One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

26. Beatrice

26

BEATRICE

My heart flutters the moment I see Essex leaning against a shiny black truck. Violet murmurs something I don't catch as I run towards him.

He straightens and braces himself the moment he sees me. I crash into him, my legs hooked behind his waist and my arms around his neck. Our mouths crush together, and the sadness of the day becomes lighter.

His tongue gliding over mine makes my body tingle. I moan when I feel his hands on my bottom, and then I'm pressed against his erection. I feel the heat radiating from him as we deepen the kiss, lost in the moment. The world fades away until Galen clears his throat. My heart is so full of Essex. It's only when we come up for air, our breaths heavy, that I say, "Hi!"

He chuckles. "Hi, babe. That was quite a greeting."

"Mmm, I missed you."

A kiss on my nose, and he turns and puts me in the passenger seat. "I missed you too."

"Galen," Violet says, reminding me that he’s with us, "will you kiss me like that? I've never been kissed before."

"I'm too old to kiss without dipping my dick in?—”

“—Do not finish that sentence!” Essex cuts him off, his eyes narrowing. "Seventeen!"

"Jeez! I'm going to die an old maid; no kissing, no sex, no touching."

"Violet, I'm not my brother. Stop teasing me," Galen says in a serious tone.

I catch Violet's eye and clear my throat, and say, "As much as I could sit here all night, we have somewhere to be."

Essex closes my door and runs around to get into the cab. We drive out of town without a single soul around. I notice a light on in the sheriff's office.

"Did you notice how nice David was to me today? He went to bat for me with both Richard and Judge," I admit quietly. "It surprised me."

"I noticed." Essex reaches over the console and takes my hand. "You needed that today."

"Yes." I look over at him. "Mom left me everything she had, Essex. Everything. Richard is pissed."

Violet says, “I’m glad I'm staying with you. It will give him time to cool off.”

"Maybe."

Violet asks, "So who's this guy we're going to see?"

I sigh. "He's someone my mom knew. I want to know how they met."

"Well," Galen sits forward, "Den Hollows is our town. Nothing bad will happen to you here."

"I don't feel threatened here," I say. After a pause, I add softly for Essex, “My mom left me a letter. David gave it to me earlier.”

“Have you read it?”

“No,” I admit. “I’m not ready to read her words… I’m afraid in case she tells me things that can’t be unread, you know? I’m going to let it settle for a few days.”

He squeezes my hand and brings it up to his lips where he brushes his lips against my knuckles. “I’m here if you need me.”

“I know.” I smile softly as he pulls up in front of the Redd house.

"The hotel's a five-minute walk. Might as well leave the truck here so we don't draw attention to our visit."

"Oh!" I hadn't thought of that. We get out of the truck and Essex takes my hand. "I'm nervous about this."

"You have nothing to be nervous about." He kisses my knuckles as we cross the street.

The only light comes from the few houses along this stretch of road as we pass. Voices are heard as we reach the Beachcomber Hotel.

Both Essex and Galen stop us. "I don't recognize the voices," Essex says.

"Neither do I." Galen.

"Me neither." Violet.

I roll my eyes. "Me four."

"I'm not going with you!" a man shouts, drawing our attention.

"Wait! That sounded like Carter... We have to help him."

Essex pulls me into the shadows as we creep along the outer wall. "Are they fighting?" I ask.

At the corner we peer into the backyard, which is bright. I cover my mouth in shock. "That's Carter. I recognize one of the guys. Jonas. Works in the main yard at Lincoln Construction."

Both Essex and Galen curse.

I pull my cell phone out of my back pocket and dial. The man answers immediately. "Uncle David," I whisper.

I feel his surprise that I used 'uncle' again. "Bea! Where are you?"

"You have to come quickly. The Beachcomber. Some men are attacking the man from the funeral."

"Shit! I'm on my way. Go stop them, Bea. Tell them who you are. They'll stop. I promise." He hangs up.

"He wants me to stop it."

"Fuck! No way!" Essex grabs my arms. "You can't go in there."

"We'll go with her," Galen suggests, stepping forward.

"No!" I grumble.

We watch Carter go down. "I have to try. Don't let David see you." I rush into the fray. "Hey, assholes!"

The men freeze. "Who the fuck are you?"

I glance at Jonas as I approach Carter. "He knows who I am, don't you, Jonas?"

