When Doom Found Violet

Chapter 4- Fair is Fair

Violet

Doom laughed his ass off.

"Your story's better. How much did you pay for the cage? I'll cover that shit."

I bit my lip.

"$30,000. I have the receipt if you want proof."

Doom c****d a brow.

"You spent thirty grand on that asshole?"

"Yeah." I frowned.

"Until today, I didn't realize how stupid I was."

I rubbed my aching head.

"The Camaro was in practically perfect condition. They originally wanted forty, but I talked them down ten."

Doom nodded.

"Thirty it is."

"Okay." I hesitated.

"And I'm not questioning your finances or anything, but if you don't have all of it right now, we can work out payments. I don't care."

Doom's expression immediately hardened.

"Know your f*****g lane. Don't assume my ass doesn't have it."

I felt my own irritation rise.

"I didn't question your bank account."

His eyes narrowed.

"I said I don't want to put you in a financial strain. I worked my butt off for that money, so I know thirty thousand dollars isn't pocket change for most people."

Doom stared at me.

"I don't assume things about people based on what they have or don't have. I wasn't disrespecting you."

After a moment, Doom gave a single nod.

Apparently, that argument was over.

Thank God.

"Can I call my brother and have him come get me now that we've had this conversation?"

"No."

I blinked.

"No?"

"He doesn't come to the compound. I'll have someone drop your ass off."

"Oh."

I nodded.

"Okay."

Doom walked out.

I looked at Doc.

He was very obviously trying not to laugh.

"What?"

"Flower, your ass has been interesting."

I groaned.

"I have no idea what's wrong with my brain. I normally don't talk to people like this. But today?"

"I swear my mouth might need to be sewn shut."

Doc laughed.

He grabbed a prescription pad from the counter and started writing.

"Muscle relaxers and pain meds. You're gonna need both."

"Okay."

"Stay the f**k home for the next few days."

"I will."

"I'm serious. I find out you don't, I'll have a talk with Prez."

My eyes widened slightly.

Was that supposed to be a threat?

Because it worked.

"Okay. I'll stay home."

I adjusted my sling.

"It's not like I can teach in this condition anyway. Or pour drinks."

At least Doom was making things right by paying me for the Camaro.

I hated losing the car, but getting my savings back meant I wasn't starting completely over.

Doom returned carrying a manila envelope.

He dropped it onto my lap.

It was heavy.

"That's fifty grand."

I looked up.

"What?"

"Thirty for your cage. Twenty for putting your ass in danger."

I immediately shook my head.

"No, thank you."

Doom went still.

Doc suddenly became very interested in something across the room.

I opened the envelope and looked inside.

"I'll take the thirty thousand I'm owed. That's it."

Doom glared at me.

"You weren't gunning for me on purpose," I continued.

"It was an accident. You got me medical attention, and you're paying for the car. We're even."

"Your ass is in no condition to argue with me."

"I'm not arguing."

"The f**k you're not."

"I'm stating a fact."

Doom stepped closer.

"Thank you for trying to make it right, but you already are. I just want what I paid for the Camaro."

His expression darkened.

"That's it."

Doom moved.

Suddenly, he was looming over me, one massive hand planted on the bed above my head.

My heart jumped.

"I don't tolerate this kind of shit."

His face was close to mine now.

"I'm not a patient man."

I swallowed.

Yeah.

I'd figured that out.

"Please, Doom."

I kept my voice soft.

"I'm not trying to disrespect you."

"Sure f*****g feels like it."

"I'm just not that kind of person. I won't take advantage of someone because I can."

His jaw clenched.

"I believe fair is fair."

Doom dragged a hand down his face.

"Your ass is pissing me off."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't sound like it."

"I am."

He stared at me.

"But I'm still not taking the extra twenty thousand."

Doc made a strange choking sound.

I glanced toward him.

He immediately looked away.

Doom opened the envelope.

He counted out four stacks of cash and tossed the extra money toward Doc.

I looked at what remained.

Thirty thousand dollars.

Exactly what I'd paid for the Camaro.

"Thank you."

Doom glared.

"May I leave now?"

His glare somehow got worse.

I kept my expression neutral.

Men like Doom were all about control.

I was beginning to understand that.

Finally, he nodded.

Before I could attempt to stand, Doom bent down and scooped me into his arms.

"Oh."

Apparently, walking wasn't part of the agreement.

He carried me outside like I weighed nothing.

Considering the man appeared to be made entirely of muscle, I probably didn't weigh much to him.

It was dark now.

Gravel crunched beneath Doom's boots as he carried me across the compound.

