Page 41 of Protecting Olivia

When I opened the closet door, she was huddled in the corner with a metal hanger in her hand waving it in front of her. I wasn’t sure what she thought she was going to do with it, but she looked damn adorable doing it.

“Come out, tesorino. It’s safe now.” I reached my hand in to help her to her feet.

“Are you okay? I was so scared; you were taking so long.” She catapulted her body into my arms and cried.

“I’m so proud of you for staying in here. I’m sorry it took so long. Everything is fine. We can go home soon.” Every muscle in her body tightened. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy you’re okay,” she whispered.

“You’re happy so your body locked up? Tell me,” I demanded.

I pulled back so I could look at her. Something was definitely wrong.

“I’m scared,” she admitted.

“I told you, everything is fine now. We’re okay to go home.”

“That’s not what I’m scared of.”

I didn’t understand. I thought she’d be happy to go home not scared. Maybe she didn’t want to have to face the situation with her mom.

“Then what?” I asked.

“What happens when we get home? Now that you don’t have to babysit me, will I see you again?”

“I was not babysitting you. I was protecting you, and happily.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to lose you, and I just found you.” I pulled her back, hugging her tight. “I can’t lose you.”

“I’m not going anywhere, tesorino. We’ll figure it out.” She sniffed a few times and wiped her nose on my tee. “You’re mine, Olivia. I don’t plan on letting you go. And I hope you’re ready for me. If you’re not or you need more time, you need to speak up now.”

“I’m ready.”

“For both our sakes, I hope you are.”

There was no more denying that I was falling for this girl. This slip of a woman did what no one else had ever been able to do. She made me think about the future.

Chapter Sixteen

Olivia

I was exhausted. Leo and I never did go back to sleep after he came and got me out of the closet. Even though we could hear the guys downstairs talking, we stayed in bed and talked. I told him more about college and growing up. He told me about his family and what a pain in the ass his sister Arabella was. Though when he complained about her, he did it with a smile on his face. He adored his baby sister. His family sounded wonderful, and I hoped I’d get to meet them. His brothers sounded a lot like him, just not as badass. He wasn’t joking when he said he was a mama’s boy. I loved it. He told me about his father passing away when he was sixteen and how he and his brothers all stopped playing sports so they could take care of their mom and sister. At that moment, I knew I was falling in love with him. It was silly and too fast, and downright ludicrous. But it was happening.

Shortly after dawn Zane knocked on the bedroom door and told us the plane was ready to take us back to Maryland. I couldn’t help that I was so nervous. I knew what Leo told me, he didn’t want to let me go, but I was still scared. Even without the threat of a crazy man wanting to kill me, my life was still a mess. Most of which was my doing. I had to sort out school and figure out what I wanted to do with myself now that I had all but failed out of law school.

Then there was my mother. I didn’t know where to begin with her and Peter. Was he still mad at her, too? Would he want to get to know me, or would he be too mad at my mom and not want anything to do with either of us. I wouldn’t blame him if that was the case.

I guess what had me so worried was there was only so much crazy a man can deal with before he runs. I was afraid I was pushing the line.

All the way to the airport Leo kept his arm around me. He was constantly touching me in some way. Which did wonders to calm my nerves. When we boarded Zane’s private jet, Leo walked us straight to the back and buckled us in. I figured he’d need to go and talk with his team, but he didn’t leave my side. I told him I would be fine if he needed to work. He said that he would work later.

Shortly after takeoff, I rested my head on Leo’s shoulder and fell asleep.

“Wake up, Olivia.” I felt Leo’s lips on my forehead, and I didn’t want to open my eyes. I was too afraid it was a dream and he wasn’t really there.

“How much longer?” I asked, keeping my eyes closed.

“We’ve landed,” he chuckled. “You sleep like a rock.”