“Come sit,” I say, my tone not as harsh as usual.
She bites down on her lip, and I imagine myself bending her over my desk and spanking her nice ass. Just as she takes a seat, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
My face contorts when I see Vivian’s name on the screen. It’s odd, considering it’s just past 10:30.
Too curious to send her to voicemail, I pick it up.
“Daddy!” Olivia says, hysterical.
“Olivia? What is it, baby?” I ask in a panic.
She’s crying on the other end and sounds scared.
“Come on, sweetheart. Talk to me.” I try to stay calm though I’m not.
“Mommy.” She sniffs. “I woke up for school, but she’s not home to take me. I don’t know where she is.”
I immediately stand. “You’re home alone right now?”
Elle’s eyes widen. I check the time. If I left now, I could be there before three. I’m so fucking angry.
“Listen, sweetie. I’m gonna come get you, okay? Stay put and wait for me.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she says. “Can you hurry? Because I’m scared.”
“I will. Is the door locked?” Once she confirms it, I take off my lab coat and then walk through the office until I’m outside.
“I’m leaving now. Stay on the line with me,” I tell her, then cover the phone when I see Elle.
“Go. I can cover for the rest of the day,” she reassures, nearly pushing me into my truck.
“Thank you,” I say, longing to kiss her goodbye, but too many people would see.
“Text me when you get there,” she whispers.
I nod, and she gives me a sad smile, then turns and walks back into the building.
“You still there?” I ask Olivia. When she answers, I tell her to pack a bag.
About an hour outside of Eldorado, she tells me there’s a beeping noise, then the call goes dead.
I grip the steering wheel tighter and press on the gas while trying to get in touch with her again, but she doesn’t pick up. Anxiety and anger fuel my urgency to get there, and I make it there in record time. I knock, shouting for Olivia. The door opens, and when I see her tear-streaked face and red nose, I drop to my knees and brush her matted hair from her eyes.
Pulling her into a hug and never wanting to let her go, I console her. “You’re okay, baby. You’re okay.”
“I’m hungry,” she says, and it nearly breaks my heart in half. I walk into the kitchen and open cabinets only to see they’re mostly bare. It looks like Olivia ate the only bag of chips in the whole apartment.
“We’ll eat on the road. Did you pack your stuff?”
“Yes.” Olivia points at her suitcase and backpack.
“Good.” I grab them, then take Olivia’s hand. Before we walk out, keys jangle at the door, and Vivian stumbles in. When she lifts her head, her eyes widen when she sees me.
“Why the fuck are you here?”
My brows furrow, and I step closer to her, smelling the stale liquor on her breath. “Because you weren’t. I’m taking Olivia with me because you left a six-year-old home alone for only God knows how long.”
“Pfftt.” Vivian waves me off. “She can take care of herself for a couple of hours.”
“You’re pathetic,” I snap, holding out my hand, and Olivia takes it again.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Vivian glares at Olivia, who scoots behind me to hide. “You can’t take her, Connor. If you walk out that door, I’ll call the police.”
This makes me release a bitter laugh. “Go ahead. Let’s get this all on record. Or shall I call them instead?”
Vivian takes a step forward and tries to push me, but I slide out of her way. She’s so drunk, she falls to the floor, then struggles to stand. Eventually, she does, and I hate that Olivia has to see her mother like this. By the looks of it, though, she seems desensitized to it all.
I turn to Olivia. “Tell your mother goodbye.”
“Get away from me,” Vivian snarls, and Olivia starts crying.
All I can do is shake my head as we walk toward the front door. I don’t know who that woman is, but she needs help. The only problem is she doesn’t want it.
“The next time I see either of you, it will be in court!” she screams.
I slam the door behind us and can see how shaken up Olivia is. The best thing I can do right now is distract her.
“So you want a cheeseburger or pizza?” I ask, leading her to the truck.
“Cheeseburger!” She perks up. “And an ice cream? I’m starving!”
A chuckle escapes me. “Whatever you want, sweetie. Nothing’s off-limits today.”
Realization hits that it’s probably been hours since she’s last eaten, especially since the pantry was empty. Instead of buying groceries with Olivia’s child support, Vivian blows it on booze and partying.