A Tragic Wreck

by T. K. Leigh

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “A few hours.”

  Alexander’s face flamed red in complete frustration.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

  Nathan Roberts had finally found her. He hadn’t seen the girl for over twenty-one years, and he had spent the last several years looking for her. Thomas Burnham kept everything hidden and covered up. So much so that when he died, he had no way of finding her. It had been years since that day all those years ago when his entire world fell apart around him.

  It wasn’t too hard to find out where she lived. However, he was rather thankful that, at the moment, she had round-the-clock security detail. She seemed to spend quite a bit of time at Alexander Burnham’s house. He thought that if anyone would make sure Olivia was safe, it was Alexander. He reminded him so much of his father.

  He sat in his rental car outside of Olivia’s house, waiting for her to come home from her appointment. He had been watching her the past several weeks and had become quite familiar with her schedule. It was Thursday so she was at her therapist appointment. Nathan wondered whether his actions may have been the cause of her need for therapy.

  At half-past noon, he saw Olivia walking down the street. He thought it was odd, considering that she had left with her security detail. How did she lose him? He recalled the first several years of his protection all those years ago. It was nearly impossible for him to go anywhere without someone at his side.

  He watched as Olivia kept walking past her house. Where is she going? He started his car and sped through the snow in the opposite direction that Olivia was walking, desperate to get onto the other side of Commonwealth Avenue to hopefully find her. Damn Boston and its one-way streets! he thought. He drove through the city, eager to find her. She was all alone, walking through the snow with no one looking out for her. It had taken him years to finally set eyes on her again. He felt the need to know where she was at all times.

  He searched for what seemed like an eternity, hoping to find her. He drove to her office building and never saw her. Then he drove to Alexander’s apartment building, desperate for some clue. He parked in a nearby garage and ran onto Atlantic Avenue, keeping watch from a bench across the street.

  Finally, he saw Olivia approaching. She was running, constantly glancing over her shoulder behind her. Nathan turned his head to see what she was looking at and, presumably, running from. He couldn’t make out much, but it was a man dressed all in black, wearing a back beanie.

  He jumped off the bench and made his way across the street just as Alexander came running through the lobby of his building. The man in black saw Alexander and immediately turned down a side street. Nathan followed the man in black, catching up to him with ease.

  “Oops. I’m sorry,” Nathan said, bumping into his shoulder as he walked past. He turned to get a better look at him. The man in black stared at him, as if trying to place him. Nathan knew who it was. He walked briskly away in the direction of the parking garage, hoping that he hadn’t been made. Apparently, Mark Kiddish - or, as he was now going by, Donovan O’Laughlin - had started doing his own dirty work. He couldn't know that Nathan was in town. Not yet, anyway.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  COMING TOGETHER

  THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPENED into Alexander’s foyer. Martin immediately appeared. “Sir, I have Marshall and Kerrigan on this. Nothing has turned up yet. I have no idea what happened to Thompson.”

  “Thank you. Please alert me the minute you have more information. Do we have any street camera feeds yet?”

  “Not just yet, but the tech team is working on it.” Martin turned to face Olivia. “Miss Adler, do you remember where you dropped your cell phone?”

  Olivia tried to remember exactly where it was, but it was all kind of a blur. “I think it was around Congress and Milk.”

  “Jesus!” Alexander exclaimed, running his hands through his hair in exasperation as he paced the large living room, trying to compose his thoughts. After several long moments, he stopped in front of Olivia, glaring at her. “What the fuck were you doing over there?”

  Martin excused himself, leaving them alone.

  “I was trying to be evasive.” She shrugged. “I thought if I kept going down side streets, I would eventually lose the guy,” she replied meekly.

  “What the fuck, Olivia?! Rule number one… When you’re being followed, large pockets of people are your friends!” Alexander raised his voice, unable to control his anger any further.