I looked around, careful not to appear too nosy.

Then something beside one of the buildings caught my attention.

A large wooden art piece.

I knew that work.

"I know that piece."

Doom stopped.

"My brother made it."

His eyes went toward the large oak piece.

"Your brother made that?"

"Yeah. He's a woodworker."

Doom looked down at me.

"Ethan Brinks is your brother?"

I frowned.

"Yeah."

"Fuck."

"What?"

"Your brother's gonna be f*****g pissed."

"About what?"

"Your brother happens to be my friend."

My eyebrows shot up.

Oh.

"He's gonna be pissed at me," Doom finished.

I shook my head.

"No. Right now he's pissed at my soon-to-be ex-husband."

Doom stared at me.

"Like I said, I crashed the Camaro because I was angry."

"I'm not lying to my f*****g friend."

I gave him a sheepish smile.

"Okay. Well, if he's your friend, he might be upset that I got hurt, but you don't have to tell him you caused it. It was an accident."

Doom's glare returned.

Right.

"I'll just shut up."

"Best f*****g idea you've had."

Doom started walking again.

He carried me toward a large SUV and placed me carefully in the passenger seat.

Before I could reach for it myself, he grabbed the seat belt and pulled it across me.

I stared at him.

He clicked it securely into place.

Apparently, the man who'd blown through a red light was suddenly very concerned about seat-belt safety.

"Get out of the cage, Prospect. I got this."

The prospect immediately climbed out.

Doom slammed my door.

I winced.

Ow.

A moment later, Doom got behind the wheel and shoved his seat all the way back.

Even then, he looked like he needed another few inches of legroom.

The Mountain really was ridiculous.

"Can I call my brother and tell him I'm on my way?"

Doom nodded.

My phone immediately started ringing again.

Paul.

I groaned and sent him to voicemail before calling Ethan.

He answered almost immediately.

"V?"

"Hey, Ethan. I'm being brought to your house now. I just wanted to give you a heads-up."

"How far out are you?"

I looked at Doom.

"How long until we get there?"

"Forty minutes."

I returned to the phone.

"About forty minutes, E."

"Who was that?"

There was an immediate edge to Ethan's voice.

Before I could answer, Doom reached over and took the phone straight out of my hand.

I stared at him.

"It's me."

Silence.

Then I heard Ethan's voice.

"Doom?"

"Yeah."

"Take care of my baby sis, Doom. That girl means everything to me."

Doom ended the call.

Then, instead of returning my phone, he shoved it inside his vest.

I blinked.

"Um..."

"Your ass ain't getting this s**t back. I'll hand it to your brother."

I stared at him for a moment.

"Okay."

There was absolutely no room for argument in his voice.

And I seriously didn't want to make the Mountain angry again.

Actually...

That was it.

I'd officially decided.

Doom had a new nickname.

The Mountain.

Not that I was stupid enough to tell him that.

The drive took exactly forty minutes.

The second Doom shut off the engine in Ethan's driveway, my brother's front door flew open.

Ethan came toward us with purpose.

Doom got out while Ethan rushed to my side and opened the passenger door.

"s**t, baby sis."

The worry on my brother's face hurt almost as much as everything else.

"I'm okay."

"You're not f*****g okay."

"No broken bones," I assured him. "I dislocated my shoulder, but Doc put it back in. I have a concussion, bruises, and a few cuts from the glass. That's it."

"That's it?"

Ethan reached inside and lifted me from the SUV.

"E, I can walk."

"Not happening, baby sis."

I sighed.

Apparently, I was being carried everywhere today.

Doom followed us inside.

Ethan carefully lowered me onto the couch and made sure I was comfortable.

"Does your ass need anything?"

I thought about it.

"Pizza would be nice."

Ethan laughed.

"Of course it would."

"I've had a bad day."

"Yeah, baby sis. You f*****g have."

"I think that earns me pizza."

"I'll order it in a minute."

Then Ethan straightened and turned toward Doom.

His entire demeanor changed.

"How did you end up with my baby sis?"

Doom didn't hesitate.

"I'm the one who hit her ass."

Ethan went still.

"Blew through a red light getting away from some shit."

My brother slowly turned toward him.

"You hurt my baby sis?"

Ethan was a big man.

I'd always thought he was huge.

Standing in front of Doom?

My brother suddenly didn't look nearly as big.

Doom didn't back up.

Didn't apologize.

Didn't even look concerned.

He stared Ethan straight in the eyes.

"Yeah."

Ethan's fists clenched.

Oh, crap.