Keller and Callahan

Chapter 22

To his extreme disappointment, Olivia had put pants on - and along with it, a full suit of armor. When she came back down the hall, the look she wore on her face was a warrior ready for battle. Seeing her like this, he questioned his judgment on why he hadn’t come to her ten years ago when he received the first postcard. Having no doubt she wouldn’t have turned him away and they could have figured it out together.

But he had to remind himself that doing that would have put her at risk, and that wasn’t something he was willing to chance. Ten years with Olivia had been taken from him, and for that he would always be sorry, but he was going to do his damndest to make up for every single day that had been lost, even if it took the rest of his life.

With hospitality in her blood, she quickly got to work making coffee and arranged sweets on a platter that Sam kept in the cabin, powdered donuts among them. She wanted everyone to feel as comfortable as possible while discussing something so intense, but if she was being honest with herself, she needed something to do to busy her hands to keep them from shaking in anger. And in fear.

Once she and Sam had decided to tackle this together, they resolved to let everyone in on what was going on. Despite the anxiousness she felt involving her father, she told herself it was better if they were aware. As she was finishing organizing the treats, Sam came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. Resting his chin in the crook of her neck, he inhaled her sweet vanilla scent, and gave her earlobe a quick nibble.

“If you’re trying to distract me from my nerves, it’s working,” she murmured against his cheek.

“Good,” he hummed as he started to trace kisses along her jaw.

“I know we’re doing the right thing, but I just don’t want anyone to get hurt,” she whispered.

Sam turned her around, pressing her back against the counter and placed his hands on either side of her, boxing her in. Staring into her eyes with all the conviction inside him, his voice was hard.

“I will never let anything happen to you or your family. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure the bastard is locked away for the rest of his life. If I can promise you anything, I can promise you that.”

Reaching up to lay her hand on his cheek, she looked into his eyes and knew if she had to trust anyone with her life, it would be him. “I know. I just want this to all be over.”

Cupping her cheeks with his strong hands, he gave her a long, slow kiss. Resting his brow against hers, he took a deep breath. “It will be soon. Then we can pick up where we left off ten years ago. There’s so much I want to do with you, Olivia.”

Tracing her fingers up his chest, she looked up at him from under her lashes. “Oh yeah? Like what?” Her fingers lit every inch they touched on fire, and it shot lightning through his body.

“Well first –” a knock on the front door caused them both to groan at the interruption. “We’ll finish this later,” Sam said as he stepped back and held out a hand for her to follow.

“I’m counting on that, Callahan,” she trailed him to the door and took a deep breath in. When she turned to him, her eyes were swirling with nerves. Squeezing her hand, he gave her a look of silent reassurance.

“Let’s do this.”

Gazing around the room, it was filled with Olivia’s favorite people. Her father, her best friend, and the only man she’d ever loved. There was palpable tension in the air, and it hung thick in the room, lingering like an unwanted guest. On the couch sat her dad, his arm wrapped tightly around the back of the divan using it as an anchor. Cassie sat on the hearth of the fireplace, hoping the crackling flames would warm the chill that had come over her since receiving Olivia’s text a few hours earlier. Jensen leaned against the bar at the edge of the living room, with his feet crossed at the ankles and his arms tensely folded across his chest. Olivia sat in the same easy-chair, with Sam perched on the arm, his hands rubbing together between his thighs.

Feeling as if he had to break the tension, Ray cleared his throat and spoke first. “So. As the father in the room, I have to ask…Sam, did you knock my daughter up?”

“Dad!” Olivia shouted as her face turned crimson red while Cassie let out a cackle of laughter. Sam’s cheeks flushed red and a small smile twitched his lips but he quickly recovered.

“No, Ray. No babies. But we did call you here for something just as serious.” He couldn’t help the small smirk that twitched his lips despite the gravity of the situation.

Shifting in his seat on the couch, Ray pressed on. “What’s this all about, kids? Are you alright?”