  “I know!” she shouted at him, pushing him away and stomping further into his living room. “I don’t need a lecture right now, Alexander.” Olivia sat down on his couch. “Just, please, let it go. I feel foolish enough bursting in here like this.” She shivered.

  “Come here.” Alexander’s face softened as he walked toward her and pulled her into his arms. She immediately started to sob uncontrollably. She had no idea why she was crying. Maybe because she was so cold. Maybe because she was so scared. Maybe because she realized that she was starting to depend on Alexander. She had lived most of her life depending on no one but herself. If she was being followed a few months ago, she would have dealt with it on her own. Now, her first instinct was to call him.

  She nuzzled into him as he sat holding her, gently stroking her hair and soothing her. Something about being in his arms had an amazing calming effect on her. She took a few peaceful breaths and pulled her head out of his chest, looking up into his eyes. He leaned down and wiped the tears from her face. He kissed her nose softly. “Feel better now that’s out of your system?”

  Olivia nodded. She did feel better. She hadn’t had a big cry like that in a while. It felt good to get it out.

  “Good. Now let’s get you warmed up,” he said, winking at her.

  “What did you have in mind, Mr. Burnham?” Olivia asked sweetly, feigning innocence.

  “You’ll see,” he replied, picking her up and carrying her upstairs. He opened the door to the master bedroom and strode into the bathroom, placing Olivia on the ground and starting the water in the tub.

  “We need to get you out of these wet clothes,” he said in a deep voice. Suddenly, the atmosphere between them changed from one of fear to one of desire.

  “Yes,” Olivia said, her eyes intense. Alexander started to unbutton her winter coat, slipping her arms out and throwing the coat, scarf, hat, and gloves on the ground.

  “Sit down,” he commanded, pointing to the cushioned stool underneath the dual vanity.

  She immediately obeyed, loving how demanding Alexander was being. He slowly unzipped each of her knee-length boots, his eyes remaining intently focused on her. Her heart raced at the fierce look in his eyes as he gingerly slid each boot down her leg and off her foot.

  “Stand back up, Olivia,” he ordered, Olivia obeying him rather quickly. “Turn around.”

  She followed his command. Turning around, she stared into the large wall-sized mirror above the vanity. She gazed into Alexander’s eyes in the glass as he slowly lifted her sweater over her head. Her white lace bra was practically transparent from being so wet.

  Olivia felt Alexander’s arousal grow as he stood behind her, caressing her stomach, planting deep kisses on the back of her neck. The warmth of his breath on her skin sent chills down her spine. She felt moisture pool between her legs, her body throbbing with anticipation.

  Alexander reached around and unbuttoned her jeans, sliding them down her legs and helping her step out of them. He unhooked her bra, lowering it down her arms until it fell to the floor. After slipping her panties off, he stood back, admiring the beautiful woman in the mirror.

  Olivia watched as he held onto her panties, bringing them up to his nose. She gasped.

  “I love the way you smell, Olivia,” he said, his voice cutting through the stark bathroom. “I can never get enough of your scent.” He pulled her naked body against his and she felt his arousal against her back. “When you’re not with me, I can’t fucking focus. All I can think about is you and that delicious pussy
of yours.” His hands roamed her body and she closed her eyes, relishing in the feeling of his large hands covering every inch of her body. “Do you think about me when I’m gone, Olivia?” he asked, bringing her back to the present.

  “Yes,” she replied. It was the truth. Alexander occupied her thoughts all day and all night. Not one minute went by that he didn’t cross her mind.

  “Do you touch yourself when I’m gone?” he asked, his hand sliding down her stomach, hovering over her clit, barely touching her. She squirmed, the closeness of his hand to the part of her body that she wanted him to touch unbearable.

  “Alex… Please…” she begged. She needed to feel him.

  “Tell me you think of me when you touch yourself,” he whispered against her neck. “I know you do. I think of you when I touch myself.”

