Page 16 of Protecting Olivia

Leo cut my mom off again, “You’re wrong, Ms. Cox, Olivia absolutely needs to know this. I don’t give a fu…I don’t care about your family drama, or who you need to blame. This is about Olivia’s safety and national security. You being told Olivia was being placed in protective custody was not a request. It was merely a courtesy.”

“Who are you?” my mom screeched.

“I’m the man who is going to keep your daughter alive.”

“That’s not an answer. I don’t know you.” My mom was red hot mad. No one ever spoke to her the way Leo did.

“You don’t. But I do.” I heard the President’s voice and turned my head to see him standing in the doorway with his arms crossed over his broad chest. “And if Erin were in trouble, there is no one else I would trust her security with. Zane and his team will keep her safe. You have my word.”

“Why is this happening?” my mom cried.

“I cannot tell you why. You have my word, she will be safe and home as soon as the threat is neutralized,” the President answered.

“Can someone please tell me why? What the hell is going on, why would anyone want me? I’m a no one.”

This didn’t make sense. None of it.

“You’re my daughter, Olivia. You are in danger because of me,” Peter said.

What the hell did he just say? My father was dead. My mom told me he was. My mom told me she loved him and he died. My mom told me stories about how they met and fell in love, how much she still loved him. My whole life she told me stories about him.

“What?” I asked. There had to be some mistake, or I had misunderstood altogether.

“You are my daughter,” Peter repeated.

I glanced at my mom, the panic in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. Peter was telling the truth. Which meant my mom had lied to me my whole life. I pulled my hand away from my mom breaking her tight hold. Anguish replaced the panic. Maybe I should’ve cared but I didn’t.

“Oh my God.” My mom covered her mouth and closed her eyes.

“She has a right to know,” Peter said. “You’ve lied to both of us for twenty-five years. We’ve lost all those years together.”

“I lied? I went to Europe for a summer. A summer, Peter. Two months later I read in the society pages you were marrying Anna Crofton. When I left, we were planning our wedding. Two months…” my mom was crying harder now, barely able to get her words out. “You slept with my worst enemy and married her. You cheated and lied to me. I was protecting my child.”

“Mr. Newton, Ms. Cox, perhaps you’d like to discuss this upstairs,” Zane suggested.

Suddenly I was no longer scared about the new threats. My emotions had slid firmly into the anger category. I didn’t know what to say…to anyone. It was as if I was a bystander in my own life, watching a TV soap opera play out in front of me. I didn’t think they even realized I was in the room anymore.

My chest was tightening, and I tried to find a focal point to concentrate on to slow my breathing. It had worked for me the weeks I was being held. If I could find something to focus on, I would zone out. I found Leo across the room, his eyes already on me. He looked so strong standing there, tall and imposing. Hi jet black hair slicked back from our shower. He held my eyes, and the room began to fade away. I needed him to take me away from this madness.

“There is nothing to discuss. I’m going with Olivia. If she’s going into protective custody, I’m going with,” my mom insisted.

I heard my mom speaking, but I still hadn’t taken my eyes off of Panther. His green eyes bore into me warming me from the inside out. His nickname fit him to a T. He looked like a sexy jungle cat ready to pounce. It was very obvious he was not impressed by my mother’s display. I didn’t want her coming with me. The great thing about anger was it overtook the fear. I was so angry at her, at Peter, at everyone in my life that had kept this lie perpetuating, I was no longer afraid. I just wanted them all to go away. I shook my head, and Leo nodded. There was no pity in his gaze, his anger seemed to match mine.

“All due respect ma’am that is not possible,” Leo told her.

“Excuse me? I am her mother. I’m going with her.” Mom seemed to have regained her composure and was back to being obstinate.

“No, Pamela, you’re not. Rissa is expecting you at the residence this morning. She’s made up a room for you. You’ll be staying with us while Olivia is gone. The team will keep me up to date. I will make sure you are able to speak with her, but you’re not going with her,” Tom explained.

“But…”

“No buts. It is handled. End of.” Tom’s tone left no room for argument. Not even my mother would be able to change the President’s mind. “Now, it’s time to say goodbye. There is no time to waste, the guys have work to do, and we’ve taken up enough of their time.”

My mother shoulders slumped forward, all the wind had been knocked out of her sails. She lost.

“I’m sorry, honey. I am so happy you are safe. I don’t want you to leave. I just got you back.” My mom brushed my hair off my forehead. It should’ve been comforting. All I had wanted was to feel my mom’s touch these past weeks. I wanted to hear her voice, and see her smile. Now I wanted her as far away from me as possible. Her betrayal stung. I felt it deep in my soul, so deep, I couldn’t bear to bring it to the surface for fear I would completely lose my mind. Why had she lied to me? My mom, the one person who I thought loved me more than anything, deceived me. For what? To save her pride?

All I could do was stare at my mom. There were no words for her. I couldn’t tell her everything was fine. It wasn’t. I couldn’t tell her I wanted to stay with her because I didn’t. I refused to be the liar she was and spout out platitudes out of obligation to make her feel better.