Bailey runs her fingers through his hair. “We should probably not wait too long. You are an old man,” she teases.
He grabs her hair in his fist and pulls gently. I don’t miss the gasp from Olivia, but don’t say anything. “This old man can keep up with you just fine, baby girl.”
“I’m well aware.” She smiles at him.
Bec glances at Olivia and I. I see the question in her eyes. Will she ask if we’re in a relationship?
“What about you, Liv? Do you want kids?” Bec asks.Shit. Why’d she ask that?
Liv shrugs. “Some days I do, and some days I don’t.”
It’s not an answer, but no one else seems to notice. She looks at me out of the corner of her eye. I lean back in my chair, watchingher. We’re talking about this tonight. From the way she shifts in her chair, she knows it too.
Leaning forward again, I look at Connor and change the subject. “What’s the plan?” I need to introduce them to my security and Malachi.
Connor motions toward Julian. “He has experience with this kind of thing. He’s probably the one that needs to answer that.”
I, along with everyone else, turn to look at him. Julian inhales deeply and rubs his hands together. “We probably don’t need to talk about this publicly. Liv, come by my office. You too, Victor. We can come up with a plan there.”
I motion to Connor and Bec. “You and Bec should come too.”
Olivia’s leg has started bouncing again. I put my arm on the back of her chair and rub my thumb along her shoulder. She sits back and relaxes. Julian looks at Lincoln and Ansley.
“All of us?” Lincoln asks. Everyone looks at Olivia, even me. I don’t want to make this decision for her.
She nods, though. “I dealt with this on my own when I was a kid. I don’t want to deal with it on my own anymore.” Her voice is small, this is hard for her. All of her secrets are coming out, but no one is going to think less of her.
“I don’t think Bass and Caroline will be available for a while,” Bec says.
“I’m sure Bass will be okay with that, but I’ll keep him in the loop,” Connor replies.
“Bass will be okay with what?” Bass walks into the waiting room and everyone stands to greet him.
“Trying to figure out the Donovan problem,” Bailey whispers. “What’s going on? Why aren’t you in there with Caroline?”
“I came out to let you all know they’re going to do a c-section,” Bass says. Olivia grabs my hand and clutches it.
“Why? Are Caroline and the baby okay?” Ansley asks.
“Yes. The baby is sideways, and they can’t get her to move face down. They’ve been trying, but she won’t cooperate.” He smirks. “She’s already stubborn and hasn’t even been born yet.” Olivia’s grip on my hand loosens slightly, but I don’t let her go. “Anyway, I’m about to get ready. Caroline wanted me to tell you all. You’ll get to meet baby Mia soon.”
I smile at the obvious excitement in his eyes and glance down at Olivia. She’s already looking up at me. She offers me a small smile. The sadness in her eyes makes me want to pull her into my arms and chase it all away.
Chapter fifty-four
Olivia
Iglance at Victor nervously. He’s been quiet since we left Connor’s house. We all went back over to his house after we met baby Mia to help clean up because I couldn’t stop thinking about the mess we left. He wasn’t upset. In fact, I think he was expecting it. Ansley teased me about it because she knows me well enough to understand I can’t stand messes.
Part of me wants to ask Victor what’s wrong, but at the same time I don’t because I have a feeling I already know.Is he going to make me talk about why I can’t get pregnant?I can obviously use my safe word, but up to this point, he hasn’t pushed me beyond my limits.
My stomach becomes a whirlwind when he pulls up to the gate. It opens wide and lets us in along with Arden, who has been following us. Victor stops in front of the front door, but doesn’t turn the car off. I finally turn to look at him.
“Go upstairs, take a shower, shave, but don’t wash your hair. Leave your hair down, then wait for me,” he says without looking at me. I bite on my bottom lip.
“Sir—”
“Do as I say. Now.” His voice drops even lower than it already was.
