Violet (Suitors of Seattle Book 7) Read online

  She felt something building inside her. The tingling was spreading and she was almost in a panic from not being certain what to do. Her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow as she fought to get control of herself.

  When he finally covered her and slipped inside her, she felt no pain, only pleasure. How she'd ever worried about this experience was beyond her. His gentleness made her feel like she was cherished.

  As they laid together after with their limbs entangled, she stroked his chest. "I might even be able to look at you next time."

  He smiled, kissing her forehead. "I hope so."

  *****

  "I'm hungry," Violet whispered to Jonas. They'd both fallen asleep, and it was dark out.

  "You are? Do you want to order room service?" he asked.

  She shook her head. "Let's just go somewhere. Do you mind?"

  "Of course not." He jumped out of bed and pulled his clothes on, turning to catch her watching him. "Hey! I thought you couldn't look."

  She blushed, but refused to apologize. "I've felt every inch of you. Why can't I see it too?"

  "It? You were looking at 'it' specifically?"

  She threw a pillow at him, hitting him in the head with it. "I was not looking at 'it!' Behave yourself."

  She waited until his back was turned to hurry out of bed and pull her clothes on. When she was dressed she turned to find him watching her. She sighed. "I'm going to have to get used to being intimate with you."

  "Yes, you are. I like you too much to stop." He walked around the bed and buttoned the back of her dress for her, kissing the nape of her neck. "Why don't you deal with your hair? Then we'll go down to eat."

  Violet didn't even want to think about what her hair could look like. Not only had she slept without braiding it, but he'd been playing with it before she'd fallen asleep. She got her bag and hurried into the bathroom to set her hair to rights.

  Five minutes later she walked out and smiled. "I'm ready."

  He looked up from where he was reading a book, startled. "My sister would have taken an hour. You're really ready?"

  She laughed. "My sister, Rose, would have taken an hour too, and yes, I'm really ready."

  He carefully marked his page before standing and walking to her. "Let's go find you some food then."

  They took the elevator to the first floor, and once they got there, he walked to the concierge. "We need to find a restaurant where we can eat without reservations," Jonas told the man.

  "Jonas? Is that really you?" A pretty young blond was standing beside the concierge desk looking at Jonas as if he were the person she'd been looking for.

  Jonas turned and looked at the woman. His face tightened, but Violet didn't think the woman noticed. "Eunice."

  Eunice threw herself at Jonas, hugging him tightly. "Oh, it's so good to see you. I heard you were in town for the...the execution. I'm so sorry John betrayed you!"

  Jonas was annoyed by the woman. She had been John's fiancé before the murders, and he'd never really liked her. "Eunice, this is my wife, Violet."

  Eunice turned to Violet and gripped her hand. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm sorry it's under such terrible circumstances."

  Violet's eyes met Eunice's. "I'm on my honeymoon. That doesn't feel like a terrible circumstance to me."

  Eunice's eyes narrowed before she turned back to Jonas. "I'm so glad you're here. We've all missed you."

  "I'm just here getting the house ready to sell. There's no point in keeping it any longer." Jonas kept his voice even, hoping that she would leave them soon. He didn't want to spend any longer with the girl than he absolutely had to.

  "Would you let me buy you dinner?" Eunice asked sweetly. "I almost feel like it's my fault you lost your sister, because I was the one engaged to him at the time."

  Violet could see that Jonas wanted to say 'no' and was searching for the right words to do so. She stepped forward and said in her most simpering voice. "Jonas, you promised we could spend the evening just the two of us. Please tell me you're not going to let her come with us."

  Eunice glared at Violet. "Well, if you won't let me buy your dinner, at least come out to the coach with me. I still have Emily Grace's necklace. I even brought it with me tonight, because I was hoping I'd run into you. I'd heard you were in the city."

  Jonas's eyes met Violet's, and she gave a slight nod. "All right, we'll go with you."

