Page 41 of Against All Odds (Ember Falls #3)

thirty-one

Violet

I ’m standing at a private airport as Analeigh’s plane is being readied to take me back to hell.

“You’ll be back in my arms in a week or two,” Everett says, and I’m not sure whether he’s trying to tell me or himself.

The reality is, we don’t know that.

We have absolutely no fucking idea what Dylan’s intentions with all of this are. Catherine and my lawyer agreed I needed to say nothing and return to California to handle this. With him across the country, it’s painted me as the villain who is trying to keep his child from him.

Never mind that he cheated, got engaged, and drew up dissolution of paternal rights paperwork. Of course no one looked into any of that.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I promise. I fix the collar on his shirt and leave my hands there, trying to keep my voice steady and fighting tears. “We meet with the lawyers in a few days. After that, I’ll know more.”

This is everything I worried about. That if Dylan wanted the baby, I’d have to be semi-close to him so he can have a place in the baby’s life.

When he walked away, it was easy for me to let my heart release what it was holding back, to let myself love Everett.

That against all odds, we could be together again.

Seems I was counting my chickens before they hatched.

I should’ve waited until I had the paperwork signed.

“Don’t look like that,” he says with a stern tone. “Don’t look like you’re giving up on us.”

“I’m not.”

“You are. You’re going to be there, alone, and able to convince yourself that all hope is lost, but I won’t give up on us, Violet.

Things may look dark and as though there’s no chance of this working, but those are lies.

We didn’t go through fifteen years apart to find each other and then end up alone again. ”

He reaches into his pocket and takes my hand. I look down as he places a ring in my palm. My chest grows so tight I can’t breathe. Tears prick my eyelids, and I try to fight them back. “Please don’t ...”

I can’t handle a proposal. I would want to say yes even if it seems too fast, and I can’t do that until this part of my life is resolved.

I won’t be able to handle it.

“I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m asking you to take this, hold it, know that it has every part of me with you.

My father gave his heart to my mother, and I’m giving mine to you.

This is a symbol of it. It’s one of the most valuable items in my possession, and I’m asking you to bring it back to me.

Bring you back to me.” He cups my face and brings his lips to mine. “Come back to me, Violet.”

Our foreheads touch as the tears I’d been holding on to stream freely down my face, and I close my hand around the ring.

I love him so much.

I don’t want to leave.

However, it’s my time to do what I have to for the people I love. For my child. I know I’m strong enough, and I have the people in my corner now who give me the power to do what I must.

I kiss him softly before looking deep into his eyes, using all my strength.

“You are my home,” I say through the thickness in my throat.

“You are where I want to be. I love you with everything that I am.” I lift my head, staring into his beautiful eyes that are glossy with unshed tears.

“You promised to fight for me. Now I need to fight for myself, the baby, and you. For our family we were building. I’ll bring this back to you the moment I can. ”

Someone clears their throat. “Excuse me, Miss Leone? We’re ready and need you to board now,” the pilot says.

I nod. “Thank you. I’ll be right there.” When I look back at Everett, there’s so much pain and worry in his eyes. I reach my hand to his cheek. “I’ll be okay.”

His jaw clenches, and I feel the turmoil coming off him in waves. “I should be there with you. I should be on that plane.”

“No, your mother needs you here, and we agreed that photos of you and me in the press would only hurt my case.”

Even if Catherine hadn’t suggested that I keep Everett here, I wouldn’t have asked it of him. He needs to be in Ember Falls, and I need to go handle my life.

“Call me, okay?”

I nod. “I will.”

“I love you, Violet.” He moves his hand to my belly. “I love him or her too.”

In two weeks we have an appointment scheduled where we will have another ultrasound and get to see the sex of the baby. We’ve been looking forward to it, and now I might be stuck across the country.

No, I can’t think like that. Even if things with Dylan aren’t figured out, I’m coming back for that. I want to share that moment with Everett. He’s the only one I want to share every moment with.

“We love you and I’ll be back for my appointment.” I lift up on my toes, kiss him softly, and turn to grab my bag, leaving Everett again and my heart in Ember Falls.

“Violet!” Ana yells as she rushes toward me the moment I’m off the plane. “I’ve missed you.”