"Fuck! She's the boss's daughter."

The sound of a speeding car reaches our ears. The four guys freeze.

I stand between them and Carter, my knees shaking and my heart pounding with fear. "I called the sheriff."

The bigger man steps forward. "We were paid to do a job."

I narrow my eyes. "Tell Richard Lincoln to leave this man alone and tell him the message is from his daughter!" I spit out the last word as David's cruiser comes to a screeching halt in the parking lot.

I sag in relief, and when I look around, I don't see Violet and the guys.

The men in front of me brace themselves. "Get out of here!" David shouts.

As soon as they scatter, I turn and crouch over Carter. "I don't know how to help you."

"Help me stand."

I take one hand and David comes over and takes the other. Once he's on his feet, David grumbles. "What the hell are you thinking? Coming here?"

"She was my sister," Carter hisses at David, spitting blood from his mouth.

"Oh!” I didn't see that coming. I had no idea my mother had a brother. Tears well up in my eyes as confusion and pain wash over me.

"Bea," David says, "why are you here?"

"I wanted to know who he is. I met him at the funeral," I admit quietly.

"I saw that... I’ll take you home."

"I'm not going. Carter needs help. I'm going to talk to him. Tell them to stay away from him, David. I mean it. No more. This stops right now!"

David winces. "I won't be able to cover for you tonight because I told you to interfere. Richard and Judge will know you know about him." He runs his hands through his hair. "I've got a first aid kit in the car. Let me get it."

Swallowing hard, I say, "Okay." I hold onto Carter's arm as we make our way to the hotel.

David shouts, "Bea, tell Violet and the Redds there is no need to hide."

"Shit!" I mutter.

My friends obviously heard David because they came over to me. Galen takes over helping Carter while I exchange glances with Essex.

"I'm so mad I could scream," I admit.

Carter chuckles, ending in a wince. "My feisty niece, huh?"

"Don't think because I'm helping you that I'm not angry that you didn't tell me who you are."

"I didn't lie to you, Bea. I am an FBI agent. To tell you the other shit would have taken too long." He moans. "I should have known your father would send men after me."

"Be careful what you say in front of David," I warn him.

We all enter the hotel without passing anyone in the corridors. Carter has a large room—luckily—with a view of the ocean. Well, it would if it wasn't the middle of the night.

Carter stumbles into the bathroom while we spread out in the room. Galen and Violet take the two chairs, and Essex and I take the sofa.

David looks between us and smiles wearily. "I know about you and Essex, Bea." He turns to Essex. "No more sneaking into the house. It's a pain in the ass to change the security feed."

"What?!"

"Your... Richard had security cameras installed around the perimeter of the house." He shrugs. "Lucky for you, I hooked them up to an app on my phone."

I look at Essex and then back at David. "You're confusing me."

"I know I am." He lets out a heavy breath and motions for Carter to sit on the bed. "Sit... You'll be good after I put a butterfly bandage on your head."

He goes on to me, "I'm not the bastard you think I am." He winces. "The cruiser; I knew the Redds were in town. I left the car unlocked on purpose, Bea. I knew you'd be out within minutes. Just in case I was wrong, I watched the camera I'd parked underneath to make sure you got out. You wouldn’t have spent more than five minutes in there, even if I had to make up an excuse for a deputy to go out to the car."

"Why do all this?" Essex asks, pulling me closer until I'm in his lap.

"Because Richard and Judge said I was getting soft." He finishes helping Carter and sits down at the end of the bed.

"Thanks for stopping them, Bea. Although I almost had a heart attack when I saw you show up."

"You're not the only one," Essex mumbles.

"David told me too. He said they wouldn't touch me." I clear my throat. "Uncle David and Uncle Carter?—”

"Ed," Carter interrupts.

I smile. "Uncle David and Uncle Ed, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Essex Redd, and his brother, Galen." They exchange nods.

Violet clears her throat loudly.

"Oops, Uncle Ed, this is my best friend, Violet."

"Are you married?" Violet asks in response to my introduction, interrupting my train of thought.

"Um, no, I'm not,” Carter admits a bemused expression on his battered face.

"Neither am I," she flirts.

Galen narrows his eyes at her, "As my brother says, Jailbait , you're seventeen and flirting with a grown man will get you in trouble."

"Age is just a number! Right, Ed?" She flutters her eyelashes.

