Page 48 of The Bounty

I can’t help but feel a rush of relief that they didn’t have sex, but I keep my face blank when she leaves the room, leaving Brock slack jawed.

I follow her, helpless to resist anymore.

“Olive! Wait.” She turns to me, her eyes narrowed.

“I amnota toy for you three to toss around,” she whispers shakily. “I’m doing my best to survive being here, Dylan. In case you forgot, I asked you to help me leave, andyou didn’t.”

Shame is clear on her face and the salt of her tears cloud her sweet scent.

“Of course not. We were assholes,” I continue, as she walks ahead of me towards the elevator, a subtle limp to her step. “And please don’t walk that fast. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

She stabs the button and shakes her head. “This was a mistake. All of it. I want nothing to do with any of you.”

Her words are a knife to my heart, a fear creeping in that we may have lost her forever.

You didn’t even have her in the first place, idiot.

“Sweetheart,” I try, reaching out my hand. “Don’t—”

“I’m not yoursweetheart!” She snaps. “I don’t belong to any of you. Do you understand that?”

“Yes, I do.” I say quietly as the elevator doors open. “You don’t. You belong to yourself, and we shouldn’t have talked about you that way.”

I’m babbling like an idiot, but I need her to just stop looking at me likethat.

Like I’ve betrayed her more than I already have.

“Dylan,” she sighs. “I just…I had to talk to Killian about something important, okay? That’s why I was in his room.”

My jealousy has dissipated. All I care about is wiping the hurt from her features.

“You don’t owe me an explanation,” I add.

“Right, but you and Brock obviously wanted one. I don’t know what the hell any of this is, but I’m still too tired to process it all,” she murmurs, stepping into the elevator.

“Have dinner with us,” I blurt, placing my arm between the doors. “Please. Killian said we need to have a meeting, and I’m sure it has to do with you. You should be there.”

She nods warily. “I have a feeling it’s about me.”

“So, you’ll join us?” I ask eagerly, sounding like a lovesick boy.

But the soft smile she gives me is worth it.

“Yes. And for what it’s worth, I appreciate you standing up for me in there.”

I grin. The elevator tries to close, but I push the doors apart. “I’llalwaysdefend you, Olive. All of us would. Even if we act stupid and fuck up sometimes.”

She sighs. “If you say so. Oh, and Dylan?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m allergic to shellfish.” She gives me a smirk, and the doors close, leaving her scent to permeate the area.

I’m so far gone for her, it’s pathetic.

* * *

When I return,Killian is still in the kitchen, drumming his fingers on the counter. Brock continues to type away on his laptop, his brow furrowed as he stares at the screen in hatred.