All Good Things Absolved (5 page)

"What took you so long?" His tone was tense.

"What?" What was he talking about?

"Gabe called me when he dropped you off. Why did it take you so long to come up here? I was just on my way down." He looked worried and relieved in the same time.

I would have rolled my eyes. But I couldn't. He had a right to worry about me. Especially now that I had another delivery from 'my savior'.

I handed Jace the box. "I stopped at the front desk when Bethany said I had a package."

Jace looked at the package with a tight scowl. "My office. Now."

I saw Laura's confusion at the sudden hostility in Jace's tone, but I there was nothing I could say. I couldn't explain this to her. I wouldn't even know where to begin. With a small smile I didn't feel in my heart, I started walking to Jace's office when I heard him bark a command at Laura.

"Get Caleb in my office."

"Of course." I could hear the confused question in her tone and I admired her control as she picked up the phone to call Caleb with no questions asked.

I felt Jace's hand on my back as he guided me gently to his office. I was suddenly feeling exhausted. I wanted to strip down, wrap myself in a warm blanket and sleep for a millennia. This man who claimed to care for me so much was going to be the death of me. I had never been so stressed in my entire life and with the parents I had - that was saying something.

Jace closed the door when we were inside his office. His shoulders were rigid and his hair was a mess - from running his hand through it, I knew. He turned to face me and his blue eyes were dark. "Did Bethany say anything else to you?"

"No." I smirked. "She thinks it's a pre-wedding present."

Jace ran a hand through his hair. Again. "The man didn't leave a message with her?"

"Only that it was a surprise for me." I said quietly. I folded my arms over my belly, hugging myself. I felt sick.

As soon as the thought came, I felt the nausea roll through my stomach and I bolted to the bathroom. Jace's expression turned from anger to startled worry as he followed me through the adjoining bedroom to the toilet. I leaned over and heaved the contents of my stomach into the toilet. Jace pulled my hair from my face before he started rubbing my back. I would seriously have to talk to him about this, I thought as another burst of nausea rolled through me. Sweat beaded at my hairline and I moaned as my knees gave out to hit the floor. Wow, I was weak. I wasn't sure if it was the baby or the box waiting for us in his office. But I was ill and hot - and Jace hadn't stopped rubbing my back.

When I was finished and he was certain I wasn't about to begin again he lifted me up onto the counter beside the sink. He produced a toothbrush from under the sink, loaded it with toothpaste and looked expectantly at me. "Open your mouth, Angel."

I shook my head. "I can brush my own teeth, Jace."

"So can I." His eyes were serious - and delusional if he thought I was allowing him to brush my teeth. Absolutely not! "Open."

"No." I shook my head. I would win this one.

"Jace?" Caleb's voice rang out into the tense silence and I almost smiled as Jace growled low in his throat.

"I'll be right out." He called before he set stern blue eyes on me. "Open your mouth."

"Please go deal with the box with Caleb." I begged sincerely. "I don't want to know what's in it. I don't want to see it."

"Angel," Jace handed me the toothbrush. He looked defeated and angry all at once. It was a chilling combination. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." I said flatly. "I don't want to know. Not right now anyway."

"What are you going to do in here?" Jace asked. I could hear his worry and I could see his frustration, but I didn't know what to do. I was sad and angry and above it all I felt violated. My savior was obviously stalking me. He'd sent letters to my home, my work, and now my fiancés work. It was too much. My mind couldn't handle this kind of creepiness. I wanted it to go away and right now, if I ignored it - maybe I could pretend that it didn't exist.

"I'm going to lie down." I said quietly. I could barely maintain eye contact. "I'm tired."

"All right." He rubbed the pad of his thumb over my cheekbone. "I love you, Olivia. You know you're safe with me, yes?"

I nodded. This I knew without doubt. "I do know that, Jace."

"Good." He swallowed, leaned in and kissed me on the forehead. "Come get me if you need me. I'm not leaving my office."

"Promise?"

He frowned. "I wouldn't leave you, Olivia."

"I love you," I smiled half-heartedly. "Go talk to Caleb."

