1. Holden
Chapter 1
Holden
Day 16 without you: More than anything, I wish I could have said goodbye.
“ T hreaten my wife one more time, I dare you.”
There’s an edge to Phoenix’s voice I know all too well. He’s about to lose his cool and punch me. While I’m not opposed to a brawl with him, today isn’t the day for it.
I slowly turn and point a finger at him. “Maybe you should teach your wife some boundaries then.”
He glares at me before peeking at the perpetrator. “Angel, I told you to leave him alone about Olivia.”
Evie throws her hands in the air and sighs. “Oh, come on. I just asked a simple question. That’s it. It’s not my fault he’s getting his panties in a twist.”
This time, I poke Phoenix in the chest. “See. I didn’t know it was possible to transform into bridezilla when you’re renewing your vows, but she’s been a little shit all day.”
Evie squeezes between us and wraps her arms around my bicep. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop now.”
She blinks her eyelashes at me, but there’s no hiding the mischief in her irises.
Good thing this little shit is my best friend. Well, she and Phoenix both are. They come as a package deal, after all.
Still, I lean closer and puff out my chest. “I’ll believe it when I see it, Princess.”
“Evie?” A female voice comes from the hallway, and a moment later, a woman enters the dining room of Phoenix and Evie’s mansion.
But this isn’t just any woman. It’s Olivia Parker. World-famous singer. Evie’s friend. The ghost from my past.
She sees us and stops. Evie and I jump apart as if I had my hand down her pants. Which I didn’t, of course, but not everyone would see this scenario for what it is: our version of a friendly tug-of-wills. Plus, Phoenix is right here. This is just the unique dynamic of our trio, I suppose. We’re very close, but not that close.
Despite the situation, and my lingering annoyance with Evie, I can’t help but drink in Olivia’s beauty and her generous curves. It’s impossible to look away.
“Olivia, hey.” Evie passes the white marble table but still manages to shoot me a meaningful glance.
She just can’t help herself. Little shit, indeed.
The cascading light from the crystal chandelier illuminates Olivia’s hair, as if it were a paid actor. Even the damn light fixture is on her side. And the fact that she went back to her natural brown hair color gives me major déjà-vu.
Like every time we’re in the same room, I expect to see the distaste on her face, but something else shrouds it. Worry?
My hackles rise immediately. Did something happen?
Another quick scan assures me she’s in one piece.
Her focus returns to Evie, a softer expression relaxing her features. “Listen, I’m so sorry for interrupting, but could I borrow one of your cars? Luke just called from the hospital. He got into an accident on the way back here.”
Luke. Her personal bodyguard and driver. One of my security men. He should have been here tonight with Olivia, but she told him she didn’t need him. Stubborn woman. And he agreed with her. Stupid move. If it wasn’t for me and my other men here tonight, I would have kicked his ass and dragged him here. But he was still supposed to drive her home.
My phone burns a hole in my pocket, and I’m itching to check my messages. There better be an explanation waiting for me. If not, I’m going to be pissed, and Luke can extend his hospital stay.
Evie gasps, “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. That’s awful. Is he okay?”
Olivia swallows and averts her glossy eyes. “He said he broke his leg in several spots, but other than that, he’s fine.”
Phoenix shoves his hands in his pockets. “Take whatever?—”
“I’ll drive you.” The words are out of my mouth before my brain fully processes them.
After reports of weird fan behavior and rumors of inappropriate gifts, I want to make sure she gets home safely.
Usually, I try to give her room since I know she avoids me as much as possible, but there’s no way she’s leaving alone. If it were up to her, she’d probably knee me in the balls every time she sees me. Just like she did last year when I arranged backstage passes for her New York concert as a birthday present for Evie. That was the first time I’d seen her in almost five years. It was also the start of Olivia and Evie’s friendship, which hasn’t dimmed Olivia’s disdain for me.
Much to Evie’s suffering, because she wants all of us to be one happy family.
But I guess that’s on me and my big mouth. If I hadn’t told Evie that I knew Olivia, she wouldn’t have been able to talk me into going with her to the concert. Now I have Evie on my ass, and the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife whenever Olivia and I are in the same room. I get that Evie wants to fix things between Olivia and me. No one enjoys their friends not getting along. But she doesn’t know our past, and for good reason. That Pandora’s box must stay closed unless I want to unleash my darkest secrets and sins.
Olivia eyes me with suspicion, momentarily hiding her concern for Luke. Although their relationship is purely business, he’s still a large part of her life. Probably one of the people she’s around the most. I set him up with her a couple years ago, not that she’s aware of that fact.
I take a step forward. “I don’t think you should get behind the wheel right now. I’m sure Luke wouldn’t want you to.”
Her eyes glisten, and she grasps the chair beside her for support.
“I’m not trying to be an asshole. But I don’t think you want to end up at the hospital too.” And the words just keep coming out of my mouth.
Phoenix closes his eyes and shakes his head.
Evie chuckles nervously. “Listen. I’d drive you in a heartbeat, but I already had a few drinks, and so has Phoenix. I can try to get you a cab, but it’s Saturday night, and getting one out here will take a while. I’m sure Holden will be on his best behavior.”
Nothing like a good silent threat.
Olivia sighs but nods. “Okay, fine.”
Evie puts an arm around her. “Let’s get your things, and we’ll meet the guys in the garage.”
Phoenix blows out a loud breath as soon as we’re alone.
I throw my arms up in defeat. “What did I do now?”
His lips form a thin line. “Sometimes I feel it would be smarter if you didn’t talk around her. I know things are rocky between you, but you aren’t making it any better.”
I brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear in frustration. “I swear, I’m not trying to be a jerk. I thought I’d never see her again, and now I have to be around her constantly. It screws with my head.”
“I know it does. I probably understand that more than most people since I felt the same way about Eve. Just remember, Olivia doesn’t know what happened.” He jerks his chin in the direction of the door. “Let’s go before I get in trouble too. That’s the last thing I need on my wedding night.”
“It’s not your?—”
Phoenix smacks my arm, and I lift my hands again and leave the room.
Unforeseen circumstances ruined their first wedding. At least that’s what the PR company advised us to tell everyone instead of talking about the psychopathic maniac who tried to destroy their lives.
They undoubtedly deserve this celebration. This re-do. I love them both and wish them nothing but the best, but I was serious about Olivia. Having her around fucks with my head, and I haven’t truly felt like myself in a while.
But I don’t have a choice. She and Evie hang out every chance they get, so how am I supposed to avoid her? They all travel so much that we try to spend as much time together as possible when they’re home. The two ladies have been almost inseparable, with Evie and Phoenix leaving again in a few days.
Phoenix and I work out together almost daily and are business partners. While he’s the main face of our Foxhole Foundation and primarily handles the new safe places we build for teenagers, I still play a very active part behind the scenes.
Phoenix catches up with me and swings his arm over my shoulders. “One of the other men can drive her if it’s too much for you.”
As if I hadn’t thought about that myself and immediately vetoed it. Some part deep inside me doesn’t want her around any other guys she doesn’t know. “I can handle it.”
“Spoken like the true grump you turn into whenever she’s around.”
A grumbling sound reverberates through my chest. “It’s?—”
“Complicated. I know, I know.”
Phoenix claps me on the shoulder. It’s harder than necessary, but I don’t blame him. At first, I thought things with Olivia would improve with time, but it seems it’s only made things worse.
We pass the door to the large sunroom, where the hardcore partygoers remain. Music and laughter float from it. If it wasn’t for Evie losing one of her earrings, apparently her excuse to get me alone, I’d still be in there too. Maybe even having a good time.
Instead, I’m about to get into a car with the woman who hates me.
As if summoned, Olivia and Evie get there just as we do.
Evie immediately heads toward the blacked-out armored SUV in the back. I knew she’d have my back.
No, we don’t see eye to eye about Olivia, but keeping her friend safe is still her priority while she tries to do what she thinks is best for me. It’s not her fault she doesn’t know the whole story.
Evie helps Olivia into the passenger seat. The two talk quietly, ending it with a hug before Evie shuts the door. Irritation courses through me. I need to know what they were talking about.
Evie joins Phoenix and me.
She stares at me as if trying to peek inside my brain. She always wants to figure me out, so she can help. That’s the only reason I can usually stay calm about her meddling. I know she means well.
“Please make sure she’s okay. I think this hit her a lot harder than she lets on.”
I nod. “I will, Princess. Promise.”
“Okay.” She leans against Phoenix’s side. He immediately wraps an arm around her. “Keep me updated?”
“You know it.” I spin my keys around my finger. “But don’t worry about her. She’ll be safe with me. You two should kick everyone out and call it a night though.”
Phoenix sighs. I know he’s had enough of the party. Neither of us has been keen on large crowds since our time in prison. And while Evie was the one to put him behind bars, she doesn’t understand that part of our lives. But she’s never been a big party person either. None of us are anymore. Even Evie’s best friends, Mason and Ruby, left several hours ago. Although she barely sees them anymore. At this point, I’m not even sure who’s still here.
Evie looks up at Phoenix. “I think Hold might be right. I’m good with calling it a night if you are.”
I clap Phoenix on the back, then mouth, “You’re welcome,” before pressing a kiss to Evie’s temple. “Happy wedding re-do day, lovebirds. Enjoy your night without me.”
They both groan, and I saunter off. I feel Olivia’s gaze on me as I walk around the front of the SUV. I slide into the cool seat, the leather smell instantly calming me. Out of habit, I grab one of the Tic Tac boxes from the middle console and pop two into my mouth. Passion fruit. Delicious. Before overthinking it, I offer the box to Olivia.
To my shock, she extends her open palm to me and mumbles, “Thank you.”
She still likes the mints then.
We wait in silence for the garage door to open. I reverse out of it and head toward the edge of the property, where my security guards open the gate for me with a nod and a, “Have a good night, boss.”
At the stop sign that leads to the main road, I turn to Olivia. “To the hospital or your place?”
“My place.” She pauses for a beat, then says, “Do you want me to enter the address into the GPS or give you dire?—”
I bite back laughter. “I know where you live, Hurricane.”
I want to say I know everything there is to know about you , but I don’t. She already hates me enough as it is. If she knew I’ve had eyes on her since I left, she might pummel me to death mid-drive. And I don’t need to deal with that mess tonight.
When I disappeared from her life almost five years ago, I did so without an explanation. I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure she wouldn’t be sitting next to me if she knew where I spent the majority of that time and why I left in the first place.
So I leave her be, and we remain silent for the rest of the drive.
Once we’re at her apartment building in the city, she hands me her key card to gain access to the garage. She uses it again in the elevator, where she pushes the button to the top floor.
Hidden cameras are recording us from the corners. I could recite every detail and aspect of this building’s security in my sleep. The same goes for the layout of Olivia’s two-story condo.
And she wanted to give you directions to her place.
I snort and cover it with a cough.
If she only knew.
At her apartment, Olivia uses the card once more.
I expect this to be the moment she slams the door in my face.
But instead of doing that, she stands there, frozen.
I’m about to ask what’s going on, when she whispers, “Something’s wrong.”