Chapter Twenty-Eight
Olivia
“S o, you are telling me this is going to work?” I ask him, not fully convinced.
“Yes, if you follow my lead,” Hayes states.
“So, the next auction is a few weeks away; we just plan to walk up in there and not be detected?” I ask him.
“Well,” he starts, and I’m not sure I like the tone in that voice, “You are going in with a secret identity and I’m going to put you on the inside undercover.”
I look at him dumbfounded, “Absolutely the fuck not, Hayes.”
“If I can get you on the inside where the ladies are, Olivia, you can get them out. You can lead them to safety, and I’ll take care of Ashton,”
“And what if Ashton gets you? What if I don’t have anyone there to protect me?” I pout.
“You will have Alan and all my men. They will know what to do if something happens to me.” He tells me, more serious now. My heart flutters: I don’t want anything to happen to him.
“Hayes . . .,” I whisper, walking up to him and placing my hands on his chest, “You better not let anything happen to you.”
“And risk not having your smart-ass mouth to listen to everyday?” He smirks, “Never.”
I swat my hand at him, and he chuckles, “My mother would have loved you, Olivia. She would technically be your step aunt.”
My eyes widen, “I am so glad you said “step” because that would have been weird since you have nutted in me.”
We laugh and Hayes wraps his hands around my neck, pulling me into him. His lips crash onto mine and for the first time since hearing the news about my mother, I feel like life is going to be okay.
“I never said thank you,” I tell him.
“For what?” he asks, almost in a whisper.
“For saving me.” The words come out hoarsely as I fight back tears.
He is quiet for a moment and then he says, “No, Olivia, you saved me.”
***
I HAVE CONTINUED MY training in the weeks leading up to the auction.
We know it’s going to be at the country club my father owns, and security is going to be beefed up. Thanks to Maxwell for the information.
Apparently, he is Alan’s brother; it is a small world after all. Maxwell always looked out for me more than just for my father’s payroll while he was my head of security. I need to thank him one day for all he did for me.
Stopping in front of the mirror in Hayes’ home gym, I take in my appearance. Since eating more protein, boxing, and strength training, I am not the skinny bean pole of a girl anymore.
Muscle has appeared in places I always wanted it to be. Unfortunately, Ashton ran my dietary schedule and now I’m starting to think he wanted me weak and skinny for a reason.
Hayes doesn’t seem to mind the extra muscle; he tells me often it’s just more for him to hold on to while I’m riding.
I smirk, getting a replay of our morning in the shower.
“Someone is looking like a snack,” a voice says, making me jump. Hayes is propped up on the doorframe of the entry to the gym, eyeing me like I’m a buffet for him.
I grin. “Do you ever think of anything else but me naked?
He pushes off the frame and walks over to me, bending down to give me a kiss. “Nope. Imagining you naked is one of my favorite pastimes.”
I roll my eyes. “Any word from Ashton yet?”
He sighs, obviously not liking my change of subject, but replies, “Nope. It is odd too. I need to run to the office today. Alan is going to stay here with you. I won’t be gone long.”
He kisses my forehead, and I nod. “Okay. Please be safe.”
“Little doe, I’m always safe.” He chuckles and turns, leaving the gym.
Wrapping my hands again in my boxing gloves, I decided a few more punches on the boxing bag wouldn’t hurt.