Protecting Olivia [Fate Harbor 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Caitlyn O'Leary

  That night, when they all went to bed, all three of them desperately needed the connection of flesh. Despite the emotional ups and downs of the day, or perhaps because of them, Olivia reveled in the opportunity to make love with her men.

  Chapter 11

  Everything slowed down, so that it seemed each second seemed like a minute. Ian saw the man in the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He looked different. Everyone else seemed to be smiling, but not him. What’s more, everyone else was wearing jeans, sweatshirts, and hoodies, but this man was wearing slacks and a sports jacket. He stood out. Ian watched as he reached into his jacket, in that odd motion that always spoke of someone reaching for a gun in a holster. Ian held his breath. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe that next millisecond he wouldn’t see the butt of a gun passing the flap of the man’s jacket, but he did see the glint of gun, and he was meters away from Olivia, who was up on the stage. A flashbulb popped as they took another picture of Olivia.

  “Gun!” he yelled, hoping against hope that people, especially Olivia, would know to duck. Ian had to reach her, but he wasn’t armed, and the man was too far away. “Gun!” he screamed again, using one hand to leap onto the stage, no longer looking at the man. Now time changed, and it was going by in fast forward. He couldn’t get to Olivia fast enough, who was turning to wrap her arms around a woman beside her, trying to protect her, when it was obvious that Olivia was the target.

  He heard the shot, as he saw Olivia jerk, and blood bloom, just as he crashed into her, taking her and the woman down to the floor of the stage. He heard himself scream, “Gun!” again.

  The world was still spinning fast when he pulled himself off Olivia and saw that blood was pouring from her upper arm. Joshua was crouching down beside them, talking into his cell phone. “The shooter ran,” he was reporting to the 9-1-1 dispatcher. “We need an ambulance immediately for a gunshot victim. To the left upper arm,” he said, responding to a question.

  “Livvy, are you all right?” Ian pulled her into his arms, careful of her arm. She pushed him away, holding onto her arm, and sat up on her own. She groaned in pain.

  “Damn it, I think the bullet is still in there, it hurts.” Then Ian saw the tears of pain in her eyes.

  “Of course, it hurts! You were fucking shot.” Ian ripped off his shirt and started tearing it into strips, then pulled her suit jacket off, swearing to himself as he heard her yelp. He made a pad from some of the strips, then gently bandaged it to her arm with the other strips to stop the bleeding.

  Ian pulled her tenderly toward him again. This time she allowed it, resting her head against his chest. “Ian, I don’t feel too good, I’m feeling kind of fuzzy.”

  “I don’t feel so good either, honey. The ambulance will be here soon,” he soothed.

  “I think I’m going to pass out.” And then she did. He held her against his chest. She wasn’t the only one in shock, so was Ian. They were at an opening for a new AHC food pantry in downtown Boston. It had been well publicized for the last three days. Olivia had been excited for Joshua and Ian to attend so they could meet some of her team and see up close the good things that AHC’s data-sharing systems facilitated. Ian had already visited two locations where he donated some time doing IT support, meeting some of the people who ran the shelters on the south side of Boston. He was impressed with the quality of the equipment purchased by AHC but not that impressed by the work that InfoDyne had done. He also spent many hours talking to people at the shelters, seeing firsthand what a positive difference this connectivity had made to the homeless. It was really incredible.

  Now the woman who had started it all was bleeding on the stage, and Ian didn’t think it was because of some random crazy. No, this was about the Atlanta project, and Olivia being in someone’s way. He wasn’t sure if it was because she witnessed the men leaving the building or because she was now questioning the board members, but it didn’t really matter. Her life was clearly in danger.

  The EMTs arrived and strapped her to a gurney, and Ian rode with her in the ambulance. Joshua went to the condo to pick up clothes for Ian and Olivia. Ian blatantly disregarded Olivia’s rules about her privacy with doctors, staying with her while she was treated in the emergency room. He noted to himself that Olivia didn’t object to his presence this time. The ER doctor, who had plenty of experience with gunshot wounds, called Olivia’s injury a flesh wound and told them that it wouldn’t require surgery. He removed the bullet and stitched her up, sending her home with prescriptions and wound care instructions. She was a very lucky lady.

