AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Criminal, but nothing as glamorous as you might see on television.”
“Ah. I got my start in criminal law, but Shannon’s father convinced me to move to real estate law after she was born.”
Olivia hadn’t known Bryant’s face could turn that particular shade of red, and she had to swallow a giggle when he stammered out a reply. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I, ah, didn’t mean to imply anything.”
“Of course not, dear. Do you own your own home? I happen to know a lovely agent.”
“No, ma’am. I rent an apartment downtown.”
“He is about to co-own a property with Olivia and me in Ocean City,” James finally spoke up. “We’ll be using it as our own personal beach getaway as well as a rental property.”
“Figures.”
The low, croaky commentary had all of them whipping around to where Shannon was glaring at them from her bed.
“Shannon!” Olivia rushed to her side, and if it hadn’t been for all the wires and tubes she would have climbed right into bed with her. As it was, she made do with clutching her hand. “You scared the shit out of us, Shay.”
“Sorry. Hurts.” Pain etched into every line of her face, she turned her head. “Mama.”
Mary pressed her daughter’s hand to her cheek. “I’m right here, baby. I’m right here.”
“What...” Shannon swallowed, and the simple action had tears slipping from the corners of her eyes. “What happened?”
“You don’t remember?” Bryant asked, frowning from his position at the foot of the bed.
Olivia glared at him. “Unhelpful, Bryant.” Softening her expression, she turned back to Shannon. “You just rest and get better and then we can talk.”
“Can’t remember.” Panic filled Shannon’s pale eyes. “Why? Liv? Mama?”
Before Olivia could reassure her friend everything would be fine, she and the men were ushered out of the room by a handful of nurses. With nothing to do but wait, they returned to the room Detective Rogers had interviewed her in.
“What’s taking so long?” Wringing her hands, Olivia paced the small room for what felt like the hundredth time.
“They have to be thorough, Livvy. Maybe we should go home and check on her in the morning,” James suggested softly.
“No!”
Her outburst earned her identical raised eyebrows. “Do you really want to push your luck with both of us, young lady?” Bryant growled.
Ignoring the warning in his voice, she crossed her arms. “I’m not leaving her. And that’s final.”
“Livvy, baby, they won’t let us stay all night. I’m going to see if we can say goodnight to her, but then I’m taking you home. And that, little girl, is final.”
Olivia glared at his retreating back, stomping her foot when the door shut behind him.
“Come here, Livvy.”
“Ugh.” Making sure her eye roll was obvious enough for him to see, she turned to Bryant. “What?”
“Oh, little girl. You are so lucky we’re in a public place. Come. Here.”
Bryant had never punished her without James’s explicit permission. Which didn’t mean he wouldn’t, but she still felt the need to push back. “Why?”
“Because we both need it.”
The truth of it caught her off guard. Letting her arms drop, she crawled into his lap.
“I’m scared, Bryant.”
