Page 5 of Second Chance By Fate

She’s afraid of us, of me?!

It’s insulting. If anything,sheturnedourlives upside down. She has no right to look atmelike that.

“Guys…” she sputters, backing out of the motel room, her back falling against the railing with her hands extended as if we’re about to attack her. For half a second, I think she’s going to sprint back down the steps the way she came until Jax emerges from the darkness with his hand extended.

“Hi, Violet,” my youngest brother says warmly. “It’s good to see you.”

Her eyes dart between us, taking in my furious expression and Jax’s unabashed half-smile.

“Come inside,” Jax urges her. “Let’s talk.”

Reluctantly, and visibly swallowing, she shuffles forward, readjusting the bag on her shoulder, and I step back to let her inside. Steele flips on a lamp from where he’s sprawled on the bed, rocking his crossed ankles casually, but he says nothing as our former lover ambles inside the modestly furnished room, his silver eyes shooting daggers in her direction.

Carefully, Violet sets her bag down on the table as I slam the door behind her.

“Did you really think you were going to come back undetected?” I bark. “What part of ‘exile’ did you fail to understand?”

“That wasn’t my intention?—”

“Save your bullshit, Violet,” Steele interjects, immediately picking up where I left off. Our youngest brother gives us both a reproving look.

“Steele,” Jax sighs. “Let her speak. She obviously came back for a reason. We should let her tell us what it is.”

“Yeah. To fuck with our powers more.” Steele sits upright, his scowl deepening. “When we banished you, we meant permanently. That doesn’t mean you can come back into town when you feel like it, when you think you’ve done your time.”

Anger colors Violet’s face, the corners of her lips tucking inward. She casts me a sidelong look, but to her credit, she keeps her infamous temper in check.

“I didn’t mean to blindside you by coming back,” she says. “But your patrol caught me off guard.”

“You’re in Apex territory,” I remind her.

“Yes, I’ve already been told,” she fires back.

A rush of affection toward her fills me in spite of myself. I forgot how feisty she can be, but this isn’t the time to show my appreciation for her attitude.

Nothing good can come of her being here. I know it, and so do my brothers, despite Jax’s kindness toward her.

“What are you doing here, Violet?” I demand, stalking toward her and casing around her slowly.

Her scent instantly overcomes me, the vanilla and sage that I still dream about but would never admit to anyone. I hate how easily she brings me back to those lazy summer days at our estate in Dusty Woods, romping around in bed. I try to shrug it off, but it’s hard—in more ways than one.

“Arizona is my home,” she reminds me.

“And you just randomly came back today?” Steele scoffs. “I don’t buy it. You have to have a reason. Something made you feel brave enough.”

I glance at my skeptical brother, but I can tell he’s looking her over with the same interest as Jax and me, even if he’s hiding it better. How can he not? Violet looks amazing. The Florida sun has done her good. She’s glowing and as beautiful as she’s ever been.

“I won’t bother you,” Violet promises. “Just let me live my life, and I’ll stay out of your way.”

Steele isn’t convinced.

“You think we’re just going to let you run rampant around Sedona?” He looks at me as if waiting for me to demand another banishment, but I can’t bring myself to say the words again.

I hate to admit it, but I’m glad she’s back. I regretted sending her away.

“He’s right,” Jax agrees unexpectedly. “You shouldn’t be allowed to run around Sedona unattended.”

Smugly, Steele crosses his arms over his chest and nods, but my eyebrows raise.That’s odd for Jax to say.

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