Page 130 of Mr. Almost

“Is that what you think? It kills me to know that she was almost hurt because of my family. I want to wrap her in bubble wrap and never let her out of the house again, but that’s not realistic, Olivia. All we can do is take more steps to keep her safe. I hired a security guard that will take care of her when we aren’t with her. I have my assistant Alex weeding through nanny applications, so that way we can narrowthem down and pick one so she doesn’t have to go back to day care. Once we have a nanny picked out, we can find Ari some classes so she still gets the socialization she needs before she starts school in a couple of months. I don’t care if it pisses you off, but I went ahead and signed her up for the best private school in the area that has their own security and will allow ours to be on site as well. We can protect her without limiting her.”

“You did all of that without me?”

“It needed to be done, so I took care of it.”

“I’m scared to let her out of my sight,” she admits.

“I know.” I pull her into my arms. “It’s been a month, though, and Ari’s frustrated and sick of the two of us. I think it’s time to let her go out for a bit and run around like a normal kid. I could call the guys and you can call Chloe. Maybe they can go to the park while you and I spend some time alone together.”

She doesn’t say anything for a long time. Then she takes a deep breath.

“Okay. Call them.”

She pulls away, using her own phone to call Chloe.

I send a mass text to my friends, telling them to drop everything and meet at my place. While I’m at it, I shoot off a text to Alex, asking him to cancel my meetings for the day. Then I make my way back into our bedroom. It takes me a minute to find what I’m looking for, but when I do, I smile. I wasn’t planning this today, but it feels right.

When the guys show up, I pull Eli aside.

“Can you let the hotel know I need my regular room?”

He nods. “Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks, man, I appreciate it.”

Then we walk over to the group that now includes Chloe. Ari is up in Max’s arms, Iris at his side.

“You said all hands on deck,” he says when he sees me looking at her.

“The more, the merrier. Will you guys take Ari to the park andwhatever else you want to do for the afternoon? Olivia and I have something to do. Gerald will also go. He’s waiting outside.”

“Gerald is the best. You’ll love him, Ari. He usually keeps candy on him,” Max jokes.

He’s not wrong. Gerald is our go-to security guard for events. Now he’s the full-time guard for Ari.

“I get to go to the park? Mommy said no.” Ari cuddles into Max’s neck.

“Mommy said no because she couldn’t take you, but she decided to call in backup.” I give all the credit to Olivia.

“Thank you, Mommy. Can we go now?” She looks at the group.

They all laugh as they walk out the door. Olivia squeezes my hand as she goes.

“They will be okay.”

“Logically, I know that, but I’m traumatized. Anytime she’s out of my sight, I feel like I’m pushed back to the day she was taken. I’m trying, but it’s hard. She’s my baby. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

“I know, Livvy, I know. I’m right there with you, trust me. Let’s get your mind off it, though. I want to show you something.”

She smiles. “I thought you had meetings.”

“I canceled them. Fuck that place. You’re more important.”

“Such a charmer,” she teases, but lets me lead her out to my car.

“Only for you, Livvy.”

The ride is quiet with both of us lost in our own thoughts. While she’s probably busy worrying about Arianna, I’m daydreaming of how this might go. She could lose her shit on me.

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