16. Kane

16

KANE

My own fucking sister. How can someone I've known her whole life be completely different than I thought she was? I need to call my parents and tell them what's happened.

The drive to Violet's house is quiet. She's holding my hand like she can't let go— like she's afraid to let go.

We pull into the garage, but neither of us makes a move to get out of the car. Finally, Violet breaks the silence.

"We're going to be okay, right?"

I can't answer her at first. I'm not sure how she can forgive me, she had a feeling about Zoe, but I didn't listen to her. My own fucking sister was the one terrorizing the love of my life.

"Kane, we're going to be okay, right?" she asks again.

"Violet, I want to tell you that everything is going to be okay, but I don't know. I don't know how to move past it being my family that was hurting you."

"You are not leaving me because of something your sister did. This terrible thing also brought us together and for that I'm thankful. I love you, Kane and that's not going away because of what Zoe's done."

"I love you so much and hate what you've been put through. The idea that someone I share blood with could do that to you makes me feel sick."

She gets out of the car and enters the house, giving me no choice but to follow her. She's made it to the living room and is sitting on the couch when I get to her.

"Sit down. We need to call your parents and make sure that they know exactly what's going on. Then you and I are going to talk about what I want to do next and how you feel about it. We are going to keep living our life because we can."

I sit for a moment, looking at this amazing, gorgeous, loving woman. She's right, we deserve to be happy, and I can only be happy with her.

"Do you want to call your parents on your own?" she asks.

"No, I want you here with me if you want to be."

She nods and curls up next to me on the couch. I'm going to need her comfort to make this phone call. I hit my parents' number and put the phone on speakerphone. My dad answers after three rings.

"Hey, Kane."

"Dad." My voice cracks as I try to remain stoic.

"Let me sit down and then you can tell me what's wrong. Should Mom get on the call too?"

"Yes, I think Mom needs to hear all of this at the same time."

My dad yells for Mom to come into the room and puts me on speaker. "We're both here. First, are you okay?"

"I'm okay. I need to get all of this out without any interruptions and then you can ask questions."

They agree and I tell them about Zoe being behind the stalking. How she was trying to frighten Violet into hiding to get movie parts.

"Right now, she's being evaluated at the hospital. There's enough evidence to arrest her, but both Violet and I asked that she be put on a psych hold first."

"Is she okay?"

"She was fine when we left. Zoe didn't seem to think what she'd done was wrong. I'm not sure if it's a breakdown or something more serious," I hate having to tell my parents their child isn't well.

"Is Violet okay?" my mom asks.

"I'm fine, Mrs. Devereux," Violet answers. "I know that what Zoe has done is terrible and serious, but she's not a bad person. She's been my best friend for so long and I won't believe that she's felt this anger toward me the whole time. I want to think that it's some sort of mental break brought on by the kill-or-be-killed lifestyle here in LA. That with therapy and help, she'll be okay."

"It's very kind of you to not be angry with her."

"I'm angry with her, Mom. She made Violet live in fear. Violet thought this stalker was getting into her home and capable of hurting her. She ran to protect herself and Zoe expected her to just stay hidden."

Violet wraps her arms around my body as I practically vibrate with anger. She places a sweet kiss over my heart.

"I know, son, but she also brought the two of you together. That's a big positive out of this whole situation."

"It's the best thing," Violet says. "And it's no one's fault except for Zoe's that this happened. Kane holds no responsibility for what his sister did. I need him to understand this."

"Of course he doesn't," Mom agrees.

"Get your head out of your ass," Dad says.

"Thanks, guys." I laugh and it feels good.

My parents agree to let Violet fly them out the next day and stay with us at her house. We will face this as a family. We get off the phone and I kiss the top of Violet's head.

"Thank you for being you."

She leans her head back and smiles at me. "You're welcome."

"Do you want to talk about future plans tonight or wait till tomorrow?"

"I think we should talk about it tonight. Get everything out in one day and start tomorrow as the beginning of a fresh start."

"Sounds pretty fucking amazing," I say.

"I want to go to school." Violet waits for my reaction.

"That's a great idea. Are you going to study psychology or is there something else that you're more interested in now?"

"I still want to study psychology. I might want to act again someday or maybe even while going to school if the right project comes along, but going to school is something I really want to do."

"Violet, I will support you no matter what you choose to do."

"I know." She smiles at me. "I'm also thinking about that cabin and babies."

"Yeah, what about a cabin and babies?"

"Maybe that's something we could do soon too?"

"I really love you, Violet Scott."

"I love you too, Kane Devereux."