Violet cornered her dad on his way back upstairs after getting a drink, managing to catch him alone after the show. She suspected he'd be less forthcoming if her brothers were present.

Crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, she asked, "So…what exactly is your relationship with Michael Gray?"

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let's just say he's someone I can't afford to offend. I tolerate him as best I can."

Someone her father, arguably the city's most powerful man, couldn't afford to offend? What kind of dangerous person was this?

Violet had disliked Gray immediately, but she wasn't afraid of him. She rarely feared things that intimidated others, and her dad was similar. He was overprotective and cautious with his family, but not generally fearful.

Therefore, if he considered Gray someone he couldn't offend, Gray must pose a threat to his family. That was the only explanation. Aaron Hale feared nothing except losing his family.

He'd never explicitly stated it, but he worried excessively about minor incidents. She'd never forgotten his distress after her mother's car accident on the day Oliver was born.

Violet was only five, but she'd sensed her father's anxiety during their hospital visits. He genuinely believed he might lose her mother.

That was the worst example, but she'd noticed her father preferred keeping her mother within sight. He'd subtly relax the moment she returned to his proximity.

He was overly cautious about teaching his children to ride bikes or drive; her mother always had to intervene. Almost all of Violet's driving practice was supervised by her mother as a result.

"He said you might think he's a bad influence on us, and that's why you never mentioned him. Is he dangerous?" Violet asked bluntly.

Aaron shook his head indulgently. "You're too smart for your own good. He is dangerous, but he also likes me. As long as I don't jeopardize that, he won't target my family. Don't worry about it."

She narrowed her eyes, but he refused further explanation. He ruffled her hair and returned to bed.

Violet would tell Noah. Maybe he could make sense of it. He was usually perceptive.

She tried to dismiss the matter. She needed sleep; two shows in one day was exhausting.

Jeremy was displeased. He'd texted Violet Monday morning during his lunch break, inviting her to dinner, but she already had plans. She claimed she hadn't spent enough time with friends lately.

He had her number; she was with Noah Singleton. She had no other friends.

He questioned her continued closeness to Noah. Most people outgrow childhood friends, didn't they?

Noah and Violet were so different. What could an uneducated, uncultured karate instructor offer her? Jeremy had checked Noah's social media after their first meeting and was unimpressed.

Violet was lovely and interesting. The more time Jeremy spent with her, the more he desired. Finding someone with whom he could have quality conversations was difficult, but Violet now engaged him perfectly.

Her genuine smile—not the polite one she usually displayed—affected him profoundly. He was falling for her, and anyone falling for a woman wouldn't want to share her.

He believed they were similar, craving intelligent conversation. He couldn't fathom her finding that in someone who hadn't attended college. So, what was it?

Violet insisted Noah was like a brother, and her words suggested this was true. But she didn't spend nearly as much time with her actual brothers.

Speaking of her brothers, he wanted to meet them. She was ideal girlfriend material, and he needed to cultivate relationships with her brothers, knowing how important they were to her.

Since Kaleb was currently unoccupied during the off-season, he should start with him. Aaron had mentioned Kaleb loafing around the house the other day. Getting to know her twin would be advantageous.

He didn't want to get to know Noah Singleton, but he needed to understand their relationship to break it apart. Once they were together, Noah had to go.

Jeremy didn't anticipate this being a major problem. Propriety would be an issue, and Violet seemed loyal. After all, no one wants their girlfriend to be close to another man.

It wouldn't be unusual to ask, especially if he gradually reduced her contact with Noah. He just needed to improve his approach. Everyone knows people in relationships have less time for friends.

(The final paragraphs with the website promotion have been removed as they are not part of the text needing grammatical correction.)