“We’ll get a restraining order,” Julian says.
I pull away from Victor with a scoff and face Julian. “That won’t stop him,” I tell him. “He will not stop until he gets what he wants, or he’s dead.” I sit back down, sighing heavily. Victor sits beside me and runs his hand down my hair. This is the most he’s ever touched me in front of my friends. I love it and I hate it.
“Then we’ll kill him,” Victor says. He’s looking at me when he says it. We’ve already talked about this. I told him once I wanted to kill him and I meant it. No one says anything contradicting him, which shocks me.
“How would you do that?” Bailey asks, and I admire her more than I already did. Julian’s eyes snap to her, and she shrugs. I love that she is who she is without any apologies. “He’s a bad guy, Julian. We have to do something.”
Julian glances around the room. “We can’t plan a guy’s murder.”
He used to be a detective, so he’s all about justice being served, but sometimes that isn’t the answer. Not with someone as crazy as Donovan.
“Then we’ll plan what happens if he comes after one of us. But it will end up with him dead,” Victor says. Frustration builds in my gut. He won’t come after anyone but me and Victor.
Connor sits up and looks at his brother. “Julian, you know how bad Donovan is. You know what he’s done.”
Julian nods. “I do know, but we must go about this properly.” He’s so calm, it’s irritating. Like fingers on a chalkboard. “I knowwe all want to protect Liv, but this must be done correctly.” I share a look with Victor and he shakes his head slightly, sharing in my frustration.
“And the right way is to put him in prison only for his people to protect him or get him out somehow?” Lincoln asks.Exactly. That’s exactly what will happen.
Julian nods at him. “He’s going to have people regardless of where he’s at. He has a crew that is probably very committed to him. If we were to kill him, they’d come after us.”
That could happen, but his people hate him as much as they’re committed to him. The majority of them are committed to him out of fear. I stand and slap my hands against my thighs.
“You all think you know him, but you don’t. It doesn’t matter what you do. He will not stop. Even if he’s put in jail, he’ll find a way out.” As I run my hands through my hair, I force myself not to pull it. I need something.I wonder if Victor still has the box I gave him.
“I don’t know why I thought running away would work. I should have known better.” Looking up at the ceiling, I want to scream until my throat bleeds. “Maybe I should just give him what he wants. At least, then, I’ll know you all are safe.”
Victor practically growls. “There is no way in hell I’m letting that happen.” I don’t look at him. I can’t.
“I know he’s a bad guy. You’ve told me that much. But why is he so obsessed with you? Why is he determined to get you back?” Ansley asks.
I suck in a breath and wrap my arms around myself.Oh god. I’m going to have to tell them.My chest heaves as I try to calm the panic rising.
“Never mind,” Ansley says. “You don’t have to tell me. I can only imagine why he’s obsessed with you.” Ansley knows he’s a bad guy, but she doesn’t know details. I finally look at Victor, and his eyes soften.
“Olivia,” he whispers.
I shake my head at him. I have to tell them so they understand. “You guys will find out eventually, and you need to know who exactly you are dealing with when it comes to him.” I glance around the room not really seeing anyone. “I’ve only told Victor and my therapist,” I whisper as I force myself to stay calm.
“His obsession is because he took my virginity against my will. He continued to force me until I ran away.” That’s putting it simply, but there’s no way I’m giving any more details than that and they don’t need to know the details. I drop back down next to Victor, my hands trembling. I clasp them together and put them in my lap.
Victor runs his finger from my shoulder down my arm and places his hand on mine. It doesn’t stop them from trembling, but it does comfort me. He wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. I’m enjoying how attentive he’s being, so I lay my head on his chest.
“Liv, I’m so sorry that happened to you,” Caroline whispers. Everyone else stays quiet for a few moments, likely trying to process this new piece of information.
Bailey clears her throat. “So, he’s obsessed with you because he still wants you?” she asks.
I stiffen, but nod. “He thinks he’s the only one to have me and wants to keep it that way. At least, that’s what I’m assuming. He always told me that no one else would ever be able to have me, and if they did, he’d kill them.” Victor turns his head, his lips brushing against my hairline. If only he knew the things Victor did to me. That I let him do to me.
“So, hear me out,” Bailey says. I eye her, wondering what she’s going to say. “What if you show him he’s not the only one to ever have you?” My eyes widen.
“How will she do that?” Bec asks.
Bailey’s eyes flit around the room before landing back on me. My heart is beating so hard in my chest I’m sure everyone can hear it. “Maybe you and Victor could kiss in town or at his pub. He has eyes on you. Word would get back to him,” Bailey explains.
I sit up and move away from Victor. Shit. She’s right. He probably already knows something is going on between Victor and me. “It’s not like that between Victor and I. We aren’t together or anything,” I say quietly as I avoid looking at Victor. Technically, I’m right. I’m his submissive. Ansley and Lincoln share a look, but don’t say anything.
Bailey shrugs and leans back. Julian wraps his arm around her and I want to scream.Why can’t Victor say something?Say that’s not true. That we are together, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t do anything. My heart breaks, but I’ll survive. I’ve survived worse.