"Shit!" Ed curses. "I'm too old and in too much pain to deal with you right now, young lady."

"Oh, does that mean when you're not in pain you'll spank me?"

Essex shakes with laughter while David and Ed look at her in horror.

I clear my throat and say, "Violet, please stop flirting with my uncle."

"I'm not talking to Ridge. Galen won't let me flirt. Essex is yours. How else am I supposed to practice my flirting skills?"

David shoots to his feet. "Jesus, Violet! Behave yourself or I will arrest you for something."

"Oh, handcuffs! Kinky."

I burst out laughing and decide I better get us on the right track. "So, you two know each other. How come you're friendlier than Richard was?" I ask David.

"I was raised by Judge, who is a bad man. Richard is just like him. I tried to fit in, but after your mother,” he swallows hard, “I couldn't do it anymore.

"I was angry and upset when I saw her. I hate Richard. Hence the fight. Judge came and gave me his usual orders to clean up one of Richard's messes.

"What they don't know is that I made contact with Ed." He offers a weary smile. "After you did. You can't tell anyone, Bea. None of you can. I'm trying to make Mount Sterling and Den Hollows a better place."

"So what? You mean you're working with the FBI to shut down all the bad stuff?" Essex asks.

"That's what he says," Ed confirms. "I lied to you about something, Bea... I was in touch with your mom. Thanks to David, we never lost touch like your father wanted."

"Why didn't she leave him?"

He winces, and David gives me a sharp look.

"Oh!" I mutter, tears filling my eyes. "She stayed because of me."

"There was no way she could get away with you." Ed smiles softly. "She also knew that if she did, she'd be on the run until Richard stopped looking for her. In the end, she helped David gather information against Richard."

I settle into Essex and turn my face into the curve of his neck. I concentrate on breathing, trying to understand my mother. “If she wanted us to be free, why did she push me towards Jason? Say those things to him before our date?"

Looking out at the rest of the room, I notice David flinch as he looks down at his phone. "Judge and Richard have been calling me for a while. I have to get it." He walks out of the room, his shoulders slumped.

"He's not a bad man, Bea... He's given up his life so far because of his father and brother. He knows it would be bad to bring a woman into it. So please don't be too hard on him." Ed moans.

I nod. "Can we talk more tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'll be here."

"Actually," Essex says with a quick glance at Galen. “You should come with us. We're five minutes away and we have a guest room. It will be safer."

Ed shakes his head. "I don't want your family to get hurt because of me."

Galen laughs and Essex says, "It's Mom and the six of us. We'll be fine."

Galen gets up. "I'll go and bring the truck around. Make it easier for you," he says to Ed, who winces.

"I'll go with you." Violet jumps to her feet.

"No teasing, Jailbait."

Violet huffs. "My name is Violet. Use it!"

I wince at the irritation on Galen's face.

"I'll text you when we get outside."

"Wait! Can't David drop Ed off?"

"If his cruiser is being watched, no." Ed gingerly gets to his feet. "What a fucking mess."

The boat bobs gently on the moonlit water. A breeze blows in and feels good on my warm skin.

Being alone with Essex gives me butterflies in my stomach. I lick my lips with desire as he takes off his shoes and socks, then his t-shirt. His jeans hang lovingly as he loses the belt. I swallow hard and, holding his gaze, take off my shoes and pull my dress up and over my head. I stand before him in nothing but my underwear, which leaves little to the imagination as the red lace is transparent. I wore them especially for him. He comes closer, his eyes burning with desire.

"Gorgeous!" In two steps, Essex has his hands on my face, and then his lips crush mine. I groan as our tongues slide together. I feel my body heat and I melt into his touch.

I run a hand down his chest, feeling the heat of his skin under my fingertips as I reach the edge of his jeans. Now it's his turn to moan into my mouth. I make quick work of the button and zipper, and then his penis springs free. I wrap my hand around it, enjoying the feel of its hardness in my grasp. I break the kiss and look down to see how excited he is. He pulsates in my hand; the mushroom-shaped head oozing with pre-cum, which excites me.

I shiver as his hands run up my back and the snap of my bra strap is released and seconds later a warm wet mouth is sucking on a breast. "Fucking sexy tits." He moves to the other as I explore how well-endowed he really is. I mean, I've sucked him off before, but this is different.

