Page 97 of Secret Triplets for Christmas

I didn't have much choice, so I tossed the papers and held my breath. Thank God, Darcy released Olivia's hand. "Go ahead."

Olivia ran toward me. “Daddy.”

I squatted down and wrapped her up in my arms, turning my back to Darcy to protect my daughter. Olivia whimpered against my neck, her little arms holding me painfully tight.

"Now all you have to do is stay here for five minutes. After five minutes, the two of you can leave."

I was going to ask how Olivia and I were going to get out of here because in my mind, Darcy was about to leave with Donovan. He was either her accomplice or he’d arrest her.

At this point, I didn't give a fuck what they did. All that mattered was that I get Olivia safely home. I held her tight, trying to soothe her, my heart breaking for how her little body shook in my arms.

I heard the door open and shut. I waited, as Darcy instructed. “It's okay, baby. You're going to be okay. We’re going to wait here a little bit longer."

I had no idea how long I'd been standing there, but deciding it was plenty of time for Darcy to leave and Donovan to do whatever he was going to do, I made my way to the door. I was several feet from it when I heard three loud shots delivered in succession.

I immediately crouched down, covering Olivia in fear that bullets were about to come through the door. Tires screeched as if a car were driving away. Jesus, had Donovan killed her?

I had to consider that whoever it was might come looking for us. I kept low as I moved away from the door. I found a room that Darcy had been likely waiting for me in. Inside was a desk and chair, illuminated by a window. Carefully, I peeked out toward the street, where Donovan's car still sat parked. Next to it lay Darcy's motionless body. And in the driver seat sat Donovan with a bullet hole in his forehead.

I turned to the desk, reaching for the phone. I held it up to my ear, hearing the dial tone, and gave a prayer of thanks as I dialed 911.

"We’re going home, baby. We’re going to be just fine."

Thirty minutes later, I was in a police station holding a terrified Olivia. I told them I’d answer all their questions once Lindsay picked up Olivia. I wanted to get Olivia as far away from this horror as I could.

It was another half-hour before Lindsay came rushing into the room where the police had put me and Olivia. My heart cracked open to see the fear and desperation on her face. She had a bandage on her head and bruises on her face. It reminded me that this all started with a car accident.

"Mommy." Olivia slipped from my arms, running to her.

Lindsay dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms around the girl and weeping.

Olivia was safe, but for some reason, I still felt like an epic failure.

"Daddy came and got me. He told me we’d be okay. And we were."

"I know, baby. I’m so glad.” She lifted her gaze to me. "Thank you, Oliver. Thank you."

Detective Riker came in, followed by Agent Marsden.

"We have a lot to talk about," Agent Marsden said.

“I’ll tell you everything once Lindsay takes Olivia home.”

Lindsay stood, picking Olivia up. She looked at me. “You’ll come by when you’re done?”

I gave her a noncommittal nod.

"Make sure that you do." She turned and left the room.

When the door shut behind Lindsay, Agent Marsden sat across the table from me. “I’m curious whether you saw who killed Detective Donovan and Darcy Patrick?"

Scraping my hands over my face, I turned my attention to her and Detective Riker.

“No.”

Hours later, I’d given my statement and then some. The questioning went back to the first text I’d received, and even back five years ago to Liam’s actions.

I was about at my limit when Agent Marsden slid my phone across the table. "I hope you don't mind that we broke into your hotel room to pick this up. We plan to keep it for evidence. However, I wanted you to tell me what you think about a text that came in just as you arrived here at the police station."

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