Chapter Sixty-eight
“Olivia,” The feminine voice sounding from behind me has my spine stiffening.
It’s been a few hours since the ceremony and I haven’t yet had a chance to see everyone, but I don’t know how I missed her.
I spin to find my sister standing with a soft smile on her face, Everett, her partner, at her side. He looks uncomfortable as shit, but my sister looks happy.
“Arryn,” I gasp, voice breaking on a sob.
“Hi,” She opens her arms and I immediately step into them, folding myself around her as she holds me just as tight.
“You’re here.”
“Well, when Malakai Farrow calls and begs for us to attend, we can’t really say no.”
“He called you?” I wince. After everything that happened, I can’t imagine that went down well. We only got married because he threatened her.
“He did.” She cocks a brow, “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
“I–” I snap my teeth together, cringing, “Are you mad?”
“Mad?” She scoffs, “I’m hardly mad, just confused. You said you were going to make his life hell.”
“I did,” I laugh, “I still do.”
Everett remains a quiet stoic presence, a complete contrast to the playful charm I was used to from him from my time spent with them.
“But you love him,” She points out.
“Yes,” I look away, the guilt for doing so trying to eat me alive. I shouldn’t. But I do and I can’t deny it or stop it.
“It’s okay, Olivia,” Arryn soothes, “If anyone should know about falling in love with the one person you least expect, it’s me.”
Everett scoffs, “Please, you loved me the moment I bent you –”
“Everett,” Arryn snaps.
I clamp my mouth closed, “I’m surprised you’re here.”
“You deserve to be happy, Olivia,” She shrugs, “No matter where it comes from, and I don’t care how it happens as long as you are happy.”
I wasn’t for a while but now… “I am, Arryn.”
“Good.” She smiles, “Now, wine. You need to tell me everything.”
So, I do, leaving out certain parts, telling her it all.
“You got shot!?” She yells, eyes wide.
“Just in the leg.” I try to calm her, but she swings her gaze around as if looking for the person to blame.
“Malakai killed him.” I tell her quietly, “Stop.”
“Why didn’t you call me!?”
“I had some things to deal with,” I pull her back to me, trying to stop her from causing a scene, “And I didn’t want to worry you. With everything anyway, it didn’t seem right.”
She softens, “No more.” Arryn declares, “You don’t keep things from me, Oli.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too,” She sighs, “I haven’t called either.”
I shrug, “Life happens. People get busy.”
“Or shot,” She grumbles.
“Or shot,” I agree. “How are you and Everett? All okay?”
She sighs dreamily and I grin, “Perfect.”
“Can I steal my wife?” Malakai’s voice sends warmth down my spine and then his hand presses against me and his scent invades my senses.
“Be my guest,” Arryn grins, “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow,” she says to me.
“You’re staying?”
“For a few days,” She nods and climbs off her stool, turning ready to go search out Everett but before she leaves, she turns back to us, “I’m glad you’re happy Olivia, but Malakai, if you ever hurt her again, I don’t give a fuck who you are, I will kill you.”
She ends the sentence with a smile and trots off before either of us can reply.
“I think she just might,” Malakai agrees, sliding his arm around my waist. “I missed you.”
“I’ve been gone an hour.”
“You were gone for three weeks, one day and seven hours before today.”
“What?”
“That’s how long it has been since I last saw you, until today.”
“You kept count?” I blink up at him.
“It’s all I could do,” he kisses me gently, “Let me take you home.”
I nod mutely, my heart speeding up inside my chest. He doesn’t wait a single second before we’re moving toward the door, ignoring everyone who tries to speak with us. Outside, the chill bites at my skin but the car is right in front of the hotel, the engine already warm and purring.
“You knew I would say yes?” I laugh, pausing.
“I hoped,” He shrugs, “And I didn’t want you to be cold.”
I move to the passenger door, ready to sink into the warmth but he stops me, “Olivia?”
I turn back to where he is still waiting on the sidewalk. He tosses something at me, and I fumble to catch it, only just managing to and look down into my palm.
He grins at me, walking around to the driver’s door to hold it open but he doesn’t get in. With a wink, he says, “You can drive.”