Pass Protection (Fair Catch Series, Book Five) Read online

“The paramedics found you partway up the embankment.” He visibly swallowed. “Unconscious and bleeding.”

  Olivia recalled the doctor telling her that the paramedics had said she’d hit her head on a rock. Without conscious thought, she touched the place on her head where she’d gotten stitches. All her troubles stemmed from this mess with her mother. Softly sighing, she dropped her hands to her lap.

  “I wish you would have told me about this from the start.” Greg’s voice was soft, tender.

  “So do I.” She also wished her returning memories were good ones, ones that showed Greg, their marriage, all their happy times. The only things she’d remembered had to do with a horrible drug dealer who had brought chaos into their lives.

  “Now we know what he’s capable of,” Greg said.

  “We also know what’s going on. Let me text him again. If he wants his money—”

  Greg threw one hand up. “Hold on.”

  “What?”

  “What makes you think I’m going to give my hard-earned money to some drug dealer?”

  This was a wrinkle she hadn’t considered. At least this new version of her hadn’t considered it. Obviously the old Olivia knew not to ask, which was why she’d tried to do it on her own in the first place. Wanting to point that out, she opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Greg spoke.

  “Your mother created this problem. Let’s give her a chance to fix it.”

  “Greg. She doesn’t have that kind of money, and I don’t think Eddie cares where the money comes from. Plus, evidently I already told him that I’d pay him. This isn’t just about my mother anymore. Whether we like it or not, I’m on the hook for the money.”

  Greg’s lips pressed together in a slight grimace, then he ran his fingers through his hair. “You may be right, but…I don’t know.”

  “What don’t you know? Because I’ll tell you what I know. I know a very dangerous man is expecting me to hand over one hundred thousand dollars.” The amount kind of staggered her still, although she believed Greg could come up with it if he had to. “I know that he said he doesn’t give second chances, but I also know that he wants his money and the only way he’ll get it is if he gives me the opportunity to give it to him.”

  Greg was quiet for several moments, then he took Olivia’s hands in his. “If anyone’s going to give him the money, it’s me.” Then he locked his eyes with hers. “I’m not going to let anything else happen to you.”

  Deeply touched that Greg was willing to protect her, Olivia managed a smile. “Are you saying we can give him the money?”

  Frowning, he said, “I’m not happy about being blackmailed by a drug dealer, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” A muscle worked in his jaw. “But let’s give your mother some time. See if she’s able to work something out.”

  Olivia was beyond grateful that Greg was willing to take this on, and she understood his desire to have her mother figure it out on her own, but she had very little optimism that her mother would be able to work it out.

  A few minutes later her mother called.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Hello?” Olivia was on edge. Had her mother managed to make a new agreement with Eddie, or were she and Greg still in danger?

  “I’m so sorry, Olivia.”

  That wasn’t a good sign.

  “What happened, Mom?”

  “I tried. I really did. But he wants his money and he knows I don’t have it.” She paused a moment. “I asked him if he ran you off the road and he said…” Her voice began to shake. “He said next time you wouldn’t…you wouldn’t make it out alive.” Her mother burst into sobs. Huge, wracking sobs. Then she started talking, but she was crying too hard to be understood.

  Chills raced over Olivia’s body. She had no doubt that Eddie’s threat wasn’t idle. Not when she remembered the absolute fury in his eyes when he’d screamed at her through her car window.

  “Calm down, Caroline,” Greg said as he put an arm around Olivia. There was no way he would let Eddie—or anyone else—harm his wife. “Take a breath and tell us what you just said.”

  Deep breathing sounded over the line, then a shuddering breath. “He said someone has to pay for stealing and lying and…” Tears filled her voice again. “I told him to take me, that I’d pay for it.” More sobs. “With my life if I have to. But he said…” Shuddering breaths. “He said my life is worthless.” Fresh tears. “He said it has to be Olivia. He said to tell you he said that.” Her sobs turned nearly hysterical.