  On their way out the front door of the hotel, Violet couldn't help but notice a muscular man with dark hair and sad eyes. She stopped. "Are you all right, sir?"

  He smiled faintly. "I'm fine. I'm just here taking care of some business, and I miss my family. I'm ready to go home." His voice held a Southern accent, but Violet couldn't quite place it.

  "Where's home?"

  "Texas, ma'am. I'm Walton Dalton. And you are?"

  "Violet Sullivan...I mean Smith. I wonder how long it will take me to remember I'm married when I introduce myself." She was embarrassed to have used her maiden name, but she was certain other women had done the same thing when they'd first married.

  Jonas turned to her. "I thought you were hungry."

  "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Dalton."

  "Nice meeting you as well, Mrs. Smith."

  Violet hurried after Jonas. Eunice had walked a little ways down the street, stopping at a coach and talking to the driver. Once they were close, she spun from the coach, a small gun in her hand. She motioned with the gun. "Into the alley. Both of you."

  Jonas put his hand on Violet's arm, suddenly fearful. Not for himself, but for Violet. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if anything happened to her. "Eunice, put the gun down. You don't want to hurt anyone."

  "Oh, but I do. In the alley." Her voice was no longer that of a sweet young lady, but now she sounded angry and hardened. "You wouldn't give any money to John to help him out of his bind, and he had to kill people. And then you went and watched him executed as if you were happy he died. He was your friend!"

  "He was my sister's murderer. I helped John out of bind after bind. Do you have any idea how much money I gave him over the years for his gambling habit?" Jonas tried his best to stay between Violet and the gun as he moved toward the alley as Eunice insisted he do.

  "Yes, I do as a matter of fact. You see, John never had a gambling problem. I did. He was just trying to pay off my debts. Why couldn't you have let your brother-in-law loan us just a bit more money? We needed it a lot more than your family ever did!"

  "Was it your idea to steal the jewelry then?" Jonas asked, keeping his voice calm and even. He wanted to scream at the woman, but he'd never do anything to risk Violet.

  Eunice laughed. "Of course, it was. John never would have been able to plan that on his own." She shook her head. "He wasn't the brightest man, but he certainly did love me. No one will ever love me that way again. I think you need to understand the pain of losing the person you love more than all others." She raised her gun and pointed it straight at Violet's chest.

  "Violet! What about our dinner plans?" a voice called from the street.

  Eunice jerked the gun away from Violet for just a moment as the voice yelled, and Jonas took the opportunity to knock the gun out of Eunice's hand. He kicked it far into the alley before taking her wrist in his hand. "Thank you!" he called to the man who had yelled for Violet.

  "You're very welcome, Mr. Smith. Do you want me to run and fetch a police officer for you?"

  "Yes, please." As the man ran off, Jonas turned to Violet. "Who was that man anyway?"

  "His name is Walton Dalton. Isn't that just a terrible name? He looked sad so I talked to him in the hotel."

  "Stop acting like I'm not even here!" Eunice cried. "I hate you both!"

  The police officer walked over then and snapped handcuffs on Eunice's wrists. He looked at Jonas. "Are you willing to make a statement?"

  Jonas nodded. "I am. Can I do it in the morning? It's my wedding night, and my bride is hungry."

  "By all means! Come by the station
first thing tomorrow." He held onto Eunice's cuffs as he led her away.

  Violet stepped into Jonas's arms, all but sobbing. Now that the danger was over, she was ready to fall apart. "Thank you for saving me."

  Jonas sighed, kissing the top of her head. "It was my pleasure." The man who had helped them stepped forward. "Thank you for your help again, Mr. Dalton." Jonas said.

  "Happy to do it. I hope if my wife is ever in a bad spot someone will help her as well."

  "Is your wife back in Texas, Mr. Dalton?" Violet asked.

  "She is. I'll be on a train back to Gwen and the children first thing in the morning."

