I nod because that’s all I can do. She sees something’s going on with me, but she’s not pushing the issue.
“Thank you.”
There’s a lot encompassed in that simple phrase. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for not pushing me further than I’m willing to go. I never had friends growing up. I wasn’t allowed to. When I ran away, I kept to myself, but Ansley came barreling into my life. Now I have Caroline too.
I drop Caroline off at her and Bass’ house. He’s waiting for her outside and helps grab all of her things. He sticks his head in the passenger side window. “Text us when you get home, okay?” Caroline blows me a kiss and I pretend like I grab it.
“I will,” I promise him.
As I get turned around and head home, I pull the contacts up on my phone and find Victor’s name. Glancing in my rearview mirror, I make sure no one is following me as I press the call button.
“Hello, Olivia.”
Chapter eleven
Victor
After doing taste testing with Lee, I decide to go for a ride around town to see if I find any evidence Donovan might be around. I can’t stop thinking about how afraid of him Olivia seems to be. I grit my teeth until my jaw begins to hurt. With a roll of my shoulders, I force myself to relax.
I’m pissed at myself. I’m pissed at Josie. I want to kill Donovan. When I stop at a red light and force myself to take deep breaths. If I had been there for Olivia like I promised Margaret, maybe she’d trust me. Maybe she’d return my call or text. How the hell did I allow this canyon sized fissure to develop between us? How the fuck am I going to fix it?
A car behind me honks their horn, making me realize the light turned green. I take off and drive until I find myself in front of the building Olivia works at. She did say she was busy, but it felt like she was avoiding me. Maybe showing up in person will forceher to face me. I know she’s hurting. I have to find out why so I can fix it. Walking into the building, I wave at James.
“Hey, Victor. What are you doing here?” James greets me.
“I came by to see Olivia.” I lean against the counter. “Do I need a visitor pass?”
“She’s not here.” I stand and put my hands in my pocket. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. “She’ll be back on Monday, but I can leave her a message.”
“Yeah, I’d appreciate that.” I rub my hand along my jaw, my beard scraping against my palm. “Is she sick?”
James arches an eyebrow, but shakes his head. “No, she took half a day with one of her other coworkers. They left together.”
“Alright, thanks. Bye,” I say as I head out the front door. Walking to my bike, I grab my helmet and climb on, but don’t start the engine. She did say she was busy, guess she wasn’t avoiding me. I’m pretty sure Olivia works for Lincoln Holloway. His father used to own this building, but there are other businesses located here. I’m tempted to find him and talk to him, but I don’t want to come across as being stalkerish.
I don’t know why she won’t return my call or text, even if she was busy today she could have responded to me asking her about Monday, but I’ll give her some more time. She has invaded all of my thoughts since I saw her at the restaurant. I need to know she’s okay. That she’s safe. I’ll give her a few more days.
By Sunday afternoon, I’m getting impatient. I’m beginning to realize how much I need her and I believe she needs me too. I’m not sure how or why I need her, but I know I do. Maybe I can help ease her mind and assure I’ll keep her safe sinceshe’s obviously scared of Donovan. I pull up Malachi’s name, the president of The Outsiders. He can find anyone, no matter how hard they try to hide. Up to this point I haven’t taken advantage of that, but I’m throwing caution to the wind. I’ll find out where she lives and go see her. I’ll worry about apologizing after.
The need to see her is as visceral as needing to breathe. I see the silky black mane of her hair, her ocean blue eyes that are uniquely hers, and her lovely throat that would look perfect with a piece of jewelry claiming her as mine. Closing my eyes, I shake my head. I cannot be thinking about her like that.Fuck. When did that happen?
My phone rings in my hand and I stare at it for a second, unsure if I’m imagining things. Did I conjure her up? Swiping my phone, I answer it.
“Hello, Olivia.”
“Hi, Victor,” she whispers.
Hearing her voice is like I’ve come up for air after being underwater for too long. This is not good, but I can’t find it in myself to care right now.
Walking onto my back porch, I look out over my property, wondering if she’d like it. I live in this huge house and have no one to enjoy it with. I built this place in hopes Josie and I could settle here one day.
“How are you?” I ask. I sit on one of the rocking chairs as I watch the horses.Would she want to ride them one day? Would she want to ride me one day? Fuck, I need to stop those thoughts.
“I’m okay. I went to Atlanta this weekend to visit one of my friends. Ansley, you met her at the restaurant.”
I cross my foot over my knee. That still doesn’t give me the reason why she hasn’t responded to my call or text, but I don’t say anything. Not yet. But if she had my collar she’d be punishedfor not answering. Squeezing my eyes shut, I stop that train of thought. “Did you have fun?”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Yes, of course.”
