Page 33 of Wicked Oath
He walks right past me into my home without an invitation. Fucking bastard. “I know it was you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Owen?” Olivia asks. “What’s the matter?”
He points at me. “Your husband is the matter.” Owen gets right up in my face. “I know it was you who burned the warehouse down.”
“Owen!” Olivia says. “Stop this.”
I stay right where I am. “I’m afraid it wasn’t me. Your father has enemies. One of them probably did this. I’d arrived to do the job he instructed me to do and saw the warehouse on fire.”
“Bullshit.”
“I can assure you. I was with Olivia all day until I left. I didn’t start that fire.” Technically, I’m not lying.Ididn’t start the fire myself.
“Then you had someone do it!”
“Owen, enough.” Olivia steps between her brother and me. “Back off.”
He looks at her like she’s betrayed him. “And you just believe him?”
“Why would I have any reason to doubt him? James has been nothing but kind to me since we met. I doubt he’d want to hurt our family.”
Owen stands there, huffing and puffing. God, it’s fun seeing him so riled up and knowing I’m the reason. Just another bonus.
“I think you should go,” she says quietly.
“But I know he’s responsible.” Spit flies out of his mouth.
“I didn’t start that fire,” I repeat. “I’m not sure what to tell you, Owen, but it’s not what you want to hear. You can think me the bad guy, but I’m not the problem here.”
“Oh, and I am?” he fires back.
“Well, you stormed into my house, accusing me of something I didn’t do. I think it’s a little aggressive.”
Owen starts to chuckle, his hands on his hips. “This is just great. So fucking great.” He points at me again. “I’ve got my eye on you, Kelly.”
And I’ve got my eye on you, fucktard.
“Just go home, Owen,” Olivia says, sounding tired.
He nods. “Fine. Just pay attention to who your husband really is.” With those words, Owen storms out of the house.
Olivia turns to me. “Please tell me what he’s accusing you of isn’t true.”
I rest my hands on her hips. “It’s not true. I care for you, Olivia. Why would I want to hurt your family? Doing so would only hurt you.” And it dawns on me how true that is. I’ve been so focused on hurting Patrick that it never crossed my mind that I might end up hurting Olivia, too.
And hurting my wife is not something I want.
She sighs. “Ok. I believe you. I’m going to get ready for bed.”
“I’ll meet you up there.”
She smiles and walks up the stairs leaving me in the foyer, feeling the first flicker of conflict in my heart.
CHAPTER9
Olivia
