Page 40 of Beautifully Ruined

“Does congressman Joseph Walsh mean anything to you?”

I type in his name. “Not really. I don’t tend to follow politics, just bad people.”

“Yeah? Well, he’s high-profile, and the good congressman has pissed off several organized crime groups by passing laws that affected their businesses.”

Why I probably didn’t take note of him if he’s clean.

“If he’s high profile, then how did I miss the daughter going missing?”

“Who knows? I forgot it. News moves fast, Cade. Her disappearance, almost a year ago, made international headlines, and she hasn’t been seen since.”

“Vi said eight months…”

“Could have been taken almost a year ago and then was moved to wherever this Vi-girl met her. So, what do you want me to do? Hand the info to the cops, or look into it myself?”

The smartest and easiest move would be to leave it in Zayne’s hands. But this means so much to Violet.

“I’ll do it, man. Thanks.”

“Okay. Reach out if you need any help.”

“Will do.” I sit back, rub a hand on my chest.

I’m not sure why, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

Chapter Eight

VIOLET

Soft,warm lips kiss me awake, and I stretch in the cocoon of Cade’s arms.

There’s nothing like waking up surrounded by him, with his kisses, and I want to go back to sleep to experience the pleasure again.

But I can’t. I need to get on the train and go to see my professor about the new internship, and what I can do in the meantime, while they try and find me one. I’ve got a feeling it’ll take a while, and I both mind and don’t.

I don’t mind because it means more time with Cade, but I mind because I don’t want to lose more time for the opportunity of going for my PhD.

But last night, I fell asleep while I was working, and then I guess Cade took me to bed, but I kept waking without him.

I kiss him back, savoring his caresses. “What time is it?”

“What time do you want it to be?” He kisses my nose. “Fool around time, work time, breakfast time?”

“Go to college time.”

He sighs, rolling away and getting up. “I’ll arrange an escort to and from school for you.”

“I don’t need an escort. In any iteration of the word.”

Cade gives me a half smile. “I mean someone to make sure you’re okay. I need to work today, or I’d be going with you.”

“I’m not a baby.”

“You could work from home? Remote learning is a thing. You?—”

“Cade…” I sit up, cross-legged, in his bed. “I need to go in. I’m not made of glass, and I think we both know I’m not the target.”

He doesn’t look convinced.