I force a smile, feeling so fucking heartsick. “I’ve missed you too.”

Her face falls, and she pulls me into her arms. “Don’t worry, babe. We’re going to fix this and get you back to your man.”

I laugh once. “I just can’t believe this is my life. That now I have to come out here because he couldn’t do what’s right. He needed to, what? Save himself again and at my expense. I just ... I can’t fucking believe this.”

“I really can’t, either, but alas, it’s what it is, and I have people ready to do whatever we need to.”

Whatever that means. “I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.”

“You don’t.” She loops her arm in mine. “Come on, let’s get to my house and put the plan in motion.”

Ana does most of the talking, filling me in on whatever gossip has been going on in her inner circle.

She has always confused me regarding the people she spends time with.

I’m not sure she even likes any of them, but I sit there, letting her fill the silence as I look at the busy streets and palm trees, wishing they were evergreens.

My phone buzzes and it’s a text.

Everett

I miss you.

I miss you more.

Everett

Kick ass, my love.

I grin.

I plan to.

Ana clears her throat. “Everett?”

“Yeah, he misses me.”

She pouts. “Aww, that’s so cute. I know how you’re missing him, too, but just remember that the sooner you handle this, the sooner you can get back to Lumber Falls.”

I laugh. “I swear you’re just doing it to be stupid now.”

“Maybe, but it made you smile.”

It did. “Thanks, Ana. For letting me stay with you and the help with Catherine.”

Ana takes my hand. “That’s what family is for.”

“I’m glad you’re on my side.”

“You should be. I’ll fuck someone up if they come after the people I love. If it weren’t for Cat, I probably would’ve done something to Dylan, but she reminded me that this is a game and I have to play the right move. So I’ll behave—for now.”

There are so few people in my life that I can truly count on, and if I have to be back in this den of vipers, at least I have the most vicious snake on my side. “I’m guessing you guys came up with some ideas?”

“Yes, she’ll be at my house, and we’ll go over the possibilities.” She squeezes. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let him screw things up for you.”

I really hope not.

We pull up to the gate that opens when she scans the card, and we go down the windy drive. I know it hasn’t been all that long, but I genuinely forgot what it’s like to pull up to her home.

The house is absolutely massive. It has eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, three living rooms—it’s stunning, but you honestly can get lost in it. The double doors open, and her assistant is there and ... Eleanor.

I jump out of the car, and we both practically run to each other. She gives me a huge hug, and I rock back and forth with her. She cut her hair into an adorable bob, and the outfit she’s wearing is unlike anything I’ve seen her in. I step back, looking at her again. “You look amazing,” I tell her.

“You do too! You are adorable!” She grins as her gaze moves to my stomach, where you can see the bump.

“Thank you. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

Ana chuckles as she comes up behind me. “You needed your army, girl. It’s all hands on deck.”

As alone as I felt out here, I did have good people around me. Eleanor and Ana always had my back. I guess I forgot that in a way.

The two of them flank me, and we enter the house. Catherine rises from her chair. Her dark-brown hair falls in soft waves down her back, and she’s wearing a navy-blue pantsuit with heels. She’s formidable, but she smiles warmly at me.

“Hi, Violet.”

“Catherine, thank you for being here,” I say, trying to hide my nerves.

She steps forward. “You’re very welcome. Are you ready to fight fire with fire and change the narrative?”

I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life. “Yes, let’s do it.”

My hands are shaking, and I feel that familiar nausea like I had during the first trimester.

I’m sitting in the conference room with my lawyer as we wait for Dylan and his team to arrive.

I wore a green dress with a blazer to try to hide some of my pregnancy.

Obviously, he knows, but I don’t want to draw any attention to it so we can discuss the issue at hand.

“Let me do most of the talking,” Gail says as she fills my water. “If you want a break, just clear your throat and ask to use the restroom.”

“What would I need a break for?” I ask.

“Trust me, divorce and family law are not for the weak. His team is going to try to paint you as the bad guy, even though it’s the furthest thing from the truth. Just stay calm, smile when you can, and let him make an ass of himself.”

That shouldn’t be too hard, since he’s become a master at it.