Page 76 of Pain and Possession

Olive Ten Days Ago

I tuck the scarf tightly around my neck as Noè steps up to the front door behind me, his warm fingers gently adjusting the fabric to cover my bandages. Every move of my neck is hell, every breath tugging at the stitches, but I refuse to let that show. The less medication I have to take, the better in my current state. The obstetrician said it was fine and to take the pills as needed but I can't help but worry either way.

I don't get my hand up before the door slings open. May's red and puffy face staring back at me. My heart stills in my chest, preparing for the screaming. The hate. I watch as more tears fill her eyes, mirroring mine as she grabs my hand tugging me tightly into her, "My sweet girl, thank God you're okay."

Noè tenses behind me, his hands darting out as if he wants to stop her from hugging me, from touching me at all. Since I woke up, he's been even more overbearing. Worrying constantly if I'm in pain, if I'm safe. A status that won't change until the woman that put us in this situation is long dead and I'm long healed. A deep ugly sob jerks through me as she pulls us inside away from the curious eyes of the neighbors around her brownstone. Noè lingers close to the door as we settle on the couch, crying and clinging to each other for God knows how long.

It's cute how his hands keep clenching and unclenching as he tries to figure out what to do. But he never moves from that spot, letting us have our moment which I'm grateful for, "I'm so sorry.” I sniffle out all the crying and hugging aggravating the wound on my neck. I'm supposed to be resting, but I begged Noè to bring me here. To let me apologize to her in person. To let me atone.

"Olive look at me."

I reluctantly lift my eyes to hers, the urge to spew out a million more apologies resting on the tip of my tongue when she places her cool shaking hands on each side of my face, "Frank and I have always thought of you like our daughter. It was an easy decision for him to try to protect you that day. I know neither of us have a single regret, I'm only sorry you were hurt. We can miss him, Olive." Her voice breaks as I place my hands over hers, gripping them for dear life, "But it would be a dishonor to him to let that grief swallow us whole."

I sniffle again and nod, making myself wince. Noè's hands are on me in a second, "Are you alright? Doll she's welcome at the compound, please let's get you home."

"I'm fine Noè. Relax."

He mutters something no doubt colorful underneath his breath as he lingers beside me. May frowns her eyes widening as she sees the bandage on my neck that's slipped out from underneath the beautiful rich toned scarf Charlotte bought for me.

"What in the world happened?"

When I hesitate to answer her gaze turns accusing as she focuses in on Noè waiting for him to answer, "She was targeted because of me, they cut her."

"They tried to, and you saved me." I correct, the same way I have a hundred times over.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He adds, "If there's anything I can do to help ease the burden please don't hesitate." Her eyes widen softly, understanding exactly what he means by that. As if money could even begin to lessen her grief. It was ill-timed but Noè means well.

"We were quite prepared for the future, thank you. I do have one question." He nods, waiting for her to ask as his hands find me, finally sitting beside us on the couch. His thumb gently drawing circles on the side of my stomach, making my skin prickle.

"The detective assigned to the case hasn't been returning my calls, I assume that means you are handling things?" Her voice doesn't waver as she stands, and we follow. She straightens her chin looking every bit the small plump older lady she is against the brick wall that is Noè.

"I give you my word, they will be dealt with. Nobody is getting away with anything."

Her eyes fall, following the length of the couch until they land on a framed picture of her and Frank in front of Costa's. They were younger, the building brighter, "Please make it quick. There has been enough suffering." Noè shifts, I don't need to look at him to know how much he's against the idea. I place my hand on his giving it a squeeze, asking him to give her what she wants. I'd ask him to give her anything at this point.

Anything to ease a fraction of my guilt.

"Very well."

Both May and I seem to deflate after that. Soon finding our way back into each other's arms. Countless more tears fall before Hock calls letting Noè know Laney showed up three hours early to the compound much to his displeasure.

I gently remove myself from his grasp as I make my way to the bathroom. Staring at myself in the mirror, not daring to turn on the lights. Attempting to force myself back into a safer place of mind. Two days from now the man I love will march into the middle of enemy territory and place his neck on the chopping block. All for a single fucking flash drive. A single fucking flash drive that could take everything from him. Take everything I have left to give. Anger bubbles up inside me thinking of the day that invitation showed up, inviting Noè to the annualRiviera Family Ball.I nearly shit when he and Hock both agreed this would be the perfect opportunity to take them down, and they essentially handed it to us. Noè knows this was purposeful, that she wants him there for a singular reason. To sink her perfectly painted claws into his back and to get close enough… he has to let her.

My eyes fall to my stomach, my slight bump can easily be written off as bloating much to my annoyance. I place my hand there gently, taking in a deep breath imagining the tiny life resting inside it doesn't bring me the peace I think it should. The Rivera's or more so Camilla is too self absorbed to figure out that Noè knows she was behind the attack. She wants him, or maybe just to humiliate him. Make him see how strong she is, what a mistake he made calling off the engagement.

Choosing an outsider.

Noè goes to the ball, let's her lure him in while the men get into place. Let her feel like she's winning, maybe she'll even drop her guard… then all hell breaks loose. The ball raided, her and all the other higher ups snatched until they give up the information they have. After all that is done and everyone is properly lanced of information… bloodshed. And a lot of it. The payment ofthe debtNoè has been obsessing over since I came home. Seems simple enough.

Except it's not.

Nothing could ever be simple with these stakes on the line. My eyes fall on the garish healing wound on my neck as my chest starts to tighten, the walls warping and tugging in around me, unable to pull my eyes from the long gash. A cord in my chest snaps and I squeeze my eyes shut tightly. So tight I see faint hues dancing in the blackness. Trying and failing to breathe through the panic. It doesn't matter how hard I try; my lungs won't expand enough. Two warm hands slide slowly down my spine, working their way up my arms. As if his presence alone is enough to calm me, my chest unknots itself. I lean back resting my head on his bare chest my eyes opening again to find a hazel pair in the mirror. No small amount of adoration in them.

"We match." He whispers against my cheek, making my core heat with need. I chuckle dryly, "I don't think I pull it off the way you do." I go to turn away from my reflection only to have his arms snake around me, holding me gently in place.

"You're fucking beautiful." I gasp as his lips find mine, pulling me into him. Kissing me so deeply I swear he touches my soul. I smile as his hands glide lower following the gentle curves of my body. I close my eyes again, this time for a different reason all together, letting him take my weight.

Knowing he can carry the heaviness that follows me and that I can carry his.

---