9. Victor

Chapter nine

Victor

I put my hands in my pockets as I watch Olivia run away from me. She doesn’t give me a backward glance as she enters the elevator and closes the doors. Standing there, lost in my thoughts, I know I fucked up, but I’m not sure how yet. I wasn’t there enough, so lost in the hell I was going through and living from day to day, just surviving. Blowing out a long breath, I walk back toward the security desk.

“James, what time does Olivia usually get off?” I ask.

He gives me a long look before answering. “How do you know Liv?”

I almost tell him it’s none of his business, but I can tell he’s only asking out of concern for her. “I knew her parents,” I finally respond, leaving out the fact her parents made me her godfather, because am I really? Clearly, I wasn’t a very good one.

His eyes narrow slightly before he nods once, like he’s just decided I’m safe. I wonder why. Has Olivia told him not to give any personal information out about herself? I know she’s avoiding Donovan, but why? We’re both Outsiders, he should trust me.

“She leaves between five and five-thirty.”

“Thanks.”

I wave bye and walk outside, taking in the surroundings to see if Donovan could be lurking anywhere. Olivia is obviously terrified, so I’m going to stay on guard and make sure she’s safe. I don’t see his car anywhere. There was a time Donovan’s presence in this town was constant, but four years ago, Connor McMillian took it upon himself to clean this place up. And it’s worked.

It is a bit curious that around that same time is when Olivia ran away from Donovan. Does he know she’s in this city so he’s pulled back in an effort to keep her safe? Or is it something else? I’m going to find out.

The rest of the day is spent fielding phone calls from my guys at the new construction site to working with Lee on the menu for the pub I’m opening. I own several restaurants in Louisiana and Mississippi, but this place is for me. It’s in the historic district and overlooks the Mississippi River.

It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, but between building my construction business, managing the other restaurants, and Josie, it wasn’t a top priority. When this building was put up for sale a couple of years back, I bought it.

It pissed Connor off to no end. That man is hotheaded. The amount of times I’ve tried to explain to him I’m not associated with Donovan in any way has not deterred his hatred for me. So, I do my best to avoid him. Except, that’s not always possible, since he owns his own construction company too. He also has a realtor’s license, so selling this building to me was a big blow to his ego.

Standing, I grab the final menu and clap Lee on the back. “I’ll be in tomorrow around lunchtime to begin the taste test. I won’t take this to the printer until we’ve tasted everything, just in case we need to add or remove something.”

I met Lee about five years ago. The divorce had just been finalized, so I was spending a lot of time with The Outsiders. Lee had just been released from prison, but once an Outsider, always an Outsider. He was given a place to stay and hired at the bar as a part-time cook to help him get back on his feet.

I was drunk out of my mind one day, wallowing in self pity. He made me lunch to soak up all the alcohol in my system. That’s when I realized how great of a cook he was. I hired him as a full-time cook at one of my restaurants and we’ve been friends ever since.

“You still think we’ll be able to open next month?” he asks.

The last thing we were waiting for was our liquor license. It came in last week, so I was able to get all the liquor we need ordered. The shipment will be in by the end of the week.

“Yep. Everything else is easy after this.” This is his first business venture, so I understand his questions and nerves. “I have someone coming in on Friday to interview for the bartender job. And we’ll need a barback.”

“I’ll go pick up ingredients in the morning. We can begin the taste testing tomorrow and start with appetizers.” We both walk toward the door. I set the alarm and lock up.

“Alright. I might have someone with me tomorrow, so make enough for two people.” I already have my phone out, ready to call Olivia. Whether she likes it or not, I’m not leaving her alone.

Lee raises an eyebrow. “Anyone in particular?”

I look up from my phone and shrug a shoulder. “Just someone I used to know.”

He scoffs and shakes his head before walking toward his bike. I pull up Olivia’s name on my phone and press the button to call her. It’s after five, so she should be off work. As it rings, the sound of a diesel engine draws my attention.

A white truck slowly rolls by and I shake my head, knowing it’s Connor without having to see his face. I lift my hand in a wave, but whether he sees it or not, I don’t know. His windows are tinted too dark for me to actually see him. Hopefully, he’ll see I’m not in this town to cause the same damage Donovan caused. If he doesn’t figure it out on his own, I think things may come to a head with the two of us in a way I’d rather avoid.

Olivia doesn’t answer. I hit end, deciding not to leave a voicemail. Is she one of those people that doesn’t talk on the phone, but would rather text? I grind my teeth. Hopefully not. I hate texting. Maybe it’s my age, but I miss the days when people actually enjoyed talking on the phone.

I put my phone back in my pocket, grab my helmet, and climb onto my bike. Of course, it could just be me and not my age. I know other forty something year olds that don’t like talking on the phone either. They will sit and watch it ring, then text the person to ask what they want. I snort and grab my phone again. Texting it is then.

Victor: Are you busy for lunch tomorrow?

I start the bike and wait for a few minutes to see if she answers. The streets are getting busier with people getting off work. When she doesn’t answer right away, I decide I’ll try again later. I’m not going to allow her to ignore me, if that’s what she’s doing.

I’ll find out, one way or another. It’s my goal to find out why her eyes are filled with so much sadness. Then help her find happiness. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s her.