Page 21 of Outrun The Devil

Rachel Park. She really needed to take out a straining order against the woman.

Olivia’s annoyance boiled up as she took in the sight of Park standing with her arms crossed and a saccharine-sweet smile on her face.

She rolled her eyes at the façade, Rachel Park was anything but innocent.

Olivia would call her a vulture if she had to pick out one name for Ms. Park. The reporter had been on her for years but had become even more persistent around the time of her incident a year ago. Something that Ms. Park has asked on countless occasions for Olivia to rehash. And Olivia refused. If she refused to relive that traumatic time with her therapist, why Ms. Park thought she was special enough to relive it with her was beyond Olivia's comprehension.

“I am a homicide detective, Ms. Park, and this is a homicide investigation– why wouldn’t I take the case?” Olivia's voice held a note of incredulity as she leaned against her squad car.

Rachel Park still looked like the college kid she used to be. Not much older than her daughter, Jessica. Her long black hair was tied back in a ponytail and she had this naughty gleam in the corner of her eyes. She was tall and slim and wore a tight dark blue tee shirt, a black leather jacket, jeans, and boots.

Despite her youthful appearance, Rachel's determined gaze and the way she carried herself indicated a level of professionalism that went beyond her college years. It was evident that she was no stranger to chasing a story, always seeking to capture the essence of her subjects with an unyielding passion.

“Yeah but considering what happened a year ago in Tolleson, which by the way, I’d still love to interview you for,” Rachel Park persisted, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Olivia couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the mention of Tolleson, a reminder of something that still haunts her to this day.

As Rachel continued to press for an interview, Olivia couldn't help but wonder what she had done to deserve this persistent attention from a reporter, and more specifically, from Rachel herself. She had heard stories about Rachel's tenacity and unwavering determination, traits that would be commendable under different circumstances.

But now, faced with Rachel's insistent requests, Olivia found herself growing more frustrated by the minute. She understood the importance of the media's role in reporting the truth, but she was not willing to let her experiences be laid bare for the world to scrutinize. There were certain wounds she preferred to keep hidden, away from prying eyes and probing questions.

Olivia remained stoic, her expression guarded, as she silently contemplated how to navigate this conversation without compromising her boundaries. Deep down, she knew that Rachel's persistence could be an asset in uncovering the truth, but she also recognized the potential risks of revealing too much.

“The answer is no. The answer will always be no. Now, if you don’t mind,” Olivia opened the door to her car. “I have a case to solve.”

Detective Collins slid into the driver's seat without another glance in Rachel Park's direction. As she started the engine and pulled away from the scene, her thoughts were consumed by the realization that she now had two persistent annoyances in her life: Park and Steele.

The irony was not lost on her, and a wry smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Her partnership with Nathan Steele had started on rocky ground, their personalities clashing and their methods at odds. But deep down, Olivia acknowledged that he was a talented detective and that they could potentially make a formidable team if they found a way to work together. However, she couldn't deny the frustration that came with his persistent attempts at small talk and his uncanny ability to get under her skin. Or the way she got under his.

And now, Rachel Park was back to sticking her nose where it didn’t belong, determined to pry into Olivia's past and expose her vulnerabilities for the sake of a sensational story. It was a reminder that the walls she had built around herself were not impenetrable and that her past had a way of catching up with her.

With a sigh, Olivia focused on the road ahead, her mind already strategizing how to handle these two nuisances while also solving this challenging case.

But that was for tomorrow.

A hot, steaming bath called her name the moment Olivia entered her apartment. She listened for sounds that her daughter was home and passed by her bedroom. The door was shut with the light on, and it was likely that Jessica was studying.

Just wanting to check on her daughter, Olivia knocked on the wooded door gingerly. She was greeted with a smile.

“I just wanted to check in,” Olivia admitted with a sheepish grin and leaned against the door frame.

“I’ve got a big exam coming up so I’m just trying to get in as much studying as I can.”

“Well, I won’t keep you then.”

Olivia couldn't resist the urge to pull her daughter into a tight embrace, wrapping her arms around Jessica. At that moment, she needed to feel the warmth of her daughter's presence, reassuring herself that she was physically safe and sound. The embrace was a silent affirmation of their unbreakable bond, offering solace and comfort in a world filled with uncertainties.

It was hard to shake that feeling of fear as a mother but even more so when you’re a detective on a murder case where the victim is around the same age.

Departing from her daughter’s doorway, Olivia made her way into the kitchen. Leaning against the kitchen counter, Olivia filled her glass with a generous pour of wine. As she took a sip, the rich red liquid cascading down her throat, her mind drifted back to the events of the day. Images of Nathan's perfectly fitted dress shirt, accentuating the contours of his muscular physique, flashed in her thoughts. She couldn't help but notice the subtle flex of his veins when he clenched his fist, a display of raw strength. And then her mind wandered to forbidden territory, imagining the sensation of his lips against her own. Olivia questioned herself, perplexed by these intrusive thoughts. She had sworn off partners, so why on earth was Nathan Steele occupying her mind?

As Olivia contemplated her recent romantic history, she realized that it had been quite some time since she had been intimate with someone. The realization hit her like a jolt, and she recognized that it could be the root cause of her current preoccupation with Nathan Steele. Maybe, she thought, the solution was simple. Perhaps all she needed was to go out, have a casual encounter, and satiate her physical desires. If she could fulfill that need, then maybe the persistent thoughts of Nathan would fade away. It was worth a try, Olivia decided, as she resolved to embrace a night of passion in the hopes of freeing herself from the allure of Detective Steele.

Finishing off the wine in a swift gulp, Olivia made her way down the hallway to the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the air as she turned the faucet, adjusting it to a hot temperature. However, as her mind continued to wander to forbidden territories, she paused and hesitated. Maybe, just maybe, she needed a different kind of relief. Though, maybe she should run the cold water with those heated thoughts consuming her.

Chapter Six