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“That’s was fast, I thought ye’d be gone longer settin’ the targets out.”
“There’s been a change of plans,” Conner said as Olivia moved to him.
“Is everythin’ alright?” she asked, resting a hand on his chest. “Yer heart is goin’ like that of a hummingbird. Tell me what is goin’ on.”
“I ran into Damon downstairs,” Conner said, swallowing the lump forming in his throat. He flexed his jaw a few times wondering if his words were sinking in. When Olivia’s eyes widened, she stepped back from him.
“Ye mean?”
“Aye,” Conner said. “Did I nae tell ye Damon ken what he was doin’?”
“I… I daenae ken what to say about this. Ye daenae have him stayin’ in the cells, dae ye?”
“Where else would ye have me put him?” Conner asked as Olivia started pacing the floor. The color from her face vanished as he watched her mind shift and swivel.
“I’ve come to ask if ye could identify him. I want to ensure the man imprisoned is the right one. To punish the innocent would be far too tragic,” Conner said, cupping his hands before him. His eyes stalked Olivia as she moved about the room. He could tell she was mulling over his words as she chewed her lower lip.
“Yer right, and I shouldnae have to live my life constantly glancin’ over my shoulder wonderin’ if I’ll come across him again. Nor could I live wit’ myself if the wrong man were punished.”
Terror.
Panic.
Regret.
Anger.
Conner rushed to Olivia’s side as he watched her face shift and twist through all the emotions. Her chest rose and fell quickly as if she couldn’t get enough air into her body.
“Come,” Conner said, luring her to the bed. She plopped down onto the mattress as the bed moaned under her weight. Carefully, he dropped to his knees and held her hands in his.
Rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, Conner pulled in a deep breath. “Sit and rest a moment. I ken this news is a bit shockin’ but what ye dae right now, in this moment, will define who ye are, who the people will see ye to be. Dae ye want them to see ye as a strong, brave survivor who’ll nae bow to mere men? Or will ye let the man who did this to ye think that he or anyone else can get away wit’ it? I cannae force ye to go down there. But I can tell ye, if ye daenae, ye’ll regret it the rest of yer life.”
Conner held Olivia’s eyes as he spoke. He wondered if his words were getting through to her. It broke his heart to see the tears swelling in her eyes, but he knew if she didn’t take a stand now, she’d be a changed person.
Raking her fingers across her face to clear away the tears, she sat straighter. The worry and fear that lingered in her eyes was swiftly replaced by determination and anger.
“I’ll nae let that man best me,” Olivia declared. “I’ll see justice served.”
“Aye,” Conner said as he rose. Extending his hand to her, he gave her an approving nod. “Shall we go then?”
Chapter 24
Olivia paused a moment and stared at Conner’s hand. Anger, rage, righteous indignation rumbled in the depths of her being and tried to rein in her emotions.
Slowly, she rose to her feet and stared at Conner. Slipping her hand into his, she gave him a nod. “Best get this out of the way.”
“That’s my brave lass,” he said, drawing her hand to his lips. The way his lips moved over her skin caused her mind to shift for a moment.
“I want him dead,” she said in an icy tone.
“Let us first ensure the man we have is the right one,” Conner said as he drew his eyes to hers.
“I’m just informin’ ye that I’ll nae show mercy if he is the one.”
“I wouldnae expect anythin’ less,” he says with a mischivious smirk. Olivia gave a sharp nod as she realized their minds converged into one on the matter.
“Ready then?” he asked as he tucked her arm into his and moved with her to the door.
