He flinches.
He sees it.
“Here’s what’s going to happen, Jackie boy.” I look up at Violet. “We’re going to take that video of your confession and turn it in to the police. Along with you. I don’t fucking care what you tell them, but youwillmake sure you go to prison.”
His nostrils flare. “Why the fuck would I do that?”
I tap his walking boot, and he cringes again. He’s used to pain from me. Expects it.
Good.
“This was just a little taste of what I can do. And if you don’t put bars between us to keep you safe, well… maybe we’ll take you out on my father’s boat. Maybe there will be an accident, and you’ll fall overboard. Or maybe you’ll slip on your way to a new club tonight, fall into the subway tracks. Electrocute yourself.” I hum. “There are so many possibilities.”
“You should take prison, Jack,” Violet says. “Sounds like the lesser of two evils.” She dusts off her pants. Just to give herself something to do maybe. She doesn’t wait to see what he decides. She leaves us, the door to the stairwell swishing shut behind her.
I drop his head and step away. There’s a great view of the city from up here. And when I inhale, there isn’t much of that city smell. I do detect the ocean, though. A faint saltiness.
“Well?” I ask without turning around.
“Take me to the police station,” he says.
“Take yourself,” I snap.
Knox and Steele cut him loose. He stands between them, wary, and then leaves.
“Follow him,” I tell them. “I’ve got a girl to comfort.”
They nod.
It’s just me, then. I take a deep breath, then leave the roof. Mia and Jack were loose ends. My father has issued a temporary truce. Her mother is gone… for now maybe. Hopefully.
I unlock the door to the room Violet and I are sharing, and I’ve barely made it inside when she throws herself at me.
“I love you. I don’t think I’ve ever said it out loud, but I do.” She cups my face. “I love you, I love you—”
I kiss her, swallowing the words. Something in my chest unlocks. Not fear, like I expected, but acceptance. I can love her, and I won’t lose her. I’m not a child, afraid of my parents disappearing if I cared too hard. Warmth follows a second later, and I wrap her in my arms.
We’re going to be together forever.
VIOLET
TWO YEARS LATER
“Ready?” the stage manager asks me.
I nod. The curtain falls to thunderous applause, and my heart soars. The corps de ballet flood past me. The curtain rises, sweeping upward, and the lights come on full force. The dancers separate by scenes, going down stage for their final bows.
They soak in the applause, theappreciation, then turn and take their positions farther back. Making room for others.
Across the way, in the opposite wing, is my partner.
“You deserve this,” the stage manager says. “Go ahead.”
I take a deep breath and raise my arms. I walk gracefully out onto the stage, meeting my partner in the center. His hand comes around my waist, and his other cradles my outstretched hand. He motions to me, stepping back, and I curtsey. Then he bows. We come together and repeat, then glide backward.
It’s only then that I can focus on the audience.
And how they’re all standing.