  “Yes. I do, Alexander. You’re always on my mind. When you’re gone, I think of you inside me when I touch myself. Now, please. Touch me.”

  Alexander growled, spinning Olivia around to face him, crushing his mouth to hers. She ran her hands up and down his back before grabbing the waist of his pants, pulling him closer to her. She made quick work of unfastening his belt and unbuttoning his jeans, her mouth never leaving his.

  She felt Alexander’s mouth curve into a smile. “Something I can help you with, Miss Adler?”

  “Damn it, Alex. I’m dying here. You were gone all fucking week. I want you right now,” she said, pulling him back to her, grinding her hips against him.

  “Oh no, Olivia. Not yet. Turn back around.”

  She did as she was told and faced the mirror again, watching as Alexander stripped out of the rest of his clothes.

  “Bend over and hold onto the edge of the vanity,” he ordered.

  She leaned over, hoping he would get on with it already. Alexander bent down and planted rough kisses all along her shoulder blades, biting her neck. Olivia gasped in surprise before arching her neck, giving Alexander better access.

  “Harder,” she whispered. Olivia felt Alexander’s erection harden even more as he moaned and nipped on her neck with more ferocity. He grabbed her hair and, wrapping it around his hand, pulled her head back. She let out a small cry as he positioned himself at her apex, pushing gently over her folds, teasing her.

  “Do you like that, Olivia?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, feeling like she was going to explode the second he entered her.

  “Yes, what?” he growled.

  “Yes, Mr. Burnham.”

  Alexander plunged into her from behind, filling her quickly. He pulled out and Olivia panted at the loss of contact.

  “I need you,” she breathed as he teased her highly sensitized clit.

  “Say it again,” he exhaled, rubbing himself up and down against her.

  “I need you, Alexander.”

  He moaned as he slammed into her again, causing them both to scream out in pleasure. He pulled out one more time, slamming back into her before reaching his hand around, toying with her swollen nub. Olivia closed her eyes, relishing the pleasure.

  “Open your eyes. I want you to watch me fucking you,” he growled. Olivia opened her eyes and watched Alexander maintain a relentless rhythm. “Do you like watching me take you, Olivia?” he asked, his breathing ragged as he continued thrusting into her, each motion filling her even more than the time before. “Say it, Olivia. Say it turns you on.”

  “Fuck…” She closed her eyes, lowering her head. Alexander grabbed her hair, pulling her head back so she had no choice but to stare at him in the mirror as he continued driving into her.

  “Goddamnit, Olivia. Fucking say it!” Alexander pummeled into her, desperately needing to hear those words.

  “Yes, Alexander! I love watching you fuck me!” She was so turned on. She was a bundle of sensation.

  He picked up the pace to a torturous speed and felt Olivia tense around him, knowing she was on the brink of release.

  “Come with me, love.” He felt her shudder around him as he slammed once more, finding his own release. He leaned over her back, helping to steady her legs. She was grateful for the extra support as she tried to catch her breath. “Come. Let’s get you in the bath.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~

  “Sir?” A blonde woman opened the door to Donovan’s office. “Paul Flinnigan is here.”

  “Okay. Send him in.”

  He entered the room, closing the door behind him.

  “So, how did it go? I could really use some good news today, Paul. Burnham is fucking up my plans in a big way.”

  “It went well. Simon’s behavior while in prison has been exemplary. He’s been considered a model inmate. The staff had nothing but great things to say about him at the hearing.”

  “Get to the fucking point,” Donovan growled, perusing photos on his laptop. He was trying to place the face of the man he saw in the snow earlier that day. He looked so familiar. None of it made any sense.

  “He’ll be released one week from Friday so you better get the rest of that money together.”

  “No problem. Make sure you meet him upon his release and bring him to me immediately. We need to start planning for the next phase. This is good news, Paul. Very good news.”

  “Yes, sir. See you next Friday.” He stood up and left.

