23. Victor

Chapter twenty-three

Victor

J ames 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.

My heart beats heavy in my chest reading her words. She’s never been that up front with me about anything.

Victor: Of course. Are you coming over now?

I push away from the bar and stand, waiting for her answer.

Olivia: Not right now, but probably in an hour or so. I’m out shopping with my friends. As soon as we’re done though. If that’s okay?

Victor: It’s always okay. You never have to ask. You will always be welcome.

Olivia: Thank you. See you soon.

Saying a quick bye to James, I head to the bathroom to take a piss before leaving. As I’m headed out, James calls out to me.

“Tell Liv I said hello.” He smirks. I shake my head with a smile and walk out to get on my bike.

The gate closes behind me and I pull my bike over to the side. Pulling my phone out to find Olivia’s name and call her. No point in going all the way up to the house if she’s close.

Olivia’s sweet voice washes over me. “Hello?”

My lips tip up into a smile. “Olivia. I love the sound of your voice.”

She chuckles. “You heard it yesterday.”

I smirk and lean against my bike. “That’s true, but it’s different knowing I get to see you soon.” She doesn’t respond, but I can feel her smile. “Are you on your way?”

“Yes. I’m only a few minutes away.”

That was perfect timing. I’d hate for her to get here and have to wait for me.

“I’ll be waiting at the gate for you to let you in. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to pick your car up on Monday to take it to my guy and get it set up so the gate will open for you.”

“Of course, that’s fine,” she replies immediately.

“Perfect. I’ll see you soon.”

She whispers bye, and we hang up. My intention for going to the clubhouse was to get shit-faced. All the guilt that’s been swirling in my gut since Olivia walked back into my life was beginning to become too much to take. So, I decided to take a reprieve.

It’s not something I do often. In fact, the last time I went to the clubhouse for that purpose was the day after the incident with Josie. Malachi, the president, encourages the members to do it at the club if they’re going to. That way, someone is always watching out for them. It also discourages some of our younger members to not embarrass us around town by getting disorderly.

I own the majority of the restaurants in town, so if one of the club members gets out of hand, those on duty know to contact me so we can take care of it. My phone vibrates, so I swipe it to look at the message that just came in.

Malachi: I saw his car today downtown. He’s back.

Pushing away from my bike, every muscle in my body tenses. I knew it. I fucking knew it. A couple times a week, I’ve been driving around town to see if my path crossed with him, but it hasn’t. Scrolling through my call log, to my head of security, Leo, to inform him.

“Hiya, boss,” he answers on the first ring.

Leo is in his thirties and a complete clown. He says his gift is killing people with laughter. Literally. He likes to tell jokes to those he’s about to kill. He offered to kill Josie on numerous occasions and promised he wouldn’t tell her any jokes beforehand. When he was younger, he wanted to be a stand-up comedian, but that never happened.

“Malachi says he saw his car today.”

He immediately goes into business mode. “Where?”

“Downtown. He sent me a text, so that’s all I got for now. I need someone on Olivia at all times.” This should have been done sooner, but I was holding out, hoping I was overreacting.

Leo hums. “I’ll bring Arden in the loop and switch him and Lane out. Arden’s the vampire, so he’ll probably take nights.”

I chuckle. Leo has this theory that since he never sees Arden during the day and he only wants to work nights, he’s a vampire and apparently has a thing for draining the blood from his kills.

“Alright. Well, Olivia is on her way over now. I’m going to let her know,” I tell him and push away from my bike to begin pacing, ready for her to be here already.

“You’re going to tell her?” he asks. A car door slams, and suddenly there’s music blasting that’s turned down quickly. “Fuck, I am not the same person right now I was when I got out of my car last. Sorry about that.”

I smile and shake my head. “Yes, I’m going to tell her. She’s constantly looking over her shoulder for Donovan or one of his men. If she sees Arden or Lane, she’ll think the worst.” I pause. “Actually, the three of you come over for dinner, so I can introduce you. I want her to know what you look like.”

“Alright. I’ll call them. We’ll be there around 7:30. The sun should be low enough for Arden not to burst into flames.” He hangs up without saying bye, but that’s normal for him. When he has an assignment, he’s laser focused and doesn’t waste time on pleasantries.

I glance at my phone to see how long it’s been since Olivia called. About twenty minutes, so she should be here any moment now. Talking to James today helped bring me out of the funk I was in. His comment about me showing Olivia not all men are like Donovan made me look at our relationship differently. Now I can be there for her instead of being drunk off my ass.

Even though she sounded okay, something must be going on since she admitted she needed me. She’s never done that. In the distance I hear a car and know instinctively it’s her. I walk to the gate and wait for her to pull in.