Victor
“Close off the perimeter around Cabana Two,” I order into the headset. “No one should be allowed to enter the space until Lennox emerges.”
“Roger,” responds King. “I sent you an email on that other matter. It’s a small update and I hope to have more tonight.”
I check my messages. Collins has had no recent contact with any of the Northeastern syndicates but an incident did happen last year right before Violet was sent south to the resort. The details are murky as there is no police report or official record of the incident. There are only rumors from acquaintances about a possible issue. More intel to come, ends the informant. Frowning, I pull up my app to locate Violet. I’d planned on doing something much more pleasurable while Smooth was occupied but that will have to be shelved until I extract an accounting of the incident. It is necessary for me to eliminate any threats that may exist.
After all, she is mine now, which means that anything that remotely threatens her shall be extinguished. I pocket the phone and go in search of her.
“It is time for a break,” I say when I come upon her in the kitchen of the resort.
She makes a disappointed face. “I wish I could but Smooth and I usually meet around this time to discuss the afternoon activities.”
“Smooth is otherwise occupied.” I tuck Violet’s frame next to mine and begin subtly ushering her toward the exit.
“Occupied? Is there a problem that she needs help with?”
“She’s being adequately seen to.” And I doubt Violet’s boss would appreciate the interruption. “Let us go to my office and discuss your fatherly protection program.”
I take her wrist and start to move her toward the elevator.
“Oh, look at the time.” She tugs at my grip. “I better go meet with event planning. There’s a big party coming tomorrow.”
“The big party is on the day after.”
She stops moving. “How do you know that?”
“I have your schedule memorized.”
This somehow surprises Violet. I take advantage of this by sweeping her up in my arms. She yelps in surprise.
“Wait. What are you doing?”
This surprises me. “I am carrying you.”
“I know but where and why?”
“To my office.” Perhaps she did not hear me speak. “To discuss your family issues.”
“I heard you the first time but that doesn’t explain why.”
The elevator door slides open and I place her inside the car. With a swipe of my keycard, I send the elevator jetting to the top floor. “Because I need to know what kind of danger you’re in.”
“Currently, I’m in an enclosed space with a man twice my size. That would be the danger I’m in.”
I peer down at her. “You do not look as if you are in a panic.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m not but if I didn’t like you, I could be.”
Her confession pleases me. I straighten and focus on the doors in front of me. After a few seconds of silence, I feel a small finger poke my bicep. I look down to see Violet scowling at me.
“Yes?”
“Aren’t you going to respond to my comment that I like you?”
“Do you need a reply?”
“I mean...just because I gave you kisses doesn’t mean I like you. There are plenty of people who sleep with others even if they don’t like that other person. It’s called hate—“ She stops then and turns pink.