Page 110 of Tangled in Vows

Holden’s focus on me is laser-sharp. “Do you want to do it? The concert, I mean?”

There’s no hesitation. “Always. I love doing charity events. If it wasn’t for all the threats, I would have already done something for the Foxhole too.”

His features soften at my words. “We’ll have plenty of time for that later if you’re still interested. But you’re right. This person is clearly after your personal connections, so it’s better to keep the teens out of the spotlight for now. But I’m not sure how safe the concert will be either. At the very least, we’ll need extra security. Lots of it.”

I compose a message back to Nisha, leaving out the details about some psycho being after us, who’s made severe threats before and, oh, tried to kill us too. She knows about the crazy guy who broke into my condo and some of the minor things that followed that. But she doesn’t know to what extremes it has escalated. Hopefully, what she does know will sound reasonable enough for her to allow the extra security.

Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long. Nisha messages back.

Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll inform the organizers and get Holden their contact info.

Holden whistles. “She’s definitely got things under control.”

“Yeah.” I draw out the word in a loud exhale.

“What’s up, Buttercup?”

Archer’s voice is gentle, despite the ridiculous nickname he gave me. Although it’s cute, not that I’d admit that out loud. Not when Holden’s already glaring at Archer like he might pull him across the table at any second.

But of course, his question is valid. I swallow several times to gather my nerves and ask the question that has occupied my mind. “Since we’re all pretty sure it’s someone with a personal connection to me, do you . . . do you guys think Nisha could be behind all of this?”

Chapter 35

Holden

Day 1269 without you: If I close my eyes, I can almost imagine you’re singing just for me. Almost.

Archer scratches his neck and widens his eyes in a way I’m pretty sure is supposed to mean,“Your girl. Your turn to answer. Good luck.”

Asshat.

But I also get it. This is a question Archer and I have discussed in depth more than once. We checked out everyone in Olivia’s life who could have a reason to want to harm her but also have access to her. Although the more aggressive incidents were hired out, meaning anyone could be responsible for them, we also have had situations like the new song or the guy who waited in her condo, where we know someone must have had access to her somehow. With the email, there is always a chance it could have been hacked from the outside, but explaining away the access card to the condo is more complex than that.

All in all, we have no fucking clue.

Olivia’s eyes are on me, her gaze trusting but also scared.

I take her hand and hold it, interlacing our fingers. Relishing the contact I’ve craved for so many years.

“Complete truth?”

She frowns but immediately nods. “Always. Please. I don’t need you to hold back with me.” She regards Archer. “Neither one of you needs to. I think we’ve had enough secrets for several lifetimes. So I vote full transparency.”

She raises her hand as if we’re in school, and I can’t help but smile.

“You’re too cute, but yes, full transparency.” I glance at Archer for confirmation, and he’s already nodding.

“Same here. The second we know something for sure, we’ll share it.”

His wording makes me pause, but Olivia must not have noticed the “for sure” since she lets out a relieved sigh. Does that mean he wants to keep his speculations to himself until they’re confirmed?

“Okay, good. Thank you.” Olivia taps her fingers on mine. “I guess that means no club this weekend either, huh? I’m a bit disappointed about that. I was looking forward to it, especially after you guys made it sound all mysterious and whatnot.”

Archer coughs a laugh. “Ah, right. I forgot Damien mentioned it. You could still go, you know? We might need to be more diligent with the disguise and make sure you’re not on the open floor. No playing with others for you.”

I can’t decide whether to smack Archer or high-five him. I’m not going to lie. I was excited to go too. For Olivia to get the whole experience, realizing how much double meaning Archer’s comments have.

She blinks at me with nothing but hope in her beautiful hazel eyes, and I get lost in them.

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