Chapter Twenty-Six
Liam
Not sure if it was the date or sharing the pain of losing her mother, but Olivia seems to be a bit more relaxed.
I catch her smiling more in the morning and evening, and I don’t think she realizes she’s doing it.
Perhaps knowing that she’s protected within these walls helps.
After all, Hugh, Deena and Brielle haven’t bothered us in the two weeks since he visited my office.
They aren’t just on the banned list, they’re on the call-the-police-on-sight list.
I asked Jeremiah if she could file restraining orders against the trio, but she told me no in that cool, flat tone.
“They haven’t actually done anything. Yes, the law sucks, but those three have the right to be where they want to be, even if it’s near Olivia. If you’re that worried, get her a few bodyguards. I’m sure Angelo has some friends who could use a job.”
Her suggestion isn’t bad, but it isn’t particularly good.
Olivia values her privacy, and if I get her a bodyguard, she’ll balk, especially when she doesn’t seem to believe Hugh and his family pose a serious threat.
But if I had things my way I’d hide her in this house forever with a couple of tanks guarding the compound.
“What are you thinking?” Olivia says over morning coffee.
“Nothing.” I take a long swallow of my brew.
She cocks an eyebrow.
I sigh. She won’t quit until I tell her. “Just something Jeremiah said.”
“What did she say?” Her eyes widen. “Hugh isn’t trying to sue you for hitting him, is he?”
“No. I probably didn’t even chip a tooth.” Dammit, I add silently. “He has no reason to complain.”
“Okay.” She peers at me. “You’ll tell me if he does anything, right?”
“Of course. I won’t hide it from you, Olivia.”
She nods. “That’s all I ask. He’s my problem.”
“He isn’t just your problem, he’s mine now, too. Anyone who hurts my wife becomes my enemy.”
She looks at me like she can’t figure out what to say, then gives me a quick coffee-flavored kiss. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“Lived like an angel?” I say with a smile. I love it when she’s spontaneously affectionate.
She laughs softly. “Ah…no.”
“Well, you look like one. So maybe that’s it.” I kiss her back.
I want to be the man to put a smile on her face every morning. I want to be the man she thinks of with a sweet sigh and says, “I’m so glad I ran into him way back when.”
I know she doesn’t love me yet, but these quiet moments we’re building are the first step.
While she heads upstairs to grab some documents she forgot on the nightstand, Simon arrives to pick her up. Again.
How long is it going to take before he quits?
Maybe I should offer to get a bodyguard so that the bastard doesn’t have to come pick her up.
There are plenty of excuses: we shouldn’t inconvenience him for so long.
He doesn’t live near Malibu, and the morning and evening rush-hour traffic is awful.
Let the man sleep in and enjoy his evenings with some nice girl next door.
He steps inside, in a cheap but serviceable black suit. He probably has some snacks and other crap for Olivia in the car. But this morning, he’s holding a small box, beautifully gift-wrapped.
For me?
No way. He’d never give me a present…unless it’s a mail bomb.
“What’s that?” I say, slightly wary.
His challenging stare meets mine. “Olivia’s birthday present.”
The three words hit like bullets. “Birthday?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know,” he says, a little smirk on his face. “After all, you are her husband.” He sounds entirely too smug.
My hands clench into fists. I would love nothing more than to smash his face, except that would upset her.
“You must’ve prepared something exceptional,” Simon continues.
Shit, I didn’t even know it was her birthday. She never celebrated when we were at Stanford. “Of course I have. After all, I’ve known her since college.”
His face twists, as though he just bit into something bitter. “Ah, that’s right. You guys went to Stanford together.”
“Yep. A long history. Go waaay back.” I wave a hand, laying it on thick.
He studies my face, then suddenly snickers. “But you still didn’t know her birthday.”
Asshole. Did I overplay my hand?
“Don’t worry. I’ve got her covered this year, too. I’m sure you’re very busy, trying to occupy whatever tiny part of her life you can hold on to,” he adds.
He steps close and pats my chest, giving me a very tough look. I start to shove him back, but stop at the full, bright smile that pops up on his face.
“Hey, Olivia,” he says. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She comes down the stairs and places a quick kiss on my cheek. “See you tonight, Liam.”