Olivia closed her eyes feeling censure, despite Heath’s warning she wasn’t being judged. Hannah, who was sitting next to her, gave her hand a squeeze. Olivia peaked over at her to see Hannah smiling at her. It wasn’t judgement, but a question. A fair question. “Royce has several contacts in every crime organization. I feared if I turned him in, I’d be dead, before there was ever a trial. It also didn’t help my name was on every package slip and document. If it ever went to court, it would be his word against mine. When Royce found out I knew what he was doing, he sent me to the hospital and said he’d kill me and ship Ivy off to God knows where, if I ever said anything.”
“Oh, Liv.” Cora said sadly.
Olivia didn’t want their pity. It was her own doing. She had been blind to everything happening around her, until it was too late. “I tried saving up money after that, but Royce always found it. The night before I left I went to my job to see if I could find any evidence to help me. Royce was there, and I saw him argue with a man, before shooting him. I knew I couldn’t wait anymore. I raced back to the house, took money from his safe in his office, and Ivy and I ran. We didn’t stay in any place long. I know I should have said something to the police after I left, but I was so scared for Ivy.”
“You were just trying to stay alive, Olivia. No one can fault you for that.” Kinsley assured her. “But now you have back up. It’s time to put that asshole behind bars.” Kinsley looked over at Abigail who nodded.
“When you agreed to work for us, I did a little digging on you.” Abigail winced in guilt.
“Abigail and her puzzles.” Cora muttered.
“I couldn’t figure out why you wouldn’t want to work on base, and you had mentioned New York at one point.” Abigail tried defending herself.
“I’m not upset, Abigail. I’m glad you all know the truth.” Olivia tilted her chin up to look at Heath. “This is what I was trying to tell you, before I went to the bathroom. I didn’t want any more secrets between us. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. I never thought they’d find me.”
Heath shushed her and kissed her on the tip of the nose. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad we got to you in time. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, while I could have prevented it.”
“I knew you’d come for me. There was never a doubt in my mind. Speaking of, how did you know I was in trouble? You told me you’d tell me later.”
“A guy passed our table, and I heard him mention your name. I decided to follow him, since I knew you left for the bathroom, and that’s when I saw you fighting that guy. I yelled at the guys, and here we are.”
“Some random stranger mentioned my name?” It couldn’t have been Jax, because she was already fighting him. Who else would know who she was? Jax always worked alone, so it couldn’t be another one of Royce’s men.
“There was something familiar about him with his black hoodie pulled low over his head.”
The only person she remembered fitting that description was the guy, who bumped into them at the carnival. The man who smelled like cigar smoke, but why would he say her name? She didn’t know him. A memory tried pulling at the back of her head, but it eluded her.
“Liv, is there any chance your ex is here?” Kinsley asked businesslike. Gone was her friend, and the badass FBI agent was in her place. It was a scary sight to behold.
“I honestly don’t know. Royce doesn’t usually do his own dirty work. He sends people like Jax to do it for him. He has a lot of employees for that. That night on the docks was the first time I had seen him hurt someone besides…” Olivia didn’t need to finish that statement. They could all fill in the blanks. “I don’t even know why he’s still after me. I’m sure my job and the FBI are looking for me to throw me in jail.”
“No, they aren’t.” Abigail said matter of fact.
“They aren’t?” Olivia found that hard to believe. “How is that possible?”
Before Abigail could finish, they saw flashing lights pass the front of the building and drive down the alley.
“We better go lend a hand.” Heath announced. The team all rose up, while Heath lingered a moment. “We’ll finish this discussion later. I’ll be right back.”
Olivia gave him a quick kiss and said loudly, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Heath gave her one more kiss, and then rose to join the rest of the guys.
Olivia smiled at the broad grins at all the women sitting around her. She had the greatest group of friends a person could ask for. They not only accepted her but supported her.
“As I was saying,” Abigail continued. “Royce wasn’t as sneaky as he thought. While your physical name was on the documents, he left behind evidence of his people forging computer data. He left digital finger prints all over everything.”
Olivia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Does that mean—”
“Yep, you can have your name and job back. There’s no need to hide anymore. There’s enough evidence to put Royce Decker away for life. No amount of people in his pockets can save him.”
“I can’t believe it.” She was free. She and Ivy were free to go back to their lives. Not that she wanted to go back to New York. Her life was here now. “All this time running and hiding, when he could have been put behind bars.”
“What’s important is that he’s going behind bars now. He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” Thank you seemed too small for what Abigail had done for her.
“I can’t take any credit. There was already an investigation going on. I just piggy backed onto their servers and found out what was already known.”
