Page 54 of Outrun The Devil
Olivia took a deep breath, trying to maintain a level-headed approach despite the unease gnawing at her. She sat up, propping herself against the headboard as she relayed exactly what Xavier told her. Nathan listened intently, his brow furrowing as he processed the information.
After Olivia finished, Nathan let out a sigh. “It's a long shot, but we don't have much else to go on. We'll need to make sure we're cautious, though. We can't let Knight get the upper hand.”
Olivia nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of unease settle over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Xavier's sudden willingness to offer up information seemed too convenient, and she couldn't help but wonder if he had an ulterior motive.
But they had no other options. They needed to follow up on the lead, no matter how reluctant they were to trust Xavier. Olivia swallowed her reservations, determined to stay vigilant and not let him manipulate them.
“Let's get ready,” she said, her tone firm. “We'll go meet this witness and see what we can find out.”
Nathan nodded, his expression serious. “And we'll keep a close eye on Xavier. I don't trust him for a second.”
Olivia smiled wryly. “Neither do I, but we have to work with what we have. And who knows? Maybe this Vincent Blackwood will be the break we need in this case.”
Nathan snorted. “I won't hold my breath, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.”
Olivia chuckled, grateful for the lighthearted moment. She knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but she was determined to find the killer and bring them to justice. She turned towards Nathan, a spark of determination in her eyes.
“Let's go catch a killer.”
Olivia's fingers clenched her phone as Xavier's text message flickered across the screen, a timely interruption that seemed almost fortuitous. She exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The decision to meet with Xavier, away from Nathan's prying eyes, was a calculated one. She needed answers, and she couldn't afford to let Nathan's potentially tumultuous reaction hinder her progress.
It helped that Olivia had given him the task of finding out who Samantha Mitchell was and reaching out to set up an interview with her.
After a quick shower and a change into fresh clothes, Olivia found herself standing in front of The Hive, the club Xavier owned. An apprehensive edge hummed beneath her skin, a mixture of distrust and curiosity churning within her. The façade of the building was a blend of sleek sophistication and mystique, an embodiment of the enigmatic figure she was about to confront.
As she pushed through the entrance, her tension seemed to intensify, and her eyes found Xavier, a smug smile gracing his lips. The very sight of that smirk ignited a spark of irritation within her. She despised it, resented the way it seemed to play with her emotions, yet she couldn't deny the strange pull it had over her.
"Detective," his voice was smooth, carrying an undercurrent of amusement. It was a voice that wrapped around her, like a velvet glove concealing something sharp.
"What do you want?" Olivia's words dripped with disdain, her guard firmly in place as she met his gaze, challenging him without reservation.
Xavier's smirk only seemed to widen, as though her hostility was exactly what he had anticipated. "Always a pleasure," he drawled, his tone implying that her hostility was entertaining, rather than off-putting.
With a flourish, he produced a small box from within his jacket. Olivia's eyes narrowed as he placed it on the table between them. The air seemed to buzz with tension as she held his gaze, her curiosity momentarily overpowering her skepticism.
"What's this?" she asked, a trace of wariness still evident in her voice.
Xavier's smile held a hint of mystery as he opened the box to reveal several silver bullets nestled within. Olivia's gaze flickered to the bullets, then back to him, her apprehension morphing into guarded curiosity.
"Silver bullets," he stated simply, his tone holding a note of finality.
Olivia's fingers grazed over the bullets, a silent acknowledgment of their significance. Her mind churned, processing the implications of his gift. As she held the cool metal in her hand, she couldn't help but ask, "How do I use them?"
His smirk deepened, a response to her vulnerability that she begrudgingly acknowledged had a strange effect on her. "Leave them in your window sill at night," he explained, his gaze locked onto hers. "Let them charge in the moonlight. It will amplify their effect."
The simplicity of his instruction was unexpected, but a question tugged at her. "Can you show me how to make them? Or tell me where to get them?"
Xavier's response was maddeningly noncommittal. "Maybe," he replied, his tone a taunting whisper.
Olivia's jaw tightened, frustration mingling with her curiosity. She leaned in slightly, her eyes locking onto his. "Why are you helping me?" she demanded, her voice edged with suspicion.
Xavier's lips curved into a sly smile, a gesture that ignited her irritation even as it stirred something deeper within her. "It's in both of our best interests to remove the troublesome werewolf you're after," he replied cryptically, his eyes holding a glint of hidden motives.
As Olivia left the club, the weight of Xavier's cryptic words lingered in the air around her like a shroud of uncertainty. Her steps carried her away from The Hive, a sense of urgency quickening her pace. Just as she stepped onto the sidewalk, her phone buzzed in her hand, and Nathan's name illuminated the screen. She quickly answered, her thoughts still tangled in the enigmatic encounter she had just experienced.
"Collins," Olivia answered.
Nathan's voice held a trace of concern as he responded. "I tried calling Ms. Mitchell, but she didn't pick up. However, her case file had a name attached to it - Vincent Blackwood."