Chapter Seven
Lucas felt very displeased with the turn of events. There was nothing he could do for River as Tyler was very possessive about her and wouldn't listen to a word he said. So he decided to return back to LA as his work in Las Vegas was completed.
He flew back to his hotel by afternoon. He contacted his lawyer and completed the legal formalities of buying the villa. It was five in the evening when he got the keys in his hands. He drove towards Violet's house, eager that he could meet her at last. She hadn't come to work for the last few days and he had no idea why.
Coming to a stop in front of her building, he saw a few strange men loitering around, watching him and his car. He went inside the building and up the stairs. What was wrong with Violet? Was she sick?
He climbed to her floor and went to her apartment. His mouth hung open at the state of her apartment. The entire place had been ransacked and destroyed as if a violent tornado went through it. What happened? Where were Violet and her brothers? Were they hurt? He went inside cautiously but saw no sign of them. Panic settled in the pit of his stomach. Were they ok? Dominic had said that her phone was switched off.
"Violet, William, Walter, " he called as he walked around the mess that was their apartment. He was scared by now. What happened to them? He should have cancelled everything and helped them. If only he knew. He prayed that they were alright.
"Violet," he yelled, his panicked voice echoing around the empty apartment. "Walter, please where are you?" He shouted, his voice hoarse with choked tears. Were they alive? Who did this to them? Should he inform the police? "William, I'm Lucas, where are you?" He yelled as a last attempt.
There were no signs of them anywhere. He decided to call the police now. He was about to make a call when the door of the next door apartment slowly creaked open and Walter's scared face peeped out. The moment he saw Lucas, he gasped in surprise.
"Lucas you've come?" He asked as a sob escaped him. Lucas was so relieved to see him that he strode towards Walter and hugged him tightly.
"I had gone out of LA," he informed him, as he stroked his hair to comfort him. "What happened? Where's William and Violet?" He asked a sobbing Walter.
The door opened further and William peeped at him. The moment he realised who had come in search of them, he came rushing out and hugged Lucas too. "Lucas, so glad that you came," he said, as tears filled his eyes too.
"What's going on William?" Asked Lucas, very panicked at their breakdown. Something serious had happened and they needed help.
The door further opened and Mary Jane, their neighbour came out. "I'm Mary Jane Lee, sir. I work as a restaurant manager at your hotel. Please come inside, Violet's with me," she said, inviting Lucas into her three bedroomed apartment.
Lucas walked into her neat apartment in a daze. Where was Violet? He looked around for her. "Come this way," said Mary Jane leading Lucas to a bedroom. He followed her inside and saw that Violet was lying on the bed. He rushed to her side and sat down beside her.
"What happened to her?" He asked in panic? "Violet, it's me? Lucas, look at me?" He pleaded, leaning towards her and touching her forehead.
"She'd been attacked by Lily's son and his gang the morning after her last night of work there. Apparently, customers have stopped visiting their cafe after the incident that night," said Mary Jane. Violet woke up and looked at everyone. "Thankfully Michael, my husband saw them and informed the police. He brought her home. Two of them as well as Lily's son were arrested. So Lily's brother along with the rest of the gang destroyed their apartment. The boys were at my place. Violet was alone at home and they threatened to abduct her if she went out of the building. Ever since Violet has been getting panic attacks," said Mary Jane.
Lucas listened intently and then saw that Violet had regained her consciousness. He touched her cheek and she looked at him. "I'm here Violet. You want me to punish them?" He asked her and she nodded.
"Good, girl. Now let me call the police. You have to tell them exactly what happened. Will you do that for me?" He asked her gently.
"Yes," she answered. Lucas got up to call the police, but Violet held his hand, refusing to let go, "Please don't go," she said in a scared voice.
Lucas sat down beside her, "Ok, I'm not going anywhere," he said. He called the police and informed them exactly what happened. After a detailed talk, he disconnected the call. "The police will be here in ten minutes. Violet, I want you to get up and accompany me to your apartment and tell the police exactly what happened. Ok?" He asked and she nodded.
Mary Jane sighed heavily, "I tried but she wasn't willing to go to the police," she informed. William and Walter came and sat on the bed beside him too.
"I'm scared, Lucas, " said Walter as he tried to come closer to Lucas. "Me too, will they kill us Lucas?" Asked a scared William.
"No, there's nothing to feel scared of. Let the police arrive and we will tell them everything. They will arrest the culprits and punish them," comforted Lucas.
"Come with me kids. Have some warm milk to soothe your nerves," said Mary Jane as she left the room. The boys followed her out.
Lucas turned to Violet. "Have you eaten?" He asked her.
"I thought you'd never come again," she whispered softly but Lucas heard her distinctly.
"I was out of LA on work. I just returned today," he informed her. She looked down at her hands. Lucas placed his index finger below her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. "Did you want me to come?" He asked, softly.
She nodded as her arms wrapped around his neck and she hugged him close, relieved that he had come after so many days. It was the most innocent hug which brought a tear to his eye. He hugged her close to his body, embedded his face into the crook of her neck. He was so thankful to God that she and her brothers were fine.
"I'm so glad that you all are fine," he said softly and she hugged him tighter. He was lost into the embrace.
"Lucas, the police are here," announced Walter as he came into the room with William.
Lucas released Violet and tried to compose himself. Walter grinned at him, "I hope you haven't told her you love her?" He whispered but it echoed in the quiet room and everyone heard it. Violet's eyes widened as she blushed to the roots of her hair.
"No, not yet. Should I?" Lucas asked him with a chuckle.
"No, silly, you say it later," suggested William.
"Guide me, ok? It's my first time," Lucas said with a naughty grin as he winked at Violet and left the room to deal with the police. He was glad that Violet was reacting to him. He wanted to make her comfortable with him and help her regain her confidence.
Violet glared at William and Walter as they giggled naughtily and rushed out to oversee the grown up affairs such as dealing with the police. They went and stood with Lucas as he talked to the police.
Violet couldn't help the blush that wasn't disappearing. Could someone like Lucas really love her? Was it true or was he just fooling around with her brothers? She was very confused.
Mary Jane appeared at the door. "Violet, Lucas wants you to go and talk to the police," she said, coming forward and helping her get up.
Violet walked slowly towards the door. She hadn't been able to eat well after the trauma and was feeling too weak. Mary Jane helped her go to her apartment where Lucas was standing with Michael, three police officers and her brothers.
"There she is, officer," said Lucas, holding her around the shoulders and bringing her close to the group.
"Violet, these are officers Brian Larson, Greg Foster and Jon Macmillan from the LA police department. Tell them what happened exactly," he instructed her.
"Please come inside and sit down, officers. Violet's too weak to stand for so long," said Mary Jane and every one agreed and went inside Mary Jane's living room to sit.
"Start from the beginning, Miss Nelson," said officer Macmillan.