Looking at Ray sitting on the couch with worry all over his face for his daughter, a small ache tugged on his heart for the boy he used to be, the boy who wished he could have had a loving, concerned parent like him. Feeling grateful he had him in his life at all, he pressed on.

“I’ve explained to Olivia the reasons why I couldn’t come back here after I turned eighteen. I wanted to shield her from all the ugliness, which is why I didn’t tell her sooner, but it was finally time. I will give you all the details you want and answer any questions you may have, but right now, I want to tell you how you are involved.”

He proceeded to tell the group about the blackmail and the threats to the campground and the Kellers, not leaving out any of the smallest details. When he had finished, an intense hush fell over the room, with no one speaking for a moment.

Always the one to be herself, Cassie slapped her hands on her knees and pushed up. “I need some wine,” she exhaled as she strode into Sam’s kitchen.

“Bring the bottle, Cass,” Olivia called out.

Rubbing his hand against his chin, Ray looked as if he was trying to physically put everything Sam just told him in the front of his brain so he could sort through it. “Ok. Shit. Well. That is a lot. We understand why you stayed away Sam, and we are grateful for it, son. And not to sound selfish here, but why are you back now? What happened?”

Olivia’s eyes flashed to Sam’s, grabbing ahold of her hand in a vice-like grip, he addressed Ray. “The last two postcards he sent had forwarding addresses to my old house across town, and the campground here.”

Stopping mid-pour of her wine, Cassie muttered “holy shit” under her breath.

Looking frantically between his daughter and Sam, he began to put together the pieces. “So, you think he must be back in town, then?”

“That is our assumption, yes,” Jensen finally spoke from his perch against the bar. Looking every bit the law officer he was, his strong 6 foot 2 frame was not someone you wanted to mess with.

“This is Jensen Jones, my closest friend and Vegas detective. He knows everything there is to know about what’s going on, and is here to help.” Sam explained.

“We have a local team in place, set up undercover all over the premises. We have on the clock watch shifts happening and strict orders to apprehend Mr. Callahan on sight,” he said briskly and authoritatively. He had a commanding presence, one that screamed he was in charge.

“While we’re grateful you’re here, 21 Jump Street, what’s the plan if he decides to set the place on fire?” Cassie took a deep sip of her wine as she looked at Jensen over the rim of her glass.

Clearing his throat in authority, he addressed the room. “All local fire stations have been notified and will be only a few minutes out once a distress call is made,” he replied curtly.

Nodding in acceptance, Cassie took another sip of wine.

“Ok, sounds like there is a plan in place, but I’m still not feeling comfortable about the threats against my family. I won’t let anything happen to my little girl,” Ray said with concern.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to her, Ray. Over the next few days with all of the 4th of July festivities, I will not let Olivia out of my sight. As for you, Jensen has worked on a rotating schedule for his team to have someone shadow you until this is all over. I know it’s not ideal, but it’s the safest way,” Sam looked Ray straight in the eye.

“Good. Now what about our guests? I don’t want them to see cops swarming the place and cause duress. After all, they are here to relax and enjoy themselves. I’d love to keep the word of a madman being on the loose under wraps if possible.” Ray said dryly.

“All of my team will be undercover and completely inconspicuous. I can assure you that no one will know,” Jensen said, his tone hard.

“Are you going to be undercover and inconspicuous in my cabin, detective?” Cassie batted her lashes exaggeratedly. Jensen gave her a harsh glare and shifted back toward the Kellers. Cassie let out a snort as she plopped back down on the hearth.

“Between Sam and myself, we are going to do everything in our power to keep your family, and the guests of the campground safe.”

Blowing out a breath, Olivia finally spoke. “I know this is a lot.”

The room was deeply silent again, Ray and Olivia exchanged a heavy look, Cassie looked at the intense stare Jensen was giving the Kellers, obviously not a stranger to protecting those in danger.

Sam cleared his throat and turned to Ray. “I’m sorry that I’m putting your family at risk. Again. All I can say is once this is all over, this will never, ever happen again,” his eyes were a mixture of fire and shame.

