The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 14

~ Damon -

Damon watched silently through the second floor window as Violet got into the black SUV and the car pulled away. A part of him was hoping that she wouldn't get on and choose to stay, but that was just wishful thinking. The car disappeared on the horizon and Damon felt his heart sunk to his feet.

She's really gone...

Damon's hand went to his chest instinctively. He felt some discomfort there, his chest felt tight and he couldn't breathe. He left the window and went to the bedside table, reaching for the glass of whiskey. The whiskey couldn't help him breathe, but it distracted him from the pain.

KNOCK KNOCK *

Damon lifted his head up at the sound of knocking on the door. Adrian was standing at the doorway, peering his head into the room.

"Damon, you got a call," he said.

"Not in the mood," Damon replied flatly.

"It's Hugo,"

"Like I said, I'm not in the mood,"

Adrian let out a sigh and stepped inside. He closed the door shut and walked a few steps closer to Damon.

"You haven't talked to him in weeks. He's starting to worry," Adrian explained. "You don't want him to get suspicious, do you? You need to keep up appearances,"

Damon let out a sigh this time. He was avoiding talking to Hugo for some time while he planned his next move. Hugo had gone back to Italy and Damon heard he was building an army. After the massacre at Damon's funeral, it seemed that he might be a bit worried about how powerful Damon had become.

"Tell him I'll call him later," Damon said finally.

"Alright," Adrian said as he excused himself. But before he got to the door, Adrian turned around and took one more look at Damon. Damon was nursing his glass of whiskey while staring at the window again.

"Hey, what's going on with you?" he asked. "I thought you're doing a lot better since... you got Violet back,"

Adrian was picking his words carefully. He didn't want to say the word 'kidnap' but that was kind of implied.

"I'm sorry about Talia bursting into the door," he continued. "She overheard our conversation and she went ballistic-"

"I let her go," Damon cut him off without taking his gaze off the window. His voice was low and cold.

"What?" Adrian asked.

"She really doesn't want me anymore," Damon paused for a beat before concluding, "It's done,"

Adrian stood for a moment and watched Damon. He didn't say a word. For the first time in a long time, the consigliere didn't know what to say. He had no more advice. Slowly, he walked over to Damon and put a hand on his shoulder. Damon didn't turn around to look at him. He just kept staring out the window and watched as the rain started to pour.

"I lost her..." Damon's voice came out in a whisper. "I lost the only thing that matters,"

The sky outside was dark and gloomy. The sun was covered up by grey clouds and it didn't stand a chance. Just as the light in the sky dimmed, Damon's heart sank heavier and heavier with each passing minute. One minute, he felt like a king who had everything, but the next minute and one black car later-he felt like the poorest man in the world.

"I'm sorry," Adrian said finally. "There are just some things that we're not... meant for,"

Damon could taste the bitterness in those words. Adrian was right. There were things in this life that even he can't win. There are some things that couldn't be forced no matter how hard he tried. And now there was nothing else to do but watch as the storm took over and raise a white flag.

I give up, sweet girl. I'm giving you up...

- Violet -

Violet watched as the raindrops hit the car's window and it covered up the view of the road. Beau was driving the car and Violet didn't say one word to him except to tell him where she wanted to go.

"The airport, please," she said. "I need to go back to Austin,"

"Certainly, Miss Violet," Beau nodded his head. "The jet's already waiting at the tarmac,"

They had been driving for almost half an hour, which meant that they should be arriving at the airport soon. Violet threw her gaze out the window and her mind began to drift. She was looking at the familiar streets of New Jersey, the town that she grew up in. This place brought back so many memories. They drove past The Union, the bar that she used to work in, and where she first met Damon. They also drove past the lighthouse, the one where Damon bought that small coffee shop for her to open someday. A sad smile crossed her lips when she remembered that day at the lighthouse. It was such a perfect day. Things were a lot simpler back then. She was on her way to marry him and they were on their way to a happily ever after.

If only things could've stayed that way...

Violet started to think about where things went wrong. Maybe it was because of that dream she had with Isabella. Or maybe the conversation she had with Dylan and Celina. Or maybe it started even way before that. Way before Hugo DeSantis or the Maranzanos. Violet thought back to the moment where she helped Damon and escaped the cops. That was the moment that changed everything.

If I hadn't done that, he wouldn't have sent those flowers and I won't be like this...

Violet shuffled in her seat, choking back the tears that were brimming in her eyes. Sure, she had plenty of great memories here in New Jersey because of Damon. But she also had mountains of pain and restlessness because of him. It was hard for her to leave, but it was exhausting for her to stay. Being with him was never easy or simple. It sucked the life out of her. It turned her whole world upside down and then she was burned to the ground.

Deep in her heart, Violet believed she was making the right choice by leaving. Like taking medicine, it was bitter and hard at first, but it was better for the long run. Without him, she lived a peaceful and idyllic life for three years now where her family was safe and happy. She got to go back to school, have friends, and live life without any complications. She was doing the right thing...

...But why am I crying now?

"Miss Violet, are you okay?" Beau's voice broke through her train of thought.

