Page 70 of Oliver

He’s clearly richer than I imagined but does it make him happy? The only version I’ve seen is a cold ass jerk who lords his power over us peons.

Dick.

Passing too many rooms to count, I give up on my curiosity and sigh. Where the hell is everyone?

“Why?” At the sound of Maeve’s voice, I spin and stalk down another hall.

“I don't know, sweet,” Diem says.

“We need to know what’s going on, Maeve,” Ramsay says, and I plaster myself to the wall outside the door.

“I don’t know,” she says, “but I’m sure it has something to do with my dad.”

“Where is he?” Willow asks and my heart sinks to my toes when Ramsay says, “I suspect he went to see his father.”

Shit. In jail? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Bad, very bad. Whatever Oliver is up to, I can’t imagine facing off with his jerk dad is going to make things better.

Is he asking Mr. G about Dixie? Me?

My soul burns at the notion and I stalk away, wishing myself a million miles from this life and the shittiness that keeps raining down on me.

Later, I’m sitting on the back patio when Maeve approaches. I don’t comment when she sits in the seat beside mine, admiring the perfectly tended lawn and shrubberies.

We don’t speak and it’s almost peaceful until she says, “I don't know what’s going on with Ollie or you but I’m telling you this because I’m worried.”

“Okay,” I rasp, before licking my dry lips.

“I think Ollie is going to do something stupid, to protect us.”

“And you’re telling me this—why?”

“Because if anyone can get through to him, it’s you.”

Chuckling, I tap the arm of my chair. “I can't get him to do shit.”

“No? Because right now, he’s facing off against my dad and he’s hated the man since I can remember.”

“That’s not for me.”

“Isn’t it?” she murmurs, pushing to her feet. “Don’t let him get lost, Penny. I’m afraid he’ll never come back.”

Lost? I couldn’t find my own damn sister in the darkness, now I’m supposed to save Oliver. Yeah, right.

Chapter 22

This is my world and you’re just a fucking puppet.

Oliver

“Son,” Dad says, and I dip my chin. Since the last time I came, I’ve kept an eye on who’s been to visit him. So far, it would seem only my mom has bothered.

Now that I’m back here, the words I want to say are stuck in my throat. Why, I don’t know. Maybe I’m avoiding the truth staring me in the face. Either way, I have to know.

“Did you groom her?” I ask and he cocks his head.

Bracing for the fucking games, I’m surprised when he says, “No.”

“But?”

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