Page 67 of His Greatest Treasure

Oliver seems to move away from the man because a second later, a door slams, and then he’s asking, “Something happen to Nova, princess? I’m leaving the station right now. Just tell me where to go.”

Something hot pierces my chest, right between the ribs. “Nova’s okay. She’s at school, and I need someone to pick her up. Something’s come up, and I’m going to call the school so theyhold her in the classroom for a few minutes after the bell, but I still won’t be able to get there in time.”

“Why not? Did something happen?”

“My car—” I cut myself off, deciding to keep the accident to myself. “I’m stuck at the shop. I should have called your mom or Addie, but I just . . . I didn’t.”

“You always call me, Avery. Always. Doesn’t matter what I’m doing, okay? I’ll pick up your girl.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

There’s rustling in the background and a few mumbled voices around him. They’re muffled as if he’s put the speaker to his chest before suddenly pulling it away. “Do you want me to bring her to the shop after?”

“No!” I shout, wincing. “I mean, I’ll call your mom and see if she’s home to watch her for a couple of hours.”

“How about I bring her back here? That okay with you? My squad’s been asking about her all morning. About both of you.”

I lean against the shop door and watch the driver of the truck speak on the phone, still standing on the road. “You’re working. I’ve already interrupted your day badly enough with this.”

“You’re the best type of interruption, Avery. I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure I could swing it.”

Gnawing on my lip, I exhale and say, “She’d love to go to the station again.”

“Alright. Can you send me the address of the school and the classroom number? I’ll leave now and text you when I’ve got her.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“You did good by calling me. Don’t get tied up in your head telling yourself otherwise. I told you that I’m here and that I want you to call when you need me.”

“Do you promise that it’s really okay?”

“I’ll promise you a million times if it makes a difference. You don’t have to do everything on your own anymore,” he declares, and for the first time in a long time, I believe those words.

“Thank you. You’ve really saved me today.”

“You can thank me by explaining what happened when I see you later. I’m sending someone to the shop right now, and we’ll talk later. Her name is Rebecca Hart, and she’s a rookie but a good one. You need anything, you tell her.”

I furrow my brows and grip the door handle. “I don’t need you to send anyone. I’m good.”

“Then she won’t be there long. Just humour me, princess.”

“Fine. Okay.”

“Keep giving me attitude about it and we’ll be having a different conversation when I see you,” he warns, the sheer amount of heat in his words encouraging me to squeeze my thighs together.

“I didn’t give you anything.”

He hums low and deep. “I’m leaving the station right now. Send me that address.”

“Thank you, Oliver.”

“You’re welcome. See you soon, beautiful.”

I miss his voice the minute it disappears. Sending off the text with all Nova’s school info feels good, knowing that it’s Oliver who’s going to take care of her.

The thought of going back onto the street to speak with the car rammer again is a trigger for my migraine. Soon, the police will arrive, and it’ll only get worse.

Inhaling a big fucking breath, I straighten my shoulders and make the call to Nova’s school, knowing that I need to get this taken care of as soon as I can.

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