CHRISTIAN’S POV “So what the hell do we do? We can’t let him get away with almost ruining Olivia’s life!” He heaved a sigh, the light in his eyes dimming slightly. “The only possible way to get this bastard is to link him to an active crime case, which will undoubtedly open up a can of worms.” “And when can we do that?” I demanded impatiently. “This would be the perfect time to nail him, since he’s trying so hard to tie up loose ends.” “We have to get to work then.” I tumbled the liquor down my throat. “No one is safe with him hovering around. Not Olivia. Not my grandfather. We need to act fast before he harms anyone.” “Well,” the detective pushed to his feet, appearing drained, “I’ll need some time to trace some transactions and the lawyers working for him. But I’ll come up with something, a way to keep your family safe from him.” “Great, you do that,” I nodded half-consciously, struggling to simmer down the rage that boiled in my chest. Minutes after Rowan had left, I paced
Christian’s POVI was brooding in my study, when Rowan’s call came in.My wandering mind paused for a moment, and I picked up the phone. Hesitantly.I didn’t want to consider what came next if he didn’t have some sort of good news for me. Something to ease the anger and pain swirling in my mind.“Yes.”“Mr. Christian.” His voice was breathless, carrying a tinge of excitement that forced me to sit up from my slouching position.“What’s the matter?”“Do you think we can meet up briefly? I’ve got news.”News.. some news. Was it a hopeful part of me that interpreted the eagerness in his tone?“What is it about?”“It’s new intel regarding the case we’re looking into. And that tattoo, man that tattoo.”I pushed to my feet, apprehension settling in. “What about it?”I’d had my mind set on that freaking tattoo ever since I’d spotted it in the hospital. Something about the teardrop under a freaking eye unsettled me.“That,” Rowan tsked over the phone, “I have a solid intel on that too.”“Great
Olivia’s POV I let the tears flow as I was wheeled into the penthouse with pretty stiff arms, the sound of my silent sobs filling the quiet, empty space. “Why?” I demanded in a hoarse voice. He heaved a sigh. “Olivia, this is not the—“ “Why did you lie to me? Why did you not tell me what actually happened with your grandfather?” “Olivia, it doesn’t matter.” “Of course it does! He’s stripping you of your positions, Christian. Ripping you of what you worked so hard to build. He’s putting Michael in charge! Does that not mean anything to you, or you’re simply pretending?” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration coming off him in waves. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you!” I paused, sniffling. “What?” “I knew you’d react this way, and I didn’t want you stressing over nothing, so I decided you’d be better off not knowing what really went down.” “Look at you,” he gestured at my face, his face strewn with agony, “you’re crying and stressing over it already. You th
Olivia’s POV I let the tears flow as I was wheeled into the penthouse with pretty stiff arms, the sound of my silent sobs filling the quiet, empty space. “Why?” I demanded in a hoarse voice. He heaved a sigh. “Olivia, this is not the—“ “Why did you lie to me? Why did you not tell me what actually happened with your grandfather?” “Olivia, it doesn’t matter.” “Of course it does! He’s stripping you of your positions, Christian. Ripping you of what you worked so hard to build. He’s putting Michael in charge! Does that not mean anything to you, or you’re simply pretending?” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration coming off him in waves. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you!” I paused, sniffling. “What?” “I knew you’d react this way, and I didn’t want you stressing over nothing, so I decided you’d be better off not knowing what really went down.” “Look at you,” he gestured at my face, his face strewn with agony, “you’re crying and stressing over it already. You think I want
Olivia’s POV“Are you really not going to let me see her?”He lifted his eyes, held my gaze for an inquisitive moment.“Grace, I mean. I worry for her, Christian. It’s sad and heartbreaking that I haven’t laid eyes on her since she got hurt, and because of me!”We were seated at the dining table, quietly munching a late breakfast. Christian had seemed deeply lost in his thoughts, barely saying a word to me.My sudden appeal didn’t seem to sit quite well with him.He heaved a small, frustrated sigh, then he dropped his fork and scratched his brow. “We’ve been over this as much as I can recall, Olivia.”“Please.”“I want you safe, don’t you understand that?”“Well am I going to be cooped up in here forever?” I argued in a slightly peeved tone. “Just let me see her, please. I need to see for myself that’s she’s doing fine.”After a bit more back and forth with him, he finally gave in.“But I’m letting you go see her only on one condition.”I paused mid celebration, narrowing my eyes on h
Olivia’s POV The last thing I’d expected to see was Christian standing there so…distraught. I’d hoped to see him standing there with a smile on his face, because even this symphony was pure melody to my ears. So maybe he felt the same? But no, he stood there, looking like he struggled with pain and admiration. I was so close to him now, but he just stared down at me with the same pain in his eyes, saying nothing to the question I’d asked. “Christian,” I called again, reaching up to tug at his fingers. “What’s the matter?” He finally heaved a sigh, wrapping his large hand around mine. “It’s nothing, Olivia,” he mumbled, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’m fine.” “That’s clearly not true.” I sounded adamant because that was how I felt about this situation. He wasn’t telling me something… He’d hurried out earlier, only to return now with a sullen expression. Did he think I hadn’t seen him leave? “Something happened,” I insisted, snatching my wrist away, “something you’re not