Page 6 of Second Chance By Fate

“We’ll bring you back to Dusty Woods with us.”

In unison, all three of us protest Jax’s suggestion.

“Hell no!” Steele cries out.

“That’s not a good idea,” Violet counters worriedly.

“No way,” I grumble.

“It’s a good way to keep an eye on her,” Jax insists. “She’s already here, and let’s face it, guys, it’s not like our powers have gotten any better since she’s been banished. That was the reason we sent her away, wasn’t it?”

“In part!” I blurt out. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Violet tense, hurt cross over her face. My eyes narrow, and I whip my head toward her. “Do you know anything about that? Is that why you’re here? Because you’re trying to mess with our powers more?”

“I want to help you,” she says coldly. “But not if you’re going to keep fighting me at every turn. I tried to tell you that I had nothing to do with your weakening powers before you cast me out.” She pauses. “And while I can’t do anything to help you find your fated mate, I’m not keeping her away by being here. I assume your Luna hasn’t appeared since I’ve been gone, either, has she?”

Embarrassed, I look away, but none of us answer her question.

“Right.” Steele scoffs again. “Our powers must have been affected by the other witch we had in our bed.” His words drip with sarcasm. “You know you’re at least partially responsible for the bullshit that happened.”

Violet grits her teeth. “Look, I came back because I want to be here and help you figure this out, but if it’s going to be a battle like always?—”

“Get your stuff,” I interject. “We’ll bring you back to Dusty Woods and talk about it there. I don’t like discussing this out here in the open. It’s not secure.”

“I don’t?—”

“It’s not safe out here where anyone can be listening in,” I repeat. “Dusty Woods is protected. Get your things.”

Grunting in dismay, Violet spins around to obey, and I nod at Jax to follow her.

“She’s your responsibility now because this was your bright idea,” I warn him. “If things get worse for us, it will be your ass.”

Jax eyes me. “You really still believe that she’s the cause of all our troubles? Even after all this time?”

I purse my lips as he shakes his head and follows Violet back out to her car to collect the rest of her belongings, leaving me alone with Steele.

“She’s powerful enough that she could have been wreaking havoc from Miami,” Steele says. “And she was mad as hell when we banished her.”

“You know we had eyes on her in Miami,” I growl in a low voice. “If she was trying to fuck us over from Florida, she did a damn good job of hiding it.”

Both of my brothers make valid points, and I don’t know what to believe. All I know for sure is that I’m glad she’s back, even for all the trouble I’m sure her presence is bound to cause, particularly with Steele.

But I haven’t stopped thinking about Violet once in three years, and whether Steele wants to admit it, I know he missed her, too.

We don’t exchangea word all the way back to Dusty Woods, but I carefully study Violet’s profile in the back of the magically armored SUV. She really has not changed much since I last saw her, except for the healthy bronze glow of her skin.

Dark strands of hair laced with purple curl around her angular chin as she watches the blackened landscape slip by. Her delicate hand presses to the tinted glass, full lips murmuring as if she were casting a spell, but I know she isn’t because her eyes aren’t glowing.

Who the hell is she talking to? Herself?

A pang of guilt overcomes me as I realize she must have been lonely in Miami. She was forced to leave behind all her friends, and as an orphan, she treasured the bonds she made with others.

That’s not my fault. She brought this on herself,I tell myself.

I catch Jax also watching her from across the car, a soft grin toying on the edges of his lips.

Stop that,I warn him, and his head jerks up. Warm amber eyes meet mine, but he doesn’t lose his smile. He’s too enamored with the idea of having Violet back to care about my annoyance.

He’s right. Stop grinning like an idiot,Steele confirms telepathically, his scowl cratering his face so deeply, the dimple on his left cheek becomes evident.

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