“Dad. I know I’m not alone in knowing this isn’t Sam’s fault now, and it wasn’t his fault ten years ago. This has never been his fault,” turning to Sam, she forced his face to hers. “Callahan, if I ever hear you apologize again, I will seriously make you sorry. You have no more control over who your parents are than who you fall in love with. You were dealt a shitty hand, but after this, hopefully you won’t beat yourself up over it anymore and can move on.”

Pushing off his knees, Ray crossed the small living room and stood in front of Sam. Extending his hand, Sam stood up and grasped Ray’s hand in his.

“Sam. You have been like a son to me for many years, including the ones when you were gone. You left a hole in all of us, and we won’t let your father push you out again. And if I had to have anyone looking out for my daughter, it would be you.”

Touched by Ray’s openness and honesty, Sam felt his hands get clammy as he fought the emotions that struggled to break through. “Thank you, Ray. I won’t let you down.” Giving his hand a final shake, Ray turned to those in the room, hands on his hips.

“Well. Now that’s settled. Cassie? Mind mixing us up some drinks? I think we all could use some liquid courage about now.”

“You got it. A round of whiskey sours, comin’ right up,” she called as she sailed into the kitchen.

“Better make mine a double!” Ray called after her.

A couple hours later, after a few cocktails and some more conversations about the next few days, everyone retreated back to their respective homes, leaving Sam and Olivia alone. After Sam had walked Jensen out, sharing a few more pieces of information, Sam walked down the hallway into the bedroom where he found Olivia.

She was looking out the window with her arms wrapped around her midsection. When she heard Sam enter, she expected him to start talking or to go to her immediately, but he didn’t. He simply stared at her for a few moments before walking closer to her slowly, cautiously, and watched her from across the bed. She looked absolutely beautiful, standing in the moonlit glow of the window, her willowy body still as glass. But he could tell by the look in her eyes, she was trying to find the words to say.

Olivia could feel Sam’s eyes on her, and turning away from the window, she looked at him without speaking for five…ten…fifteen seconds. His gaze never wavered, was steady and unmoving, much like the feelings she had for him. Here was a man who had been dealt a seriously unfortunate hand in life, and he had made the absolute most of it. And himself. Here was a man who had been abandoned in every sense of the word, and yet he was steadier and loved harder than anyone she’d ever known.

And because of that love, he had made the heart wrenching choice to inflict pain on himself in order to protect her and keep her safe. He didn’t let his parents’ neglect cause him to be hard or angry, he simply had made the choice to give his heart to those that cared, rather than protecting it in fear someone else would break it. And in that moment, looking at this tall, deep, beautifully handsome man, she made a promise to herself that she would safeguard his heart no matter what.

“Olivia, I’m so sor –”

“Don’t.” Olivia sternly said, holding up her hand, and crossed the room to get up in his face. “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry. We’re past sorries. You are here, and I’m here with you. You have someone in your corner, ready to fight anyone who wants to hurt you. I’m going to fight for us. And I know you are too. You just don’t have to do it alone.” She fiercely glared into his eyes.

He scrubbed his hands over his face and bowed his head. “I keep waiting for the final straw that is going to be too much for you and you’re going to say ‘enough’.”

His admission pulled her up short. “Sam. There is nothing that is going to be too much for me. I’m making the choice to stand with you because I love you. I’ve always loved you. And you need to start understanding that it’s not a fleeting or fickle feeling. It’s ‘never-giving-up-in-it-for-the-long-haul-love’. Now you better get used to it and for God’s sake stop apologizing.”

He bowed his head, exhaling slowly. “I love you too, Liv. I’ve loved you since I was ten years old.” Reaching for her, he cupped the back of her neck and gently guided her into his arms. “Holy shit. I feel like I’ve been waiting one hundred years to tell you that.”

