Page 29 of Outrun The Devil

With a deep exhale, Olivia was ready to take her leave before she said something she would later regret. “We’d like to see the security footage from inside the club if you wouldn’t mind.” She forced a smile.

Xavier smirked and she wanted to rip it right off his face. “Whatever you need, detective.” Up to this point, she was managing her composure well enough. But it was fraying with every second in the same room as that man.

With a sharp exhale, Olivia turned and stalked towards the door. She could feel her blood boiling, her face flushed with emotion. Her steps were heavy and deliberate, each one punctuated by the slam of her boots against the floor.

With a sharp tug, Olivia yanked the door open, the hinges groaning in protest at the force. The sound reverberated down the empty hallway, thunderous punctuation to her mounting anger.

She stormed out of the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing in her ears as she stalked away.

Her mind raced with the details of the case, and the thought of the killer still being at large made her blood boil. If they failed to book him for this murder, she knew she would take matters into her own hands. The prospect of meting out justice herself both terrified and exhilarated her.

Olivia felt a surge of adrenaline as she thought of Xavier Knight, the man responsible for so much suffering. The thought of ridding the world of him was tempting, almost intoxicating. She imagined the satisfaction of seeing him pay for his crimes, the relief that would come from knowing that justice had been served.

So consumed in her irritation, Olivia didn’t object when Nathan offered to drive. Chewing on her lip, she stared out the window in silence on the drive back to the station.

Nathan pulled into the front of the station but didn’t get out.

“You know, you shouldn’t let him get under your skin like that.”

Olivia shot him a look. “You don’t think I know that? Not letting suspects get under your skin isn’t a new concept to me, rookie.” Every word bit, her body tense. Then she drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “Sorry.”

It was rare that someone could get under her skin so easily. Something she’d prided herself in was being able to hide her emotions but in that room with Knight was like a switch flipped.

Like she’d been a bomb waiting for the right hair to be triggered. And he knew which line to cut to set her off.

There was something familiar about his voice, his scent, and even that stupid smirk of his. But as she pulled at every memory she could, nothing came to the forefront.

Silence had fallen between them at that moment, and Nathan broke it.

“I wanted to punch his face if that makes you feel any better.”

Oliva laughed and laughed and laughed some more.

“Yes, Steele, it does.”

More than he realized.

Olivia stole a fleeting glance at Nathan, the corners of her lips curling into a subtle smile. Maybe, in this tumultuous journey ahead, they could find common ground, support in each other's presence, and navigate the treacherous waters together.

Amid everything that threatened to consume her, a flicker of hope ignited—a tiny spark that whispered of unforeseen alliances and the resilience of the human spirit.

Chapter Nine

Collins let out a frustrated sigh, feeling like they were back to square one with the case after Knight's alibi checked out. She had spent hours interrogating every employee at the club where the victims were last seen, but each one had the same answer - they hadn't seen the girls. It was all too convenient, and Collins couldn't help but feel like they were hiding something.

While Collins and Nathan had been questioning the employees, Patel and Diaz were reviewing the footage from the club's cameras.

Collins was hopeful that they would find something that could lead them to the killer.

Steele had excused himself the moment they walked into the station, and Olivia didn’t pay him much attention far too drained from questioning everyone.

Tossing her notepad down, she sat on the edge of her desk, her frustration palpable. “Patel, Diaz, please tell me you found something in the footage,” she pleaded.

Patel shook her head. “We have footage of the victims dancing and heading towards the bar, but then we lose them. There are just too many people in the club.”

Collins let out a groan. She needed something, anything, to break this case open. “What about the other floors? Do they have cameras?” she asked.

“Knight claims they only have cameras on the main floor,” Patel responded.