  "Give her my best." Violet may have never met the other woman, but based on the type of man she could see Walton Dalton was, she knew she was a good woman.

  "I will. It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith." He tipped his cowboy hat and walked away.

  Jonas let out a sigh of relief. "So glad that's over. You still hungry?"

  Violet nodded. "I am. Let's get some food."

  Chapter Ten

  As soon as they'd had breakfast in their room the following morning, Jonas stood. "We need to go to the police station and tell them what happened." The look on his face was angry, and Violet was worried about him.

  Violet nodded. She was still extremely shaken, but she knew that time would help her with that. It was good to have Jonas beside her. She wasn't certain how she would feel otherwise.

  Jonas had said very little to her since the incident the night before. She knew in her heart that he couldn't be angry with her, but she couldn't stop worrying about it. She wanted to ask him if he was angry, but she knew it would do no good. He was too lost in emotion over the run-in with Eunice.

  She dressed slowly, wanting to put off the visit to the police station for as long as possible. She hoped they wouldn't have to actually see or talk to Eunice. She wasn't certain she could bear that. No one had ever pulled a gun on her before, and every time she closed her eyes she could still see the gun pointing at her. She was very thankful to know the other woman was in jail.

  On the short walk to the police station, Jonas gripped her hand tightly. "Does it bother you knowing she was manipulating John?" Violet asked. She knew the question would sound silly, but she needed to get him talking about it. She was worried he'd do something crazy.

  Jonas nodded. "More than anything. I feel like she's the one who should have been put to death, not him." He sighed. "If you hadn't been with me last night, I don't know that I could have prevented myself from killing her." He was both thankful she'd been there and resentful. He wanted the woman dead with everything inside him. Did they even put women to death for violent crimes? He didn't know. But if any woman had ever needed killing, it was Eunice.

  She rested her head against his shoulder. "I hope we don't have to see her today." She wasn't certain if she could look at a woman who wanted her dead without getting angry. She would prefer to keep her emotions under control while she was supposed to be spending a few days alone with her new husband.

  "I want to see her. There are so many things I want to say to her. I want to list all the lives she's ruined. I want to tell her what a manipulative, hateful beast she is. I want her to know that she's the one who killed John and my sister and brother-in-law. I want her to know how very much I hate her." He knew his attitude wasn't Christian, but at that moment he didn't care.

  "You can't let it consume you." Violet knew that compared to the small part she knew of his life, hers had been all but perfect. How could she possibly understand what he was going through or know the right words to say? "Let's concentrate on the family we're building."

  He sighed. "I've got to talk to her. I never got to talk to John before he was executed, because I never tried. I've got to tell her how I feel about everything." He had been so consumed with revenge he hadn't been willing to listen to anything his former friend may have had to say.

  "Do you think that will help you?" She didn't want him to put himself through facing the evil woman if it would do nothing to help him move on with his life, but if it would make him get to the point that he could have a happy marriage with her, then it would all be worth it.

  "I don't know. I hope so." How could he express what he thought would happen? He just didn't know. He'd never had to deal with this type of situation before.

  When they got to the police station, they stepped inside. Violet was immediately taken aback by the hustle and bustle. For a moment she wasn't certain anyone would even notice them standing there.

  "May I help you?" An older gentleman in a suit with salt and pepper hair and huge blue eyes stepped up to them. He obviously worked for the police station in some capacity.

  Jonas nodded. "We're here to make a statement. Someone tried to kill us last night." He knew Eunice had really just been targeting Violet, but the more he thought about that, the angrier he got. Violet was innocent through everything, and she'd almost been murdered just because he'd married her? What kind of person would kill a stranger for revenge?

  "Why didn't you say anything last night?" The man frowned, obviously thinking they had waited to report what had happened.

  "Two reasons. The woman was in custody before we left, and it was our wedding night." Jonas wrapped his arm around Violet's shoulders, trying to protect her from the entire situation.

