Page 76 of Ice Cold Christmas

He inclined his head. His gaze raked her. Lingered a moment on her silk robe. She winked at him because she did like that type. But she kept going because she also really, really liked the super-wealthy-and-due-to-inherit type. Though, for fun, she let her hips do a little roll. Why not throw the big guard a little treat?

Soon—finally—she was back in her room. She opened the door, slipped inside and?—

“Well?” Dario demanded as he sat on the edge of the bed.

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m pretty sure your stepfather is a murderer.”

He nodded. “Always did wonder…”

Really? No other response? “So what are we gonna do about that?” Olivia wanted to know.

Dario smiled at her. “I’ve got a plan.”

Wonderful. “I hope it’s better than your last plan. Because that one went straight to shit, didn’t it?”

Chapter Twenty

“We have a problem,” John Henry told him.

Victor stood in his den. The house was silent. Cold. Melody was upstairs. He’d taken her to the guest room. Made sure she had clothing. Following Victor’s instructions, Jenner had stopped by her place before he’d come to the station. He’d packed bags for her. Brought over everything she needed.

When they’d arrived at Victor’s house, she’d seemed so small. So fragile. So breakable. He’d wanted to pull her into his arms.

But hadn’t he already pushed her too much? He’d taken her at her house. He hadn’t been able to stop. When she’d offered herself to him, his control had shattered.

He’d intended to play the gentleman. To charm her. To prove to her that she’d always be safe with him.

Only he’d fucking feasted on her.

Then nearly watched her die right in front of him. Like he’d ever get over that moment.

He’d been in the upstairs guest room with her when the phone call had come. He’d carried up her bags and put them down just as his phone had pealed with a call from John Henry. And he’d known that he had to slip away.

“I’ve got quite a few problems,” Victor murmured. “You’re gonna need to be way more specific.” A man died in front of me tonight. After he nearly killed Melody.

Right. In. Front. Of. Me.

“The nurse just caught Olivia Hatcher sneaking out of Sebastian’s bedroom.”

John Henry had his complete attention.

“She was only inside a short time. Very short.”

“Where the hell were you?” He’d given orders that Sebastian was to be protected.

“I swear, I’d only left my post for moments. The guy had been sleeping, and I needed to piss, all right? But she must have been waiting for me to leave. Gave some BS story to the nurse about him calling out. The woman looked guilty as sin.” An exhale. “No way she just happened to hear him calling out. Her room with Dario is on the other side of the house.”

Yes, it was. “Anything else?”

“Sheriff grilled everyone. Didn’t turn up any evidence at the estate. The truck was stolen. I did get that much intel from the deputies.”

And Benny Turner was good at boosting trucks. “I’ll follow up with the sheriff in the morning. Make sure that Sebastian has no other unwelcome visitors, would you?”

“Thought I was supposed to be guarding him from attacks. The woman in the see-through robe didn’t have a weapon on her.”

“Looks can be deceiving.”

John Henry grunted. “Olivia is leaving in the morning. Heading out with Dario.”