  Greg’s entire body tensed. This man was threatening his wife, threatening to hurt her, to maybe even kill her. For what? Some money? Olivia was priceless. No amount of money was worth taking her away from him.

  His arms tightened around her, which was when he realized she was shaking with sobs.

  “I won’t let him hurt you,” Greg murmured in her ear. “I’ll die before I let anything happen to you.” His voice was intense, his words spoken with fierceness. “You hear me? I love you more than life itself, Olivia.”

  Greg’s words penetrated Olivia’s mind, sank into her soul, sang in her heart. And she believed him, knew he meant it. The panic and terror that had taken over her body at her mother’s words began to recede. Just a little. And her tears slowed to a trickle. “What are we going to do?”

  Greg was quiet a moment, and Olivia hoped he was coming up with a plan. Because she had no idea what to do.

  “We’ve gotta go, Caroline,” he said.

  “What can I do to fix this?” she asked, her voice filled with sorrow.

  Frustration welled up inside Olivia and she spoke before thinking it through. “You can get clean and stay that way.”

  “I will,” she said. “I promise.”

  Olivia looked at Greg, whose expression said, We’ve heard that before.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” her mother said. “But I mean it this time. I can’t believe what I’ve done to you. You’re my darling daughter, my only child. You mean the world to me. More than drugs.” Sniffles. “I promise on all that I love that I am done with drugs.”

  Olivia dearly hoped so.

  “We need to go, Caroline,” Greg said. “We expect you to follow through.”

  “I will. I love you, Olivia.”

  As she pictured her mother, Olivia felt fresh tears fill her eyes. “I love you too, Mom.”

  Greg disconnected the call, then pulled up Olivia’s texts.

  “What are you gonna do?” she asked.

  With a grim expression, Greg said, “See if this Eddie really wants his money.” Then he typed a message: This is Olivia’s husband. Greg. You’ll deal with me now. New agreement. I’ll give you the hundred grand Olivia promised. Then you disappear from our lives and stay away from Caroline.

  He pressed Send.

  As she read the message, saw all that Greg was doing for her and her mother, Olivia’s heart contracted with deep gratitude and something approaching love. He was such a good man—willing to solve the problem she’d brought on herself. He really did have her back. She could see why she’d fallen in love with him, why she’d married him.

  “Thank you, Greg,” she said. “You didn’t have to do this, you didn’t have to give away the money you’ve worked so hard for. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”

  He shook his head as he sort of chuckled, then his gaze bored into hers. “It’s just money, Olivia. You are what’s important to me. I can always earn more money. I can never replace you.”

  Olivia’s heart pounded as she stared into eyes filled with love.

  He lifted his hand and slid a finger along her jaw. Energy skittered across her skin—energy that made her lean into his hand and close her eyes.

  She could feel Greg moving closer to her and a moment later his lips brushed across her cheek before he whispered, “I love you, Olivia.”

  The flame that his touch had ignited when he’d stroked her jaw exploded into an inferno and she found it hard to catch her br
eath. “Greg,” she murmured.

  “Yes?”

  Her emotions were all over the place—powerful attraction, overwhelming gratitude, a need to feel safe. Not knowing what to say, she simply rested her head against his shoulder. His arms went around her and she stayed within the circle of his embrace, savoring the feel of him, the strength of him, the knowledge that he loved her.

  If she could stay like this forever, her life would be perfect. But she knew that reality would get in the way.

  A short while later their idyllic moment was interrupted by the chime of a text notification.

  Reluctantly, Olivia withdrew from Greg’s arms, and after he picked up her phone, they read Eddie’s reply together.

  The great Greg Sinclair himself. You must be the jerk who texted earlier. The one who said there would be consequences. Well, you were right. My price has gone up. Half a million and I’ll disappear from your lives.

  Olivia’s heart dropped as she stared at the screen. “Half a million?!” Almost afraid to see Greg’s reaction, she tore her gaze from the phone and looked at his face. His jaw was set and his eyes were hard.

