Page 78 of Deadly Target
A few days after he left the hospital, he’d received a call from his boss in DC telling Victor he had been under investigation. The previous fall, someone in the Justice Department had received an anonymous tip claiming Victor had ties to the Fifty-seven Gang and Gino DeStefano, conducting criminal activity with them the entire time he’d been with the FBI. The conversation with Olivia that night in the dining room had all come back to him.
She’d been the one covertly investigating him.
No wonder she hadn’t returned his texts and phone calls. The whole time they’d had a relationship, she’d been pretending she cared.
He’d spent every minute of the last two weeks going over their relationship in his mind, and maybe he was being an idiot, but he truly believed that shedidcare. Maybe it was his sad ego, needing to feel like he hadn’t been tricked, but he remembered what Felix had said to him the night everything went down, as well as some of the things Liv herself had said that sounded cryptic then and now made total sense.
So, against all hope, he’d invited her to the picnic.
As the last of the food was set out and Brenda began calling everybody to grab their plates, Victor went to look out the dining room window. Cars lined the driveway and down the street but there was no Olivia.
His heart sunk, and he dropped his chin to his chest, wondering how he could’ve been such a fool. His relationship with Tracee had been a disaster, and it had gotten her killed. The one with Olivia had held promise, but apparently, had been based on lies. If his right arm hadn’t been in a sling, he probably would’ve punched the wall. Instead he turned, heading back for the kitchen.
The doorbell rang, stopping him in his tracks. Slowly, he pivoted and stared at the closed door for a moment.
A funny feeling invaded his chest—hope.You’re a fool. It was probably Roman or one of the other taskforce agents he’d invited.
That reasoning didn’t stop him from rushing to the door and throwing it open.
Olivia stood there, in red shorts and a flowery blouse, raising a paintbrush. “Figured you had plenty of food and booze, so I came bearing a promise instead.”
He couldn’t stop the crazy grin that spread across his face. His heart beat rapid-fire, banging against his ribcage. “A promise?”
“Seems I owe you for getting my dad a deal with the federal government. Because there were extenuating circumstances—he was, quote,assisting with a deep cover investigation, per your report to the Justice Department—he’s been allowed to return to Chicago and stay on parole. My mom is beside herself with happiness. No charges will be brought against him.”
Power was a good thing sometimes. “Hedidassist, and if it weren’t for him, who knows what would’ve happened to you.”
Her eyes softened along with her voice. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you did that. In return, I’d like to offer my painting services.”
His heart whacked against his ribcage like it was going to beat out of his chest. He moved back, motioning her across the threshold. “As it so happens, I’ve decided on a color for the living room with the help of my mother and sisters. It’s called Dragon Fire. I think you’ll like it.”
She entered the foyer and glanced around as people filed in and out of the kitchen near the back door. Celina saw them and waved. “You’re late!” she called.
Olivia waved back. “How’s Cooper?”
“Come outside and ask him yourself.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
“Great idea,” Victor said. “You probably need sustenance before you start working, so why don’t you join the picnic?”
She stared at the back door, seeming to contemplate it. One of the kids ran in, Taz giving chase. When the dog saw Liv, he let out a happy yelp, his legs spinning as he tried to get traction to run to see her. A second later, he barreled into her open arms and began licking her face as she greeted him. “I missed you, buddy. Don’t tell your owner, but you’re the real reason I came over.”
“He’s missed you too.”
She finished hugging the dog and rose. “Is he the only one?”
Victor reached out and grabbed her hand, dragging her closer so they were chest to chest, nose to nose. “You better eat a lot, because you’re not going to need sustenance just for painting.”
She chuckled low and sexy. “I’m really sorry about what happened. I was going to tell you everything, but the timing was always off. I fell totally head over heels for you, Director, our first night together. I didn’t trust myself or my feelings and by the time I realized I was in love with you, I’d dug one hell of a hole. Nothing about our relationship was fake on my end. I want you to know that.”
He smiled down at her, a sense of completeness enveloping him. Liv was here in his arms. In the background, he heard the sounds of his family and friends having a good time. Everybody was okay. Everybody was happy.
Now he could relax, at least for a little while.Maybe it’s my turn to be happy.
Olivia too.
“I have no doubts you’re the real deal, Olivia Fiorelli, and I’m hoping you’re going to spend a lot of time in this house with me and the dog.”
She grinned. “I don’t work for free, you know.”
