Page 50 of Petals of Blue, Part One (Wilted Duet #1)

Forty-Five

BLUE

“Mama...there's a reason I wanted us to drive separately."

Violet hasn't stopped glancing at me every few seconds for the past five minutes. I've been waiting her out, hoping like hell she'll finally open up about what's been going on.

The ups and downs have been jarring. Like the day after we had dinner with the guys and she ditched me in their home of sexiness, she was completely different again.

I had been hoping, since she was bright and bubbly again for a few days before today, that whatever happened had passed. Nope. I was wrong. I felt a bit out of sorts the next morning after Jared made me come. So I wasn't prepared for teenage angst again.

Violet actually refused eye contact all day and admitted she was having friend trouble.

Pissed, I tried to ask her to elaborate, but she told me to back off and locked herself in her room the rest of the day.

I've been left feeling like I have a sixteen-year-old who, unfortunately, has the privileges of an eighteen-year-old.

Once again, my nerves were shot to shit, and all I could seem to focus on is everything that could be wrong in my kid's life. Not to mention, I felt like shit for not knowing.

We're closer than mother and daughter, closer than cousins. We've been through some shit. For once, she's not allowing me to go through it with her.

"Why, V?" I ask softly, not wanting to spook her by sounding too manic. Pushing too hard would definitely push her further away. It feels like she's finally reaching for me, and I'd be a fool to mess it up.

I swear I hear Violet gulp. It's Halloween, our favorite holiday. The one we always bond on, but she feels so far away this year. Is this what being a parent is? The crippling sensation of something precious slipping through your fingers?

Violet invited Roman, Felix, Jared, and Declan to the theater with us, and while she didn't cancel on them, she begged to have them drive separately.

I was a bit taken off guard, but of course I said yes.

Honestly, I was thinking she might not want to be stuck in a car with four large men that I've kept in limbo since the summer.

"Violet?" Don't push, don't force. I'm fucking terrified, though.

She sighs far heavier than any teenager should, which makes me feel horrible. Like I've failed her. "So, don't be mad."

Fuck. I stiffen. We're three fucking minutes from the theater where the guys are already waiting. This feels big, and yet we have minimal alone time to actually talk.

"Okay..." I agree hesitantly. My ass is sweating.

"There's this guy...person...on my socials who won't leave me alone."

I tense, every protective mom instinct powering on and flipping right to fucking high. Immediately I start going through all the self-defense moves Violet doesn't know. She's not safe.

Violet continues while twisting her phone around in her hands. "I've blocked him. I block all the weirdos, but he keeps making new accounts and messaging me again."

Don't flip out. You're driving. Just keep driving. Let her talk.

"I know it's the same person because he always says the same things. It's weird. Sometimes he goes a few days without creating a new account, but he always comes back." Violet shivers, and I almost punch the steering wheel. Who's harassing my kid?!

The theater comes into view, and relief whooshes through me because now I can get out and scream without worrying about crashing the car.

Simultaneously though, I feel trapped in the fact that there are four men waiting for us to go see a movie and there's no way Violet isn't going to rush in there to avoid a hard conversation.

Shit on sticks.

"I—I don't know what to do, Ma. I'm scared."

My throat closes over, and my eyes immediately burn. The sun has set, so the streetlights and outdoor signs blur and expand in my vision. "V..." I would like to ask her why she didn't tell me sooner, but that's not the right approach.

So what is the right approach?

I wish on everything I could ask myself what would my mom do, but I had nowhere near enough time with my mom to truly know her parenting style. The only thing I can think of is removing Violet from the situation.

Gulping, I turn into the parking lot. I keep driving until we're at the front of the theater and I can see all four of my men chatting just inside the doors.

"Blue?" Violet sounds worried.

With a deep breath, I unlock the doors and hold my hand out.

"Unlock your phone and open the app, please.

Then I want you to get out and walk right to Roman.

Ask for a hug and have Declan order me an Icee.

Tell Felix I'll be inside in a few minutes and need a girl moment.

Give Jared a pointed look so he knows to stall Felix for me. "

She looks at me with wide eyes even as her fingers unlock her phone with the precision of an eighteen-year-old. "And what are you going to do?"

I tuck her blonde hair behind her ear and smile as bright as I can all the while I'm trying to tamp down the violence attempting to pour from my veins. "I'm going to park, read the messages so I know what we're dealing with, then I'm going to figure out what we should do."

"We?"

At that, I really do smile. "We are always a we, Violet. Now go. Make sure the popcorn has butter and salt in the middle too."

She laughs and unbuckles her seatbelt. When Violet reaches for the handle, she pauses and looks back at me. "Thank you. I love you."

"Love you, baby girl," I whisper and grab the phone from her.

I watch her walk inside and right into Roman's embrace. He'll know how to manage her worries right now while I come up with a game plan. Declan will need a distraction, and sugar is best. Felix will worry, but Jared has always been able to talk everyone off the ledge.

I just need a few minutes.

Parked, I eye the bright screen of Violet's phone and take a heavy breath. No wonder she's been so down lately. I don't even know what this person's been saying, yet I'm shaking and anxious beyond belief.

Gathering courage, I open the first unknown thread. Bile rises. Then the next and the next until I'm so angry I barely remember to pull the key out of my ignition before exiting the goddamn car.

Who does this asshole think he is, demanding Violet's location over and over again?! The threats following each one become more and more gruesome with each new profile.

How dare anyone come after V this way?! Her mother may be a deadbeat, but this dick is acting like she doesn't have an army surrounding her.

I worked my ass off creating a group of loyalty, strength, and so much love the world would burn if ever wielded with aggression for her. My cousin. My kid. My fucking daughter.

I raised her. Blue Bennet. Nobody will ever touch a hair on her head. I don't care if it's me that takes the fall for whatever hell I'm going to rain down on this bastard, as long as she's safe.

While the heat nipping at my heels is filled with rage, my heart warms when I catch sight of Jared and Felix laughing with Violet who stays close to Roman. Declan's struggling with so many snacks I can't help but grin.

Crack!

My jaw explodes with so much pain and shock that my knees buckle. The only sound that comes from me is a wet squelch. Blood flies from my busted lips as I crash to the sidewalk.

Boom!

My eyebrow takes the brunt of my fall and yanks reality from right under me. Darkness swallows me, and yet...I'm not afraid. I'm proud.

I'm proud because I made her get out of the car. I'm proud I trusted my soul which told me Violet would be safe with Roman, protected by Felix, seen by Jared, and lightened by Declan.

My future looks dark now, but it's okay. It's okay because this found family I've created over the years and the apartment I worked so hard to pay off will take care of her. My reason for living. Not only surviving. I lived for Violet, and I did it right.

I'm leaving so much love and stability in my wake. That has been my only goal.

I'll go feeling proud and accomplished because my daughter will be safe and loved.

I'll go, and everything will be okay.

I'll go.