"Ah?" Violet looked at him through the rearview mirror and quickly wiped her eyes.

"It's not really my place to say, but you seemed kind of... unsettled," he said cautiously. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?" "No, I'm okay," she forced out a smile. "Thanks for asking,"

"Of course," he smiled.

Violet sat in silence for a moment as she kept looking at Beau. His eyes were on the road and his two hands were on the steering wheel. "Hey, Beau," she said.

"Yes?"

"You've been following me around for three years, haven't you?"

"What?" he gaped, looking taken aback.

Violet let out a smile. "You don't have to pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. I've seen the files on Damon's desk,"

When Violet was leaving Damon's study earlier, she saw the documents on his desk. They were files about her and her life in Texas. They were all sent by Beau, which meant that he was the guy that had been following her around.

Beau's expression was a mix of embarrassment and nervousness. He didn't know what to say, so he just went silent.

"I'm sorry you had to do that," she continued. "Must be boring following me around all day,"

"Mr. Van Zandt was just concerned for your safety, Miss," Beau spoke up finally.

"You've seen Austin," she scoffed. "It's pretty chill out there. There's nothing to worry about,"

Beau didn't say anything. He just gave her a half-smile before turning his eyes back to the road.

"Is uh... is he asking you to follow me around again?" she asked, cautiously and curiously.

"No," Beau said firmly. "Not this time,"

"You don't have to lie," she laughed. "It's better if you tell me. I'd just invite you to all the barbecues and parties. You don't have to hide in the bushes,"

Violet was laughing a little, but Beau's face remained serious.

"No, Miss Violet, I'm not lying," he said. "Mr. Van Zandt has asked me to come back to New Jersey. We still have unfinished business with our rivals in Italy. We are planning our next move,"

The smile on Violet's face slowly dipped.

"Oh..." she muttered.

*Tick... * Tick... * Tick...*

The sound of the rain falling on the window was the only sound that filled the room. Beau didn't say another word, and neither did Violet. She was thinking hard about what Beau just said. Damon really was letting her go this time. He wasn't going to have someone follow her. She could go anywhere and do whatever she pleased. He wouldn't know. He wouldn't care.

That's a good thing... right?

Violet thought about what life would look like for her now. For the past three years, even though she was thousands of miles away, she kept thinking that Damon would show up someday. She knew there was still unfinished business between them and Damon would look for her. But now, things were different. Now everything felt very... final.

Which means I'll probably never see him again...

The tears on her face fell uncontrollably. Violet couldn't help it. The thought that she'll never see him again cut through her chest like a bullet to the heart. Yes, her days were difficult and messy and complicated with Damon-but they were also the most beautiful, the most passion-filled, and the most wonderful days of her life. Not even the most peaceful sunset in Texas or the quiet mornings she shared with her family made her feel as alive as she was when she was with him.

Life with him was hell, but life without him isn't life at all...

"Every three days," Beau said suddenly, catching her off guard.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"He asked me about you every three days for three years. He never missed asking. Not even once,"

Violet's lips curved a smile instinctively.

"What did he ask about?"

"He always asked if you're safe, then he asked if your families are also safe. And then he asked if you're happy. That's pretty much all he wanted to know,"

Violet bit her lip and suppressed her tears. She could almost see it in her head. Every three days, Damon would call Beau up and ask about her. Despite everything she did to him, the only thing he cared about was if she was happy and safe. "Was I happy?" she blurted.

"Excuse me?" Beau asked.

"You've seen me, Beau. Was I happy there?"

"I think you tried to be," he answered her. "You want to be,"

But I'm not.

Violet knew she wasn't a good liar. Even Beau could see right through her. She tried being good and make good decisions, but sometimes, bad decisions were what make life worth living.

Why is it that I want things that are not good for me?

Violet's hand went to her chest. She felt a tightness in there and she couldn't breathe. The car was slowly pulling up to the airport and she knew her time was running out. This was it. There was no turning back.

Why do I have to fall in love with a man who murders for a living?

"Miss Violet, are you okay?" Beau said as he turned back, looking worried at her pained expression. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"No..." she breathed.

"What do you need, Miss?"

"I need..." Violet paused for a second before finally making up her mind. "I need you to take me home,"

I shouldn't be here...

Violet walked up the stairs of the Van Zandt estate with her knees trembling. She didn't know what came over her. She couldn't explain why, but she ended up asking Beau to turn the car around. Violet didn't know what she was going to do here or why she was doing this, but she only had one thing in mind.

I really shouldn't be here...

Slowly, she pushed back the door to Damon's study and she found him sitting on the chair. A glass of whiskey was sitting next to him, and a lit cigarette was burning away at the ashtray.

Damon looked up when he heard the door open and his eyes jolted in shock. Before she could change her mind, Violet took quick steps and stood right in front of him. He opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, but she put her index finger in front of it, shutting him up.

"Sssh," she told him. "Talking is overrated,"

Leaning down, Violet then crashed her lips onto his. Everything inside her exploded once their lips touched. Her skin was burning as her entire body came to life. And for the first time since she left this morning, Violet was able to breathe again.