Page 6 of Strength in Submission
I know I’ve just broken up with Derek, but I can’t help but stare at the way his suit fits him perfectly, or the subtle black and gray checkered pattern.
“You work late tonight?” I question, needing something to fill the air. The silence is too much for me, pulls me further into my own head.
“No, I had to go by the club and handle a couple things.” The club . . . oh yeah, Santiago's a lawyer by day, outlaw by night.
“How are the boys doing?”
Santiago turns around, opens the bag, and begins putting food on the two plates in front of him, “Most of us are good.Viper’s being a pain in the ass, but what else is new. The old man talks more than he should, and I don’t know why Ripper keeps his ass around. He’s too much trouble, but not my business. We shouldn’t be talkin’ about me though. How areyou?”
I run a hand over my hair and breathe in through my nose. “I’m okay.”
Santiago raises a brow, like he’s calling me out on my bullshit. “Seriously, I’m okay. The truth of it is I don’t think I ever really loved him, it was more a relationship out of convenience more than anything.”
Santiago shakes his head and starts to hand me my food, causing me to grow curious. “What?"
He swallows hard and shakes his head, "Nothing."
I roll my eyes as dramatically as Ashley does, "I can tell you’re holding yourself back. Tell me what’s on your mind," I speak up, needing to know whatever he’s thinking.
When I was younger, Santiago used-to-be blunt as all hell. He never cared about hurting anyone’s feelings, but I think years of law made him realize he needed to have empathy if he was going to make it work.
Staring me dead in the eyes as he places the plate directly in front of me, in his gravelly tone he speaks, “A woman like you should search for passion, not convenience. You never know where you might find it,” as soon as he finishes speaking, he turns around and opens the fridge.
For what, I have no idea, but I highly doubt by the time he turns around that the warmth will be gone from my face, or my heart will stop beating so quickly.
Chapter Four
WHIP
Her face's flushing with the deep mauve color, telling me just how much my words are impacting her. I’ve played the protective type for far too long. Ash asked me to come over here and make sure Violet’s all right, and from the looks of it she’s perfectly fine.
A bit aggravated, sure, but she isn’t as heartbroken as I thought she was going to be. I’ve kept myself an arm’s length away from the woman because she’s my little sister’s best friend, but in reality, I think doing that only made things worse.
For the last couple years, I’ve tried to slowly integrate myself into her life, waiting for the right moment, but fuck I’ve been lying to myself. There are no right moments, only golden opportunities.
I grab a bottle of the bougie sparkling water from the fridge my sister’s constantly buying and twist it open. I saw an open bottle of tequila in there, and some unopened bottles of wine, but I won’t be drinking tonight. Not when Violet already is and I’m sure she’s still trying to wrap her head around the comment I just made.
I could walk over to her right now and tell her exactly what I think. I could get straight to the point with her and lay downthe law, but I won’t. Not today. Not tonight, when so much has already happened in the last twenty-four hours.
As I shut the door to the fridge and turn around, she’s already bringing the wine back up to her lips. Surely finding the courage to say something.
I take a sip of my water and stare into her dark almond eyes, waiting because I know Violet, and I know she won’t stay quiet. It’s half the fun right now.
“Yeah, I deserve better,” is all the response she gives me.
Silence fills the air between us and Violet picks up her fork, eating the Mexican in front of her. I follow her lead and opt to stand while digging my hands into the crispy guacamole tacos I got from my favorite restaurant here in Santiagoville.
They’re crunchy, smothered in guacamole, chicken, refried beans, and cheese. I could’ve gotten somepollolike I normally do, but after today I needed a cheat meal. I’m usually pretty good about watching what I eat, making sure I’m getting a good amount of protein in, not too many unhealthy carbs and whatnot, but today I’m going in for the good shit.
That’s just how my day’s been. Hell, I even got a client off death row so I’m feeling pretty damn good. He told me he didn’t do it but judging him isn’t my job. My job’s getting him out of whatever mess he allegedly got himself into, and I’m the kind of attorney who fights until the bitter end for my clients.
We both eat in silence for a few minutes before Violet clears her throat. “You must be having a cheat meal, or a celebratory one.”
Like I said, we’ve known each other for years so at this point she knows my habits.
I nod, shoving another nacho in my mouth. I chew on it and swallow before answering her. “A bit of both. Now, not to dive deep into your shit, but Ash told me you didn’t get all your shit from the apartment yet.”
Violet’s expression immediately shifts to a somber one. “Yeah, I haven’t. I will, soon.”
