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Violet was going to miss her roommates, but this was for the best. All eyes were on them now, and drawing attention to her exit would only alert the wrong people—people like Principal Jameson, who was out for blood and desperate to catch whoever was behind the scandal.

If anyone asked about Violet, the boys were prepped to reply, "Asher took her."

And of course, no one questioned Asher Nightshade’s methods. Jameson might try, but he’d deal with it. Caroline had also whisked Elsie away somewhere, likely hoping to shield her until the heat died down. That was probably her grand plan.

As if.

Elsie’s reputation was ruined, no sugarcoating it. And Irene had already promised Griffin she’d use this moment to finally get Elsie off their backs for good. If it worked, they could all be with her openly, without any looming backlash.

So no, Asher wasn’t about to let her be served up as a scapegoat. If anyone had questions for her, they’d have to go through him first.

As for her roommates, Griffin, Roman, and Alaric would handle things while she was gone. She trusted them.

It was late when they left and Violet appreciated the city view.

At one point, she stuck out her hand through the window, relishing the cool night breeze against her skin.

Asher drove carefully through a silent road, away from the city buzz, until they reached a quiet area marked by a bold sign at the gate that read "KEEP OFF. "

The house sat on private land surrounded by dense woods, tall trees rising like shadows in the dark.

There were no streetlights in sight, only the eerie rustling of leaves that made the place look haunted.

If it wasn’t the fact that Violet had come to trust Asher with her life, there was no way in hell she’d follow a guy like him into a secluded place like this.

The house was a modern bungalow, simple but elegant, with glass windows and clean lines. The environment was calm, even peaceful, but the quiet somehow made it feel more intense. Once inside, Asher gave her a quick rundown like a host welcoming a guest.

"The kitchen’s fully stocked. There’s a fridge, drinks, pantry items, everything you’ll need," he said, moving towards the hallway. "There are two bedrooms, the master and the guest room. Both have attached bathrooms. Your things have been set up in the guest room."

Wait a minute.....

"Whoa, my guest room?" Violet blinked. "I thought we’d be staying together...."

She trailed off, suddenly feeling stupid. Although they hadn’t explicitly discussed it, she had assumed. After everything they’d gone through, Violet expected tonight to be the night.

Asher looked at her. There was a pause, and then, like he’d caught her meaning, he said, "It’s been a long day, Violet. You need rest. Maybe something to eat? I can make you—"

"No, I’m good." Her voice came out sharp.

"Okay." Asher nodded, sensing the tension. Then he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Goodnight."

Violet stood there, dumbfounded, as he turned and walked to the other room.

What just happened? Was it her imagination or was Asher avoiding her?

Irritated and confused, Violet stomped toward her "guest room" and slammed the door so hard that it echoed through the house like a punctuation mark to her frustration.

The room was neat, cozy, but clearly masculine with its dark wood panels.

Still, it was okay. Opening the wardrobe, she found it filled with clothes in her size, some casual, some more daring. Even in her frustration, she couldn’t help but be impressed.

Violet peeled out of her heavy dress and went into the bathroom for a long, hot shower. But even as the water flowed down her skin, her mind wasn’t at ease.

By chance, had Asher lost interest in her now that he was finally free of Elsie? Was that it? Had she served her purpose?

No, that couldn’t be. Not Asher. He wouldn’t go through all of that just to walk away now. Nancy trusted him. And Nancy didn’t hand out trust like candy.

There was more going on. She could feel it in her bones. And she does not give up.

After drying herself off, Violet moved back to the wardrobe and began searching through it. There had to be something in there that would help in the plan she had in mind.

And then she found it. A sheer, barely-there purple nightgown that clung to the hanger like it was waiting for her. It was soft, sensual, and so see-through that it made her blush.

Oh, she was definitely wearing this.

Without hesitation, Violet put it on and the nightgown stopped just below her ass, thin straps at the shoulders, with lace tracing down the sides.

Violet didn’t know if Asher had picked this out himself or delegated it to his equally mischievous pack member, but whoever it was? Bless them. Because now, she had a mission.

With all the grace of a woman on a warpath, Violet stepped out of the room.

She found Asher’s room and stood there for a minute, taking a deep breath to psych herself up. "Alright, let’s do this," she muttered, gripping the handle and pushing the door open.

Just like hers, his room was tidy to a fault, so like Asher. It had the same dark wood panels and that musky scent that was undeniably him. But there was no sign of Asher.

She didn’t have to wonder long because

the door behind her opened, and he stepped in.

"Violet?" His voice held surprise. "What are you doing here...?" His words trailed off the second his gaze landed on her.

His eyes slowly raked over her sheer nightgown, heated and intense, until they stopped at the hardened peaks of her nipples pushing through the fabric. Violet’s breath caught.

At the same time, she took in the sight of him—his bare chest, etched with old scars that screamed of Henry’s cruelty.

But instead of diminishing his appeal, they only deepened it.

This man had survived hell and still stood.

If that wasn’t sexy, Violet had no idea what else was. She was so into him.

Asher’s body tapered from those strong shoulders to a lean waist. A towel hung dangerously low on his hips, hiding what she already knew —and tasted. And she wanted more of.

When Violet finally met his eyes again, they were pure molten heat. She was sure hers matched.

Violet couldn’t tell but something magnetic pulled them together and they met halfway, reaching, grabbing, mouths crashing together like they’d been starved for each other for centuries.

The kiss was hard, desperate and raw. Asher growled low in his throat, his fingers fisting her hair, his tongue taking control of hers like he had every right.

Oh he sure did.

One of his hands cupped her ass and he let out another growl the moment he realized she wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

Surprise. Surprise.

Asher squeezed her ass, rough and possessive. God, this was everything she dreamed of and wanted.

So Violet didn’t hold back either. She kissed him like she needed air, sucked his bottom lip while he sucked her top, grounding her hips against his. He was hard and so ready for her.

She then broke away only to yank the nightgown over her head. Her breasts bounced with the movement and Asher made a low, guttural sound that made her smirk.

He looked at her like a predator staring down a meal he was ready to devour and Violet liked that. Maybe all that hesitation earlier had just been her over thinking because the look in Asher’s eyes was pure deadly lust.

Violet climbed onto his bed, leaned back on her elbows, and spread her legs just a little, inviting him wordlessly.

And like a kid chasing candy, Asher came.

He crawled onto the bed, his pupils blown so wide his eyes looked almost black. The tension was thick and her heart raced. His animal was so close, Violet could feel it. So she trembled, not in fear, but in anticipation of what was to come.

Asher Nightshade was going to gobble her up.

He didn’t kiss her lips but her jaw instead, lowering to her throat. His teeth grazed her collarbone, making her shiver. Her back arched, hands tangling in his silky black hair.

God, this felt too good.

She tilted her head to give him more access, and her hands trailed down his chest. She reached the towel and was just about to tug it away when he caught her wrist.

Their eyes met and in that moment, something changed. The fire dimmed slightly in Asher’s slitted gaze, and before she could blink, he was off her.

Violet sat up, stunned. What just happened?

She stared at him, furious, as he paced like a caged animal.

"Asher?" she called, unsure.

"No. Don’t, Violet. I can’t do this." He sounded wrecked, raking his hand through his hair like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

"Can’t do what?" Violet asked, though she already knew.

He looked at her, guilt in his eyes. "I’m sorry, Violet... I can’t sleep with you."