Page 53 of Toxic

The server comes into the room, carrying a tray of bruschetta and two aperitivos. She smiles while setting the items down. "Mr. Marino. It's good to see you."

"You, too, Olivia."

"Are there any changes to what you ordered earlier this morning?" she asks.

"No. We're not in a rush, either, so tell the chef."

She nods. "Very well." She spins and leaves the room, shutting the door.

I turn back to Bridget. "Like I stated last night, I heard Killian and Arianna's version of the story. I haven't heard yours."

She shifts and closes her eyes briefly, once again avoiding me. "I'm sure everything Killian said is accurate."

I slide my hand on her thigh and soften my voice. "Why did you keep the kids away from the O'Malleys?"

She blinks hard and her lips twitch. "It's not safe."

"What isn't?"

She squeezes her eyes closed and her voice catches. "I can't talk about this. I will never discuss this with anyone."

The hairs on my arms rise. I move closer, wrapping my arm around her again. "Bridge, if someone is after you, tell me. I'll protect you."

She huffs then wipes her face. "No one can."

"I can."

She tries to scoot out of the booth. "I need to go. I shouldn't have come here."

I tug her back to me then cup her cheek, forcing her to look at me. "Don't run from me. Whatever is going on, let me help."

She shakes her head. The blue and green swirl together in her orbs, full of worry and pain. She whispers, "I'm not talking about this. Now, let me go."

I tighten my arm around her, ignoring her orders. Her demand is weak, and I don't believe she wants to run from me. But she also appears as if she's about to break down at any moment, so I back off from pushing her further. "I'll stop asking you about it for now. Talk to me about Sean and Fiona. Why do you think they hate you?"

"Because they do."

"I don't believe that. But tell me why."

"Sean's threatening to quit school and move to Chicago. Fiona won't talk to me. Anytime Sean does speak to me, he's lashing out. I'm afraid he's going to run away," she admits.

"They're angry. It's still new. Give it some time, and Sean will calm down. Fiona will come around, too," I assert.

She sniffles, and so much pain and fear fill her expression, along with tears. "I don't think so. I-I'm afraid they're going to do something stupid. Sean, especially."

I push a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Let me talk to the kids."

"It won't help."

"You don't know that. Let me try," I insist.

She scrunches her forehead. "I don't want you involved."

I ignore the stabbing sensation in my chest. "I've always been close to the kids, especially Sean. Let me help, Bridge."

Minutes pass full of tense silence.

I soften my tone and repeat, "Let me help. No matter what's happened between us, you know I'd never hurt your kids."

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