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“Listen, I need a favor,” I say, dropping my voice an octave. “I’ve got some weirdo following my girl and my daughter. Looks like it’s been going on for a while.”
“Oh, shit, for real? What do you need? Investigation, some muscle…?”
“You think you can station someone outside the house for a while? Just to keep an eye on things and make sure no one swings by and, if they do, that they learn not to do it again.”
“Sure. You want a long-term detail?”
“Can you swing one?”
Mackie hums. “I can see if I can pull some strings. Chief’s got us booked up good on patrols, but I can probably roll your neighborhood into mine when I’m out. You sure you don’t want us looking into things for you?”
“Already on it.”
He lets out a whistle. “Espionage shit, eh? Well, if you need the blue to look the other way, you know I’ll put in a good word for you. That pretty young thing on your arm and that sweet little baby don’t need none of those weirdos out there on their case.”
“You’re tellin’ me, man.” I let out a relieved sigh. Okay. Cool. One thing down. “Anyway, I just need it for the next few weeks. I can pay?—”
“Don’t even sweat it, Reese. Pay me back with a playoff win next season, eh?”
I laugh nervously. “Yeah, sure thing.” No point in telling him that Coach has a perma-bench superglued to my ass.
I get off the phone and look at Olivia. She’s been hanging onto every word. “What’s going to happen?” she croaks.
“Got a guy on the force I’m cool with who’s gonna have patrols in this area and keep posted for a while outside.”
The information doesn’t calm Olivia. “But what about the texts? The pictures? This has been going on for months! Shouldn’t we report this properly?—”
“I’m handling it.” I crouch down in front of her. Her hands are so small in mine when I hold them. They’re trembling. “I’m going to call Elliot next. Believe it or not, he has more experience with stuff like this and can help more than even the police can.”
“But he’s just a lawyer.”
I smirk. “You underestimate the kind of resources a guy with his paycheck and lack of moral compass has. In the meantime, I don’t want you leaving the house on your own. Not until he snags these fucks?—”
“I can’t just stay in here!” she protests in weak horror. “Violet has to get out of the house. There’s groceries and I have… I have an appointment at the end of the week.” Her hand settles on her stomach. “To… you know. Get an answer.”
I hate denying Olivia anything. But I hate seeing her like this even more. And if I’m going to give her the world and a ring and my last name on a silver platter, the way I plan to, then I need to handle this threat first.
“I know it sucks. I’ll go with you on Friday. Of course I’ll go with you. You thought I’d make you go on your own?”
“No, I know you wouldn’t.” She shakes her head. “It’s just… This is a lot, Reese.”
“I know it is.” I stand up. Scooping Violet out of her arms, I hold out my hand to help her stand.
“What are you doing?” she asks, confused.
“We’re gonna put this little lady in bed and then you’re going to get in the bath and relax.” I leave no room for argument as I lead the way up the stairs. “You’re gonna soak a long time and I’m going to order the carbiest, most sauce-drenched pasta I can find on Uber Eats and then we’re gonna chow down together.”
“But—”
“No, baby, no buts.”
I get Violet back in her crib and then coax Olivia to the bathroom. Piece by piece, I strip her naked. Her body is tempting. Soft. But I can see she’s tired and weary, so instead of starting something she’s not ready to finish, I guide her to the edge of the tub. When she sits, I turn the water on to get it nice and hot and add a bath bomb to suds up the water.
“You don’t have to do all this,” she says quietly. “I’m probably being crazy.”
I stroke a fallen bang out of her face. “You’re stressed. Let me take care of you. You don’t have to be strong and put together all the time, you know. I can be that for you.”
I can tell the statement almost breaks her. Olivia’s bottom lip wavers and so does the rest of her face in an attempt to keep things together. I want to rage, seeing that expression. I want to break things, find the man in those pictures, wring Holly’s neck. But it won’t do Olivia any good to show her that side of my rage.
