Page 51 of Protecting Olivia

“That’s what you pulled from that my statement? Since you haven’t been listening. I’m gonna lay it out for you.” Oh shit, that didn’t sound good. “I’m going to continue to urge Olivia to find a way to forgive you. Not for you but for her. I don’t want her living with anger knotted in her belly. When she falls asleep in my arms at night, she’s gonna do it with a smile on her face, knowing her world is perfect. You’re welcome in that life, but only if you don’t come through that door spitting venom. Peter, the same goes for you. I’ll do my best to support Olivia in forging a relationship with you if that’s what you both would like. Olivia lives here now. In case you missed the part where she explained she didn’t want to return to Georgetown, I’m gonna reiterate that for you. When she figures out what it is she wants to do, she’ll tell you. In the meantime, she’ll be taking time for herself to heal and be happy.”

“Thank you, Leo,” Peter said.

“Why are you thanking him, Peter? Can’t you see he is manipulating her and bossing her around? He won’t even leave her side,” my mom protested.

“That’s what a man does, Pamela. You’d know that if you’d stop busting balls for five minutes and listen. Leo is protecting her; he won’t let anyone near her who will hurt her,” Peter calmly explained to my lunatic of a mother. I’d never seen her so unhinged before. What was wrong with her?

“My daughter doesn’t need protecting from me, and especially not by the likes of him.”

“Obviously he thinks she does. And I have to say, not only do I agree with him, I’m impressed with his self-control.” Peter sat farther back on the couch, clearly uncomfortable in the direction this had gone.

“Get out of my house.” I’d had enough. I stood up, and in the process pushed Leo off the armrest, forcing him to stand as well. “I’ve tried to be civil and ask you questions. You refused to answer. I tried to talk to you about school. You refused to listen. I tried to apologize for my behavior over the last year. You refused to hear that. Fine, you don’t want to participate in an actual conversation with me. No problem. But don’t you ever disrespect Leo. Not ever in our home, and never in front of me. I will pick him over you every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

“I know you tried your best while I was growing to provide for me. You afforded us nice things with the number of hours you worked. But you were never there for me as my mom. You could never give me a hundred percent of yourself. I get why now. You were broken. Until I met Leo, I couldn’t understand what that meant. Now I do. You said you loved my father and could never move on because there would never be another man who loved you the way he did. I understand that now, too. I’m sorry you lived the last twenty-five years unhappy and hurt. Fix it, Mom. Peter is right in front of you. Eat crow, woman up, and admit all the shitty lies you told. Then get on your knees and beg him to forgive you. I wish you well, but as Leo told you, you aren’t welcome in our home if you’re going to act like a flaming bitch.” I took my first deep breath since I started my tirade and turned to Leo. “Please see my mother and Peter out. I have a headache and need to lie down.”

I shut the bedroom door with a gentle click and crawled into bed. What the hell was wrong with that woman? I had never seen her act so crazy before. Sure, she was bossy and she could be a bitch when something crawled up her ass, but this was over the top.

A little while later, Leo came into the room and shut and locked the door. I watched as he took his gun out of the holster and set it on the nightstand. He even locked the door at home if his gun wasn’t on him.

“Why didn’t you lock the bathroom door in California when you were in the shower? Your gun was off.”

“I didn’t want the door locked if you needed me,” he answered.

He broke his one non-negotiable rule for me. In case I needed him.

In an effort to hide what that meant to me I made a joke. “Sure you did. You were hoping I’d come in and be wowed by your gigantic cock.”

Leo threw his head back and laughed long and hard.

Perfection.

“You like my gigantic cock.” He laughed.

“Now that I know all the neat tricks it can do, I like it.”

“Just like?” he asked, getting into bed next to me.

“I’m pleading the fifth to prevent any further head swelling,” I giggled and cuddled into him.

“My head is already swollen,” Leo said and slapped my butt.

“I knew you were gonna say that. Lame.”

Leo’s hand started stroking my hair. “I’m proud of you. You did well today.”

“Thanks. I’m sorry she was such a bitch. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.” Leo stopped stroking my hair. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry I have to leave tonight.”

“It’s okay. Bella will keep me company,” I taunted him.

“Ma’s a better choice or MJ. Call MJ if you get bored, he’s a stick in the mud. Perfect company for you. Speaking of, I left you all the contact numbers you’ll need. All the family’s home and cell numbers and the number to the office. It is a direct line to Rena. She’s Zane’s personal assistant. If there’s an emergency, she’s the only one who will be able to locate me. You also have the team’s cell phone numbers. Though they’ll all be with me, except Jasmin and Linc, they’ll be around. Don’t be surprised if Jasmin comes around under the guise she’s checking on you. She’s a nosy gossip. I also printed the house listings.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll ask your mom or Bella to take me to see the houses.”

I really didn’t want him to go so soon. I was trying not to let my disappointment show.

“Your car is downstairs next to where we parked. Full disclosure, Jaxon installed a tracking device. Every member of the team has one and please don’t take your earring out.”