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 st ep. 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 sle ep in and enjoy his evenings with some nice girl next door. He st eps
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, exc ept that would upset her.
“You must’ve pr epared something exc eptional,” 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.” “Y ep. 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 st eps 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.”