Finally Cole’s truck pulled in through the gates, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of feeling her in my arms. I had missed her so much, hating to be away from her for so many hours, especially when she was in a situation I knew she was scared of. I just needed to hold her and know she was safe. All of my anxiety would melt away once I did that.
My brothers both jumped out, then Matt went to the back door, but Olivia didn’t appear. Instead Matt reached in and came back out with her in his arms, and she was out, her eyes closed.
My heart seized momentarily, then pounded way too fast. I set off running, meeting them at the door.
“What happened?”
“Kyle, she’s fine. She’s just sleeping.” Cole explained hurriedly, pushing me back enough so Matt could carry her in. She was out cold, the quiet snore she made audible in the quiet of the entranceway, and I allowed myself to take a breath again.
“Is she ok? She made it through the day?” I asked, unable to tear my eyes from her.
“Take her up bro. I’ll fill him in,” Cole said. Matt nodded and headed upstairs with Liv. Cole pulled off his boots and put them away, then headed to the lounge, with me right on his heels. When he stood before the fire, which I had lit for Liv, he looked over to me with stress and I knew it hadn't all gone as well as we hoped it would.
“She is ok. She had one of her headaches at the end of the day though, and I think that’s why she passed out.” He started, obviously sensing my rising tension.
“But?” I pushed.
“But it wasn’t an easy day for her. Apart from the usual issues, like the loudness of the damned bells, and all of the people in the hallways, we had a run in with Steve, that bitch cheerleader who keeps coming onto me started with her, and in gym at the end of the day, almost every girl there was targeting her in dodgeball, and not in a fun way. They were trying to take her fucking head off.”
“Fuck!” I growled, unable to hold it in. “I hate this! She’s been through enough! She shouldn’t be forced to go and deal with that bullshit too!”
“She did good though Kyle. You’d have been proud of her. She held her own with Steve, in front of everyone, then stood up to May, the bitch cheerleader. She didn’t break down, or even show a flicker of fear or weakness once. She stayed strong and she got through it. I actually think it was good for her in a way, made her realise how tough she really is.”
I couldn’t help but grin back at Cole as I thought of her attitude coming out, and her putting those idiots at school right in their places. She was tough, and she could damn well hold her own. I just wished she didn't need to. If I could I would hide her away from the world, keeping her in a safe little bubble with the four of us. Problem was, that was never going to be an option. Olivia was strong and she wanted to conquer what she had been through and live a full, exciting life. All I could do was try hard to keep her safe while we made that happen for her.
“What about this Steve? Is he going to be a problem? Kade and I scared the shit out of him last week. He should have stayed well away from all of you today.” I was still pissed the courts let that fucker off. Then when Grant told us he couldn’t even get him suspended, Kade and I had taken it into our own hands.
We had already spent the afternoon at the women’s correctional facility that day, warning Matt’s mother just how fast Kade could bump up her charges, and have her moved to a maximum security facility, if she ever dared contact Matt again. Because of overcrowding, and because she was sick, with what I really didn't give a shit, she had been placed in a medium security facility, and she had it pretty good compared to what we were threatening.
It was the first time I ever met her, and she was a cold hearted bitch. She didn't give a shit about her son; just spat that he owed her, until we had scared her so bad she dare not speak again. Needless to say, I was pretty sure she wouldn't be contacting Matt again. It was a relief, because it had killed me to see him looking so broken the week before, I never wanted to see him like that again. He was my brother and I loved him. I would do whatever it took to protect him, even from his own bitch of a mother.
Amped up from seeing that bitch, we went in search of this Steve, determined to make sure Liv would be as safe as possible in school. We parked outside his house, then when he left an hour later, we followed the little shit to a party, and slipped in behind him, cornering him in a quiet doorway round back of the wild chaos, which was in full flow.
I had shoved him around a bit, then explained exactly how I would tear him apart if he went anywhere near Liv ever again. He had been terrified, shaking so hard as I pinned him to the wall, that I was sure he would piss himself. Kade had just stood looking menacing,
