How does she do it, why can I not hate her, why can I not forget her?
Cain’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Hayden.”
I blink, forcing myself to look at him. He slides something across the desk, the envelope. The family envelope. My heart taps against my ribs when I see it. Another hit, I can’t help but smile.
Cain leans back in his chair, watching me with that unreadable expression of his. “Time to finish the story.”
I stare at the envelope. I know how it works; there’s never a name. You log in, go through a whole system, layers of encrypted crap until the story is laid out for you. The location, the task, the reason. But this time, Cain’s comment hangs in the air.Finish the story.
Who could be the final part of my hell? The last thread of the life I never asked for, and despite myself, one name crawls to the surface like a parasite.
Leo.
He’s the only one playing games. The notes to Olivia, I think it’s him. The way he makes sure I see him talking to her, and then there's the whole picture. He’s the one who raped her and got away with it.
I start to open the envelope, but stop when I see Cain stiffen, a subtle shift which if you didn’t know him, you’d never see. He’s not looking at me anymore, he’s listening, his earpiece catching something I can’t hear.
“What?” I ask, voice low.
He lifts a hand, silencing me, turning his head slightly like he’s catching every word. He’s speaking to Lincoln.
“When? ...Does she need someone to drive her? No, tell her to leave. Make sure she doesn’t need a ride. I’ll get someone if she does.” He finally glances at me, and I’m already standing. I don’t need to ask who he’s talking about.
I step to the window, my gaze moving through the club. There. By the entrance. Olivia is standing with Lincoln. Her arms are crossed tightly over her chest, like she’s holding herself together. Her expression, fuck. It’s not just sadness.
She’s scared.
Tears run down her cheeks and she wipes them quickly, like she’s embarrassed anyone might see. But I see them, I always fucking see.
“Cain?” My voice cracks slightly, and I hate how much I feel.
He moves next to me, his tone steady. “Her parents got in a car accident.” My body tenses up, and I walk away from the window.
“She's alone,” Cain says behind me.
“Not my fucking problem,” I snap, but even I can hear the lie in my voice.
Twenty-Five
Olivia
The bar is busy again.I wonder if there’s ever a day it isn’t.
My phone starts ringing in my pocket, but I ignore it, it’s going to be one of two people. Either Mom asking me to bring something over tomorrow or Dad telling me to be safe when I go home.
Missing the call, my phone vibrates again, but with the rush at the bar, I'm not able to answer. A few seconds later, it rings again. I quickly finish serving the guy in front of me, then walk to the side.
Yanking my phone out of my back pocket, already annoyed because my parents know I’m at work, but then I see the name on the screen.
Unknown Number – Emergency Dispatch.
A hollow chill rolls through my body like ice water. My thumb hovers over the answer button as my body freezes. Fear moves through my body, and with a shaking hand I answer.
“Hello?” Not sure if they hear me as I don’t hear myself.
“Is this Olivia Banks?”
My voice barely works. “Y-yes. Who’s calling?”