  What if it was too much? What if he refused? What would happen? Would Eddie come after her?

  This guy was really getting on Greg’s nerves. Who did he think he was? Telling him that his price had quintupled.

  Then he looked at Olivia. Her face was pale and her shoulders were tight as she gripped her knees. “It’s too much,” she said just above a whisper. “You don’t have to pay it. We’ll figure something else out.”

  But her words were in sharp contrast to the fear vibrating off of her.

  Did she really believe he would put her at risk? Over money? If she thought that, she didn’t know him at all. He almost laughed at the thought. No, she didn’t know him. He had to keep reminding himself of that. With the way she’d let him hold her moments before, he’d forgotten that she didn’t know him, didn’t remember their relationship or their marriage. Holding her in his arms had felt natural—it was something he’d done hundreds of times. And the way she’d melted against him? Yeah, she was feeling it too.

  His love for her glowed, bright and clear.

  “Olivia.” His voice was soft, tender. “Don’t say that. To me, you’re priceless.”

  Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

  He cupped her face with his hands and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears. “Hey. No need to cry.”

  “I don’t…” She sniffled and shook her head. “I don’t deserve you.”

  How could she say that? She was everything to him. Had been since the moment he’d met her. “You have that backwards, my love.”

  “How can you believe that? After all I’ve put you through.”

  She had to understand something. “Olivia, it’s not you who put me through this. It’s your mother who put us both through this.”

  “See? You’d be better off without me. Me and my mother and her problems.” She sniffled again. “Because it seems like we’re a package deal.”

  He softly laughed. “Now it’s your turn to see.”

  “See what?”

  “The fact that you won’t turn your back on your mother is one of the many things I love about you.”

  A tiny smile curved her lips and he knew he was starting to cut through the guilt she felt.

  The security alarm went off.

  Greg tensed, his gaze shooting in every direction.

  This was it. Eddie was here.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  At the sound, panic engulfed Olivia. “What’s happening? Is he here? Is he inside?”

  Greg’s eyes were wide as he leapt to his feet and raced to the control panel on the wall.

  “Don’t touch that,” a voice shouted over the alarm, and when Olivia’s gaze followed the voice, she gasped.

  “Back away,” Eddie said, a gun pointed at Greg.

  Greg was reaching for the panel, but he stopped.

  “No,” Olivia shouted as she grabbed her crutches. She had to protect Greg, had to keep Eddie from hurting him. None of this was his fault. He shouldn’t be the one to suffer.

  She set her booted foot on the floor and looked toward Eddie, but when she met his gaze, the malevolence in his eyes froze her in place. Trying to intervene was complete folly. She had a broken ankle, could barely get around. Did she really think she could stop him?

  “Stay there,” Eddie said, the aim of his gun bouncing between her and Greg.

  “Do what he says,” Greg said, his voice insistent.

  “Listen to your husband,” Eddie said with a smirk, then he focused on Greg. “Turn off the alarm, and when your security company calls, tell them it was a false alarm.”

  When Greg hesitated, Eddie stepped forward and pressed the gun to his head.

  Terrified Eddie would shoot him right in front of her, Olivia yelled, “Do it, Greg! Please!”

  Greg punched in a code and the sound ceased. The silence was replaced by the pounding of Olivia’s heart. She thought it might come right out of her chest.

  “Take your phone out of your pocket,” Eddie said.

  Greg did as instructed and half a second later the phone rang. Greg shifted his gaze to Eddie, whose gun was still pointing steadily at him.

  “Answer it,” Eddie said.

  Greg swiped his phone. “Hello?”

  Olivia couldn’t see the expression on Greg’s face because he was facing Eddie, but from Greg’s side of the conversation she assumed it was the security company.

  “No,” Greg said. “I guess I forgot to turn it off before I opened a window. My mistake.” A pause. “Bye.”

  “Very good, Greg,” Eddie said with a grin. “Now, go sit by your beautiful wife.”

