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“Not enough for the cops to arrest you, but enough that there will be eyes on you and that your board has been notified of potential criminal activity.”
God fucking damn it.
“So, Titan isn’t trying to kill me,” I repeat. “He just wants to destroy my business.”
Bryson shakes his head. “No, Luc. He wants to own your business and everything else you think is yours, including his daughter.”
Well, that isn’t going to fucking happen. Not even over my dead body.
24
OLIVIA
Luca’s been gone for hours, and he’s not answering my texts. I don’t know what’s happening, but something tells me it’s not good.
After catching up with Tori, including lots of tears, laughs, and even some more yelling, I go in search of Justine. Not only do I want Tori to meet her, but I want to know if she’s heard from Jaxon, assuming he’s with Luca.
“So, this Justine,” Tori says skeptically. “She lives here, too?”
I nod as I press the button for her floor. “Yeah, she’s been here a while. Jaxon saved her from a stalker.”
I purposely leave out the part where Justine was technically forced to go with Jaxon. It’s not information Tori ever needs to know about. Not until I feel confident she believes everything I’ve told her and not what Titan convinced her of.
“Great.” Her forced word tells me we’re a long way from finding a new normal within our friendship, but unfortunately, Tori doesn’t have much of a choice in staying here with me.
During our earlier conversations, she explained to me what had been going on with her when we last chatted. She and her boyfriend Greg were fighting. He’d become more and more controlling, demeaning her and trying to tell her what she could and couldn’t do.
Apparently, without me in the picture, the fucker thought Tori was his to command. Little does he know, when all this shit is over, he’ll be getting a visit from me. Partly to put the fear of God in him if he ever tries to even look at Tori again, and also to get her things.
She didn’t feel comfortable bothering Christopher—as she continues to insist on calling him—with her plight. Which is probably good, because Greg could have been used against her. With me, at least he won’t be murdered. Well, not unless he gives me a good reason to do so.
I snort as we step off the elevator. Oh, how I’ve changed over the weeks…
Tori side-eyes me. “What’s funny?”
“Just thinking about all the shenanigans the three of us are going to get into,” I say with a grin. It’s not far from the truth. I’m sure Justine will want to join me in threatening Tori’s ex.
My best friend shakes her head and grabs my arm before we can get too far down the hallway to Justine’s room. “I don’t know what you’re expecting from all this, Liv. But just because I love you and I’m not running away from this place, that doesn’t mean I’m staying. I wanted to talk to you about renting your mom’s house if you’re not going to use it.”
My shoulders tense, but I force a smile to my face. “I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out, but one thing at a time, yeah?”
She smiles, but the action doesn’t light up her face like it normally does. “Sure.”
We get to Justine and Jaxon’s room, but before my knuckles can make contact with the door, she’s opening it and walking out, almost running into us.
“Oh.” She glances between me and Tori. “Hi. I’m Justine.” She holds her hand out.
I’m pretty sure I stop breathing until Tori accepts the gesture. “Tori. Nice to meet you.”
At least she still has manners when she’s upset.
Justine glances over at me. “I was just coming to see you.”
“Why?” If it wasn’t anything important, she could have just texted me.
“Jaxon called.” My heart sinks as she says the words.
“Is Luca okay?”