  When they got her home, they gave Olivia the pain medication prescribed by the doctor and after putting her to bed, they sat down on either side of her. Because the medication was to be taken with food, Joshua made her another chocolate milkshake. Once she was thoroughly satisfied with chocolate, ice cream, and floating on her pain meds, Ian decided it was a perfect time to have an open and honest upfront relationship-type conversation with Olivia.

  “Livvy, my inner Neanderthal wants to take over, but I know that’s bad, so I thought I should have an open and honest conversation about what I want to do with you first.”

  “That’s a very good idea, Ian. I applaud your thinking.” Ian noticed that she had to speak slowly to enunciate clearly. He thought about feeling guilty, but to hell with it. They were talking about her life and safety.

  “I don’t think this was random, I think you were targeted. Somebody doesn’t like the questions you’re asking people about their involvement with Atlanta. Or, someone has realized that you are the witness who saw those two guys leaving the office after the data theft. Either way, you’re in danger,” Ian stated.

  “That’s probably a reasonable hypopothysisis, I mean, hypothesis,” Olivia corrected. Again, Ian felt no guilt. He cut a glance over at Joshua, who was looking down at the covers on the bed, trying not to laugh.

  “I don’t think you’re safe here. I think you’re a target.”

  “Another reasonable hypo…assumption,” Olivia said slowly.

  “We would like to take you back to home,” Ian said, looking at her to see how she would feel about that.

  “What about the investigation?”

  “A lot of that can be done by phone calls and hacking. We’ve done the interviews we need to do here. Now comes the boring part of pulling strings to see what falls out. That can be done from anywhere. I want all of us safe. All three of us are known here, all three of us have interviewed people.” Ian paused to let that sink in. “I think all three of us are targets now.” Joshua coughed, and Ian thought it sounded a little like the word “bullshit,” but he chose to ignore him. Luckily, Olivia was too out of it to pick up on Joshua’s comment.

  “Oh, Ian, I don’t want you or Joshua to be harmed. This is my fight.” Olivia almost wailed, clearly distraught.

  “Well, that’s just it, Livvy, we won’t leave without you. So…” He watched as she thought about it.

  “In that case, I think you’re right, we should go back to Fate Harbor. We’ll all be safer there.”

  “Okay, honey, why don’t you get some rest, and we’ll be in a little later, after we’ve made the arrangements, okay?”

  “Can you…” Olivia stopped and looked down at the duvet, picking at the raised pattern.

  “What, Olivia Ann, can we what?” Joshua asked. She looked up at him and then over at Ian.

  “It’s nothing.”

  Ian took her hand, which seemed cold, and twined his fingers with hers, careful not to jostle her injured arm. “Honey, what did you want to ask?”

  “Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Oh, honey, yes.” Ian brought their clasped hands to his mouth, so he could kiss her palm. Then he began to chafe her cold hand.

  “I like it when we sleep together, when you surround me. I feel safe. I was scared today,” she finally admitted.

  Joshua cupped both of her cheeks in his hands and turned her so she could face him. As blue eyes interlocked with g
ray, she gasped as a tear rolled down Joshua’s cheek. “Olivia, hearing Ian yell ‘gun’, and hearing that shot and seeing blood all over you, was the absolute worst moment of my life.” Another tear rolled down his face, and Olivia reached up to wipe it away, wanting to wipe away his fear and anguish just as easily, knowing she couldn’t. “If I was so terrified, of course you were scared, Olivia Ann,” Joshua said. “I would love to sleep with you and hold you, but I don’t want to bump your arm. The doctor said you needed rest, and I’m afraid that I’ll hold you too tightly and you won’t be able to sleep,” he confessed.

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without you both holding me,” Olivia admitted. “I keep having these bizarre experiences that cause me to realize how precious my life is, how easily it can be taken away.”

