Glass

Zack moved through the crowd of people, ignoring the bar on his right side. As far as he knew, Violet and Craig had left the club completely. It was Jimmy who overheard the rest of the security team speaking about Jane. That could only mean that Jane was still somewhere in the club, and he was determined to find her.

Jane didn't seem like the type of girl to be out on the dance floor. That didn't stop Zack from scanning the crowd of various people for the small brunette who was always at Violet's side. He headed to the opposite end of the club, further away from his VIP lounge, where he found a set of tables.

She looked like she was about to leave, gathering her purse and taking the last sip of her drink. Zack watched her closely as she smiled at the waiter before standing up from her chair, heading towards the door. He followed her quickly though the side exit before they were finally both in the open night air, "I've been looking for you all night," She sighed, turning around.

Zack was stunned to say the least. He was sure the girl would put up a fight. Yet here she was, drawing him in like he was bait. He raised an eyebrow at her and she shook her head, "Be honest with me, please?" She asked, "Are you going to get Violet back or not?"

"I'm trying," He replied honestly.

"Good," She smiled and reached into her bag, "I know Samantha spoke to you," She told him and he looked at her skeptically, "I saw your macho body guard drag her out of the club. I was there with Violet's double. It's my job to keep my eyes open, you know," She stated before pulling her hand out of her purse, a small hotel key in her hand.

"What is that?" He nodded to her hand.

"It's a staff key. It'll unlock the private elevator and the staff elevator. It'll also unlock the door when you get to the penthouse," She informed him and handed it over, "I already have a plan to tell Craig I misplaced it at the club."

"Won't he get mad?" He questioned and she shrugged.

"To be honest, I don't really care. Once Violet is gone, I'm gone," She confessed, "She's really the only reason why I've stayed so long. She's like family to me. I've never had any before."

Zack nodded, "Where will you go?"

She shrugged, "Not sure yet. I guess wherever life takes me."

"Violet's obviously your friend," Zack started, "Why don't you come to California with us?"

"That's if you can make it past the lobby," She reminded him and he sighed, "Samantha told you to have a distraction. You also need to make sure you're in and out of there in less than five minutes. Any longer and security will block you at the front entrance. I suggest you get in your car and high-tail it out of Vegas as fast as you can."

Zack nodded and looked down at his shoes, "She's really going to marry him?" He questioned and she sighed.

"I've watched her change, you know," She stated, "She was a firecracker when she first showed up. Always defiant, never did anything she was told. I'd be up in her room every morning cleaning her new cuts and bruises. Each morning she told me she was fighting for someone."

"So what happened then?"

"She gave up," She shrugged and he glared, "You can't blame her. A person can only go so far before they end up either dead or insane. She's insane for giving in to him. Quite frankly, I think he's messed with her head a bit. She's not the same she was when I first met her, that's for sure."

"What's she like?" Zack asked suddenly and Jane sighed.

"Moody, selfish, and obedient," She answered honestly.

Zack tore his eyes away from her, looking out at the city as he thought of Violet. That delicate flower who always put others before herself. The guys were right. She was different. The only thing he could wonder now, was if he could bring her back.

"Craig will be gone most of the day tomorrow. The rush usually happens around three. That'll be the best time if you're going to do this. There will be more people in the casino to cover you."

"Thank you," Zack smiled and Jane nodded.

"There's one more thing," She started and brought her eyes down to the ground, "I told you she was obedient... She feels like its her duty to stand by Craig. Like it's her place. I don't know the entire story between you two, but she feels obligated to protect you. Don't be surprised if she doesn't willingly go with you."

"She feels obligated to protect me?" Zack questioned, his eyes wide.

"Of course," She shrugged, "She loves you."

Zack watched as Jane got into a town car before she sped off down the street. He sighed, looking down at the key in his hand. He couldn't believe it. He was one day away. Tomorrow afternoon, he would have Violet.

"Told you she was different," Jimmy stated softly from behind him and Zack glared into the distance.

"How could you?" He asked, not daring to make eye contact with his friend.

"I had to protect you," He stated softly.

"Well I'm fucking sick of people protecting me, Jimmy," Zack snapped and Jimmy understood what he meant, "Earlier, before Craig showed up, Brian was about to tell me something else about Violet."

"I don't know..."

"Don't you dare lie to me," Zack spun around on his heels. By now Jimmy could see that his tie had loosened, his eyes were becoming bloodshot, and he was starting to crumble. He knew that this was too much for Zack. All of it was. It was hard to imagine that his hefty and muscular friend was actually so delicate.

"He was going to warn you that Violet stands by Craig," Jimmy stated, "She doesn't stray away from him, Zack. She's glued to his side like she..."

"Like she could love him?" Zack scoffed and Jimmy shrugged.

"A year and really fuck with a person's mind."

"She wouldn't have stopped fighting," Zack protested. His Violet would never stop fighting Craig. He knew that. How could she give in to such a monster.

"She would have if it meant keeping you safe," Jimmy reminded him and Zack had it.

"I'm fucking sick of her keeping me safe!" Zack screamed, his voice echoing in the empty parking lot. Jimmy took a step back, stunned. He hadn't seen Zack release this much emotion since Violet first disappeared, "God-dammit! I'm supposed to fucking keep her safe. I was the one who promised to protect her. Now she's fucking suffering, probably fucked in the head because that prick brainwashed her, all because of me!"

"Zack..." Jimmy held out his hand to calm him down.

"No!" He continued, "I'm sick of it! I'm sick of it all!" He huffed, his chest rising and falling quickly as he caught his breath, "If I can't bring her back to me... fine," He put his hands up in defeat, "I can't make her love me again, Jimmy," Zack's voice cracked easily and it made his friend cringe, "But I'll be damned if I'm going to let her spend the rest of her life suffering for me. If she doesn't want me back, then I can learn to accept that. But she's going to be happy."

"She was only happy when she was with you," Jimmy reminded him, "You just have to show her that."

Zack worried about bringing Violet back to California. He wasn't even sure if she would be willing to go with him. But he had to at least try, "Are you ready to be my decoy tomorrow?" Zack asked and Jimmy smiled widely.

"I already got it covered," He grinned, "Our plane takes off at four."

"I can't get her until three," Zack stated, remembering Jane's interactions, "But once I get inside, you head off to the airport. I'll find my own way back."

"Are you sure?" Jimmy asked and Zack nodded.

"It's something we need to do together."