Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Violet grew up in a world of bikers, rough men, and broken homes.
The only constant in her life was Travis — her best friend, her safe place, her first love.
They survived childhood together… until he disappeared.
No goodbye. No explanation.
He went on to become a famous rockstar, something she always knew he would be.
The Travis Phoenix.
To the world, he is a superstar, but to her, he is and always will be the boy next door who stole her heart.
Now he’s back, and every old feeling she desperately pushed down, comes rushing back.
She isn’t the girl he left behind anymore.
Life has changed and shaped her.
And she’s not sure she’s what he wants anymore.
Because loving Travis was easy.
Surviving without him was harder.
But letting him back in?
That might just break her
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PROLOGUE
I STAND IN THE PALE morning light filtering through the sheer curtains of our uptown Los Angeles kitchen, my gaze tracing the delicate curve of my mother’s cheekbones and the soft swell of her full lips as she fixes me with that familiar disapproving look. The polished granite countertop presses beneath her elbow, and she tucks a glossy chestnut bang behind her ear with a restless fingertip.
“Do you have to go this weekend, baby?” she asks, voice pitched just high enough to betray the worry behind her pretty pout.
Every Saturday morning unfolds the same way—her anxiety rising with the steam from the coffee pot, mine rising in defiance. My parents have been separated since I was little, and yet each Friday afternoon I pack my bag and drive south to my father’s club, the Phoenix Devils MC. I haven’t managed to get my life together enough to move out yet, even though I am old enough, so while I remain under my mother’s roof I follow nearly every rule she sets—except this one.
It matters to me that I keep a relationship with him, even if it bothers her. It’s not like I’m a child and this is a custody agreement, no, I go by choice because I want to, because he matters to me, and because...well...I need him.
“Mom,” I say, drawing in a slow breath to steady the flutter in my chest. The scent of vanilla creamer and sizzling bacon drifts through the air as I fold my arms. “I love spending time with Chief. You know that. He has never put me in any danger. Why are we always having this conversation?”
She presses her lips together and chews the inside of her cheek so hard I can see the faint hollowing beneath her skin. The tension in her jaw reminds me of its unwavering presence each time I mention my weekend plans.
“Your father’s world is dangerous, Violet. I don’t doubt that he would do whatever he could to keep you safe, but the fact of the matter is, it’s still a dangerous world and I don’t like you being in it, especially now you’re older. What if you got hurt, or worse?”
I step closer, my boots scuffing softly on the tile. “I’ve spent every weekend with Chief since the two of you split. Have I ever come home with a scratch?” I lift my chin. “Have I ever done anything to let you down, or make you think I can’t handle myself?”
Her blue eyes hesitate, then she shakes her head. “No. But you’re grown now, and those men...”
I wave a hand, halting her before she can spiral into more what-ifs. “Those men have always treated me like a princess. I’m twenty-three, Momma. I need to make my own choices. I respect you, you know that, but this is important to me, and I want to see him.”
She exhales behind her teeth, a sound like paper tearing. Finally, she nods, her shoulders slumping in reluctant surrender. “Alright. I won’t push you. I know why you want to go, but please be careful.”
“I’ll text you every day,” I promise, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “If anything happens, I’ll be in my car and driving home, no hesitation. I promise.”
She glances toward the door. “What about Caden? I thought he was in town and was going to give you a lift?”
She will never call my father Chief, which is what everyone else calls him. She outright refuses.
I force a smile, letting my fingers drum against the counter. My mother’s deep-seated fear of the club bleeds into every question. “He was, but he changed his plans so I’m going to drive now.”
She frowns but doesn’t argue. I will never quite understand where her fear lies, or why she’s so cagey when it comes to the club and my dad. She has told me small amounts of their story, but never enough to help me understand.
Maybe one day she will.
“Is Jaq going to be there?”
I snort, picturing my father’s girlfriend—sharp features, manicured nails, a permanent smirk. “Sadly, she never misses a chance to insert herself.”
Her lips press into a thin line. “I can’t believe he’s still with her.”
I nod with quiet amusement. “Me either. She’s such a slu...”
“Don’t finish that sentence. They might talk like that at the clubhouse, but you don’t talk like that here.”
I bite back a laugh and bow my head. “Sorry, Momma. I can’t help it. She’s not good enough for Chief. He’s all dangerous and handsome, and she looks like a drag-queen imposter.”
Her stern expression melts, and laughter bubbles up between us. “I love how you put things.” She reaches out, brushes my shoulder. “Only you were ever good enough for him.”
Her voice softens, heavy with memories. My mother—the high-school valedictorian raised on country-club privilege—had once been the one and only love of my father’s life. But he chose a dangerous path she couldn’t follow, so she took me and fled. That’s as much as I know. She never goes deeper.