  “God, Livvy, don’t say that!” Ian clutched his hands around her waist, burrowing his head against her stomach. She reached down and brushed his hair with her hand, knowing he, too, needed comfort.

  “But, Ian, life is precious, and I’m sorry I was a bitch the other day at the restaurant. When I said maybe our relationship wouldn’t work because you overstepped some boundaries. I’m not going to call it quits over something stupid like that. I’m going to fight for us. The two of you are worth it. I love you too much to throw it away over something that trivial,” she promised.

  “But you promise to still use the Executive Dominatrix voice, right?” Joshua teased.

  “Huh?” Olivia questioned with a bewildered expression.

  “You know, the mighty executive speaking down to her lowly employees. Baby, you get me so hot when you talk like that! I will be your love slave for the whole night if you talk like that to us again.” Olivia giggled when she finally figured out what he was talking about.

  Ian was happy that once again, his partner had figured out a way to bring some levity to the situation. He rose, giving Olivia a long and lingering kiss, only stopping when he remembered her body’s need for rest. “Are you sure you want us to nap with you?” he asked.

  “Please, I’ll sleep much better if I know you’re with me. I’m afraid I’ll have bad dreams.” Ian looked over at Joshua, and he shrugged, realizing that they would have to delay making reservations for their return to Fate Harbor. But, sleeping with Olivia was much more important and satisfying. Both men got up to remove their clothes, and then gently tugged the sleep shirt off of Olivia, not wanting any barriers between them as they slept.

  Chapter 12

  “I am no longer taking pain medication, so you’re not going to get away with it, Ian.” When Olivia noticed Joshua sitting at the table looking all innocent, she rounded on him. “And don’t think I don’t know that you were in on it, as well. Ian may have done all the talking, but I know damn well that you were in total agreement with getting me back here. You just had the good sense to keep your mouth shut. And I know you’re doing it again, so you’re both in trouble.”

  “Olivia, my only suggestion was that you let Chance run the next Board of Director’s meeting to keep you out of the limelight,” Ian said.

  “Great, put the new daddy at risk! I don’t think so. We’re still pushing the Atlanta project. You both know that’s what made me a target. I don’t want to paint a bull’s-eye on Chance. Nor do I want to pull the plug on Atlanta, it’s too important. Therefore, we have the teleconference, I’m running the Board Meeting, and I will shove the project down their collective throats.”

  “Fuck!” Ian slammed his empty cup of coffee down on the table and shot out of his chair. Olivia looked over at Joshua, who had remained seated.

  “What do you have to say?” she asked.

  “That I’m not surprised and that I’m glad we’re here and not in Boston.”

  Ian returned to the table loaded with potato chips, onion dip, Oreos, and soda, and slid them onto the table. As Joshua started to dig in, Olivia lifted her brow in question.

  “I stress eat when I’m angry and frustrated. You’re making me both, so I needed salt, sugar, and chocolate,” Ian said as he picked up an Oreo and poured himself some soda. Olivia bit back a laugh.

  “So how is the hacking of the board members’ data files going?” she asked him.

  “Pretty good,” he said around a mouthful of potato chip and dip. He went onto explain how he was able to evade their online security protocols to access their home and office computers. The technical details Ian was so eagerly supplying went over both Joshua and Olivia’s heads, so they just looked at each other in bafflement and wonder. Finally, Ian said, “Seriously, Olivia, Paul and Kathy Stevens can’t even plan a dinner party, not even when they use an event planner. They are pretty stupid, Livvy. Do you just keep them around because of the cash that Kathy’s dad ponies up?”

  Olivia felt herself squirm. She didn’t like this part of running a charity, but sometimes business necessities made her feel like she was not living up to her ideals. Allowing Paul and Kathy onto the Board, simply because Kathy’s father was their second largest contributor, was one of those undesirable business necessities.

  “Ian, you don’t need to make Olivia feel bad, this is just part of managing a charity,” Joshua defended.

