Page 23 of If You Fight

“Well, when I thought there was a possibility that some attacker had broken into your home, it made sense that someone would have done the same to Oliver at his office, but since he was the one who attacked you, that theory makes no sense.”

As he thought about this, I snuck a look at Ryder and saw fear in his eyes that my father’s suspicions could lead to something very bad for us. So quickly, I scrambled to come up with a believable reason why someone would want Oliver dead.

Someone other than me.

“Dad, the lawyer said that Oliver and his brother frittered away the appraisal business’s money. We don’t know what that involved. They could have gambled it away, and you know as well as I do that gambling often involves loans and getting into people for large sums of money. Maybe that happened and when they couldn’t pay, whoever they owed got their money another way.”

My father chuckled. “What do you know about gambling, Serena?”

“I watch TV. People get into trouble with gambling all the time, don’t they? You know, hit men, concrete shoes, sleeping with the fishes kind of stuff?”

His chuckle exploded into a full-fledged laugh, and he threw his head back. “I forget how funny you can be, Serena. I’m not sure any of that still happens other than in the movies and on TV.”

Happy I’d been able to distract him, at least for a few minutes, I smiled. “Well, maybe they don’t, but I’m sure while Oliver and his brother were blowing all their money, they made some enemies. Maybe one of them decided Oliver had crossed him one too many times.”

Clearly skeptical, he sighed and nodded his head. “Perhaps. Well, whatever happened, I’m glad he got his just desserts, no matter who gave them to him. It’s been a long day for you. Go home and relax.”

I knew when my father wanted me to leave, so I walked around his desk and kissed him on the cheek like a good daughter should. “Thank you, Dad. It has been a difficult day, so I think I will.”

“Good idea, honey.”

I shot Ryder a knowing look to give him the sign that I wanted him to find a way to come see me, but in return I received the same stony look he usually wore while he stood guard in my father’s office. Hoping he understood my hint, I headed out into the hallway and then turned around to ask my father a question.

Peeking my head into his office, I asked, “Dad, will you be here all night?”

He looked up from his laptop and smiled at me. “I plan to go out as I usually do. Do you need something before I do?”

I shook my head. “No. I just wondered since it’s just the two of us again.”

His gaze darted over toward Ryder and then back at me. “Don’t you mean just the three of us again?”

Suddenly, I couldn’t help feeling self-conscious. Did he know about Ryder and me? Did he know Ryder was the father of the child Oliver had killed? Did he know Ryder did just as I asked and fixed everything so I never again had to fear another night in the same apartment as my husband?

With as much control as I could exert on my expression, I tried to remain casual and looked over toward the man who I owed my very life to. “That’s right. I’m sorry, Ryder. I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t here too.”

As my father watched, Ryder smiled warmly. “It’s okay.”

“There we go. One big happy family,” my father said with one of his crocodile grins. “Now run along and take care. You have the rest of your life ahead of you starting tomorrow.”

Something in the way he said that unnerved me, but I didn’t want to stick around to hear any more of his cryptic messages.

“Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, Ryder.”

I left his office and once again hoped to see Ryder leave right behind me. Waiting in the back hallway, I poked my head around the corner and watched to see him. After nearly ten minutes, he finally walked out of my father’s office and saw me waiting.

Waving him toward me, I said in a hushed voice, “Come here.”

He smiled but then looked around to make sure no one was watching before hurrying to join me. Gently, he pushed me back into the hallway out of sight.

“How are you? Are you doing okay?” he asked as he cradled my face and stared down into my eyes with a look of worry.

I covered his hands with mine, loving the feel of his touch on me. It had been days since I got to enjoy him next to me. Closing my eyes, I whispered, “I’m fine now.”

Reveling in just being with him, I tried to push the rest of the day away and focus only on Ryder. When he was near me, I always felt safe and protected. Now that Oliver was gone forever, I hoped I’d finally get to be with the man I loved.

No more running around and hiding how we felt about one another. I wanted the world to know I loved Ryder and he loved me and that love had endured ugliness and meanness, but it had endured and grown stronger through all we’d been forced to suffer through.

I felt his lips gently brush mine before he whispered, “We can’t risk anyone seeing us. You have to go, Serena.”

Opening my eyes, I shook my head. “I don’t want to. I want to spend the night in your arms and fall asleep with my head on your shoulder like we used to.”

Ryder looked around and then quickly kissed me. “I’ll find a way to get to your place. Give me a few minutes. Your father seems preoccupied, so I might just get lucky and not have to do anything for him for the rest of the day. Go and wait for me.”

I drew him to me for a kiss full of all the need I had for him, and when he pulled away and mouthed, “I love you. I promise I’ll come,” I reluctantly left to go back to the apartment that I now had all to myself.

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