Page 8 of Declan's Dove

When we walk into Magpie’s I give Misty, the waitress, a tight nod and point to the booth in the back signaling where we’re going and guide Violet to take a seat. I take the seat facing the door. Misty approaches with menus and a sweet smile.

“Hey Declan. Hey Vi. Can I get you two started with something to drink?” She asks.

I nod for Violet to order first.

“Sweet tea, please.”

“I’ll have the same.” Misty smiles and shuffles off to get our order.

I lean back and watch as Violet reads over the menu, acting as if she’s going to make some grand decision that requires deep thought. We both know damn well she’s going to order the same fucking thing she always does. My woman is a creature of habit. She’s also stubborn and avoiding me.

“Find anything interesting on the menu, Dove?”

“I’m not sure if I’m hungry enough to eat. Maybe I’ll just get a side salad.” She says, quietly, as if to herself.

“No, you won’t.” That gets her attention. She lowers the menu to glare at me. I love the spark of fire I see staring back at me. When we first met, she was timid and quiet, and over time she’s started becoming feistier and more outspoken. She tries to hide it, but I see it. I see her.

My Dove thinks she’s too broken or damaged for anyone to care about. I’ve heard her say it time and time again. Not to me of course. I’d shut that shit down in a heartbeat. She’s said it to Skyler and Anna while at the gym. Those two are nosy as hell and have been trying to push Violet my direction for a while. I appreciate their intentions, but my woman needs to come to her own conclusions. She needs to realize who I am to her without everyone else’s interference.

What my Dove doesn’t understand, but I’m about to make clear to her is, I’m going to help her see exactly who I am to her and then I’m going to put all her pieces back together. But first I need her to open up and tell me what’s going on.

I’ve known for a while she’s hiding from her ex-husband. Carter let it slip once that his dad is not a good man and that’s why they’re not together anymore. It wasn’t until after Violet was stabbed that I got a glimpse of just how bad her ex had been.

Violet was hell-bent on not putting her name in the system. She gave me some bullshit about not having insurance as her reason, but I had already told her I’d put it on my credit card. After some pain meds and a little coaxing, she finally admitted that her ex has a long reach and if any information on her or Carter hit a state or government system, he’d find them. Unfortunately, the meds got to her before I could get his name. And the kid is locked down like fucking Fort Knox about the man too.

It's the one thing I can’t get the kid to talk to me about.

When we got back to town, Hawk managed to find out Violet Dupree is in fact an alias. Now it’s time for my little Dove to start telling me her story. If she’s still running, I need to know who from so I can handle the situation and lock her and Carter down here with me in Oakridge. I wasn’t fucking around when I said I want them both.

“You two ready to order?” Misty comes back placing our drinks on the table.

I gesture for Violet to go first.

“Um, I’ll have a side …” she starts, but the sound of my throat clearing, and a stern raised brow is enough to give her pause. Violet lets out a long huff. “I’ll take the bacon cheeseburger with everything except onions and some fries, please.” She smiles up at Misty. Then shoots her fiery eyes back at me, sticking her tongue out.

I laugh.

“I’ll have the same. Thanks Misty.”

“Sure thing. I’ll get those started for you.” She scampers away to the next table picking up glasses on her way.

“Happy?” Violet sasses.

“Yeah, babe. I’m happy you’re eating real food. I know you aren’t one of those chicks who eats salads and picks at her food when she’s out. No need to start now.” The corners of her mouth lift.

“I’ve never understood the idea of starving yourself to impress someone.” She shrugs. “If they hang around, they’ll learn the truth anyway.”

“Speaking of truth,” her shoulders tense. I sit back, putting my hands up in a placating manner. “Put your claws away, baby. I just want to talk. To get to know you better.”

Violet’s shoulders drop and she lets out a defeated sigh.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t like talking about myself. I’d rather learn about the people around me.”

“You mean you’d rather pretend you don’t matter and soak up everyone else’s secrets.” I tease. “You’re the quiet, observant one, at a party sitting in the corner of a room watching everyone else have fun. Paying attention to their conversations, but never actually engaging in any of it yourself. The proverbial wall flower. But you’re not fooling anyone, Dove. Least of all me.”

“Declan.” She looks at my chin, avoiding eye contact. I’ll let it slide for now, but my woman has no reason not to look me in the eyes. “I’m not that interesting. I’m a single mom with a dull past and an even duller present. I don’t go out. I have a handful of friends. And my life revolves around my little boy. I hardly ever drink and I’m not into the party scene, not that it was ever a priority to do either one. Hell, I never even finished college.”

“Then you can’t know if you’re into the party scene or not because you’ve never experienced it.” I throw back playfully.

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