Olivia slapped the shit out of Jessica, the smack deeplysatisfying.
Jessica’s head snapped over with the force.
Jimmy started to step in.
Her mom had her cell phone out.“What was Betsy Ann’snumber, Tanya?”
Tanya was grinning like this was the best show she’d everseen.She whipped that number out of her brain in a heartbeat, and Jimmystepped back.
Apparently, the law wasn’t as important as his wife notfinding out he was flirting.
“That’s what I thought,” her momma said.
Olivia looked down at Jessica, narrowing her eyes.“Look,I’m sure you’re here because Scott showed up like the awful memory he is, butI’m not taking your crap this time.You don’t work for me anymore.You don’thave any power over me, so I’m going to say this once and only once.I do notcare about your man.I do not want your man.I am only talking to him becausehe forced my hand.If you try this short drama crap with me again, I’ll showyou how that works in my world, and I promise you will not like it.And youneed to understand that when I prove you’re lying about my man, it won’t be myfists that take you out.I’ll ruin your life.If Keane goes to jail for this, Iwon’t care about anything else.I’ll have one job in the world and that is tomake you miserable for the rest of your life.You’re right.I’m rich.You tookmy boyfriend and I didn’t do a thing to you.I let you walk off into the sunsetwith him.”
Jessica’s eyes were red from crying, and her voice soundedhoarse.“He left me in New York.After he lost his job, he said he made amistake.”
Olivia held a hand out.“I don’t care.I don’t care if hehurt you.There’s no sisterhood here.I left you alone after you humiliated me.Well, you’re finding my line, girl.Here it is.You hurt a hair on my realman’s head, and I will destroy you in every way possible.You will end yourselfto get away from me.Am I understood?”
She audibly heard Jimmy swallow, and when she looked up hewas nodding.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Olivia rolled her eyes.“I wasn’t talking to you.”
Jessica got to her feet, her shoulders squared.“Well, ifyou want to be with some asshole who tried to hurt you, who am I to stop you.Iwon’t try to help again.You can have that loser ex-con.”
She turned and walked out.
Her mother moved toward the hallway where her father couldstill be heard.She looked back at Olivia.“Do what you need to do and I’llhandle your father.”
Her mother knew her so well.Her plans had changed.Shewatched as her mom disappeared behind the door.
Olivia turned and held her hands out.“All right, Jimmy.I’mready now.”
He frowned and took a step back.“Uh, I don’t think she’spressing charges.”
“Are you going to let Keane out right now?”Olivia asked.
“There’s paperwork and stuff,” Jimmy replied, looking at herwrists like they were snakes that could bite him.
“Then you better cuff me and put me in that cell with him,”she announced.
“Or I could not cuff you and we could call it a visit,”Jimmy offered.
“You sure you want this, Livie?”a new voice asked.KellyMorgan stood there, a brow raised.“After listening to that witness and talkingto Mr.Rollins, I’m inclined to look at all the evidence again.He could be outin a few hours.I could let you back there, but I think your father would beupset.”
“This is not my father’s business,” Olivia announced.
“Livie,” her papa began.
“What would you have done if someone tried to come betweenyou and Mom and Dad?”
Her papa’s eyes widened.“Someone did.That mean old ladycalled your momma’s car a whore and then told her she would ruin us and thenshot Jack.”
“Why did she call your mom’s car a whore?”Miranda asked.
Tanya took that one.“She didn’t.She painted the wordwhoreon the vehicle.I think she was referencing Abby, not the car.But it’s okay.Jack cubed it and got her another one.”
