**Olivia POVOn the drive back to the mansion, Ellis was silent. He'd opened his mouth long enough to tell me about the missing document and now he was staring out the window again. I didn't like how he looked. He seemed so cut off, locked in his own thoughts. I followed Ellis silently back to his office. He sat at his desk and spread his hands on top of it. "Ellis, how important is the missing document?" I asked. I stood next to his chair. He glanced up at me slowly, his eyes unfocused. "It could be very bad for the future of my business."I covered my mouth with my hand. "I'm sorry. I want to help, anyway I can.""Olivia." Ellis took my hand and pulled me into his lap. I giggled, curling up against him. Elli's face was drawn, a frown on his lips. My smile faded quickly. "I know I can help," I offered again. Ellis shook his head. "This isn't your fight. It isn't your burden to bear.""That's not true. We are supposed to be in this together," I rem
I threw Ellis's shirt on the floor. He growled, pleased, and grabbed my hips, flipping me over roughly. He pushed my shirt up my back and placed a trail of hot, wet kisses along my spine. I writhed in his grasp, moaning and pushing my hips up as his lips moved down my back. He placed a kiss on my sacrum and groaned, his hands tightening around my hips. Then he ran his nose up my spine, causing me to squirm more. "I'd love a little girl, as pretty as her mother," Ellis purred, nipping at the back of my neck. I turned onto my back, and wrapped my legs around his waist while he pulled my shirt over my head. "What about another boy?" I asked. I ran my hand down Ellis's cheek and hooked my finger in his mouth. Ellis smirked and sucked on my finger. I moaned and arched my back, my legs trembling around his hips. He grabbed my hips and pulled my pants clean off in one, swift motion. Then he grabbed my knees and pulled my legs apart. His eyes gleamed brightly and I c
When Ken's birthday party was over and Ken was asleep, Ellis and I lay together in bed. He had his arms around my stomach, his breath brushing the back of my neck. "You know, if we are going to have another baby together, we should become an official family," Ellis whispered drowsily. "Well, I've been living here. Ken calls you 'daddy,' how much more official do you want to get?" I asked. He chuckled and kissed the back of my neck. "I thought we could get married. Tell the world that we are together and share the rest of our lives with each other.""I…"I turned in the darkness and stared at the outline of Ellis's face. I couldn't see him well because of the shadows over him, but I could tell he was smirking. "You want to get married?" I gasped. "It seems like the most logical progression. I love you, you love me. We have a son. We're trying to have a daughter. Doesn't marriage fit in there somewhere?" he asked playfully. I sighed and pressed my hand to his cheek.
**Ellis POV"O-Olivia, I can't understand… What about Ken?"Olivia was frantically screaming into the phone. I couldn't understand what she was saying. It all sounded like gibberish. "K-Ken is… h-he's m-missing," she sobbed. "What!?" I asked, my hand tightening around my phone. "H-he's…" she trailed off, sobbing more. There was a shuffling sound and then Jenny spoke. "Ellis, Ken is missing. He disappeared from the boutique. The police are on their way," Jenny explained. "I'll be right there," I growled. I called my driver and had him take me to the boutique, telling him to ignore stop signs and red lights. I didn't care what fines I had to pay. My son was missing!First Nancy stole some documentation, now, my son was gone. I didn't think it was a coincidence. If Claire was right and Nancy was acting out someone else's orders, a man she loved, I could think of only one who would care about the information in the document that was stolen. Olivia was sobbi
**Olivia POVEllis was silent as he drove back to the mansion. I clasped my fingers over and over again. Had I really been so blind to who Bennett was? I'd trusted him, let him look after us, and now he'd stolen the one thing I cared about most in the world. "Ellis… I…" Ellis shot a sharp look at me and I closed my mouth. His hands gripped the steering wheel like he was holding on for his life. "I'll do what is necessary to get our son back," he repeated. "This feels wrong, somehow. Like you're playing into his hands," I explained. Ellis shrugged. "And I'd do it a million times if it meant keeping you and Ken safe. The two of you are my family. That is more important to me than money and business."I sighed and looked at my hands. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate Ellis's willingness to sacrifice everything. I would give up all I had and more to make sure my son was safe, so I understood where he was coming from. The fact that he would give up his wealth
"Oh, baby!" I cried. I knelt down and grabbed Ken, hugging him close. "Mommy, you're hugging too hard," Ken whined. I didn't let him go. I just kept squeezing him. "I was so worried about you! Why did you leave the dress store?" Worry and anger mixed together with my relief. I never wanted to let my son go again!"I… I…""Olivia, you don't need to smother the boy," Ellis chastised. He put a firm hand on my shoulder. Sighing, I slowly released my son. I put my hands on his shoulders and looked him over, checking for any marks or bruises. "Are you sure you're okay?" I asked. Ken shrugged and nodded. I kissed his cheek and stood up. Ellis picked Ken right up and gave him a hug. "I want to take you to my private doctor to get a checkup, okay?" he asked. When Ellis hugged Ken, I saw how he closed his eyes and breathed a huge sigh of relief. I didn't always get to see him being emotional and vulnerable. Smiling lightly, I put my hand on his arm. "Do I hav
