Olivia’s eyes closed with the tragedy of it all.“Herdaughter.The bastard didn’t even protect her.”
“Needless to say, everyone wanted it cleared up quickly.Forthe girl’s sake.”
“No, it was for all the adults involved who failed.Theyfailed.You get that, right?They railroaded you because the other choice wasfar messier.They protected the system and allowed it all to continue ratherthan facing the truth and cleaning it up.They swept you under the rug, andthey didn’t have to think about it again.”It made her sick, but she knew thatwas how the world worked sometimes.“Did you push for a new trial?”
He seemed so weary.He was still talking, but his body hadrelaxed.“Garrett was studying hard by that time.Prelaw.He knew a new trialcould take a long time, and there honestly was no guarantee.It was stillsomething of a he said, she said.Bob changed his story and said she came on tohim.It shouldn’t have mattered because at that time she was fifteen, but weboth know how the court looks at teen girls with records.”
She knew it all too well.“Yes.When it’s boys, the judgesdon’t want to ruin their futures.When it’s girls, they’re viewed as older andmore manipulative than their years.A trial would have been hard on her, too.”
“Worse, it could have cost her custody if they decided itwas consensual no matter her age.It was a brave thing for her to come back.She did it because she found out I was in jail.It was such a random thing.Shehappened to see news of the trial on the Internet and how it ended up.Shehadn’t looked back for years, but when she found out, she stood up for me.”
How close had he come to losing everything?Some peoplewould say he already had, but she knew better.She knew wounds could heal.Lovecould heal.It would take time, but he had a future with her and Garrett, andshe would fight for it.“I’m glad she did.How did it all work out?Is sheokay?”
His hand came up to cup the nape of her neck.He seemed tobe letting go of the horrible tension of moments before.“She’s good.The DAcame up with a deal that got me out, let Bob off, and gave Heather protectedcustody of her daughter.I took what’s called an Alford Plea.It’s what theyoffer when they know they got it wrong but don’t want to admit it.I wasreleased, and they didn’t have to worry about a lawsuit.And now I’m hereagain.”
“You’re not,” she promised.“I’m going to deal with this.Iknow you didn’t do it.”
“Of course I didn’t do it.I would never put you in dangerlike that.”His cheek rubbed against her head.“Anything we do is just play andconsensual.Olivia…” He went quiet.
“You don’t have to say it.”The words would be hard for him.It was enough that he showed his love through his actions.He took care of her.He was thoughtful and always took her needs into account.She didn’t needwords.
“I love you, Olivia,” he whispered.“I don’t think I’ve saidthose words since I was a kid.”
“Not even to Garrett?”Actually hearing the words was such arevelation.
“Never to Garrett,” he replied.
She tilted her head so she could look up at him.“Thatshould change, Master.Both your subs need the words.And everything that comeswith them.”
He held her, and the night didn’t seem so cold.
ChapterSixteen
Garrett watched as the door to the holding roomopened, and there was a brief hitch in his chest.What if she hadn’t been ableto get through to Keane?He could be stubborn.What if she was crying and Keanewas cold as ice because he decided he couldn’t risk having hope again?
How could he go on without the two of them?He knew hehadn’t been with Olivia for long, but she’d become an integral part of who theywere.
A big hand settled on his shoulder.“It’s going to be allright, son.”
Jack had changed his tune.Maybe it had been the way Garrettlaid out all the dangers he thought were surrounding Olivia and what he wasdoing to investigate and protect her.Maybe it was the long, screaming phonecall from his brother.Lucas hadn’t cared that it was Keane’s story to tell.He’d simply told his brother what happened and how he might have wrecked a goodman.Garrett was pretty sure Lexi had gotten in on that phone call, too.
No matter what it had been, Jack Barnes was now on the team,and it felt good.
Abby and Sam were sitting out in the lobby.Gabe had takenMiranda and Gigi back to the ranch once they realized Jack was taking over andit would all be okay.The sheriff had agreed to let Keane go without charges,and Deputy Morgan was planning on bringing Jessica Fellows back in for aninterview.The bartender was coming in the morning, and hopefully he couldclear things up.He’d updated Ruby, who was doing a deeper dive into bothJessica and Scott.
He’d done everything he needed to and it was time to headhome, but he was hesitating.
“I know it’s hard to keep the faith when for so long theuniverse seemed to take everything from you, but this seems to be your place,Garrett,” Jack said quietly.“It’s important you figure out what part of therelationship you hold up.”
“Are you talking about in our threesome?Because I worry Imight end up being the weakest link.”
“Bullshit,” Jack shot back.“You’re strong, Garrett.Strongenough to handle both of them, but you have to start saying what you need.YourDom worries that if he starts something physical with you, he’ll lose you, andthat is the worst tragedy he can think of.”
“How would you know that?”
“Because it’s why I didn’t tell Sam for years.I expressedmy love for him through the women we shared.It’s funny how when you finallyfind the right one, all that anxiety melts away and what’s left is your family.Don’t be afraid.You’re the one who hopes.You’re the one who believes.Whosees the truth and doesn’t doubt it.That’s your place.Take it.Open the doorbecause you know what you’ll find behind it.”
Somehow it was easier now, and he pushed through.The guardtold him he’d come in earlier and unlocked the cell since Keane and Olivia werethe only ones being held now, and he wasn’t going to put Jack Barnes’s daughterthrough the humiliation of using the open toilet.He said they’d been waitingpatiently for the paperwork to be done.