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Chapter 29
Noah
This is the douche who broke Olivia’s heart in college? Without thinking, I jump into action, twisting the prick’s arm behind his back and slamming him into the wall.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
He lets out a helpless grunt and huffs, “What the hell? Did you not hear who I am?”
“I know exactly who you are. You’re the pencil-dick Olivia invested years in, only to discover what a selfish child you really are.”
He tugs against the hold I have on him. Nope, you’re not going anywhere, bud.
“Now apologize to her, with a promise that you’ll never say anything like that again, and I’ll think about letting you go.”
“Like hell,” he growls.
“Rosita,” I call out. She’s passing by with her cart filled with deliveries. “Call security.” She nods once and scurries away. I twist Bradford’s arm tighter, higher up behind his back, then lean in good and close. “I said apologize.”
He blows out a deep sigh, his voice taut with pain. “I’m sorry, all right?”
When Olivia turns up her nose, I shake my head at the poor schmuck. “You should know better than to fuck with such a powerful woman.”
Two uniformed security guards appear in an instant. “Remove this asshole from the property,” I tell them.
They flank Bradford and escort him back to the elevator. I brace myself for another insult hurled over his shoulder; there’s no way he’s going down without a fight.
Right on cue, Bradford turns to face us before entering the elevator. “When I own this company, I’ll be the one calling the shots, and neither of you will ever work in this town again,” he shouts, spitting the words like venom.
I straighten my posture and pull Olivia in close to my side. “You won’t be coming into my building and insulting my girl like that ever again. Get him out of here before I permanently remove his option of ever having children.”
Moments later, the elevator doors slide closed, and Olivia sags against my side in relief.
“Are you okay?” I turn to face her, running my hands in a soothing motion up and down her arms.
She nods once, her lips pulled into a tight line.
I lean down and press my lips to hers, needing to erase that pout.
“He’s gone, baby,” I murmur, stroking her hair.
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “He’s such a massive A-hole,” she mutters, shaking her head. “What did I ever see in him?”
Her tone drips angry contempt but I can hear the quiver underneath. Brad must have really rattled her. I clench my teeth. Maybe I shouldn’t have let that fucker get away unscathed after all.
“I won’t let him come near you again. That’s a promise.”
She nods. “Thank you, Noah.”
We’re both quiet for a moment, as if neither of us is quite ready to part ways and get back to work. Olivia gazes up at me with relief, gratitude . . . and something more? There’s a new light in her eyes. A look she’s never given me before.
“Not that I need you to defend my honor, but . . .” She gives me a small smile. “I’m glad you did.”
Pride and protectiveness swell in my chest. I try to brush it off by joking. “Hey, no problem. His face was begging for a punch anyway.”
She pats me on the chest, and I turn to head down the hall toward my office.
“Noah?”
That one word stops me in my tracks. Her voice is soft, almost shy, yet brimming with emotion. I’ve never heard Olivia talk so . . . I don’t know the word. Tenderly? Whatever it is, it floats me up like a boat on a rising tide.
“Yes?” I turn to face her.
Her face is awash in enlightenment as if she’s just been struck by a thought. “I think I’m ready.”
Did I hear her right? I almost don’t dare to hope. “You mean . . . ?”
She nods, biting back the first hint of a grin.
My heart surges. “Then let’s fucking do this.”
She beams at me as if we’re both on the inside of a private joke. And maybe we are.
“Let’s freaking get married,” she says with a giggle.