"Mommy, mommy, wake up!" Ken cried, running into my room and jumping on the bed. I groaned and rolled over, pushing him off of me. "Oh, Ken, it is too early for this.""But it is a big day," he cheered. Sighing, I blinked the sleep from my eyes and sat up. Other than Ken, the bed was empty. "Where is your father?" I asked. Ken shrugged. "Getting ready.""Getting ready for what?" I asked, smiling at him. I grabbed my son and pulled him close, tickling his belly. Ken shrieked with laughter and wiggled away from me. "He's getting ready for the party," he said. "What party?" I asked. I stopped trying to catch him. Ken's laughs started getting quieter and quieter now that I wasn't tickling him. "The engagement party, remember? You just got a dress for it," Ken reminded me. "Ken, I don't think we're going to have the party today," I said. I laid back down and patted the bed next to me. Ken got closer. He laid down and snuggled up to me. I looped my
**Olivia POVEllis seemed almost despondent by the words, and I had felt the same. He said the thing I was hoping he would never have to say out loud. Yet, here it was.We would have to call off the engagement.I tried my best to remain calm because we were in the middle of an engagement party! I had guests and appetizers… a band was playing happy music for a celebration! Now we had nothing to celebrate and I couldn't tell anyone about it.I knew the panic on my face became more apparent as I worried about how to break the news. I buried my face into my hands for a moment, knowing my mother would have a fit if I told her the engagement was off.It's not like I could answer questions, either. I didn't know what was going on. Later, I could speak with Ellis in private. I had to deal with the party guests first but I didn't have the slightest idea on where to start."Mommy," Ken breathed, pressing his hand on my leg in concern. "What's wrong? Are you and Daddy not—""Hey, everything is fi
Ellis POVI sat in the executive chair in the office, getting work done as well as I could under the circumstances. Even with the new legal troubles, some things never changed. “And tell them if they don’t they will have to answer to me,” I said. “Got it,” my project manager, William, said, looking a little shaken. Handling contractors came with the job, and was mostly a matter of patience, and being commanding. Much the same as handling a child having a tantrum. I relaxed a little as the call went away, taking more of the immediate problems with it. There were other problems hanging over my head that I didn’t like to think about. A little annoyed and very tired I loosen my tie, which had come to feel like a noose. After the house arrest, theoretical as it might have been, I hardly wore one anymore.I felt Olivia’s absence in my chest, like a weight. One I tried to lighten with another drink. Sipping lightly from the tumbler of rum, careful not to get drunk. I wanted to be alert
**Olivia POVI woke up still groggy, the world going from a dark blur to a light blur. Everything that had happened slowly rearranged itself in my mind.Pain came back along with the memories, if in a reduced form. With a wince, my head turned just right, and I saw Ellis seated by the bed, where he’d always been before getting arrested and would always be if I had anything to say about it.Ellis looked troubled, something I rarely saw. He was always so capable and in control of himself if not the situation. I reached out to him instinctively, and Ellis took it tenderly.“Can you be here?”“Of course,” he said.“No, I mean your house arrest.”“That is taken care of. Even if it wasn’t, I think this counts as compassionate grounds.”I relaxed a little, letting out a breath. Then I remembered what happened with the baby.“How is she?” I asked.He squeezed my hand, letting me know something was wrong, no matter what he might say.“She will be fine,” he said, “I’ll take you to the NICU to se
**Olivia POVI’d always heard bad things about hospital food. Fortunately, this proved not to be true. Everything Amber brought was great. I started to feel stronger just from the diet alone.If it wasn’t for hospital policy, I probably could have walked on our twice daily outings onto the hospital grounds. The baby seemed better too, moving even more than before.I started to suspect Nurse Anderson might have cooked the meals at home and smuggled them onto the hospital plates.I was near the end of my bacon and eggs, when a familiar face peeked in through the door.“Mom!?” I asked, more delighted to see her than I had words to say.“Hey, baby.”Mom came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek, like she used to do when I was little and feeling sick.“Me or her?” I asked, patting my belly.“Both of you, really,” mom said with a rare smile.Mom put her hand on my belly and felt it as the baby moved again.“Hello, little one, it’s Grandma.”I was surprised to hear her use the term. Something
**Ellis POVI paced the hallway, resisting the urge to hit something. The control I showed in most situations was carefully built up over years. There were times I worried about Ken and his potential impulse control. Then again his mother was so patient and gentle, except when truly riled, it could be her genetics that might win out. I went to the door again, just to see if I could hear what was being said. The wood was too thick and all I could hear was muffled hums. “You know you could just go in right? You’re on the list.”Spinning on my heel, resisting the urge to yell in fright, I saw Nurse Anderson with a food tray. “I can’t actually.”