Page 97 of Loving Violet
The night blurs as I run, the branches clawing at my arms and face like desperate hands trying to slow me down. The officers and Noah are right behind me, their footfalls pounding in unison with my racing heart.
The scenarios I’ve been trying to shove out of my mind flood in all at once: Violet hurt. Violet terrified. Violet—no, I can’t think like that. I can’t.
The sound of struggling pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. Ahead, a man is on the ground, groaning and writhing, his outline faint in the shadows. I don’t think. I just act.
I slam into him from the side, the impact jarring but satisfying. My fists connect with flesh, over and over, driven by pure fury.
“Where is she, you motherfucker?” I roar, my voice ragged, my knuckles aching with each hit.
Hands grab at me—Noah and one of the officers, pulling me back. My breath comes in ragged gasps, my body shaking with rage as I finally register the man’s face.
John fucking Baker.
Blood drips from his split lip, and his eyes are wide, darting around as he groans in pain.
“John,” I hiss, my voice low and dangerous. “If you’ve hurt her, I swear to God, I’ll kill you.”
“Austin, enough!” Miller’s voice cuts through my haze of anger. “We’re wasting time. Violet is near. Focus.”
Noah steps in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders. His eyes are steady, calm despite the tension etched into his face. “We’ll find her,” he says firmly. “Don’t let him take any more of your focus. Violet needs you.”
I shake him off, but his words anchor me. My hands are still trembling as I take a step back, my breaths shallow and sharp.
John Baker. The realization hits me like a sledgehammer.
What the hell is he doing here? What the hell has he done?
My eyes snap to Miller as he starts barking orders to his team. But my focus isn’t on them anymore. It’s on the darkness beyond, where Violet is somewhere out there. Waiting for us. Waiting forme.
And God, help John Baker if we don’t find her alive.
Miller turns to a young officer and says, “Adams, cuff him and leave him on the dirt. Don't let him move.”
“Yes, sir,” Adams replies, quickly restraining John.
I turn around and start running with two other officers and Noah. My pulse quickens as I push through the underbrush, desperate to find Violet. We can’t be far now. The sound of our footsteps is the only thing I can hear as we push deeper into the forest.
Every second counts. I have to find her.
Minutes feel like hours as we comb through the area, each step taking me further into the unknown. My thoughts are a chaotic mess, swinging between hope and despair. I can’t lose her. Not now. Not ever.
Just as I’m starting to lose hope, I hear a faint sound in the distance. My heart skips a beat, and I strain to listen. It’s coming from a deeper part in the forest, a faint cry for help carried in the wind.
“Over here!” I shout, my voice breaking the silence. Noah turns and follows me as I run toward the sound, my legs burning from the effort.
As we get closer, the voice becomes clearer. It’s Violet. She’s talking to herself, her voice weak but unmistakable.
“Violet!” I shout. “We’re coming!”
Bursting through the underbrush, I finally see her. She’s on the ground, struggling to get up. I think she fell while she was running. She is bent over and groaning in pain, my heart breaking at the sight of her bruised and battered face.
“Violet, it’s okay. I’m here,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. “You’re safe. I’m here.” Tears stream down my face as I whisper, “I will never let you go. I promise.”
“Austin, you’re here. It’s really you,” Violet says reaching for my face, her sobs uncontrollable.
She’s covered in mud and leaves. There are streaks of blood on her face as well. Her wrists are swollen and red—I pull her closer to me.
“Yes, beautiful. I came for you. I’m here.” I hug her tightly, thanking God that my beautiful Violet is safe and in my arms.
