Chapter 24

Jake's POV.

“I'll go check it out.” I said in a whispered and made to leave, but Olivia grabbed my wrist.

“Be careful.” She mouthed.

I tiptoed to the living room, my eyes darting frantically from one place to another so as my nose trying to pick any scent as I walked closer to the door. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the knob and opened the door, but there was nobody at the door. I slowly stepped out of the house and looked around for any clue of what must have happened. But there was none.

I was about to go back into the house when I heard a cat meow and my eyes fell on it. When I moved closer to it and picked it up, I realized that it's a she and she was injured. Probably, that was why she banged on the door for help.

“What a cute little thing!” I commented in a whisper as I stroke through her fur.

I took her into the house, locked the door from behind, and walked back into the room. Olivia looked so tensed, and I must admit it that I hate that look on her; it doesn't suit her quite well.

“What happened?” She asked in a panic, still looking outside through the window.

“It's fine, Olivia. It was just a cat, she's injured and needs help.”

I could hear her let out a sigh of relief.

“Maybe I should go tend to her wound then.” She suggested and got out of bed.

“No, Olivia. You should rest, I'll treat her wound.”

“No, Jake. I've been indoor all day long, doing nothing. So, I can't probably be tired. I'll do it, I insist.” She said, and I smiled at her.

“Fine. Let's do it together then.”

We retreated from the room and sat on the couch in the living room. While Olivia looked at the cat's injured leg, I went to the kitchen to get the first aid box.

“Here you go.” I handed her the box.

“Thank you.” She mumbled, her gaze fixed on the cat as she took the box from me.

I watched her tend to the wound while I acted as the nurse.

“Isn't her so cute?” She drooled over the cat after she put her to sleep.

“I know, she's like a goddess.” I smiled.

“What should we name her?”

“I think Rio would be a nice name for a cat.”

“Okay, that's nice. Let's go to bed.” She yawned.

I switched off the lights, and we went into the room and slept.

The next morning, I woke up and looked at the bed, but Olivia was not there. I got up and dragged my feet to the living room, I saw her in the kitchen preparing breakfast for us.

“Good morning, babe.” I said out of my subconscious mind, and she shot me a glance glare.

“What's wrong?” I shrugged, not still realizing my mistake.

“What was the babe for? My name is Olivia and would appreciate it more if you address me like that.” She snapped as she walked to the table with the tray of meal in her hands.

“Oh! That was unintentional. I'm sorry about that.”

“It's fine. Let's have breakfast, so you can hurry to work.” She said, but my face changed into a gloomy one and she noticed.

She walked closer to me and slightly lifting my head with the tips of her finger, she asked, “Is anything the matter?”

“No, not really.” I faked a smiley face, but she was obviously not buying it, judging by the still look on her face.

“You dare not lie to me, Jake.” She retorted.

“Fine!” I grunted and moved away from her.

I walked to the dinning room and sat down, she approached me and took her seat too.

“I was laid off yesterday.” My low, faint and sad.

“What?” She gasped. “Why didn't you tell me last night?”

“You looked so happy last night, I would rather not ruin it with the news.”

“You know you can tell me anything. You don't have to hide anything from me. Please, don't do that again.” She said in a soothing way.

I know I had broken her trust in me.

“Okay, Olivia. You don't have to worry about anything, I'm sure I'll find another job pretty soon.” I said with a lively tone, and she approved it with a smile.

“Let's eat before it gets cold.” I said.

Jasper's POV

The next day, Holm and I went to his warehouse, and Willy joined us a few minutes later. We were all seated in a circle.

“Jasper, what do you want to do now? You know Anabel is in danger.” Willy started.

“That's if she is still alive.” Holm added, and his words made my heart to pump faster.

With my head buried in the ground and a huff that escaped my lips, I lifted my eyes to meet their gaze.

“I know, and it hurts me to think that Anabel probably sacrificed her life.”

“We need a plan to save her.” Holm said.

“The Pack isn't somewhere we can just barge into. The security is strong, and I bet it's stronger now because of my escape. We would need a better plan to get Anabel, like a negotiation.”

“Negotiation? How would that work?”

“I know what Kaye wants. If I can get him Olivia, I'm sure he would save Anabel's life.”

“Okay, that's good to know. But who would go for the negotiation?” Willy asked, his eyes darted frantically from Holm and me.

“Of course, that would be me. I caused the whole thing and would have to clean up my mess.”

“And make all our efforts, the stress we went through, void?” Holm snapped.

“No, Holm. I dare not do that to you. I'll return to you in one piece. And also, if I want to prove my innocent, everything I need is in that pack.”

“Okay, Jasper. When do you intend to start?"

“I'll set off tomorrow, I don't want it to be too late for Anabel.”

“Very well then. We will be on the lookout for Olivia. Hopefully, we would get her before you return with Anabel.”