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Jack’s fists clenched, but the look in Sawyer’s eyes made him pause.
Because whatever Sawyer had planned… it wasn’t going to be mercy.
"Mr. Whitlock, I doubt it too. That's why I came here today," Sawyer said. "You should check your finances. You gave the fake Olivia control over the company for a while. I suspect there are serious discrepancies. She must have done something." His expression darkened. "Meanwhile, I'm gathering all the evidence we need to make sure she pays for what she’s done. Once her involvement is confirmed, she won’t just walk away."
Jack’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. Jessica, still shaken, wiped away her tears, her breathing uneven.
Sawyer's voice remained calm but carried an edge of steel. "And before she goes to jail, you and I will have a little chat with her, don’t worry. She won't get away with this."
Jack exhaled sharply, his fury barely contained. Jessica clutched her trembling hands together.
"Please make sure you don’t alert Kelly.” Sawyer continued, his tone lowering. "You both need to act normal around her. Don’t let her suspect anything. Let her believe things are fine, and endure her presence without making her doubt you. If she catches on, she might run. Give me a couple of days, and we’ll have everything we need to take her down."
Jessica sniffled and nodded. "We’ll do it, Sawyer." Her voice was steadier now, filled with quiet grief. She then stood up, grasping his hands tightly. "Sawyer, make sure she pays for hurting our Olivia."
Sawyer’s chest tightened, a crushing weight settling over him.
Memories of Olivia flooded his mind—the girl who had been his whole world since childhood. Her laughter, the way she’d cling to his arm, her endless dreams about their future together.
Now, all of it was gone. Stolen.
His heart twisted painfully, grief clawing at his throat—Olivia was dead.
The person he had once promised to protect, to cherish, was lost forever, and he hadn’t even known. He had failed her. The ache in his chest deepened, an unbearable hollowness swallowing him whole.
"I will," he promised. "No matter what, I will."
***
Ellie stirred awake in the morning, shifting slightly—only to find herself completely trapped in the small hospital bed. A strong arm was locked around her waist, holding her in place. She let out a small groan and tried to wriggle free, but the grip tightened.
Turning her head, she froze. Sawyer.
He was fast asleep, his hold on her like a death grip. She turned to her side, her fingers brushing against his face with utter tenderness. Her gaze lingered on his features, tracing every line, every breath, as if memorizing him.
There weren’t many people who looked this good while sleeping, but Sawyer was definitely one of them—handsome, his jawline sharp, features sculpted to perfection, dark brows resting over closed eyes, and lips that tempted her far more than she wanted to admit.
Everything about him was so alluring that she could barely breathe.
Before she knew it, her fingers had a mind of their own, slowly trailing over his face. A slow glide over his brow, his nose, his lips…then lower, down his neck, skimming lightly over his skin. Her touch slipped and glided over his skin, reveling in the warmth beneath her fingertips.
The moment his eyes stirred, she snatched her hand back and shut her eyes tightly, pretending to be asleep.
Sawyer’s lips curved into a smirk. He had already felt her touch, so when she recoiled and feigned sleep, amusement flickered in his gaze.
At once, he leaned down and captured her lips in a punishingly rough kiss.
Ellie’s eyes flew open in shock, but he didn’t let her regain control. He shifted over her, pressing her into the small bed. It wasn’t big enough for the both of them, but it was enough for him to pin her beneath him, comfortably claiming the space he needed—and that was all that mattered.
His lips dominated hers, his tongue teasing, demanding, until she was gasping against him. Then, just as roughly, he moved to her neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses over her skin before sinking his teeth in.
Ellie shivered, her body reacting helplessly as the sensation shot through her. Soft and rough at the same time, his lips left scorching marks in their wake. Her breathing quickened, her body betraying her entirely.
Within minutes, her neck was covered in red bites, and she couldn’t even resist—because, God, they felt too good. The contrast between the softness of his lips and the roughness of his touch made her breath hitch, made her body tense with something that coiled low in her stomach.
"Sawyer…" she rasped after what felt like an eternity. "It’s morning. Let go."
His mouth hovered over her pulse, his breath warm against her skin. "Where do you want to go?" he murmured, inhaling deeply as if intoxicated by her scent.