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For a moment, I can't move, can't think, can barely breathe. All I know is Olivia and the blinding pleasure still coursing through my veins.

I collapse beside her, pulling her against my chest. Her breathing is ragged, matching my own. Pressing my lips to her temple, I taste the salt of her sweat.

"You okay?" I murmur against her skin.

She nods, her eyes still closed, her body boneless against mine. "Better than okay."

I told myself after the last time that I wouldn't let this happen again. But now that I've felt her pussy clench around my cock, I'm not sure I can stop myself.

This wasn't supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to care about her. She was just a loose end, a witness to tie up. But now...

Now I'm holding her like she's precious, like she matters. And the terrifying truth is that she does matter. More than she should. More than is safe for either of us.

I stroke her hair, watching as her breathing slows, her features relaxing. She looks peaceful now, the anguish from earlier gone. Replaced by something else, something I'm afraid to name.

I've spent my life believing I couldn't protect the people I love. That loving someone means watching them get hurt. My mother's face flashes in my mind, her eyes wide with fear before the light went out of them forever.

I look down at Olivia, resting peacefully in my arms, and a cold fear grips my heart.

What have I done?

THIRTY-TWO

Olivia

Iwake up in an empty bed.

Reaching out, I find a cold pillow next to me. I don't even remember when I fell asleep. It takes my mind a moment to adjust, to recall everything that happened yesterday. I was alone in this damn mansion again, my fingers between my thighs when?—

Oh my god. My cheeks flame. Sam heard me touching myself while moaning his name. Embarrassment claws its way up my throat, but then the image of him crawling onto my bed appears. He was turned on by the sight.

Images of him fucking me in this very bed flash through my mind.

I've never enjoyed sex before; it always felt like a chore. But that? That felt nothing like a chore.

Who knew it could be so damn good.

But now I'm alone again.

I'm not sure why that makes me feel so…bad.I'm used to being alone. Alone has always been easier, and it's not like Sam'smy boyfriend. He's my captor. I shouldn't be expecting to wake up with him cuddling me and whispering sweet nothings.

And yet, it stings that he's not here.

I shake it off, telling myself I'm being silly. Acting like a child with a crush.

Redirecting, I move the shower and strip down, cleaning yesterday off and focusing on getting ready for today.

When I head downstairs, I expect to see him in the dining room with his normal cup of coffee and whatever breakfast his staff prepared. But his seat is empty. I eat alone, and when I exit the dining room, Roman is waiting for me.

"Ready to go?" he asks.

Something tugs at my heart, and I desperately want to ask where his boss is. But I'm not that girl. I don't pine over men.

"Yeah," I tell him.

I'm not sure what I was expecting. I fucked the man I witnessed kill someone and think he's going to coddle me and give me the girlfriend experience?

I'm acting just like my mother.