“It’s just an idea,” Bailey says. “It would piss him off, and he’d probably show his face somehow. We could try to get him to do something, then get him arrested or kill him. Whatever the consensus winds up being,” she says nonchalantly, and I can’t help but snort. Julian glares at her, and she shrugs. “He doesn’t deserve to live. Not after what he did.”
Julian sighs and finally concedes. “Do you mind me asking how old you were? We could do it that way if you were to press charges against him.”
The statute of limitations wouldn’t apply to him because I was a minor when it happened. I inhale sharply. “It was right after my mom died,” I say.
Ansley sits forward, panic on her face. “Didn’t your mom die when you were thirteen?” she asks.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Yes, she did.”
Chapter sixty-six
Victor
Anger, frustration, disappointment, and dread skate along my nerves. I’m not sure which emotion is the most prevalent. After everything Olivia has been through today, I should want to comfort her. Instead, I’d like nothing more than to put her over my knee and spank her ass until it’s a bright shade of red. Then I’d like to stare at that ass while she’s on her hands and knees as I fuck her.
Olivia hugs the door as I drive back to the house. She’s been quiet since we left and I let her. Normally I’d try to get her to talk to me, but right now I’m not sure I’d respond in the correct way. Everything in me wants to get on my bike and ride until the frustration and irritation simmering under my skin fades away. Leo knew when we came out of Connor’s house not to speak.
He greeted us with a goofy smile like he always does, but when he saw our expressions, he got in his car and followed us home.When we pull into the garage, I’m not sure if he’ll still give us that same courtesy. Sure enough, he’s out of his car and opening Olivia’s door before I can get out and do it myself.
I scowl at him, but it doesn’t phase him. He raises his eyebrows at me like he’s daring me to say something. Olivia climbs out of the car and he pats her on the head. She swats at his hand.
“You’re like the annoying big brother I never had,” she says.
It hits me right in the heart.
He chuckles, wraps his arm around her shoulders, and pulls her into a hug. “Good. I’m doing my job, little sis.” She looks up at him, her lower lip trembling. “Ahh, come on now. Don’t do that to me,” Leo says.
She puts her hands over her face and breaks. Leo turns to me in alarm, clearly not expecting this reaction from her. I quickly make my way around the car and he gently hands her over to me. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. She keeps her hands covering her face, but allows me to comfort her as he walks away.
We stand like that for several minutes as she cries and releases all the pent-up emotions over the day. Her shoulders shake as she allows me to hold her. I’m still angry and frustrated, but push that aside for now. I’ll address it soon, though.
Olivia cried in front of her friends today. I know that wasn’t easy. With this release too, she’s come so far from that scared girl I saw in the restaurant. She finally takes her hands off her face and wraps her arms around my waist.
“I don’t know what to do,” she whispers. She sniffs and hiccups.
Taking a deep breath, I lean back, forcing her to do the same. I grip her chin with my thumb and forefinger. She blinks as she stares up at me. “I’ll tell you what we’re going to do, but first we need to get a few things straight.” My voice drops into theoctave I know she loves. Olivia doesn’t speak. She waits for me to continue, but doubt and anxiety stare back at me.
Letting go of her chin, I wrap my hand around her throat. I’ve been so careful with her. Perhaps too careful since I’ve allowed my fears and doubts to creep in instead of being exactly who I am and what she needs me to be. I squeeze her throat slightly, not blocking her airflow, but it gets her attention.
The art on my hands against her pale skin makes the blood in my body run south. I grit my teeth, ignoring the instant throbbing in my dick, and force myself to focus back on the situation at hand.
“You. Are. Mine.” My declaration is guttural. Her eyes widen and her mouth twitches into a small smile. The doubt and anxiety are instantly replaced with reassurance. Fuck. I’ve denied her the one thing she’s needed the most. “Say it,” I command.
The tip of her tongue comes out to wet her lips, my eyes latching onto it right away. I loosen my hand on her throat slightly so she can speak. “I’m yours,” she whispers.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Again.” I will make her say it until she can say it with confidence. Her chest moves as she inhales deeply.
“I’m yours.” This time it’s a little louder, but I can tell she doesn’t believe it yet. I turn us until her back is against the door. My hips press against hers, so she can feel the evidence of my desire and lust.
“Again.” I tip her head back until all she can see is me. She sags against me. I think she’s finally getting it.
“I. Am. Yours. Victor.” Her answer is confident. I smile at her and nod in approval.
“That’s right, you are.” I lean down and kiss her softly. “The Dominant/submissive part of our relationship is just a part of it. Outside of that, I am yours and you are mine. Understand?” Therelief in her eyes makes me feel ashamed I haven’t told her this sooner.
“Yes, Sir.”
I move my hand up slightly so I can run my thumb along her rosy lips. With the way her body relaxes into mine, I can tell this has been bothering her for a while. “Why haven’t you written your concerns about our relationship in your journal?” I ask her. It’s the one place she can write out things that are bothering her if she’s afraid to say them to my face.
