Page 167 of See You Maybe
The window was closer. If she feinted like she was going to the door, Olivia could throw herself through the window—they were on the ground floor, so she didn’t need to worry about a fall. Olivia pushed the knowledge of what the sharp glass would do to her, out of her brain. Chris was going to kill her anyway, and she refused to be bait for Declan.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Chris’s eyes darted to hers before returning to the computer. “What did Declan ever do to you?”
“That’s an excellent question,” Declan said from the doorway. “I’ve wracked my brain, and I can’t come up with anything.”
Chris’s face contorted with satisfaction. With the gun pointed at Olivia, he stepped around the desk and pulled her from her seat, moving so that they stood with their backs to the window. Ten feet separated them from where Declan stood inside the doors.
What if I throw us both backward?
“Is it my natural superiority?” Declan cocked his head. “Or are you in love with me and can’t handle it not being reciprocated?”
Chris’s grip on her arm tightened. “You want to make jokes?” With his other hand, he shoved the barrel of the gun hard under her jaw, making her teeth snap together.
Declan’s expression turned murderous, and he took a step closer.
“Now I have your attention,” Chris sneered.
“You’re insane, is that it? What a ridiculously clichéd motive.” The planes of Declan’s face grew harsh. “Because I can’t imagine what you think your grievance with me is. You were my friend.”
Chris’s hand moved from Olivia’s arm to wrap in her hair, yanking her neck farther back. “We weren’t friends,” he spat. “I was your lap dog. Even my father prioritized you and your father. ‘Go to school with Declan, Christopher.’ ‘Stay close. Be his friend.’ ‘They have so much. There will be plenty left over for you.’ As if I couldn’t accomplish something on my own. Apparently, I should be grateful for your scraps.”
The gun lowered as he gestured at Declan. “You had everything. Everything. You didn’t care, you never appreciated it. It was all handed to you… Everything you ever wanted.”
“You sound like a spoiled child. Daddy didn’t love me,” Declan mocked. “I really had hoped it was going to be something more interesting.”
Olivia stared at him in horror. Why was Declan provoking him? Chris was breathing hard, and the more Declan taunted, the looser Chris’s grip on her became, and Olivia realized that was what Declan intended all along. He wanted Chris to focus on him.
Declan’s eyes met hers and then flicked for a millisecond to the window behind her as Chris continued to rant. Olivia didn’t dare show that she understood.
“You had everything, that is, until I took it from you. One piece at a time.”
“Not very successfully,” Declan drawled. “Considering I’m the CEO again, and you’ve been cut off from the money.”
Chris gestured to the laptop.
“I have the transfer set up. You need to enter your password.”
Declan stared at him, eyes burning. “As soon as I hit enter, you will kill us both.”
Before Olivia realized what was happening, Chris hit her on the side of the head with the butt of the gun. She cried out, lurching sideways, as Declan lunged forward, but Chris raised the gun holding him off.
“Every minute you delay…”
Olivia could feel the warm trickle on her face, and she twisted to get away. This time the blow caught her jaw, stars exploding in her vision.
Declan’s eyes were wild, but he was too far away to help. Jaw working, he stalked to the computer and punched in a series of digits and spun it so Chris could see. “It’s done. This has nothing to do with her. This is between you and me. You want to kill me? Do it. You could be on a plane and gone before anyone else arrives.”
“Not yet. I have to admit, I enjoy her company.” Olivia fought the urge to gag when he suddenly turned and licked her face. “Maybe I’ll take her with me instead.”
Olivia opened her mouth to retort, but Declan gave her an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
“Maybe I’ll let her live… If you ask me nicely. In fact…” Chris smirked. “That is exactly what I want you to do.”
Chris’s hand left her hair, landing hard on her shoulder as he pointed the gun at Declan. “But first.”
The gun exploded.
For a second, Olivia couldn’t hear anything, even though she knew she was screaming, as Declan reeled backward, blood blooming on his sleeve. His face contorted with pain, but he managed to stay on his feet.