Page 24 of Breaking Point

His attention shifts to me. “Warden! I didn’t know you were working for the Hughes.”

I cock a smile, reaching for a hug. “Hey, Kid.”

“Kid,” he laughs, knowing we’ll never let him live down the fact that he’s more than ten years Skar’s junior. “Hey, you met Sofia, right?”

A dark-haired woman in blue appears from behind us, taking Aleks’ arm as she curtsies in introduction. “Sofia Vercelli. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”

I already knew from visiting Viserion that he proposed to someone, but this is my first time meeting her. A warning bell goes off somewhere in my head as Sofia shakes my hand.

“Crew Warden.”

Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve never heard of her before. Or maybe I’m still protective of Aleks, but I usually make it a point to know everyone... yet I haven't the slightest clue who she is.

“Crew,” Sofia’s voice is sugary-sweet. Sweet enough that Aleks is eating it up, but Sofia’s eyes drift toward Olivia. “It’s good to see you again, Liv.”

They’ve met.

I carefully watch the three interact.

“We’ll set up that new intake appointment soon, but I believe…” Olivia nudges me, directing my eye toward Harvey a few tables over. “That’s my father. If you’ll excuse us…” She waves goodbye.

With a clap of Aleks’ shoulder and one last look at Sofia, who smiles, I follow.

“Dad!” Olivia calls, and when he hears her, he breaks out in a smile.

“Hi, Button. Enjoying yourself?”

“This is beautiful, Dad… She would love it.”

She. Harvey squeezes his daughter’s shoulder, a sudden wave of quiet falling over them. Harvey sniffs, hugging her before smiling.

I can see through it now-his masks. His lies. Part of me wonders whether Olivia can too.

“Just wait until the auction.” Harvey loudly claps his hands together. “That’s when the real fun begins.” He reaches for a handshake, his grip firm. “Mr. Warden. I assume everything’s going well?”

“Yes, Sir. Getting settled in just fine.”

Harvey gives a curt nod in dismissal. “I’ll expect that check-in soon then.”

He saddles up with another group to talk to for the night, and I almost think Olivia might go after him.Almost.Her shoulders slump, but she clears her throat.

“You up for a drink then, Warden?”

She asks as if I’m not on the clock, and I smile the tiniest bit.

“Not likely, Ms. Hughes.”

At the far side of the ballroom, there’s an open bar with a line of patrons. Almost everyone has a glass of wine or a bubbly, but Olivia discards her empty glass for a glass of lemonade.

Interesting, I note.

She leans against the bar, watching the crowd curiously as I stand behind her. My eyes catch on one of the programs someone’s using as a coaster:

The Elizabeth Hughes Foundation presents Sutton’s 5th annual Silent Auction.

It clicks into place. This event isn’t for work. It’s honoring Olivia’s mother- a woman I’ve only heard brief stories about since her passing.

A tear glimmers as it trails down Olivia’s cheek, and my back tenses as she wipes it away. I know grief when I see it.

---