  “Joshua, let me answer,” Olivia stepped in. “Ian, you’re exactly right, I have actually suggested to Floyd Howards that he join the Board, since he has such interest in the charity. He said, and I quote, ‘I am buying a spot for my daughter and worthless son-in-law on your board with my donations.’ So, yes, I’m doing this to get the money. However, if I can’t get them to vote for the project, I will give them the boot, and to hell with Floyd’s money. It’s too important, and AHC can make do without his donations.”

  “I don’t get it, why would that guy want to spend a couple of million a year to get his daughter and son in law on the Board of Directors?” Ian asked.

  “It makes them look better to his friends and fellow country club members,” Joshua piped up.

  “Oh, Daddy’s putting lipstick on a pig.” Ian smiled. “Got it.” Olivia burst out laughing.

  “Ian, that’s a beautiful line. I’ve never heard that before. What’s even better is that Kathy reapplies lipstick all the time during board meetings. I’ll never be able to keep a straight face again,” she said as she continued to laugh. “I will tell you, though, I’m pretty sure I can arrange it so that I will get to keep Floyd’s money coming in and better behavior out of Paul and Kathy,” Olivia said thoughtfully.

  Joshua looked over at her. “How do you intend to do that?” he asked.

  “Let’s set up a teleconference appointment for tomorrow and I’ll let the two of you listen in. Watch and learn, boys, watch and learn.”

  “Betchya she plays them like you used to in the interview rooms, Joshua,” Ian guessed.

  Olivia looked up. “You had to interview suspects! I never thought of that, that must have been fun!” she said with glee.

  “Sometimes it was fun, a lot of times it was just tedious. You’d have people lying to you, or just demanding their lawyers. But yeah, sometimes it was plain, old-fashioned detective work, catching people in lies, so it could be fun.” Joshua smiled at her.

  “I’d love it if we could do a run-through before my meeting with Paul and Kathy tomorrow,” Olivia requested.

  “Since I don’t know what in the hell you’re talking about, I’d be perfect to play Paul,” Ian quipped.

  “Let’s do it tomorrow morning. I’m beat,” Joshua said.

  “I’m not, all this food revved me up,” Ian said.

  “Okay, let me put it another way, big guy. How about you put all that energy into heading into the bedroom with Olivia and I?”

  Olivia was feeling a little nervous about going back into the bedroom when it was still light out. Last night, when they arrived it had been after 11:00 p.m., so it had been fully dark when they arrived at Ian’s place, and she had been very tired and had just taken a pain pill. Therefore, she hadn’t fully assimilated the significance of their return to the
house. Returning to that room when it was still daylight would have an impact. Both men were standing and Joshua was holding out his hand, and she hadn’t even realized it because she was so lost in her thoughts. She blushed, getting up so quickly she tipped back her chair, which Ian easily caught.

  “What’s wrong, Livvy,” he asked. “Is your arm hurting?”

  Joshua, who could always read the emotional writing on the wall, gently took her hand and slowly pulled her down the hall. “We have a beautiful future together, waiting for us down this hall.” God, he is good with words.

  “Livvy, no matter where we are now, it will always be our room, the three of us,” Ian said, proving that he understood as well. She reached out to pull him after her, once again surrounded by the men she loved as they went down the hall. Joshua pushed open the door and she saw that someone had made the bed from the night before and all the windows were open, letting in the late summer breeze. She could smell blackberries on the air, along with all the wonderful green scents that came with the Pacific Northwest. The room was suffused with hues of green and yellow, giving it a magical forest feel.

  Joshua came up in front of her, helping her to lift her arms around his neck so that he could lean in for a kiss.

  “Does this position hurt your arm?” he asked.

  “No,” she assured him.

  His kiss was soft and beguiling, a tease to her senses, tempting her to just close her eyes and enjoy. From behind, she felt the warmth of Ian’s large, broad chest pressed against her back and his large and somehow nimble fingers at the front of her blouse, making quick work of the buttons so that he could then unlatch the front clasp of her bra. As soon as he had her bra open, he molded the flesh of her firm breasts in his huge warm hands, easily encompassing her. For just a moment she worried about her lack of cup size and then he groaned.