  Donovan breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that his plans were finally coming together, before picking up his phone. “Cheryl, it’s me. We ran into a bit of a problem.”

  “Again?”

  “Don’t fuck with me today, okay? You’ve been by her side nearly every day for the past month and nothing’s happened.”

  “I know, but that’s because Burnham usually has more than one agent watching her. He’s smarter than we give him credit for. But I think I may have a solution to our little problem about him always being around Olivia. Maybe we can use one of his exes to drive a wedge between them?”

  Donovan thought for a moment before responding. “Do you think that’s a possibility?”

  “I think so. He leaves quite a trail of women scorned, particularly one.”

  “Who? The girl he was supposed to marry? I thought she left town.”

  “No. Not her. Someone else. This woman was banned from his building a few months ago and we’ve all been given strict instructions to make sure she cannot contact Olivia in any way. So I think we could use her as an asset.”

  “Is she the type to agree?”

  “From what I know, she’ll do anything for a buck.”

  Donovan laughed. “That’s my type of girl. Can you secure her cooperation?”

  “Yes. Adele Peters will be attending the same charity event as Burnham this weekend. I am scheduled to be on his security detail that evening. I’ll make the approach then. And listen to this…”

  “Yes?”

  “She grew up in Mystic with Burnham and…”

  “And Olivia.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Holy shit. That’s perfect. Great work, Cheryl.”

  “Thank you.”

  Donovan hung up and started to think that everything would soon fall into place. He could use Adele Peters to drive a wedge between Alexander and Olivia, giving her information that would tear Olivia’s perfectly structured world apart. He would work with Simon to help him become more sympathetic, hoping Olivia would see that. Simon would win Olivia’s trust, then he would find those documents. Finally.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  LIKE A PRINCESS

  AFTER MUCH NAGGING BY Kiera all day on Thursday, Olivia decided to accompany Alexander to the charity auction. What was there to be afraid of? Except possibly running into numerous women that Alexander had slept with, including the woman he left standing on the altar. Olivia came from a different world than that which Alexander lived in. Yes, she had money, but she didn’t flaunt it. Not like that.

  Since she had nothing to wear, she forced Kiera to take a personal day on Friday to help her shop. In exchange, Olivia promised her a day of pampering on Saturday… Massage
s, manicures, pedicures, and hair styling. How could Kiera say no to that?

  “Okay, bitch. Ready to get this show on the road?” Kiera shouted across the coffee shop when she entered.

  Olivia rolled her eyes as Kiera made her way over to the table she was sitting at, Carter standing stoically near the entrance. “You sure do know how to make an entrance, don’t you?” Several businessmen in nicely tailored suits watched with lust in their eyes as Kiera sat down across from Olivia.

  She shrugged, grabbing the coffee Olivia held out for her, bringing her lips to the cup, savoring the warm liquid. “Ready for your day of shopping?” Kiera asked excitedly once the caffeine entered her system.

  “I think so. I’m still a little nervous about this, though,” Olivia said.

  “Why? I don’t get it.”

  “I don’t know. This whole world Alexander lives in is so far from anything I’ve ever dealt with. There’s crazy money, and I’m just worried I won’t be accepted, ya’ know?” Olivia looked down, nervously tapping her nails against the small black bistro table as people flooded into the shop, desperate to get their morning caffeine fix. The sun had finally come out to play, melting some of the snow from the day before, and spring was in the air.

  “Pssh, whatever. You just show them you’ve got more money than all of them put together. Because you totally do.”

  Olivia exhaled, pushing her empty coffee cup to the edge of the table. “I know, but you know me. I don’t care about showing off how much money I have. I’m just worried I won’t fit in.”

  “Don’t try to fit in. You’ve never done that before, and that’s why Alexander loves you so much.”

  Olivia stilled in her chair. “No. He’s not in love with me, Kiera. No way. We barely know each other. I mean…”

  “What? Spit it out, Libby.”