  Greg wanted to body slam the guy then pound him until he was dead, but the gun pointed directly at his head kept him in check. It was more important to comfort Olivia than to fantasize about beating Eddie to a pulp, so he clenched his jaw and strode over to Olivia, sitting on the bench and putting his arms around her.

  “What a lovely couple,” Eddie said as he stood halfway across the room.

  “We’ll give you the money,” Olivia said, her voice pleading. “Just don’t hurt us.”

  “It’ll be okay,” Greg murmured.

  She looked at him, her eyes bracketed with fear, and Greg knew she didn’t believe him.

  He wasn’t certain that things would be okay either, but he had to project confidence. If only for Olivia’s sake. Besides, keeping things calm could only be beneficial.

  Eddie sat on a weight bench and faced Greg and Olivia. “Here’s what’s going to happen.” Using his gun as a pointer, he trained the weapon at Greg. “You’ll go to your bank—alone—and withdraw five hundred thousand in cash, then deliver it where I tell you to.”

  The smug look on the man’s face drove a spike of fury right into Greg’s gut and he had to tamp down the nearly overwhelming urge to tackle the man and beat him senseless. Still, he had to do what he could to protect Olivia, and leaving her here with this evil man was not the way to do that. “Wouldn’t it be simpler for me to transfer the money to your account? Electronically?”

  “Yeah, but that’s not how we’re gonna play this. I want it in cash.” Eddie chuckled. “And don’t start getting any ideas of how to cross me, Greg.”

  The way he kept saying his name, like they were friends, infuriated Greg.

  Oblivious to Greg’s building anger, Eddie went on. “One of my associates will be with you the entire time, keeping tabs on you and updating me on what you’re doing. Making sure you’re following my instructions.” Eddie grinned. “In the meantime, Olivia and I will take a little field trip.”

  “No.” Greg’s teeth were clenched and his voice was even.

  Eddie’s head jerked back as his eyebrows shot up. “No?” Then he smiled. “I think you’re misunderstanding, Greg. This isn’t a negotiation.”

  “It’s okay,” Olivia whispered beside him.
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br />   This was nowhere near okay. This lunatic wanted to take his wife who knew where all to keep Greg under control. “You don’t need to take her anywhere. I’ll get the money and I won’t involve the police.”

  “Oh, I know you’ll get the money.” The confidence in Eddie’s tone was unmistakable. “And I know you won’t involve the cops. You know how I know that? Because if you fail, your wife will die. Slowly and painfully.”

  Greg couldn’t take it anymore. He leapt to his feet and charged Eddie, but the man must have anticipated Greg’s action, because he stood at the same time Greg did and stepped neatly out of the way. Greg crashed into the weight machine, nearly knocking it over.

  “This isn’t a football game, Greg.” Eddie stepped forward and pressed the gun to Greg’s temple. “Go sit by your wife so that I don’t have to shoot you.”

  Adrenaline poured through Greg’s veins and his muscles vibrated with the need to do something. Even so, he kept his wits about him and silently acknowledged that he wouldn’t be able to protect Olivia if he was dead.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Olivia’s heart thundered against her ribs. As much as she understood Greg’s need to resist, the thought of Eddie shooting him was too much to bear, and the sight of the gun pressed to Greg’s forehead horrified her.

  “Please, Greg,” she pleaded. “Please sit by me.”

  His face was a study in granite, but he did as she asked.

  The moment he sat beside her, she grabbed his hand and clung to it with both of hers. “Just do what he says.”

  His nostrils flared.

  “Listen to your wife, Greg,” Eddie said.

  “Shut up,” Greg growled.

  Olivia tensed, terrified Eddie would hurt Greg in retaliation, but he just laughed. Olivia’s muscles relaxed the tiniest bit, but she still felt like she was hanging over the edge of a very high, very precarious cliff by the tips of her fingers.

  “Time to go,” Eddie said, his attention now on Olivia. Using his gun, he gestured toward the hallway. “Let’s go.”