He slides his hands down the back of my panties as he continues to suck and nibble on my nipples. They're a live wire right to my pussy. I whimper and arch my back, craving more of his touch. "Touch me," I moan. "I need to feel you between my legs."

Essex curses under his breath and leads me down to the deck of the boat. His eyes hold mine as he travels kisses down to my stomach and lower. My stomach quivers along with my pussy as he slowly removes my panties. He smiles mischievously, knowing he has complete control over me as he kneels between my spread legs and takes himself in hand. I moan at the erotic sight of him stroking himself. He licks his lips and sucks on his thumb before pressing it against my swollen clit. I cry out in pleasure, my body responding instantly to his touch.

Essex curses and plants his face in my pussy. "You're so goddamn wet." He moans as he runs his tongue through the lips of my pussy. "Taste good, babe." He grabs my bottom and lifts me to his mouth as he eats me out, as though he is starving. I moan in pleasure as I feel his warm breath on my skin, and I surrender completely to his touch.

"Oh!" I arch my arms over my head and feel my whole body come alive for him.

His mouth disappears and then he's over me, the thick and long penis throbbing against my stomach. "Bea, tell me I can make love to you... I'm dying here."

"God, yes! I want every inch of you inside me."

Essex growls, grabbing his shaft and rubbing the tip over my clit.

"That feels so good," I mumble.

"I'm hard as steel." He gasps, entering me inch by inch. He takes my legs in his arms and spreads me wide as he pushes forward. I gasp with pleasure, feeling every inch of him. "Oh fuck," I moan as I feel him fill me completely.

"God Bea! You're so fucking tight." His breathing gets heavy and sweat beads on his forehead.

I reach forward and dig my fingertips into his hips. He shudders and grinds down. I hiss with the sharp pleasure that fills me. His movements become more urgent, and I arch my back in response, feeling a wave of pleasure wash over me. The feel of his penis sliding along my sensitive core makes even my toes tingle. My legs tremble and goose bumps appear on my skin. I close my eyes and surrender to the overwhelming sensation.

I wrap my legs around his waist, and he says, "Keep them around me.”

He comes over me, his hands squeezing my breasts together for his mouth to descend. He licks and nibbles in time with the thrusting of his body into mine.

Pleasure rushes through me as I arch again, my muscles tightening around him.

"Holy hell!" Essex thrusts harder and deeper, making me cry out in ecstasy. "Stretch up again," he moans. "So, fucking tight!"

I do as he says, and his eyes roll back. He slides his hands under my arms and then grabs my shoulders. As he slams his mouth into mine and hammers his hips into me—hard and fast—I hold him tight, never wanting this moment to end. I moan in pleasure, lost in the intensity of the moment, until a keening wail bursts from my mouth as he plunges me into orgasm. I writhe in his arms. My hands keep his hips locked to my soaked pussy, wanting to savor every second of this euphoric release. The tremors in me haven't finished when he pulls out and flips me over. He grabs my hips and lifts my ass into the air before plunging into me.

He feels deeper and harder in this position, hitting all the right spots with each thrust. I'm overwhelmed by the intense pleasure coursing through my body as I struggle to push up with my hands. Essex comes over me and slaps one hand in front of my face, the other goes to my chest. "I love these tits, but fuck, this pussy is magical," he growls in my ear. "Are you on birth control?"

My eyes go wide. "Yes! Oh my God, Essex! I am. Come inside me."

He straightens up as his hands slide down my body, landing on my hips. He pulls me closer. And I melt into his touch, feeling wanted and desired like never before. "Fuck! Fuck!" He slams into me so hard that he knocks my hands out from under me. Then he comes with one last hard thrust. My pussy trembles as he brings me to another orgasm. My body shakes with pleasure.

I feel his cock kicking and jerking as my muscles pulsate, pulling more release from him.

"Holy crap!" He mutters and pulls out. He falls next to me and pants.

I giggle. "That was better than my vibrator."

He's silent for a minute, then bursts out laughing. "Babe, I'm the only dick that takes this sweet pussy." He covers me with a hand. "You get me?"

I flash him a smile of sexual satisfaction. "I'm totally cool with that."

"Hmm, except when I have my dick in your ass, then I use the vibrator in your pussy."

My face heats up at his dirty words, which makes him laugh. "Baby," he pulls me half over his satisfied body. "I was just so deep inside you that I touched your cervix. Don't be shy with me now."

