Page 15 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
Dad was abusive with mom, and after she couldn't take it anymore, she left us. She had me swear not to get with a man who couldn't handle his anger right before she disappeared from my life. I was 10 at the time, and dad was gone at one of his fights. I stayed home alone for a while before dad arrived. He was furious, hitting walls and calling her name like it would make her appear before him. He became a real drunk after that.
"Don't worry, he's fine. Dad always huffs and puffs, but does nothing, at least not when there’s company. Lucas knows how to get under his skin," Lisa assured me, but it didn't calm the nerves in my stomach.
"Lucas, I'm not done!" I heard his dad yell, making me instinctively flinch.
"But I am!" he yelled back, slamming the door behind him.
He stormed towards me with his hand extended out to me. I flinched as we went to grab me, despite knowing he would not hurt me. He furrowed his brow for a moment, obviously hurt by the way I had reacted.
"I won’t hurt you, Rose. I was going to grab your hand. Can I have it, please?" His deep brown eyes stared into my blue ones with concern as he held his hand out. I cleared my throat, feeling a bit embarrassed and still on edge. I extended my hand towards him, letting him take it and lead me out of the house.
"Nice seeing you again, Liv," Lisa called from behind me, throwing me a wink.Livwas always Julius' nickname for me. I hate that he's left a negative connotation to one of my favorite nicknames. I gave her a wave in return, unable to call back to her, knowing my voice would sound weak.
"Lucas!" His father yelled after us, but Lucas didn't turn. He walked us out so fast I was practically sprinting to keep up with him. He grabbed his coat before James could, ushering me out of the door. It was almost like he had set off a bomb inside, and was trying to get us out before it exploded.
The chilly night air hit me hard, snapping me out of the trauma induced anxiety I'd been feeling. Lucas opened my door for me again, but his movements were fast and harsh. I got in, having the door slammed behind me. He slammed his own door after he sat. He punched his steering wheel in anger, making me flinch again.
"Lucas?" I cautiously called his name. When he turned to look at me, meeting my eyes, he quickly composed himself again. He slid his hand over his hair, pulling back the loose strands. "What happened?"
"It's nothing, just my father being my father. I am sorry I scared you, Olive. I didn't mean to."
"Back to Olive, huh?" I smirked at him, trying to calm him with my flirting. He smirked back, licking his lips.
"Which would you rather I call you? Rose or Olive? Your name is beautiful. I don't want you to think I don't like it." He took my hand from my lap as he drove us away.
He kept it in his own, squeezing it and occasionally bringing it up to his mouth to kiss. I thought about it for a moment; I had grown fond of him calling me Rose. He's the only one that ever has. Around him I don't feel like shy, traumatized Olive. I feel like a beautiful Rose with sharp thorns that could hurt.
"Call me Rose," I finally answered him, making him smile so big as he stared at the road ahead.
"Well, Rose, where to now? I promised you we'd go where you wanted afterwards."
"Take me home," I said, seeing his shoulders slump and a frown form on his face for a second. "We need to change before we go where I want to take us."
He immediately smirked again, his mood lifting. He wanted to spend more time with me, or maybe he's hoping it ends in sex again, and was only disappointed when he thought it wasn't going to. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
"Where are we going?" He raised a brow curiously.
"It's a secret. You'll see." I winked at him with a giggle.
"Can't wait. I think I have some spare clothes in my trunk for me, if you don't mind me getting changed in your apartment."
"That's perfect." I nodded.
Chapter 6
Olive's P.O.V.
We pulled up to Hailey's apartment building not long after. Lucas opened my door again, handing the keys to the valet. We walked by the doorman, Scott, who greeted me with a smile. He was a round man with a very sweet temperament. Everyone loved Scott.
"Good evening, Ms. Brewer." Scott tipped his hat as we walked by.
"Hey, Scott!" I smiled widely at him. "Has Hailey left?"
"No, ma'am. I have not seen her come down."
"Okay, thanks."
We made our way up the elevator. Lucas had a backpack strapped over his shoulder with his spare clothes inside. When the elevator doors dinged, we stepped towards the penthouse. I fumbled with the key for a moment, not having opened this door very often. I felt embarrassed until the door finally opened. I didn't expect us to be greeted by such a sight.What the hell happened here?