***

I walked into my office feeling tense and fucking angry. Olivia was exhausted. This was taking its toll on her. The fact that she wasn't spitting fire and fighting to see what was inside the box had me worried. It wasn't like her. She always had to know everything and when it was denied from her - all fucking hell broke loose. But she didn't want to know. She wanted to sleep...and after spilling the contents of her stomach...it made me want to find the sucker that was doing this to her and kill him with my bare hands.

"You all right?" Caleb's voice cut through my thoughts and I nodded sharply as I closed the door adjoining my office to the bedroom. I didn't want Olivia to be disturbed by our voices.

"No." I finally replied as I walked across the space to the chair I'd deposited the box on when Olivia bolted for the bathroom. I picked it up and tore at the lacy ribbon. "I'm not all right."

"Is that from him?" Caleb asked tightly. He was catching on quickly.

"Yes." The ribbon fell to the side of the box and I lifted the lid. My throat felt tight as I stared at the framed photo staring up at me. It was a photo of Olivia as a child. She couldn't have been more than six when the photo was taken. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, each strand curled with impeccable ringlets. She was sitting on a bench wearing a white frilly dress. There were tears in her eyes, but that wasn't what had my breath lodged in my throat. It was the sorrow I felt emanating from the photo. Olivia was hurting. Deeply. My Olivia was hurting.

"What the fuck?" Caleb breathed over my shoulder. "Is that Olivia?"

I knew why he recognized her. It was those big brown eyes. They were unmistakable. And they were undoubtedly injured.

"Yeah," I finally replied after a moment. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My lungs felt like they were burning. "It's her."

I felt Caleb walk away from me. I could hear him pacing but I couldn't take my eyes from the photo. I was riveted, captured by the pain within the caption. As shitty as my childhood had been, not one photo existed where this much pain lived. The woman I loved more than my own life had not known love in her first six years of life. And I didn't know the first time she realized love existed, but the pain I felt growing in my heart was like a sword piercing my skin before shooting through my heart and out the other side. It fucking killed. The woman I loved was so fucking terrified of being a mother because of this. There was no longer any doubt in my mind. She was terrified of committing the same crime on our child as her parents had committed against her. I wanted to throw the photo, but I couldn't. I couldn't release it. I just couldn't.

"What does that letter say?" Caleb asked, breaking into my thoughts.

I scowled. "What letter?"

"The one that was under the photo." Caleb's brows furrowed. "Are you going to be all right? You look - different."

"I'm mad."

"I know. I am too and I'm not her fiancé but fuck," he sighed. "No child should ever look like that."

"You're right. No child should ever look like she did." My words were low in my throat.

"She doesn't look like that anymore, Jace." Caleb said with vigor. "She's happy. And she loves you."

"I know." I replied tightly. I hated feeling so filled with emotion. It was potent. It spread through me like a flame on gasoline. I loathed her parents and I detested whoever was sending these surprises to her. She deserved happiness. Didn't the fucker see that? Couldn't he see she was happy with me?

"Jace, you've gotta keep a clear head. We need to find this fucker." Caleb spoke with venom and I agreed. "Obviously he knew her as a child. This is someone who's close to her. You know she has a brother, right?"

"I know she has a brother. But, I don't think it's him." I felt my teeth grind. "I think he likes her gone. He viewed her as competition. She always did better in school then he did."

"You're still thinking Bryce Cane?" Caleb said quietly.

I nodded. "I am." It was just a hunch - but I couldn't ignore it.

Caleb sighed. "He would have access to this photo. It's a possibility we'll have to look at a little closer."

"I've been looking." Anger was seeping through my pores. I was certain of it. "He hasn't appeared to make any contact with her what-so-ever. He's even been going on dates."

"I know." Caleb said quietly.

"You do?"

"I've been looking up on him." He admitted. "I told you I would help. I wasn't shitting you, Jace. I want to know who's doing this too. I care for Olivia."

"Thanks." I spoke quietly.

After a few moments of silence had passed, I picked up the letter, tore open the envelope and wished the piece of shit weren't so careful. I'd had every envelope tested for DNA. There was nothing. He didn't lick the envelopes and he didn't touch the paper with his bare hands. He was smart. But the smart ones were always the cocky ones. I knew this with certainty. Gabe had been a profiler and soon it would become obvious who was behind these twisted games. Soon, I would know who was tormenting my Olivia and I would end him.

