Page 13 of Protected by the Sheriff (Magnolia Falls #2)

Mason

H earing Olivia crying on the phone broke my heart.

I knew something really bad had happened for her to call me in that state.

She’s the most independent woman I’ve ever known and she’s stubborn as a mule.

She also hates me, so the fact she called, frantic and crying, made me almost scared to know what had happened.

As I sit and hold her, my eyes scan the room and take in the immense amount of damage. Whoever vandalized Liv’s shop, it was personal. There’s nothing left untouched.

Tears stream down her face as her body shudders once more, wracked with sobs.

“They left a note,” she whispers.

Putting Olivia down, I pick up the note and ice runs through my veins as I read the words. This is a threat.

“It’s the land developer guy. I just know it, Mase.” Olivia sobs.

Reaching for my phone, I call my deputy, instructing him to pick up Bryan Richards. “I want his ass in the interrogation room by the time I get there.”

After hanging up with my deputy, I dial Declan.

“I need you and Savannah, brother. Liv’s place has been vandalized, and she’s a mess.”

“I’ll call Mom and get her to come watch the kids. We’ll be on our way as soon as we can, brother,” Declan reassures me.

“Liv, get your insurance information from the office, sweetheart. I’m going to make a few more calls.”

Olivia doesn’t speak but walks aimlessly towards her office. I’ve never seen her like this before and it’s tearing me up. I hear chatter coming through the door and look up to see Hadley, Piper, and Knox, who are frozen in the doorway, surveying the destruction.

“What the hell happened?” Knox asks as his eyes skirt around the room.

Hadley sniffles, and she and Piper hug one another, terrified because they have no idea who has demolished their workspace or why.

“Where’s Liv? Is she okay?” Knox looks around frantically.

Fucking Knox, hotter than me, younger than me, and works next to my woman day in and day out.

I hate this motherfucker, but it might come in handy to have someone big and strong to protect Olivia while she works.

I tamp down my jealousy and try to do right by her and act like I don’t want to beat her employee into the ground for spending all day, every day with her.

“Everyone, calm down. Someone vandalized the shop, and Olivia is in her office getting the paperwork on her insurance policy.”

“She sent us all a text telling us something had happened, and we didn’t need to come in. I don’t think Liv understands she can count on us to do whatever she needs us to do,” Hadley adds.

“I appreciate you coming in to help her. She needs her friends right now,” I tell them.

“Who would do this?” Piper asks.

“Bryan fucking Richards did this because Liv wouldn’t sell the property to him,” I inform them.

“I’m going to kill him for messing with my girl,” spits Knox.

“My girl. MINE.” My heart pounds as I make my claim. I don’t like Olivia working so closely with a man, especially one that looks like Knox, but for him to call her his girl makes my blood boil.

He has the good sense to give me a sharp nod, acknowledging he understands she’s not his girl.

Olivia chooses that moment to walk back into the room, as Knox, Piper, and Hadley all stare at me like I’ve grown two heads. “What’s going on?” she questions.

Giving her employees the death stare, I let them know not to repeat what just happened.

Hadley gives me a small smile. “Since the computer is smashed, I will have to log in to the system on my phone, but I’ll call our customers and cancel all appointments for the next couple of days.”

My phone rings again, and it’s my deputy. “Boss, we can’t arrest Richards. He’s got an alibi. I’ve seen the CCTV footage, and he’s telling the truth. He was nowhere near Liv’s shop at the time of the vandalism.”

“Fuck my life. There’s no way he’s not involved. I heard him threaten her with my own ears.” I run my hands through the top of my hair, making it messy.

“Perhaps he paid someone else to do it? Knew we’d be looking at him?” the deputy suggests.

With a heavy sigh, I say, “Cut him loose, but I know he’s involved. When I prove it, I’m coming after him.”

By the time I’m off the phone, Savannah and Declan have arrived. Savannah is hugging my crying woman. She didn’t deserve that dirtbag destroying her place, and I know he’s involved with my whole chest.

“Who could have done this?” Declan asks.

“Bryan fucking Richards, but he’s got a watertight alibi. When I figure out who he paid to do it, they are all going down.”

Declan pats me on the back. “I’m glad you are able to be here for Liv. She’s all alone since her father passed away and her mom withdrew because of her grief.”

Bringing my hand to my chest, I rub the ache there, thinking of my girl all alone.

“Declan, I’m going to be here for Liv, tending to her needs for the foreseeable future.”

Declan looks at me with a huge grin spreading across his face. “I’m so happy for you, bro. Don’t let my mistakes with Lisa stop you from having what I have with Vannah. I know Liv is nothing like Lisa, just from watching her with my kids. She’s a good woman. One you deserve to be happy with.”

Relief washes over me knowing my brother approves of my plans to make Olivia mine. With that settled, we all get to work.

Everyone sweeps up glass, picks up debris, and helps put the shop back to right, while I call the insurance company and start a claim.

There’s a local contractor in town who I call up and get his help to replace windows and the glass door. I make it clear that I’m willing to pay extra if the work can be done in the next day or two. It’s short notice, but money is the best motivator.

“Mason, I can’t afford this.” Olivia kneads her hands together nervously.

“It’s not on you to afford it,” I assure her. I have plenty of money. Declan and I have sold tons of land over the years, and we are both wealthy now. There’s no reason I can’t help my woman get back on her feet, but I don’t want to come on too strong and make her clam up again.

Olivia’s eyes shine with wetness. “As soon as the insurance money comes through, I’m paying you back every cent.”

One of my brows raises and I pull my woman to my chest as my lips crash into hers. “You can pay me back, and it doesn’t have to be in cash.” The innuendo is heavy in my statement. The kid gloves are off, and I’m letting Olivia know exactly where we stand and that she’s mine.

She gives me the first genuine smile I’ve seen from her all day.

Declan walks over and lets me know Mom is on the way with sandwiches and tea for lunch. Since all the glass is cleared, she can bring the kids along now that it’s safe. Savannah often brings Kenzi and Ashton to the tattoo shop when she visits Olivia. It’s usually when Liv’s without customers.

When Kate arrives, Kenzi comes in wearing her favorite Disney princess dress, and Ashton is dressed in a little flannel shirt and jeans that match Declan’s. He’s got brown suede work boots on his tiny baby feet. I must admit, it’s fucking adorable.

Seeing Olivia kneeling to the kids and hugging them with a huge smile on her red and swollen face sends a primal urge through me to give her the family she so obviously craves. This woman is going to bear my children, and I’m going to ensure she gets knocked up as soon as I can get her into my bed.

Kenzi looks up and sees me, and her face stretches into the most beautiful smile as she runs and jumps into my arms. “Uncle Mason,” she screams.

I kiss her on her tiny forehead. “Hey, pretty princess. What are you doing?”

“Grandma Kate took us to the park, and we played before we brought you lunch.”

“Sounds like fun.” I look over Kenzi’s shoulder and see Olivia looking at me, holding Ashton with a dreamy look on her face. Our eyes lock, and I convey what she’s going to learn soon. We are going to have this. I’ve decided, and I’m determined that Crayola is mine.