t breathe. Can’t think. My legs go limp. I press a shaky hand against the doorframe. “Jeremy...what are you—why are you here?”
Sally steps forward. “You two know each other well?”
Nausea explodes in my stomach. I spin away, adrenaline and panic fueling my flight. I burst into the women’s restroom and collapse to my knees in front of the stalls. My fingers claw at my skirt. My vision blurs. Bile rises. This can’t be happening. It can’t. Why is he here? Why now? Why today?
I stay curled on the cold tile until Sally’s voice cracks through the door an hour later. “Violet, we have a problem. Can I come in?”
I don’t look up.
I can’t.
She opens the door anyway, stepping into the ladies' room. “Just tell me,” I breathe.
“He told me to tell you that he’s trying to charge you—for manslaughter.”
My heart stops. “What?”
No.
Why would he come now?
Why would he do this years later?
“He says you killed his sister.”
The room spins. My mouth floods. “It was an accident. It...I didn’t...”
Sally drops beside me, hands on my shoulders, gentle. “He’s a creep. I’ll figure this out, we have the best lawyers in this building. We will help you.”
I stare onto the tiled floor, trying not to think about how dirty it is. “He nearly beat me to death years ago.”
Her fingers curl into mine. “That’s helpful. Records?”
I nod. “County hospital. They’ll have every detail.”
She exhales. “Let’s go back to my office, I’m going to need you to tell me everything.”
I stand, and then we slowly make our way back to her office. Once I have sat down, calmed myself, I tell her about the night he found me alone, about the blood, the broken bones, the terror. And as the words pour out, I steel myself for the battle ahead.
Because I know it’s not going to be an easy one.
8
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?” REAGAN’Svoice cracks as she yanks me into a vice-like grip on my shoulders.
“Yes. Please don’t tell Travis. I have to sort this out myself.”
Her eyes go wide. “Are you in danger?”
“No, but Jeremy’s back for revenge, and he’s playing it smart. If he lays a hand on me, he’ll end up in jail. But if he manages to win this, I could go away for a really long time.”
Reagan’s lips press into a thin line. “I hate this, Vi. You need to talk to someone.”
I swallow the knot of dread tightening in my chest. “I know, and I will, I just can’t do it tonight. Tonight is about Travis, and we’re here to have fun.”
She nods, then breaks out into a smile, as if clinging to any spark of brightness. “I do love this limo.”