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72. Olivia

Chapter seventy-two

Olivia

T here’s a hive of bees taking flight in my stomach as I wait for the wedding coordinator to let me know when it’s my turn to walk down the aisle. I glance up at Leo and am surprised that he’s smiling down at me.

“I still can’t believe you asked me to walk you down the aisle,” he whispers.

With a smile, I say, “You’re the one that said you’re my big brother, so of course I asked you.”

He leans over and kisses the top of my head. “Victor is one lucky man. I know he’s my boss and everything, but I will kill him if he hurts you.”

Shaking my head, I laugh. “Thank you, Leo,” I whisper.

Then it’s our turn. Victor and I decided to get married at a church in town, so it was as public as possible. But we’re going to have the reception at our house. I’m squeezing my bouquet so tightly I have to force myself to relax so my hand doesn’t cramp.

I did all the flowers. As we walk down the aisle, I want to take them all in, but as soon as my eyes land on Victor, I can’t look anywhere else. He smiles widely at me. When he lifts his hand to wipe at a tear, I allow the tears I’ve been holding back to fall. I hand Ansley my bouquet and Leo puts my hand in Victor’s.

We exchange vows and rings. When he puts the collar on me, my stomach swoops like it’s on a roller coaster. There are several whistles at that moment during the ceremony. He winks at me and my cheeks heat up. When the priest pronounces us husband and wife, it feels like a dream.

“You may kiss the bride!”

Victor steps forward with a glint in his eyes and kisses me. It’s a kiss of possession and ownership. When he pulls away, I sigh in disappointment. He smirks at me.

“I can’t wait to get you home, Mrs. Valentine.”

I can’t stop the smile from being called that. I want to remind him that when we get home, there will be a reception going on, but by the look in his eyes, he doesn’t care. The house is big enough that we can hide for thirty minutes or so.

Everyone else goes outside while we wait. My nerves kick into overdrive because I’m sure Donovan is watching, or he has men watching. He may have had men in the audience today. The sheriff is present as well as the majority of his deputies. That was Connor’s doing. Many of The Outsiders were here too. Donovan would be stupid to do anything today.

The photographer calls to us, letting us know she’s ready. Victor wraps his arm around me and I smile at him. “You look gorgeous, Mrs. Valentine.”

Tucking my bottom lip between my teeth, I quickly release it when I remember I’m wearing lipstick today. “Thank you. Mr. Valentine,” I whisper. “I have to be honest. I’ve wanted to jump you since I saw you.” When I smirk up at him, he laughs.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he says. He stops me with a hand on my waist, pulling me close to him. “I wouldn’t stop you from jumping me.” He leans down and kisses me, taking my breath away. When we hear a few shutter clicks from the photographer, he pulls away. “Those pictures will be just for us.”

When we get outside, the quiet moment Victor and I had becomes a distant memory as the photographer yells at us to do something spontaneous and takes various pictures. Everyone is on edge, but we’re all trying to seem relaxed. I’m beginning to wonder if all of this was for nothing when everyone goes quiet. Victor pulls me close to him and I clutch the back of his jacket.

Leo and Arden step close to us, but not so close that they block the view of the black Mercedes Benz creeping down the road. Victor told me earlier today if he did show up, I had to put on a brave face and fall apart later if I needed to. So, I keep my eyes focused on the car as it slows to a crawl. Victor adjusts us, so I’m slightly behind him, but we’re facing Donovan as a unit.

Every couple is watching him, and he knows it, so he doesn’t stop. When his car is out of sight, I feel like I might faint. Victor holds me up and walks me quickly to the limo that Arden will be driving and Leo will be riding shotgun. After we’re in and Arden takes off, I lean against Victor and sigh heavily.

“Even with that, this is still the most perfect day,” I tell him. I glance up at him and he smiles down at me as he runs his finger along the chain of my collar.

“It’s the most perfect day,” he agrees.

Victor was right. Donovan has stopped lingering in the shadows. Now, everywhere I go, Leo and Arden are both there. Instead of picking me up in front of the office, they pick me up in the parking garage at the door. Arden will come up to get me if Victor isn’t able to, and they’ll escort me out. I hate it. So, today when I go into work, I drop my things off at my desk and walk to Lincoln’s office and knock on his door.

“Hey,” he greets me when I walk in.

“Hi. Do you have a few minutes to chat?” I ask him.

“Sure,” he replies. Once I close the door, I open the blinds on his window, so people will know he’s in a meeting. I sit and run my hands down my slacks. “What’s going on, Liv?”

I swallow and finally meet his gaze. “I think I should resign,” I tell him, and his eyes widen.

“Why do you think that?” he asks carefully.

I huff. “Because of all the attention my security guards are bringing and the fact that Donovan sits on the curb all fucking day.” I exhale sharply.

He chuckles and I glare at him. “Sorry.” He raises his hands in a placating manner. “I’m not used to hearing you use that kind of language.” He leans forward, placing his elbows on his desk. “Look, Liv, you are my top employee and I don’t want to lose you. I know eventually you may go your own way. You did amazing with Ansley’s website and Julian’s too.”

I swallow as my mouth grows suddenly dry. “Lincoln, I did a lot of that using the resources you’ve given me. You and I both know part of that should have gone through here.”

He shrugs. “While that may be true. I trust you not to take potential clients out from under me. Ansley couldn’t afford it, so you did it for her as practice. With Julian I was out of his price range as well, but he wanted to pay something.” He tilts his head and studies me. “What do you want to do? Do you want to leave?”

I shake my head. “No, I love working here. And I know I don’t necessarily have to work, but I want to. Donovan took so many freedoms from me growing up.” A lump forms in my throat, so I have to pause and take a few deep breaths. “It feels like he’s taking them away again.”

Lincoln gives me a sympathetic look. “Where is Julian on the restraining order?” he asks.

“He’s filed for a temporary restraining order. Donovan will be served that tomorrow when he shows up, but it only lasts for around thirty days. Then we have to go to court to get a permanent restraining order. Well, you know Victor has plans for Donovan that are a lot more permanent than a restraining order.”

He nods. “Look, why don’t you go home today and get some rest? Donovan can’t get behind your gates. Tomorrow, after he’s served with the temporary restraining order, you can come in. There’s also the ability to work from home. I know you don’t want to do that, but it doesn’t have to be forever.”

“That’s true,” I whisper.

“Just think about it, okay?”

I nod and stand. “I guess I’ll call Arden and tell him to come get me.” Before Lincoln can respond, the building shakes like there’s some kind of earthquake. I look at Lincoln in confusion. We don’t have earthquakes in Mississippi, but before I can state the obvious, there’s a loud explosion and all the lights go out.

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