“Don’t, Van. It’s exactly what he wants—you going off in a rage and attacking him. It would only add to his story and give him more ammunition against me,” she pleaded.
She was right, but I had to hit something. Take out my wrath. Liv gasped as my fist plowed through a piece of drywall, the sound exploding in the room.
“That fucking bastard—I swear I’m going to kill him,” I raged.
She was at my side instantly, inspecting my hand. She clucked at the scraped flesh and rapidly bruising skin.
“Look what you’ve done,” she admonished.
“It was the wall or his head. The wall, I can fix. His head, I can’t.”
She met my gaze. “This isn’t your fight.”
“The hell it isn’t.”
She sighed, the sound a painful shudder of the air leaving her lungs. “Are you sure I’m worth it?”
I held her chin with my good hand. “Absolutely.”
Her phone rang. She ignored it, and it pinged a few seconds later. Mine did the same.
“We can’t talk about this here.”
“Tonight,” I agreed. “Do you need to go home?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I have work to do, and I need to stay busy.”
I pressed a kiss to her forehead in admiration. “You are the strongest person I know, Livvy.”
She looked up, her eyes telling me everything she couldn’t say at the moment. Fear, panic, and worry filled them, but she refused to give in to it right now. I was so proud of her.
“Let’s get through this afternoon, and we’ll figure out our next step tonight.”
“Mom is down with another bad headache.”
“Okay. After Mouse is in bed.”
She nodded and moved toward the door.
“Liv, avoid him until you leave. Do not give him a chance to reengage. I’ll make sure to keep an eye on you.”
She paused. “Control your temper, Van. I know how his mind works. He’s counting on you losing it. That’s why he keeps baiting you.”
“I won’t give him the satisfaction.”
“Okay. I’ll work in here for a while.” She slipped out and I followed, watching her walk upstairs to do the measurements and sketches she wanted to work on today. Simon passed me in the hall.
“There was a little accident in unit one,” I muttered.
“I’ll fix it now.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope everything is okay.”
I glanced toward the staircase. Liv’s body language said it all. Nothing was okay.
But I would make sure it was. No matter what.
How Liv held it together all day was a mystery to me. How I managed to make it through the rest of the day and not beat the shit out of Nolan was a miracle. We met in our usual Friday afternoon session, Jordan’s presence a buffer for all the tension in the air. John made an unexpected appearance, which put Nolan on his best behavior. Updates, schedules, and issues were addressed. Liv’s responses were short and quiet, mine direct and blunt. John was pleased with the progress, as was Jordan.
“We might finish ahead of schedule,” John stated, pleased. “I guess I had better get your bonus ready, Nolan.”
“Does the rest of the crew get a bonus?” I asked. “Or do the rewards stop at Nolan the same as everything else does?”
Jordan lifted his eyebrows at my unusually snarky question. John lifted one shoulder. “I leave it to Nolan. He decides who is deserving.”
I snorted quietly. “Well, I guess that answers my question.”
Liv nudged my leg. Nolan glared at me.
“Got something on your mind, Van?”
I leaned back in my chair. “Nope. It was a simple question. Always interested in how other people run their crews.”
“I run my crews just fine,” Nolan snarled.
I shrugged. “Never said anything different.”
“You insinuated,” he insisted.
Jordan spoke up. “I think that’s enough. It’s been a long week for everyone and we’re ahead of schedule. Let’s leave it at that and wrap this up.”
I stood. “I’m done.”
Nolan stood, his hatred for me blatant in his gaze. “So am I.”
I barked out a laugh, heading for the door. “You got that right.”
Liv said nothing but picked up her bag, following me. Nolan spoke.
“We’ll talk more next week, Olivia.”
She stopped and turned. “I’m happy to discuss the project with you anytime, Mr. Nolan. If there is anything else you want to talk about, you’ll have to book an appointment. With my lawyer.”
With that bombshell, she walked out ahead of me.
I wanted to kiss her, but I refrained.
She worked the rest of the afternoon on designs, spoke with people on the phone, and solved problems with her assistant, sitting in an empty apartment while I double-checked my order. She was calm, in control, and efficient.
Only I saw the turmoil in her eyes.
We picked up Mouse, and I made dinner for my girls. I decided mac and cheese was in order, and I made it extra cheesy and gooey, much to the delight of Sammy. Liv barely ate, but Sammy was so happy, she never noticed. She talked nonstop, filling us in on her day, and asking about going to the park on the weekend and her need for a bacon and grilled cheese sandwich before we did.
I noticed how Liv’s eyes followed her. The way she sat closer than normal and listened with an intensity born of fear. I cleaned up the kitchen while Liv gave Mouse a bath, taking extra-long with her. They cuddled on the bed as I read to them both, giving Liv the chance to hold Sammy close and stroke her hair.
“You’re so cuddly today, Mommy,” Sammy observed. “You’re hugging me extra hard.”
“Because I love you extra much.” Liv’s voice caught.
“I love you too, Mommy.” Sammy’s eyes met mine. “I love you too, Mr. Van.”
“Right back at you, Mouse. And I told you last week you can call me Van if you want.”
She rubbed her nose, looking thoughtful. “You call me Mouse because it’s a special name, right?”
“Yep.”
“I like calling you Mr. Van because it’s special too.”
“Okay.”
Liv’s lip trembled, and I knew it was hitting her. The whole awful day and the situation that was happening. I stood, shutting the book.
“I’ll leave you girls to say good night.” I bent down and kissed Sammy. “Sleep good.”
“I will!”
I left the room and headed for the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. I had a feeling we were going to need it.
I was on my second cup when Liv appeared. She looked exhausted, her shoulders drooping, and eyes heavy. She paused in the kitchen, shaking her head no at my offer of coffee. She turned and headed back to Sammy’s doorway, leaning on the frame.
I drained my cup and followed her, standing close and observing Mouse as she nestled under the covers, her doll clutched tight, sleeping dreamlessly.
I knew she would probably be the only one getting any sleep tonight.
Liv began to shake. The tremors started slowly and grew. I could feel the rate of her heart picking up as her emotions began to overwhelm her.