Page 76 of Loving Violet
“I will. Thanks again.”
As I am talking to James, I instantly feel tension leave my shoulders. Knowing that I’ll soon have the means to better protect Violet and Adrian makes me feel more at ease. Opening my messenger app, I text Noah and Esteban. I need to tell them about this situation. I am pretty sure that they won’t say anything and I need all the help I can get.
Me: We need to meet today there’s something important that I need to tell you guys. Are you guys free for lunch?
Noah: This sounds serious.
Esteban: Are you proposing to Violet already?
Noah: I guess he can’t wait to make Violet his.
Esteban: I have so many ideas for this proposal.
Me: That will come soon, but no, this is about something that’s happening and I need your help.
Esteban: Count on us. We can meet.
Noah: Where do you wanna talk?
Me: In my office. I’ll order lunch from Honey Tavern.
Noah: See you then.
I ask Liza to place an order of wings, sliders, and sodas. When Noah and Esteban arrive, I quickly set out our food and begin talking.
“Thanks for coming, guys,” I say as they take their seats.
Noah leans forward, his expression serious. “Of course, man. What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath and explain everything, from the notes and trinkets Violet has been receiving to the threats escalating in intensity. By the time I finish, both Noah and Esteban look grim.
“I’m with you, we need to protect her and Adrian,” Esteban says, his voice firm. “We can help set up cameras around her place. I know how to install surveillance equipment.”
Noah nods. “And I’ll make sure to keep an eye out at the construction site. If this person knows where she lives and works, they might try to follow her there.”
“Austin, you need to be careful too. This crazy stalker is after you, too,” Esteban says.
“I know. I’m being careful. Whoever it is knows me and my background. I doubt they will try something.” Everyone in town knows that I was in the Army and that I know my way around guns and how to keep myself safe.
“Let’s hope these are just empty threats,” Noah says, and we all nod.
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate this,” I say.
Esteban claps me on the back. “We got you. Just let us know what you need, anytime, anywhere.”
As we finish lunch, I feel more calm now that I’ve looped in Noah and Esteban; we’ll keep Violet and Adrian safe. I’m confident that we’ll catch this stalker before he can do any more harm.
In the evening, I make sure all the security cameras at Josy's Sweet Shop are working, checking for any blind spots. I go over everything with Josy, keeping her informed about the changes we're making to ensure her apartment and Violet's new home are safe. Josy seems relieved, grateful that I'm taking charge of protecting Violet and Adrian. Once everything is set, I head back to Violet's apartment.
The package arrives as promised. I spend the afternoon with Esteban installing the cameras around Violet’s apartment, making sure everything is set properly. I’ll also set up a GPS device in Violet’s car when she get’s home and another one she can carry with her that looks like a necklace.
When Violet gets home, I explain everything that I did and show her the cute necklace that I want her to wear.
“Don’t you think it’s too much? We should worry about you, not me.”
“Baby, if this stalker is obsessed with you, they will want to do something to me for sure, but they also would use you to get to me. You don’t know what’s on his or her mind. I went ahead and talked to Josy and checked the cameras at the coffee shop. She is nervous and is waiting for you to talk to her.”
“I will talk to her, thanks for checking those cameras,” Violet says.
