Chapter 18

Things were going well for Violet. Her brothers were around, Anatoli was healing, and her friendship with Simon was healing, or at least that was what it felt like to her…

“I need to show you something in the back,” Simon stated one day, and Violet followed him without hesitation.

She had put her trust in him again, even though Anatoli warned her multiple times about doing so.

“What is it?”

“It’s out back. I found this nice little area with a pond.”

“Oh, I know where you were. It’s a peaceful place. I love to read there.”

“Would you like to take a walk with me, then?” Simon asked.

“Sure.” She didn’t have a reason to say no, and it would give her something to do.

They walked in silence until they hit a wooded area they had to get through to get to the pond.

“How are you settling in?” Violet asked.

“Good. I’m looking for a place nearby, so I won’t be here much longer.”

“You deserve to have a place for you and your family.”

“You can come with me.”

Violet let out a sigh. “We’ve been over this, Simon. I’m not into you like that. I’m with Anatoli, and that won’t change.”

“It’s always about Anatoli,” he snapped, pushing Violet against a tree.

“I’m tired of being in last place with everything I do. I was never good enough for your father, and I was never good enough for you.

“For someone who was being sold off as a sex slave,” he scoffed. “Is that how Anatoli really got you? He paid for you, and like a pathetic little girl, you fell for him?”

Violet slapped Simon across the face and tried to push him off, but he became angrier and slammed her head against the tree.

Violet felt dizzy and sick from hitting her head. She could also feel blood trickling down her face.

“Please stop,” she cried out. “You don’t have to do this.”

“But I want to,” he said as his hand roamed up her shirt.

Violet couldn’t help but think about how naïve she had been to trust him. She thought he was a good person outside of the life he was living.

“HELP!” she yelled, but Simon quickly placed his hand over her mouth.

“Shut the fuck up, Violet. I’m sick of hearing you scream and cry.”

Violet bit his hand and kneed him between the legs, causing him to loosen his grip on her.

She pushed him off but was only able to take a few steps before he pulled her down and pinned her to the ground.

“Now I’m really going to have fun with you.”

Simon tore her shirt and was about to rip her bra, but was interrupted by the sound of a gun clicking.

“Get off her.” Kyle was standing a few feet away, pointing a gun at them. “I said ~get off her~.”

Simon stood up, yanking Violet with him, but Kyle didn’t let him get any further before putting a bullet through his chest.

Violet let out a little scream as blood splattered across her face. She ran to Kyle.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I saw you walking with him and then I heard you scream. The guys are out, but I couldn’t sit back and wait.”

“Thank you.”

She looked at Simon as he took his last breath, and she was surprised that she wasn’t sad over the death of an old friend.

“Let’s get you inside and cleaned up,” Kyle suggested.

As they entered the kitchen, Max, Dimitri, and Anatoli were sitting down at the counter.

“What happened?” Anatoli snapped when he saw Violet.

“Simon attacked her,” Kyle responded.

“Where is that motherfucker?”

“Dead” was all Kyle needed to say before releasing Violet to Anatoli. She looked at Max and Dimitri and told them where they could find the body.

“Are you ok? Did he…?” Anatoli asked.

“No. I fought back long enough, and then Kyle shot him. I guess you can tell me ‘I told you so.’”

“I’m not a dick. I’m glad you’re okay and I’m thankful you weren’t here alone.”

“I’m sorry for not trusting you,” Violet said.

“It’s over, and don’t apologize. I’m going to take you upstairs and we’ll get you cleaned up.”

Anatoli slowly walked with Violet holding on to him. She was still shaking and wouldn’t let go of him.

He turned on the shower and helped her undress. He texted Kyle, asking her to throw Violet’s clothes away while they were in the shower, so she wouldn’t have to look at them again.

Once that was taken care of, he helped Violet into the shower and took his own clothes off.

“You can’t get your stitches wet,” she protested.

“I don’t care. You need me, and the stitches are the least of my concerns.”

He got into the shower and wrapped his arms around Violet, and held her until she was ready to let go of him.

“I love you,” she whispered, and he smiled at those words. He hoped in the future he could protect her better.

“I love you too, lyubov.”

***

Anatoli watched as Violet slowly became herself again. She was happy, playing with the children and going out with Kyle.

Anatoli asked Kyle to keep Violet busy so he could plan a romantic evening with her, because he finally had the balls to ask her to marry him.

He knew she would say yes, but he was still nervous. He’d never thought he would find someone to settle down with.

He wanted to make it special for her. He catered the food and had someone come in and put flowers and dim lighting around the first floor of the guest house.

This was going to be the beginning of everything for him and Violet.

“What is all this?” she asked, walking in.

“Shit, you’re early.”

Violet let out a small giggle. “Is all this for me?”

“Only you, but you are thirty minutes early.”

Anatoli kissed her and led her to the table that was set up for two.

“What is all this for?” she asked.

“Stop asking questions and enjoy what I’m doing for you.”

She had a smile plastered on her face, and he loved seeing it there. He was getting impatient.

He wanted to fast-forward to the end of the meal so he could ask her to marry him. He set the food in front of her and took a seat across from her.

“Thank you for this,” she said.

“I actually have a motive behind all this.” Now was the time for him to act. He didn’t want to follow his plan anymore. He just wanted to give her the ring.

He grabbed her hand and knelt next to her.

“Violet, there is no doubt in our minds about how much we love each other.

“You were brought to me to make me a better person, to show me that love is true, and that I could live my life being happy with someone.

“I don’t want to live my life without you. Will you marry me?”

“Of course,” she said as he kissed her. “You could have driven us to the courthouse and we could have gotten married right then and there instead of doing all this fancy stuff, though.”

“You deserve to have this special night.”

“I only want you. I don’t need fancy rings or dinners. I only need you.”