Page 47 of Wicked Oath
I need to keep this under control.
“Patrick, I know now’s a delicate time, but we should retrieve the body. I figured you’d want the man who tried to harm your daughter, and I’m pretty sure he was the man who caused the fire based on the photo I saw.”
“But why would this man I don’t even know come after my business?”
“To hurt me, as I mentioned. He was always angry that I fired him, and he probably found out we were in an alliance and wanted to find a way to break it. That’s the only reason I can figure.”
Patrick nods. “Well, as long as the man who did this is dead, then we can put all this terribleness behind us.” He squeezes Olivia again before pulling away. “Honey, I’m going to go with James to get the man who hurt you. Will you be all right by yourself? Do you want me to call Owen to come to stay with you?”
God, I hope she says no, but she nods, hiccups still escaping her lips.
I kiss Olivia on the head before following Patrick out of the house. I take him to Finian’s home, where the dead body is still on the ground.
Patrick observes the body for a moment before nodding. “You did a good thing, killing this son of a bitch. If you hadn’t done it, I would have. No one hurts my baby girl. Or my business.”
“I’m glad he’s gone, too. He’s been a thorn in my side for years now.” It scares me a little just how easy it is for me to lie about all of this, but I’m in too deep now. The lies need to keep piling up to keep the heat off me.
“I’m going to call a couple of my guys to dispose of the body. The landfill will be a good place for him. Trash belongs with trash.”
I know Patrick is speaking about Finian’s lifeless body, but I can’t help but feel like his anger is meant for me. If he knew the truth, he’d be calling me trash, too.
After Patrick’s guys get here and remove the body, I head home while Patrick heads back to his own home.
I’m not surprised to find Owen inside my house, comforting Olivia in the living room. He’s a good brother, after all. He’s just a sanctimonious bastard, too.
Owen glares at me as I step into the living room. “Did you have a part in this?”
I ignore him. “Olivia, are you all right?”
She nods. “I’m feeling slightly better. Just tired.”
“Good.” I start to walk toward her when Owen stands up and places a hand on my chest, stopping me.
“That’s far enough.”
I eye his hand. “What are you doing?”
“Keeping you away from my sister.”
“Why? I’m not a danger to her. I’m the one who saved her!”
“Because you knew the men who put her in danger. Olivia told me. How do I know you didn’t come up with the plan yourself?”
I get my face right up into his. “Because I give an actual goddamn fuck about her. I would never put Olivia in danger.” Guilt creeps into my mind. I just keep reminding myself that Olivia getting hurt was never my intention. Finian went rogue after I deliberately told him to stay away. It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t my fault. If I repeat it enough times, maybe I’ll start to believe it.
Owen huffs. “I know the truth, James. You’ve only ever wanted to use my sister for your own gain. By making an alliance with my dad, you ensured more power for yourself. You don’t care about my sister. She’s just part of the deal.” Even though he’s right about me wanting more power, he doesn’t know about my need to bring down his father. I just need to make sure it stays that way.
I grip Owen’s shirt in both my fists. “You fucking bastard. When I say I care about Olivia, I’m not fucking lying.”
“Right. And why should I believe you?”
I pull him closer to me. “You want to fight?”
“Oh, of course, I do.”
“Stop,” Olivia says. “Both of you just stop.”
I wait for a beat before letting go of Owen and going to Olivia’s side. “Olivia?”
