Chapter 9 9
“What’s going on here?”
The deep, commanding voice cut through the noise like a blade.
Both guards froze instantly.
Blair’s stomach dropped. No… not him. Please, not again.
She shut her eyes tight, backing up until her shoulders brushed the wall. Her chest rose and fell too fast. Why do I keep seeing you everywhere?
Lucas stepped in, his gaze sweeping the scene — the guards standing rigid, the trembling woman, and the small boy half-hidden behind her. Maverick trudged after him, clutching the hem of his mother’s worn jacket.
“I asked a question,” Lucas said coolly.
“Sir,” the taller guard stammered, “we were just— she—”
“Bullying my staff?” Lucas cut in, his voice deceptively calm. “Because that’s what it looks like.”
“Sir, she doesn’t—”
“Save it,” he said flatly. “You’re done here. Both of you.”
The guards stiffened. “Sir, please—”
“Security will handle your clearance. Get out of my sight.”
The men exchanged glances before slipping away, their heavy footsteps echoing down the hall.
The silence that followed was almost deafening.
Blair stood frozen, her eyes downcast, heart pounding. Lucas’s gaze lingered on her — the way she trembled, the bruised pride behind her silence, the way her fingers shook as she tried to steady herself.
Then she swayed.
It happened fast — her vision dimmed and her breath shallowed .
“Miss Rivers—”
Lucas moved before she hit the ground, catching her by the shoulders. His hands were firm steadying her as she gasped softly.
“Easy,” he said quietly, his tone low but unexpectedly gentle. “Breathe.”
She blinked up at him, dazed — and for one disorienting moment, she forgot how to breathe. His scent, the nearness, the heat of his hand at her arm — it sent her reeling backward in time, to a night she’d buried deep.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rougher now, tinged with something he couldn’t quite name.
“I—I’m fine,” she whispered, trying to pull away, but his hand stayed a heartbeat longer than it should have.
And that’s when a sharp voice sliced through the tension.
“Lucas?”
Both of them turned.
Standing at the entrance, Olivia stared — her red lips parting slightly as her gaze flicked from Lucas’s hand on Blair’s arm to Blair’s pale face.
Lucas quickly let go, stepping back as if her skin had burned him.
“Oh, shit… Liv.” He exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. The muscle in his jaw ticked. Of all times…
Olivia stood a few feet away, her heels snapping sharply against the marble as she approached.
Her expression was calm —
Lucas swallowed. He knew that look all too well. Olivia’s Othello syndrome — the obsessive jealousy, the possessive streak that could spiral without warning — flashed like a silent alarm in his mind.
“Lucas,” she said softly, her voice laced with something brittle. “I didn’t realize you had… company.”
Blair straightened weakly, clutching her bag to her chest. Her eyes met Olivia’s — and in an instant, time seemed to fold.
Same honey-brown eyes. Same curve of the jaw. Same blood, but worlds apart.
“Olivia,” Blair whispered, her voice trembling. “It’s… been a long time.”
Olivia’s gaze swept over her — head to toe — cold and dismissive, like she was looking at a stranger who’d accidentally wandered into her world.
Not a flash of recognition.
Not a single word.
The silence between them cracked like ice.
Blair took a shaky step forward. “I didn’t mean to cause—”
“Lucas, we need to talk,” Olivia said sharply, her heels snapping down the hallway without waiting for him to answer.
Lucas sighed under his breath and followed her into the glass elevator. Neither spoke as the doors slid shut.
When the elevator stopped at the top floor, Olivia turned swiftly, her eyes glinting.
She stepped close — too close — her manicured fingers brushing at the lapel of his jacket. “You’ve got coffee stains,” she murmured, dabbing at his suit with her handkerchief.
Lucas didn’t move. He just watched her, jaw tense. “Liv, it’s fine. I can handle—”
Her hand froze on his chest. “Don’t ever let another woman touch you,” she said softly, but there was steel beneath her tone. Her eyes lifted to meet his, wide and trembling. “Not even by accident. Do you understand me?”
“Olivia—”
She dropped the handkerchief and grabbed his tie, her voice cracking slightly. “Why did you let her touch you?”
Lucas’s brow furrowed. “She didn’t— it’s not what you think.”
“Then what am I supposed to think?” she shot back, her voice trembling between anger and fear. “I walk in and she’s practically in your arms—”
“She almost fainted,” Lucas cut in, his voice low, measured. “I just caught her. That’s all.”
Olivia’s lips parted, her breath shaky. For a long moment, she said no word.
Then she moved forward suddenly, wrapping her arms around him so tightly it almost startled him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered against his chest. “I just… got scared. I don’t want to lose you, Lucas.”
Lucas stood still, his arms hovering uncertainly before he placed them lightly on her back.
“You’re not going to lose me,” he said quietly, though a flash of unease crossed his face.
Olivia held on tighter, her voice muffled against him. “Promise me. You won’t let anyone come between us.”
Lucas’s gaze drifted toward the glass wall — the skyline stretching endlessly beyond it — and something undetectable passed through his eyes.
“I promise,” he said finally, though his tone lacked conviction.
Back downstairs, Blair stood at the reception desk, her fingers twisting the strap of her worn bag.
The receptionist looked up and offered a gentle smile. “Miss Rivers… you’re back again.” Her tone softened, like she’d been expecting this. “I knew something was wrong when you left earlier. The CEO seemed… sad, actually, about your resignation.”
Blair’s brows lifted slightly, surprise flickering across her face. “He—he was?”
The woman nodded. “He personally approved your posting. That doesn’t happen often. You must’ve made quite an impression.”
Blair forced a small smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
She reached for Maverick’s hand. “Come on, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Let’s go home.”
They turned toward the door. Blair could almost taste the cold air outside —
Her grip tightened around her son’s hand. We’ll figure it out. Somehow.
But before she could take another step, a firm voice rang out from behind her —
“Stop right there.”
The sound froze her in place. Her heart stumbled. Maverick looked up, blinking in confusion.