"Will it hurt?" I ask curiously.

"If it's done right, no... Just to be clear, I've never done that before."

I poke him in the stomach. "I'd rather not be reminded that you've done it with lots of girls before me."

He chuckles. "Babe, I like that you think I've had a lot of girls, but I haven't. A few, but nothing to write home about, and certainly no one to blow my head off."

I sigh and reality starts to creep in. "I wish we could stay like this forever. Just you and me in our own little world."

Pressing a kiss to my forehead, Essex pulls me close. A leg slips between his and I press even closer, enjoying the feel of his growing penis against my hip.

"Before we get sexy again. I need to talk a little about tonight... not about us."

After a long pause, he says, “It blew my mind that David came and told you all that shit. I never would have guessed that about him." A gentle hand strokes from my thigh over my bottom and up my spine before reversing course.

"I believe David all the more because Ed was there... You don't think I'm being unrealistic in believing in Ed, do you?"

"He's FBI, and he hasn't given us any reason not to believe him. Although he hasn't really given us a reason to believe him either."

"Hmm, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens next." I pause. "I can tell you though that Richard was furious that Ed showed up at the funeral. So much so that he sent men after him. I'm glad I called David, and he stopped the ambush on Ed."

Essex chuckles. "Babe, you stopped it. Hell, Galen had to hold me back so I wouldn't follow you. He told me to wait and that we'd both move in if any of those guys came after you." He chuckles. "Violet said she had a hell of a right hook."

I shake my head as I raise my eyes to his. "I'm glad you stayed hidden." I chuckle. "And Violet does have a great right hook. She knocked out Marshall Lawrence her senior year. Right before the championship game."

"She took out the quarterback?"

"Yeah, she knocked him out with one punch. The asshole had pinched her ass. She hated him." I rub my fingers over Essex's chest, concentrating on a hard nipple. He shifts slightly. "I hope Violet doesn't keep flirting with Ed while she's sleeping over at your place."

I stick out my tongue and lick the nipple closest to my mouth. Essex shudders, his penis thick and heavy with excitement.

"I wouldn't be surprised if she snuck into Galen's bed."

I gasp. "Oh, jeez! I really hope she doesn't... Besides, she's really into Ridge. That wasn't a joke."

"Ridge screwed that up. Although I thought he enjoyed the teasing. I didn't think he was into her, though."

He pulls me up, covers my mouth with his, and rolls me onto my back. "Talk later. I need you."

My hand reaches for him, and I caress him slowly as he rocks lazily into my fist. "I want to watch you come."

He moans as his flesh pulsates. "Look all you want, babe." Quickly straddling me, Essex pulls me close and slaps his dick between my breasts. His hands cup them and push them together, trapping his dick between. "I'm not going to last long in this position. It's fucking hot."

My pussy tightens and throbs at this hot move and my body shakes. His fingers play with my nipples as he slowly rocks.

I lift my eyes to his and see the pleasure on his face. "Let me suck you." My hands reach up and dig into his ass to hold him close.

I tilt forward, the head of him covered with pre-cum nudges my mouth. I open and watch his face as he watches himself enter my mouth. "Fuck!" His legs shake. "Keep your mouth open." His cock slides through my breasts as he pulls his hips back, and he snaps his hips forward, penetrating my mouth with each forward motion. I gag slightly, but I don't want him to stop.

"I'm going to come," he hisses. "Mouth or tits?" Lifting slightly for a better angle, I get so much more in my mouth. I use pressure on his ass to keep him inside as I hum with pleasure.

"Fuck! Bea... Shit!" I feel him growing harder and then the first spurt of cum hits my tongue. I suck hard and feel him tremble.

He pulls out halfway through and uses his hand to jerk himself off over my breasts. Panting hard, he slides off me and lies between my legs. "That was hot, babe." He shudders. "Now it's your turn." A finger runs through my pussy lips and pushes into my body. I gasp at the sudden pleasure that ripples through me. "Sucking me off really turned you on, didn't it?"

"God yes! I love your big dick."

He laughs and nuzzles his face between my legs. "I love this pussy." He reaches up. "And those tits are fucking amazing." He reaches up and begins to massage my breasts, sending shivers of pleasure through me. I arch my back and press myself closer to him. Two fingers go inside me as he licks and nibbles my swollen clit. I reach for my nipples and roll and pinch, arching. The fire inside me is about to explode.