“Why? Is the door locked?” she asked, testing the knob. “Yes, but that is not the biggest problem.” “Oh, how so?” Nurse Anderson asked. “It was locked from the inside,” I said.“Yes, that is how it works.” “By someone else, on purpose I mean.” “Who?” “Some Fed, I think he said his name was Smiley.” “Agent Smiley?” Nurse An
**Olivia POV Ken came out of nowhere. The only warning of his arrival, an excited shout echoed down the hall. He still hadn’t got the hang of his ‘inside voice.’ Like a shot he was in the room, shattering the quiet solitude. I couldn’t have been happier. Kevin was more subtle, coming in behind and waiting to be beckoned before coming forward. There was something about hospitals that made him less than comfortable. “Mommy,” Ken cried, up on the bed like a shot. “Hey, baby,” I said, as he took me in a near-choking hug. “Hi,” Kevin said, quietly, keeping his wheelchair near the door.. “Get over here,” I said. Kevin came up beside the bed, not needing to be told twice. From my bed I hugged Ken and held Kevin’s hand tightly, tears started to roll with little choice. “Mommy?” Ken asked. “Happy tears, baby,” I said. “Oh.” The room felt smaller all of the sudden and all I wanted to do was go outside with my boys. Pressing the button to page her, Amber appeared in no
**Olivia POV Day came again even as I was sitting on the plane back to New York. It had been a dream, and Ellis was still there, looking deeply worried. “How are you doing?” he asked with a smile that once melted me. “Fine and only getting better. As soon as the doctor gives me the all clear I’m going home with Ken.” “Ken is at home,” Ellis said. “Not your home, my home,” I said. I could see the words cut deep, and almost felt sorry for him. Second thoughts were just coming up when the doctor came in, his expression grim.I instinctively reached for Ellis’s hand. Bad news no doubt on the horizon. “It can’t be that bad,” Ellis and I blurted at once. “It can actually,” the doctor said, looking at the chart. “How so?” Ellis butted in. It didn’t really concern him anymore, but he was the sort to think he needed to be the center of attention in any situation. He must have been a joy at funerals. “You are severely dehydrated, Mrs. Peterson. The amniotic fluid is mu
**Ellis POVI held her hand in the back of the ambulance, never letting her go again if I had anything to do about it. I had gotten far too close to losing her. “We’ll be there soon,” I said, minding the volume. She flinched at the smallest noise if it was unexpected. God only knew what the sick f*cks had done to her, and it was best not to think about it. Anytime I did, the urge to kill them rose. I didn't want to kill Carl, no matter how much of a f*ck up he was.No matter what he did he was still my son. People like us had other ways to deal with our kids when they got off the track. Military service was one popular option, as well as “career opportunities” in another country. Olivia stayed silent, her head lolling to the left before she closed her eyes. “Everyone is excited to see you again,’ I tried, “especially Ken and Kevin.”Olivia winched at the mention of their names. It was probably a touchy subject, after she’d been away for so long, not sure if she’d ever get ba
**Olivia POV“How are you doing, honey?” I asked, rubbing my belly. The baby didn’t move, but she could have been asleep. Apparently, they did that a lot. Resting up for the rest of their life. Bethany and Carl were down there for a few hours. Mostly quiet but with the occasional argument. Things shifted and I heard steps coming towards the attic. I held my breath hoping everything would be okay. I wasn’t sure I’d done the lock up right, and hoped they wouldn’t notice if they came back. It would be an obvious sign of what I’d done, and the punishment could be awful. There was no telling what Bethany might do. She could be merciful and just break my ankles. Or my wrists, to stop me from getting the lock picked again. It would make Ellis really mad, but it didn’t sound like they were planning to stay around, after everything. The clock clicked open, making me flinch and the baby move. I nearly cried to feel her again but had to hold it together. If we were going to get out of
**Olivia POVI felt a thrilling chill run over my body and the baby moved in response, celebrating in my womb. The door was open and we were close to freedom. I rubbed my belly, calming her down. I would need all my focus for the next part. Carl and Bethany could have been back at any time, and I had to be gone before then if there was going to be any chance of getting back to the boys and Ellis tonight. I cracked the door open slowly and I listened to the deafening silence. All was dark but I could just make out the staircase below the door. There was no light from below, so I had to try to get down blind. A little at a time, always sure to hold something, down I climbed. Getting one foot down on the stairs and then the other. Holding the sides of the steps in a death-grip, I finally reached solid ground. The floorboards down below creaking like the ones up above. There was another door at the base of the steps and my heart sank to think that I might have to work to pick another l