Chapter 14 - The Quiet After the Storm
Two days later, the rain finally stopped over New York.
Olivia stood on the private terrace of Harrison’s penthouse suite, looking out over the shining skyline.
Her mother was currently being flown to the estate on Harrison’s private jet under heavy security guard.
Everything was settling down, yet Olivia felt a strange sense of emptiness.
She heard quiet footsteps behind her.
Harrison walked out onto the terrace, wearing a dark coat against the cool night breeze.
He wrapped a soft cashmere blanket around her shoulders from behind.
"Your mother’s flight will land in twenty minutes," Harrison whispered near her ear.
"She will be living in the guest house here where no one can ever touch her."
"Thank you, Harrison," Olivia said softly, turning around to look at him.
"You saved her life."
"You saved my life first," Harrison replied, his eyes filled with intense warmth.
He reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her soft skin.
"When I watched you throw yourself down those stairs to save Ethan, I thought you were crazy," Harrison admitted with a soft, rare chuckle.
"I didn't know women like you existed."
"Women who don't care about money or power."
"Women who are willing to bleed to protect an innocent child."
Olivia looked down, her heart racing against her chest.
"I just did what was right."
"You did what no one else in my entire world would ever do," Harrison corrected her firmly.
He lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to look into his dark eyes.
"I love you, Olivia Brooks."
Olivia gasped softly, her breath catching in her throat.
The powerful, terrifying billionaire who controlled half the world's media was looking at her with complete vulnerability.
"Harrison..." she whispered.
"Don't tell me it's too fast," Harrison interrupted gently.
"I have lived forty years in cold darkness."
"You brought light into my house."
"You gave my son a mother."
He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.
The kiss was soft at first, filled with deep reverence, then grew intense and passionate.
Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck, sinking into his warmth and letting go of all her fears.
For the first time in her life, she felt safe.
Suddenly, Harrison’s satellite phone buzzed loudly in his pocket, breaking the magical moment.
Harrison pulled the phone out, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at the caller ID.
It was an encrypted number from the CIA Director’s private line.
Harrison answered it, keeping his arm wrapped securely around Olivia’s waist.
"Blackwell," Harrison spoke into the phone.
The voice on the other end was frantic.
"Harrison, we have a massive problem."
"The Swiss server you hacked two nights ago... it wasn't owned by the Syndicate."
"It was a trap set by the Vance family's real backer."
Harrison’s body instantly went rigid.
"Who?" Harrison demanded.
"Victor Vance," the director replied. "Julian and Victoria's father."
May you like
"He just escaped from his private compound in Dubai."
"And he just released an international arrest warrant for Olivia Brooks for high treason and cyber-terrorism."