"Ah!" I slam my hands on Essex's head and rub my pussy over his face as I come. I can't stop shaking; even though I can't hold my limbs up, my body is shaking.

Essex wipes his mouth on my thigh and crawls up my body with a smile on his face that tells me he enjoyed what he did to me.

"You're a smoking babe, Mermaid Girl." He presses his body against mine and winces. "We need to clean up." He wiggles his eyebrows. "I'll hold you in the water." He brushes his lips over mine, his expression becoming serious. "I want you to stay with me. Sleep in my bed."

My fingers run gently through his short, dark hair. "One day, very soon, we'll make that happen. I promise." I pull him to me. "For now, I'll stay with you until five. Richard will be passed out drunk until late morning."

"Then let's get cleaned up and I'll take us back to shore. I want to make love to you in my bed." He gets up and I admire the man.

His eyes sparkle as he does some looking of his own. A smile touches his lips as he holds out his hands to me. He lifts me into his arms. "Keep your arms and legs around me, okay?"

I nod.

"Good girl." Then he jumps overboard, and I scream into his neck.

Satisfied and happily sore, I sneak into the bedroom where Violet is, but I can't see her. I look on the floor, but she's not there. Back in Essex's room, I forget what I was going to say when I get a very sexy, fresh out of bed, seductive smile on my face as his jeans hang unzipped on his hips.

"If you keep looking at me like that, the only place I'm going to take you is back to bed."

"Huh!"

He giggles. "Babe, where's Violet?"

Oh shit! Violet!

"She's not in the room."

His eyes widen in panic. "You better stay here while I check the other rooms." He winces. "You’re not catching sigh of my brothers naked, not that they’d mind. I do, though." He scowls.

I chuckle. "Shame!" I laugh at his narrowed eyes. "I'm teasing. You're the only one I want... Find my friend, please."

Essex starts opening and closing bedrooms until I hear "Fucking hell!" he growls from down the hallway.

I follow the sound and find him blocking my view. "Essex, is she in there?" I whisper.

He sighs. "Yeah, and I'm not sure who should go in and wake her up."

I frown.

"They're both naked and asleep," he adds.

"Who is she with?" I pray it's not Ed.

"Ridge!"

My eyes go wide. "No way!" I laugh. "Can't you throw something at your brother? Wake him up." I roll my eyes at his expression. "Seriously? He's your brother."

"He's a grumpy bastard when you wake him."

"Seriously!" I shoot under his arm, blocking my view, and cringe. I grab the duvet and throw it over her. Violet doesn't wake up.

"Fuck!" Ridge grumbles. "What are you doing sneaking around my bedroom? My brother not man enough for you?"

"Fuck off, asshole!" Essex hisses.

"What are you doing in bed with my friend?"

Ridge shakes his head. "It's too early for this shit." He drops his head to the pillow, and seconds later he shoots up into a sitting position and looks at Violet beside him. "How?" He curses under his breath. "Jailbait!" He snaps and shoves her. "What the hell are you doing naked in my bed?"

Violet blinks and stretches, and I don't miss the way Ridge's sleepy gaze roams over her. "I was cold, Galen."

Oh, crap!

Ridge hisses and he's furious. I rush forward and grab Violet's dress. "Put this on. We're leaving. Now."

Meanwhile, Ridge shoots out of bed and starts pacing in all his naked glory, muttering about Galen. He's very beautiful naked, not that I'll ever admit that to Essex.

Essex tosses him a pair of shorts. "My girl doesn't need to see that shit."

"Don't worry Essex, yours is bigger." I giggle and Ridge flips me off.

"I'm sorry, Ridge. I really am," I say, kind of embarrassed.

"Well, at least one of you knows my name," Ridge mumbles.

Feeling sorry for the man, I get annoyed with Violet. I walk over and kiss him on the cheek. "Go back to sleep." I turn to my friend and point to the door.

"Ridge," she says softly, waiting for him to look at her. When he does, she says, "I'm sorry. I knew it was you when I climbed into your bed. You have a tattoo on your neck and a small scar on your shoulder. Your eyelashes are longer than Galen's." Violet sighs and looks sad. "You held me close," she pauses, tears floating on her lashes, "and called me Dolly." Her shoulders slump as she leaves the room.

I glance at Ridge, and he looks destroyed by her confession.

"Okay then. Night, Ridge."