  The man nodded. "Both very good reasons." He held his hand out. "I'm Detective Sorenson."

  "Jonas Smith and my wife, Violet." Jonas realized as he said the word that he loved calling her his wife. She really was the other half of him.

  "It's good to meet you. Who tried to kill you?" Detective Sorenson started to walk away but then called back over his shoulder, "Follow me!" He made it very clear that he was willing to take their statement, but they needed to hurry and do it on his timetable.

  Jonas grabbed Violet's hand and wove his way through the station, keeping her with him. The detective led them to a small room in the back. "Sit. Tell me what happened." He sat on one side of a small table and indicated the chairs at the other side. He took a notebook and a pencil from the table and opened it to a clean page.

  Jonas related the story of his brother-in-law and sister's murders to give the other man background on what had occurred the night before.

  "John Fedkenhauer. He got the chair this week, didn't he?" The case had been well-publicized through the entire state. Everyone knew there was an execution scheduled.

  "Yes, sir. I was there to witness it. John was an old college friend of mine before he killed my family." Jonas hated admitting that he was the one to introduce John to his future victims.

  Violet squeezed Jonas's hand under the table, hoping to help him through the interview.

  "All right. And this Eunice woman? Did you know her before?" Detective Sorenson asked.

  Jonas nodded. "I've known her for a couple of years. Ever since she and John started getting serious. It was shortly after I met her that his gambling problem started. At first I was willing to help, but it got more and more frequent. I finally told him I'd never loan him another dime just before I left to go to Seattle and open a new art gallery. My family was supposed to travel out and join me a month later. It was while I was gone that he killed my family." Jonas carefully kept his voice even. He wanted to rant and rave about the injustice that had been done. He wanted to throw things and act like a child. It wouldn't help though, and this man had done nothing wrong.

  "I'm really sorry for your loss." The detective's words sounded sincere, even though Violet was certain they were uttered more frequently than any of them cared to admit.

  "Thank you," Jonas said, nodding. "I met my wife in Seattle, and we were married yesterday. Last night was the first time I'd seen Eunice since I went to Seattle the first time." He left out the part about how he'd met Violet, because he was certain the other man only wanted pertinent details.

  "How much do you think she had to do with your family's murders?"

  Jonas thought abou
t that for a moment. "I know she was behind them, because she orchestrated them. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out she'd pulled the trigger herself, though."

  "Sounds like a classy lady."

  "I've never been overly fond of her," Jonas admitted. From the first time he'd met Eunice, she'd carefully made it clear to him that she would choose him, and his wealth, over John any day. Jonas didn't find that appealing in a woman.

  The detective jotted down what Jonas had told him. "How long will you be in town this time, Mr. Smith?"

  "My wife has a showing of her art at my gallery here in New York in two months. We'll leave shortly after that to go home to Seattle." His eyes met Violet's, and he smiled slightly.

  "Good. That should give us enough time to try and convict her." Detective Sorenson got to his feet and extended his hand to shake Jonas's. "Thank you for taking the time to come in and give a statement. It will make it a lot easier for us to prosecute her."

  Jonas stood as well. "I know this is probably not something you usually do, but would it be all right if I talked to her? Just for a minute or two? I need to get some things off my chest." He held his breath as he waited for an answer. He knew it was against protocol, but at that moment, he needed the answer to be in the affirmative.

  The detective studied him for a moment before nodding. "I don't want you to have any physical contact with her, but you can say anything you want. If I were in your shoes, I'd want to wring the little tramp's neck." He looked at Violet. "You going with him?"

  Violet shook her head. "No, she's part of his old life. I'm his future. We'll keep the two parts separate. Unless you need me there, Jonas." She would gladly be beside him for the discussion if she needed to be, but she didn't want anything about her to ever remind him of this mess.

  Jonas looked down at her. "No, but thank you."

  "Go ahead and wait at the front where I met you, Mrs. Smith. I'll have your husband back to you in a few minutes."