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He observes me for a moment before nodding, picking up his notepad, and resuming his usual position.

“Have you told her?”

“Not yet. I’ve listened to your advice, and I’m taking it slow.” As much as I know my emotions, I know I run hot. Olivia still has some catching up to do to meet me where I’m at. I’d love to go all in, let her know I’m in this with her, forever, if she’ll have me, but my girl is skittish, and I have a long way to go to prove to her I’m worthy.

We sit quietly for a moment until I say, “I showed her the business.”

“Really?” his eyebrows raise, and I get a little kick in surprising him.

“Yeah, she loved it.”

“So, she knows you’re not working with your father anymore?”

“Yeah. She knows a little bit about what happened. Not everything; I don’t want to scare her. But I told her why I left. And then I told her what made me stay gone. I showed her around the warehouse and then...” I cough. “I showed her my office as well. Just, you know, giving her the tour.”

I try not to smirk nearly as much as I try not to let my pants tent. Images of Olivia splayed before me as I fucked her over my desk mean I haven’t been able to work in my office for a week. Every time I sit in there, it takes me two seconds, at best, to have my dick in my hand or, at worst, turn right back around to Olivia's house, where I take her all over again.

“You need to be careful, Austin.”

I wave him away. “It’s fine. I took care of the cameras, and her brother was out on a job with Luca. I made sure wewouldn’t be caught.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not worried about her brother finding out, Austin. I’m worried about your father.”

My father. Fuck.With all my fucking feelings, the old gremlin has fallen out of my thoughts completely.

I know my security is tight. Luca and Danny are aware of the situation. Aware of what it could cost if my father dug his way in. Danny isn’t aware of Olivia of course, but still, they both know for their own safety, and mine, they need to be vigilant.

“I have procedures in place.” Procedures might be a slight understatement. Despite my legal business, I still have some of the boys on the books to inform me of any strange behavior when it comes to my father. I don’t trust him or my brother, as far as I can throw them.

A small chime indicates that our session is up. I slap my hands down on my thighs and go to move.

“Be careful, Austin. You’ve come a long way, which is fantastic. I’m very happy for you. But you still don’t know the lengths your father will go to. He’s always thought you’d come back into the fold. You being with Olivia will change that reality for him.”

I ruminate over the doctor’s words as I wave goodbye to Mia. My father would have made a move by now if he knew about Olivia. He’s not a patient man. We don’t go out much, certainly not in the city. If anything, I’ve been overly cautious with her. Hell, even her brother doesn’t know. The only person who does is Luca, and I trust him with my life.

Pulling out of the parking lot, I cruise back to the office so I can participate in the team bonding that is Pizza Friday.

Once the boxes are empty and the biodegradable plates are placed into our compost, I call Luca into my office. My conversation with Alfie is niggling at me and I want to take some steps to ease some of that anxiety.

“Any news on my father?”

“No, boss. Nothing to report.”

His speedy response calms me slightly but does nothing to quell the ache Dr. Alfie has left with me.The fucking bastard.

I know I’ve been lax recently, but isn’t this the whole point? To not have to look over my shoulder all the time? I wanted my life to be free from that kind of bullshit, and it’s been working. But now his words sit with me, and honestly, it’s unsettling.

Luca grabs a couple of glasses and pours us both a generous serving of scotch. Then he takes a seat and leans back, just like Alfie fucking Adams did not two hours ago.

“Spit it out, Luca.”

“Did you at least return her crop top? Or was it a souvenir?” He smirks, taking a sip and hissing slightly.

“I’m not going to talk about Olivia. But thank you for covering for us.”

“I’ll do a follow-up report; send out a few more feelers regarding your father.” He stands in preparation to leave the room.

I thank him again. Luca has always known what I need without me having to ask. I’m sure the doubt in my mind is only worrying over having something—someone—so precious in my life. But Alfie was right to caution me.