Suddenly, Bec stands and knocks the table, making her coffee spill. “Oh, shit.” She grabs the cup as Caroline and Bailey stand. “Sorry,” Bec mumbles as she grabs some napkins and begins wiping up the mess. Standing quickly and looking around to double check my surroundings before running inside to get something to help clean up the mess.
When I return with a towel, Bec grabs it. She winks at me before turning around and wiping down the table. My mouth falls open.She did that on purpose.She saw me getting upset, so she made a scene to help distract and bring me out of it. I’m speechless. Should I say something? I’ve always been really good at hiding that part of myself.
Neither Ansley nor Caroline have seen it except that one time when Ansley walked into the bathroom at work. Deciding at that moment to get to know Bec better, since she seems like a kindred soul. She has no idea how much I appreciate what she just did for me. I’ll pay her back in some way.
Chapter twenty-three
Victor
James sits next to me at the bar and claps me on the shoulder. “What are you doing here?”
I shrug and take another drink from the pint that’s just been put in front of me. My thoughts are on Olivia. Consumed with the need to see her, I frown and sit the glass down. James chuckles.
“You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”
“Am I a creep?” I ask.
The bartender from the clubhouse walks up and sets James’ usual in front of him. My focus should be on my pub and making sure everything is running smoothly. We had to fire several servers and the barmaid. Lee promised he’d take care of everything this weekend because, according to him, I was in need of some time off.
Not being busy has given me time to think, and now wanting to know where Olivia is consumes my every thought. Has she done research?Have I scared her off?
“You’re not a creep.”
I tilt my head to look at James.I forgot I asked him that.“She’s my goddaughter. Did you know that?”
He doesn’t respond right away as he takes a sip from his tumbler. “I thought there was more to the story. I asked you both how you knew each other and you both told me just about the same thing. You knew her parents.”
I scoff. “I did know her parents. Her father was my best friend. He’d probably kill me if he knew the thoughts I was having about his daughter.”
I rub my hand down my face. The need in my gut grows every single day as my want for her grows more and more.What the hell was I thinking telling her about Dominant/submissive relationships?
“He might be upset, that’s true.” He pauses as he takes another sip from his tumbler. “On the other hand, I suspect someone else has hurt her greatly, and he’d be thankful you showed her not all men are like that.”
I sit up, mulling his words over. He knows someone has hurt her. James doesn’t know who and if I tell him, he’d probably help me kill Donovan. I push the pint away from me and call out to the bartender, asking for water.
“Do you know who Donovan Castiel is?”
James’ hands ball into fists so tight the veins protrude from his skin. Just as I suspected. “Is that who hurt Liv?” His voice is just above a whisper as he tries to keep his anger reined in.
“Yes,” I admit, but I won’t tell him how. Not until Olivia trusts me enough to tell me everything. “I’m guessing you do know him.”
“He tried his best to get his grip on my son several years ago, but Connor McMillan hired him and soon after the new sheriff was hired, Donovan stopped coming around so much.”
“You know Connor McMillan?” He nods as he finishes off his drink. “He doesn’t like me.”
James turns toward me and arches an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”
I roll my eyes. “The kid thinks I’m connected to Donovan. I’ve tried to tell him I’m not, but he doesn’t believe me.”
James chuckles. “The kid is a hothead, that’s for sure.” He shrugs. “I think it’s because he’s passionate and doesn’t have an outlet to release it. You know?” I stare at James, trying to figure out what he’s saying. “Read between the lines there, buddy.”
It finally hits me, and I snort. “Are you saying he needs to get laid?”
“Yep.”
I can’t help but laugh. My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I grab it and glance at the message that just came through.
Olivia: Can I come over to your house? I need you.
