Page 127 of Breaking Point

"You told me there was nothing going on between you."

"At the time, there wasn't."

He scoffs. "Fuck that, Warden. If I pulled that shit with you, you'd be the first to kick my ass."

"You're right." I sigh, my head dropping to my hands. I scrub a hand over my shoulders as he releases a sigh. "I'm sorry... No excuses. No displacing the blame. I fucked up. I should've done things differently."

"You mean that," he says, shaking his head. "I really wish you didn't. It would be easier to be mad at you."

I say nothing... because I don't regret her.

Liv is...

Liv is everything.

But that doesn't give me a free-pass.

“I’m not mad at you for loving her, by the way,” Taylor says, and at the words, I sigh. “I’m mad at you for hiding it from me… and for talking to Harvey behind my back. I’ve never known you to be that guy. It caught me off-guard.” He smiles, scrubbing his beard in thought. “But damn, I was blind not to see it.”

I can’t deny it. I fucked up. And it nearly cost us more than just a job.

“You’re going easy on me,” I say.

“Damn right.” He laughs again. “Have you told her? About talking to Harvey or how you feel?”

I still need to have another conversation with Harvey... but after Liv being gone, I can put that conversation on hold. I'm more concerned with talking to Liv.

“No on both accounts.”

His answering nod is small before he finally pushes off the door. He stalks forward, reaching a hand toward me. I take it, and he pulls me into a hug.

He claps my back before tipping his head toward the door. “Should probably get to it then.”

I squeeze his shoulder for good measure before crossing the hall to the waiting room.

"Oh and one more thing," he calls, and I twist to look at him. I can see the serious in his eye. "You owe me a hell of a fucking favor."

I don't bother trying to get out of it.

Chapter Sixty

Olivia

My mother was pronounced dead at 3:06 AM. She died in this hospital... and it's one of the many reasons I couldn't find it in myself to come back. To face the motions and come when my best friend needed me.

Now, I watch as the doctors finish adjusting the cast around her wrist while Skar signs the discharge papers. I barely signed my own more than thirty minutes ago, but I’ve lingered around in hopes that I might talk to her.

I meet her eye through the door, and the doctor leaves after a few moments. Charlotte smiles at Skar, saying something that has him leaning down to kiss her. Skar nods as he passes me. I step inside, trying my best not to fidget as I sit down on the table beside her.

“How’s your head?” she asks, and if the bandage wrapped around my scalp isn’t indication enough, I’m feeling like shit.

“I’ll make it. What about your hand?”

She proudly brandishes it. “Broken in three places, but I’m free to go.”

I nod, shifting on the uncomfortable paper laid out on the table. It’s quiet- almost awkward for two long moments.It’s never awkward- or at least, it wasn’t before. But somewhere along the way, I’ve found that I need to let go of my pride..

The words spill out of me:

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