I focused on the letter. This one was shorter than usual. But it made me angrier than all the others put together.

My Dearest Olivia,

Do you remember the last time you wore a white dress? I believe you were told you weren't worthy of a love like the one that exists in fairytales. Am I wrong? Do you remember the pain that festered for years in your heart until I found you and put you back together? Do you remember? I fixed you. I own you. Your happiness, confidence and success are all owed to me. You belong to me, Olivia. Why can you not see this? It was my cruelty that taught you to be the strong woman you are. Have you forgotten what you owe me? If you have, I'm more than capable of providing you with a reminder.

All my love,

Your Savior

Caleb spoke before me. And it was good, because I didn't have words.

"I'll kill him. If I find him, I'll kill him."

My hands shook as I placed the letter in the envelope. "My sentiments exactly." I walked to my desk, opened the locked drawer before placing the letter inside. "Olivia won't know about the letter." I said sternly. "She only sees the photo."

Caleb nodded. "I understand."

I'd thought he would argue with me and I was sincerely thankful that he didn't. I don't think I could take it. I know for a fact I couldn't allow Olivia to ever see this letter. It was different from all the others. It was personal. And it gave me the chills. It made me want to peel my skin from my bones. I knew it would be a thousand times worse for her and as the man who loves her with my entire heart and soul it is my job to keep her safe from feelings that can damage her. It is my job to protect her for the rest of her life - and by God, I will.

I picked up my phone and dialed down to the front desk. "Rush industries, Bethany speaking."

"It's Jace Rush. I'd like to see you in my office immediately." I spoke sternly.

"Yes, Mr. Rush." Her voice was shaky. "I'll be right up."

I hung up the phone and as Caleb made himself comfortable in a chair across from my desk, I dialed for Laura. "Is everything all right, Mr. Rush?"

"I need the surveillance tapes for today brought to my office immediately. Be sure the back-up tapes continue running."

"Jace," she sighed. "I have kids. Is everything all right here? Have we been threatened?"

I sighed. I understood her worry. "No," I spoke gently. "Rush Industries hasn't been threatened. But a personal threat has been made and I need the tapes."

"I'll have them to you within the hour."

"Thank you, Laura." I hung up the phone and sat in my chair.

Caleb and I sat in our chairs with only our thoughts to keep us company as we waited for Bethany to arrive. My phone rang and I answered. "Rush here." I barked.

"There's a Bethany from reception here to see you."

"Send her in." I hung up and waited. I gritted my teeth and Caleb shifted in the chair as my office door opened. A tall blond girl walked through. Her blue-gray eyes were wide and she was nervous. It was obvious by the way she scanned the office before her eyes landed on me, and then Caleb, before flying back to me.

"I'm Bethany." Her words sounded mousy.

I nodded and when I spoke, my tone was clipped. "Have a seat, Bethany."

She shifted. "Am I in trouble?"

I shook my head. "No." I waved to the chair and she slowly made her way to the seat before lowering herself. But she wasn't any less tense. "Were you the one who accepted a package for Olivia LeRoux, today?"

She nodded, looking pale. "I was."

"Did you happen to get a good view of the man?"

She shrugged. "I suppose. Why?"

"What did he look like?"

Her eyes shifted to Caleb again. Obviously he made her more comfortable. But I didn't give a shit about her comfort. I wanted information. The rest was moot. "I suppose he was average."

"What is average, Bethany?" I growled.

Caleb coughed. His eyes shot a warning to me before he focused on Bethany. "This is really important, Bethany. I need you to focus and try to remember every last detail."

"All right, well," she paused. "He was shorter than me...probably around five foot six or so...and he had green eyes and blond hair."

"Was he thin?" I asked.

"No, he was actually a little chubby." She replied. "Why?"

"That's all I need. You can go now."

The three of us froze as the bedroom door creaked open and Olivia appeared. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. She'd been crying. I felt my heart fall to my feet. I didn't think about our witnesses as I stood, crossed the space between us and pulled her into my arms. I held her tightly and her hands moved between my jacket and shirt as she held me back.