53. Victor

Chapter fifty-three

Victor

I have watched Olivia closely this entire time and I’m not sure if she’s trying to avoid going to the hospital or if the idea of leaving behind a mess really bothers her. That’s an issue for her, so it could be. But she’s also struggling watching Caroline. After I escort her to the car, I text Leo and Lane to let them know what’s going on. We follow behind everyone and even though Leo and Lane are following behind us, I still keep an eye out for Donovan.

I keep a possessive hand on Olivia’s thigh. She’s wearing what she calls a T-shirt dress today, and I love it because I can touch her skin whenever I want. I was careful today with how often I touched her, but it was difficult, especially seeing how affectionate all the other couples are.

“How are you doing?” I ask her, glancing over at her. She’s gazing out her window.

Olivia shrugs one shoulder. “I’m emotionally exhausted,” she answers, keeping her head turned away.

I look back at the road; this is the part I hate about driving. I’m unable to study her like I would if Leo or Lane was driving. She’s answering honestly. She is emotionally exhausted, but there’s still something she’s not saying.

“Are you excited about Caroline and Bass’ baby?” I try to dig further.

She finally looks at me. “Of course I am. I don’t have any brothers or sisters, so this is the closest I’ll get to being an aunt.” She’s being genuine, but there's sadness in her eyes. I don’t push because we’re pulling into the hospital parking lot. We don’t rush because there’s no telling how long we’ll be here.

Everyone parks in different areas, grabbing parking spots that are available and going in. Ansley stops and looks like she’s waiting for us as we get out of our car.

“You can go on,” Olivia tells her. “We’ll be up in just a little while.”

Ansley glances between the two of us. “You’re sure?”

“Of course.”

Olivia smiles. Ansley nods and turns toward the hospital. Lincoln intertwines their hands, and she smiles up at him as they walk in. As soon as everyone is inside, Leo’s car pulls up behind ours.

“We’ll be here for a while, probably,” I tell him. “Call Arden and tell him to come here. Lane, you go stay at Olivia’s house. Leo, you go back home.”

“This is definitely Arden’s type of place. Plenty of blood.” Leo says the last part in a Dracula voice. I roll my eyes, but Olivia laughs. Leo winks at her and I smirk down at her. She needed that.

“I’ll text you when we’re headed home,” I let them know.

Leo salutes me and drives away. Olivia turns to walk toward the hospital entrance, but I grab her hand and pull her back toward me. She turns, her eyes widened in surprise. I push her gently against the trunk of the car and palm the back of her head, massaging her scalp lightly. Hey eyes flutter. She loves it when I do that.

I lean down and capture her mouth with mine. From her small gasp, I know I’ve surprised her. I’m not normally a public display of affection type of guy, but something in my gut tells me she needs it. When she grips the side of my shirt and pulls me closer, I know I’m right. As much as I want to get lost in the heat of her body, I keep my senses about me because Donovan could be watching us right now. Which gives me a sick sort of pleasure.

I have what that fucker wanted. I have what he took by force, but she’s giving it to me willingly. My heart beats heavy against my ribcage as I slowly end our kiss and rest my forehead against hers, desperately wanting to tell her how much I love her.

“You’re mine, Olivia,” I tell her instead. “Forever.”

She doesn’t respond, but her comforting hands move from my sides to my back, rubbing gently along my scars like she wishes she could take them from me. I inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Does she realize how much comfort she brings me?

After Josie, I never thought I’d have a submissive again. I didn’t want one. She broke me in ways that are hard to explain. With Olivia, she has helped heal those parts of me I never thought would be whole again. I step back and smile down at her.

“Come on, dolce ragazza . Maybe she’s had the baby.”

Olivia snorts. “I really doubt that.”

We all settle in the waiting room. Olivia crosses her leg and begins shaking it. I let her be for now, because everyone is a little anxious right now. Bec is pacing and Bailey is biting on the tip of her thumb.

“I wonder how long it will take,” Ansley says. Lincoln has his arm draped over her shoulders. I glance at Olivia out of the corner of my eye.

“I’ve heard it can be within hours or could last two days or more,” Olivia says, surprising me slightly.

Bec stops her pacing and turns to face Connor. “Five years,” she says with no explanation.

He laughs and pulls her onto his lap. All of them are openly affectionate. Even Julian, who is the quietest of the group, is constantly touching Bailey.

“Five years, what?” Bailey asks, a wide smile on her face. Glancing at Olivia, I wonder if that is what’s bothering her. All of her friends are open about their relationships, but they have no idea what’s going on between us.

“Shit,” Bec says, covering her face.

“If I’m not mistaken, Liv just freaked Becca out, so now we can’t have kids for at least five years,” Connor says with a grin. Bec turns to him with surprise and he kisses her. “I told you, you are it for me. Of course I want everyone to know.”

“How’d you know that’s what I was thinking?” she asks.

He huffs. “I always know what you’re thinking.” She and Bailey scoff at the same time. “What?” he asks.

Bailey glances at Bec, who waves at her like she’s giving her permission for something. Bailey crosses her legs and raises her eyebrows at Connor. “If you always know what Bec is thinking, how did you not realize she loved you for years?” I want to tune this out, but Olivia seems invested in this. She obviously wants to know the answer as well, so I watch her.

Her eyes flit to me, but when she sees I’m looking at her, she quickly looks away. I rub my hand along my jaw, thinking about this weird conversation between Connor, Bec, and Bailey. I pride myself on being able to read Olivia and knowing what she’s thinking, or at least pretty close, but she’s also really good at hiding her emotions and feelings. Something is bothering her today. I’m not sure if it’s the baby or if it’s how everyone’s relationship is so open.

I finally tune back in when Olivia asks. “Who do you think will be next?”

“Next what?” Ansley asks.

“The next to have a baby,” she clarifies. She folds her lips between her teeth like she regrets asking the question.

“Lincoln and I don’t want kids,” Ansley says. Olivia freezes next to me and slowly looks up from her lap.

“After Ansley’s boutique has been open for a year, we’ll start traveling.” Lincoln smiles at Ansley.

She kisses him before turning around, facing everyone else. “I can’t wait.”

“We should travel before having kids,” Bec says to Connor.

“We have five years, apparently,” he deadpans. She laughs. Connor turns to Julian and Bailey. “What about you two?”

They share a look, and Julian shrugs. “We haven’t discussed that yet. I’m not in a hurry, but I’ll be ready when Bailey’s ready.”

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, watching her. 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.