Page 31 of Oliver

Because I did.

Because now… there wasOliver.

He’d wrapped himself around me sometime in the early hours, holding me like I was something precious. Like he wasn’t going to let go even in his sleep.

And I didn’t wake up gasping for air for the first time in weeks.

I woke up to steady breathing, warm skin, and the sound of birds outside the window.

When I stretched and slipped out of bed, he stirred but didn’t move—just watched me with those unreadable eyes and a hint of a lazy smile.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“To find coffee.”

“Come back when you’re done. Or I’ll come find you.”

I grinned, slipped on my leggings and his shirt, and padded down the hall.

By the time I made it to the kitchen, Tag was sitting at the counter with a black eye and an ice pack.

“You look like hell,” I said, grabbing a mug.

“Good morning to you too,” he muttered. “I’ll live.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Especially now that Viktor’s behind bars.” He nodded toward the front windows. “We’ve got a visitor. Thought you’d want to know.”

I turned just in time to hear the gate buzz.

Then the door opened.

And a little boy burst into the entryway, carrying a dinosaur backpack and wearing a crooked baseball cap.

He skidded to a stop when he saw me.

Wide blue eyes blinked up at me.

“Hi,” he said. “Are you the swimmer lady?”

I blinked, stunned. “Uh… yeah. I guess I am.”

He nodded solemnly. “My daddy says you’re really fast. He said you always win.”

I smiled. “I trained my entire life to be a gold medalist. You can do anything you want if you work for it. My Mom used to tell me that all the time.”

He dropped his backpack and hugged me. That’s when I saw a beautiful woman walk in. She had deep red hair and walked in smiling. “Olly, I told you to wait for me.”

“I’m sorry, Niki, I was so anxious to see Dad. Where is he?”

Then he looked at me. “I’m Olly. My mommy’s in heaven. But my daddy’s isn’t. He’s a superhero.”

That cracked something in me I didn’t even know was there.

“I believe that,” I whispered.

“Where is your mommy?” He asked.

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