Laughing against his chest, she pulled back and looked up at him. Bright eyes, thick lashes, full mouth. Strong neck that led to chiseled collarbones and down to the world’s most perfectly muscled abs. But inside it all was a heart that had been abandoned and beaten as a child, and yet it had a depth to it as if he had a front row view to the model of what love looks like. He had chosen to rise above it, and in his soul, he was good.

“It feels like it’s been that long, because it’s always been there. I loved the sweet ten year old boy who couldn’t swim. I loved the dedicated fifteen year old lifeguard who helped my dad tremendously around the campground. I even loved the Sam I didn’t know anymore while you were away, praying every night you were ok. But now, I can say I love this version of you the most, because this man standing in front of me has beaten all the odds and is making a difference in others lives while he does it. This man standing in front of me is magnificent.”

Emotion welling up in his throat, he brought her arms up and wrapped them around his neck, pulling her close. Closing his eyes, all he could feel was the pulsing of his heart and desire swimming through his veins. Sliding his arms around her waist, he leaned down to kiss her neck.

“Let’s not wait another fifteen years to say it again, ok?” she breathed.

“I love you. I love you. I love you,” he whispered as he traced tiny kisses along her collarbone in between each declaration. Bending and reaching around the back of her legs, Sam lifted her, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed.

As he lowered her softly, his kisses became more intense and desperate, Olivia could feel by the way he was kissing her, how much he truly loved her. Once he pulled his mouth away from hers, and was hovering over her in that hungry way of his, he gently brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

Olivia pushed back into the pillow below the headboard and asked him the question that had been on her mind all evening. “Sam. Are you going to be ok if something terrible happens to your dad? Like prison for a really long time, or even…” her words trailed off but he knew what she meant.

Puffing out a breath, he sat back on his knees and ran a hand through his dark waves. “Liv. As far as I’m concerned, he chose a long time ago the person he was going to be. He stole a lot of things from a lot of people, but he stole a lot from me as well.” He paused, and continued on. “He stole my childhood innocence. He stole the security every kid deserves to feel from their parents. But he also stole time, and love, and trust. So in my mind, whatever happens is what he deserves, and I will be ok with that.”

Olivia had to take a minute to absorb the weight and conviction of his words. “Sam Callahan, you are the strongest person I know.”

A small smile tugged at his lips as he looked up from his thick lashes at her. “Well, I learned most everything I know from a ten year old girl who punched Drew Hanlon in the face on fifth grade Swim Day.”

“Well, he deserved it,” smiling smugly, she reached up and brought a hand around his neck to draw him down to her. His kiss was slow and sweet, relishing in the fact that she was his. But then he opened his lips, his tongue in desperate need to taste her.

Olivia was dizzy from the way he could be so sweet yet commanding at the same time. Her hands turned greedy, slipping her fingers underneath his shirt and skimming them up his taut back. Sitting up briefly, he pulled the shirt off in one swift motion, covering her body with his bare chest. Relieving Olivia of her clothes just as quickly, Sam ran his fingers from her calf muscles, skimming up over her hip bone, fluttering over the underside of her breast, squeezing her nipple in between his fingers, causing a gasp to come from her.

“I swear, you have a magic mouth, Callahan,” Olivia panted as she looked up toward the ceiling.

A laugh escaped his lips as he planted a hand near her head, bracing himself, bent and kissed her. “Yeah? Want to see what else I can do with my mouth?”

His smile remained on her lips - seductive and playful - and then he began to trace kisses down her body before settling between her legs where he licked, sucked, and teased her with his tongue, all the while looking up at the pure look of bliss displayed across her face. He watched and felt her let go, and then in one swift movement, plunged into her and followed her in pleasure.

He laid over her for a long time, arms banded around her protectively, his face pressed against her neck. Once they both caught their breath, he rolled off her, seamlessly pulling her against his side. Wrapping her leg around his waist, she snuggled in closer to absorb everything there was to him. They laid there through the night, holding each other in a tight embrace, clinging to the peace they currently felt, knowing something evil was coming.