Page 66 of The Contract Marriage

“Well…” She purses her mouth and lowers her eyes. “Thank you for not indulging him.”

Her soft words are like a knife cut, but I ignore the pain. I can’t focus on that when her eyes are so dark with grief. After taking a long swallow of wine, I paste on a cocky smile. “He doesn’t deserve it. He’s lucky I only punched him.”

She gasps. “You what?”

“He put his hands on me first.”

“He hit you?!”

I snort. “Please. Do I look like the type to get sucker punched by a weasel like him?”

She sighs, her shoulders sagging. “No, but who knows. Maybe you had your guard down.”

“I wanted to drag him to the stairwell and push him down all twenty-five flights, but figured that might be considered excessive.”

“Would’ve served him right, though. That’s how Mom died—not the push part, but the falling down the stairs part. The sound—it can haunt you even after twenty years.” Her chin wobbles.

Fuck. I should’ve pushed him down the stairs, damn the consequences. I get up and walk around the table, then silently wrap my arms around her. I don’t tell her it’s okay—I know it will never be okay. But as she burrows into me, I vow that one of these days, I’m going to make everyone who hurt Olivia pay the price.

Chapter Twenty-Six

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.