Chapter 165: Please be careful.

I mquickly close my office and head upstairs.

I don’t bother stopping to speak to anyone. My mind is too occupied with Cassian’s warning, and the longer I stand around doing nothing, the more anxious I become.

When I get to my bedroom, I lock the door behind me and head straight for the drawer beside my bed.

My burner phone.

I pick it up, switch it on and immediately dial Olivia’s number.

The first twenty seconds are probably the worst twenty seconds of my life.

The phone rings and rings.....

I grip the edge of the bedside table, my heart beating faster with every unanswered ring.

Pick up, Oli...Please, just pick up.

Finally, I hear a click.

"Hello?"

Her melodic voice comes through the speaker and I release a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding.

"Oli?"

"Rissa?"

"Are you okay? Are you safe?"

There’s a brief pause.

"Yes. I am. Why wouldn’t I be? I was actually about to call you!"

I close my eyes.

Thank God.

"The baby has been kicking a lot lately, and I really miss you."

A small smile finds its way onto my face despite everything.

"I miss you too, Oli."

"When are you coming to visit me? You promised you’d come as soon as things settled down."

"I know. I’ll come, I promise."

"Good. Because this little one is growing so quickly, and I need you here to spoil her."

I chuckle softly.

"You’re already deciding it’s a girl?"

"Of course. I have a feeling."

I wish I could be there with her. I wish I could sit beside her, place my hand on her stomach and feel the little kicks she keeps talking about.

I wish she didn’t have to hide from the world but wishes don’t change anything.

She sounds so happy talking about normal stuff i actually hesitate telling her why i called. I hate that i have to ruin whatever semblance of happiness she had going on.

"Okay, what is it?" she suddenly asks.

I freeze.

"What?"

"You sound tense. What’s wrong?"

I look towards the locked bedroom door.

"Oli..."

"Yes?"

"You need to leave."

Silence.

"What?"

"You need to leave. Like right now."

"Why?"

I run a hand through my hair.

"Listen to me. Is Nathaniel with you?"

"Yes, he is. Rissa, what’s going on? You’re scaring me."

"It’s okay, Oli. Please, hand the phone to Nathaniel."

"Why? Can’t you just tell me?"

"Please, Olivia."

She goes quiet and after a moment I hear some rustling, followed by the faint sound of her calling Nathaniel.

A few seconds later, a deep voice comes through the phone.

"Nerissa?"

"Nathaniel, I need you guys to get away from there."

"What happened?"

"I got information that Lorenzo has gotten hold of your location. You need to leave before he finds you."

"Fuck! Fuck!"

I hear movement on the other end. Something drops, followed by hurried footsteps.

I close my eyes briefly.

"Nathaniel?"

"I’m here. I’m just getting our things together."

"Don’t waste time packing everything. Take only what you need. Documents, essential belongings, medication and whatever Olivia needs for the baby. Leave the rest."

"Understood."

"And don’t use your usual route. If you suspect anyone is following you, don’t lead them to the new location."

"I know what to do, Nerissa."

I swallow.

"I know you do. I’m just worried that’s all.....I need you to get her somewhere safe."

"I will."

There’s another brief rustling before Olivia comes back on the phone.

"Rissa?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Nathaniel is packing a few of our things."

"Good. Good."

I sit on the edge of the bed, trying to steady my breathing.

"You’ll be fine, Oli. I promise you, you’ll be fine."

"Where will we go, Rissa?"

Her voice sounds small. Worried.

I close my eyes, and suddenly I have this inexplicable urge to hug her, take all her worries and fears away, and tell her everything will be okay.

I hate that I can’t do that, i hate that my sister has to keep running because the people who should have protected her have become the very people she needs protection from.

"I’ll send you the new place, Oli. It’s a safe house. You should be safe there for a while. You don’t have to worry about that."

She sighs.

"We’re running low on cash, Rissa. Should we use my credit card? Papa left me lots of money, and I don’t want us to keep depending on you."

"No."

My answer comes out immediately.

"No, no. Please, you can’t use your cards. Both of you."

"Why?"

"Uncle can track you more accurately that way. I don’t want you leaving any financial trail that could lead him straight to you."

"But we need money."

"I’ll send you money."

"Rissa..."

"Any amount you need, Oli. Whatever you need, I’ll provide it. I don’t mind. You can take anything and everything you need. Just don’t use those cards."

I hear her sigh again.

"I don’t want to be a burden."

I shake my head.

"Don’t ever say that to me again."

"But...."

"You’re my sister, Olivia. You’re carrying my niece or nephew. Keeping you safe isn’t a burden to me at all. I’ll give you my life if you needed it."

She goes quiet.

I rub my forehead, trying to push away the growing pressure behind my eyes.

"I’ll send the money as soon as we hang up. Just tell me what you need if it isn’t enough."

"Thank you, Rissa."

"Don’t thank me."

"I love you."

My throat tightens.

"I love you more."

I open the messaging application and forward the new location to her. It’s a property I’d arranged as a temporary safe house, with security measures already in place ahead of time...I have a few others around too. It isn’t as comfortable as their current home, but right now, comfort is the least of my concerns.

I send the details and wait for her confirmation.

"Got it," she says.

"Good. Please be safe, Olivia."

"I will."

"Please, I beg of you. For my sake. Don’t take unnecessary risks. And remember what I said about the credit cards. Don’t fall into the temptation of using them, both of you."

"Okay, Ris."

"Nathaniel is running the car now," she adds. "We’ll leave in a few minutes. I’ll reach out to you when we’re safe and sound at the new location."

I nod even though she can’t see me.

"Please be careful."

"Always."

I hear a faint kiss through the phone then the line goes dead.