Page 153 of See You Maybe
Fiona stayed silent, but the flash of hatred in her eyes gave him his answer.
“Declan, the police.” He turned slightly as a police car came to a stop nearby. Declan abruptly opened his hands, so that Fiona stumbled back.
It didn’t take long to give the police the story, particularly as Fiona’s tantrum had drawn so many witnesses. After Olivia confirmed she wanted to press charges, Fiona shrieked as the officers placed her in handcuffs. “Do you know who I am? My father is going to have you all fired.” Her voice was thankfully muffled when they shut the door of the cruiser.
Panic and dread swirled inside him.
Chris knew who Olivia was which meant Chris knew how to destroy him.
“Declan?” Olivia’s voice came to him from a distance over the rushing in his ears. His heart seemed to beat in a two-part erratic rhythm: He knows.
Declan pulled out his phone. “Everything is fine. Let me call one of my brothers. They’ll meet us at the police station. We need to give formal statements. Can you get our coats?”
“Declan, what are you going to do?” Olivia asked, moving to stand beside him.
“Keep you safe.”
Olivia’s gaze didn’t waver as she continued to watch him for a moment, and then turned on her heel. Through the window, he saw her swarmed by the employees still lingering in the lobby.
Declan hadn’t lied. He had every intention of calling his brothers, but first, he had other phone calls to make. It only took a minute to tell Brady the situation, and to instruct him that if Declan wasn’t physically with Olivia, he wanted at least one man guarding her at all times, not just at the house.
The next call was to Alan Carrol.
“You crossed a line,” Declan said, as soon as the call connected.
“You’re done, Bloom. I know you think you’ve got some trick up your sleeve for tomorrow, but I promise you it won’t be enough?—”
“Your daughter is in jail. If you hope to see her again, I suggest you listen very carefully to what I say next.”
“What?” the man exploded.
“She destroyed Olivia Adler’s car with a golf club, struck me, and then threatened Olivia with it,” Declan said, ignoring the interruption. “Serious charges, which I fully plan on supporting Olivia in pursuing. But Fiona let an interesting little snippet loose. She admitted she gave drugs to Olivia’s ex-husband, and then encouraged him to attack her. I’m guessing, with the right prosecutor, that might be seen as accessory to attempted murder.”
He paused, happy when the line stayed silent. “I think we both know when it comes to twisting arms, I have a bit more experience. This is what will happen. Tomorrow, you will support my bid for CEO. In exchange, I will see that your daughter spends some time in a cushy drug rehab, and she gets the psychiatric care that she clearly fucking needs.” Declan felt his temper slip and held tight to his control. “Your daughter will then take an extended trip abroad. When Fiona returns… You ensure she understands that I and anyone connected with me are off-limits. If I find out she has come within a city block of Olivia, I’ll kill her.”
“Don’t you dare threaten my daughter,” Carrol seethed.
“I’m not threatening either one of you. This is an accurate representation of what will happen.”
“Fucking bastard.”
“I’m losing patience, Alan, and your daughter is probably being booked as we speak. You’ll want to get her out of general lockup as soon as possible. I don’t think she’ll fare well.” The man spit out a vicious curse. “Do we have an understanding?”
“We have an understanding.”
“Excellent.”
“You arrogant piece of shit. You think this is over? Chris Keller is out for blood, and I will be cheering him on.”
Declan had finished speaking with his brothers when Olivia emerged again, walking towards him with his overcoat thrown over her arm. She walked purposefully toward him, her heels clicking on the pavement, her head high. She flicked a glance at her ruined car.
“Taken care of?” Anger still simmered in her eyes.
“In process,” he answered. He could see by her expression she wanted to ask more questions, but instead she shrugged.
“As long as it doesn’t delay your decision.” She sniffed. “I have a business to run.”
Declan threw back his head and laughed before pulling her toward him and pressing a rough kiss to her temple.