But Daddy, I Love Him

Chapter 07 Intoxicated

***Chandler's POV***

The light from my laptop was the only thing illuminating the study. It was nearly 11:00 PM. My eyes scanned the monitor but the screen was blurring into a mess of meaningless texts.

My mind kept drifting.

You’re losing your edge, Chandler.

I berated myself, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

The weird feelings... the heat, the way my skin felt too tight whenever Olivia walked into a room were an anomaly.

I wasn't even botherer she wasn't home yet this late at night, I hadn't even texted her. She was taking too much space in my mind.

I was an analytical man. I dealt in logic. And logically, this was just because of too much stress and the fact that I’d been living like a monk since I found out of James' death.

I hadn't had a woman in my bed for months, it was only natural that the closest female presence would trigger some... reaction.

I leaned back, my chair creaking in the silence of my office at home. I told myself that once I settled back into a routine, once I found a suitable, age-appropriate distraction in the city, this disturbing fixation on Olivia would vanish.

I was disgusted that I even had to convince myself.

My phone buzzed on my table. I glanced at the caller ID.

Olivia.

I frowned. She never called, doesn't even text back unless I asked something important. And if she needed something, she sends a one-word text.

I picked it up, bracing for another round of her attitude. "Olivia, if you’re calling to renegotiate the curfew—"

"Um, hello? Is this uh... Chandler?"

The voice was feminine, but it wasn't Olivia’s. It was higher, frantic, and drowned out by the thumping bass of a club in the background.

"Who is this?" I asked, confused and suddenly worried.

"I'm Hannah, I'm... I'm a friend of Liv’s. Listen, she has you on her phone as an emergency contact and things are... they're weird."

"Where is she?" I was already standing, kicking my chair back.

"I'll send the full address on text. She’s... she’s really out of it, uh, sir. She’s drunk, like, really drunk. Drake and her got into this huge fight and he just... he left. He just walked out and left her here."

Rage, cold and sharp, crested in my chest. Not just at the boy for leaving her, but at the situation itself.

"Please, get her outside and don't leave her be. Stay with her until I get there," I commanded.

I didn't bother changing out of my work shirt. I grabbed my keys and moved through the house like a shadow.

The drive was a blur of worry and irritation. I kept thinking about her. Vulnerable, intoxicated, and abandoned by the man she claimed to love.

When I pulled up to the curb of the club, I saw them. A woman holding Olivia in a sparkly, fitted, black dress that was far too short.

I stepped out of the car, the cool night air doing nothing to soothe the burn in my gut. As I approached, Olivia lifted her head. Her hair was a mess, her eyes glazed and swimming with tears.

"Chan...Chand...ler..." she slurred, her voice a broken chirp. She tried to stand but stumbled, her knees giving out.

I caught her before she hit the pavement, her small frame disappearing against my chest. She reeked of alcohol and smoke.

"I've got you,," I murmured, my jaw set.

She leaned into me, her face onto my chest.

"What a f*cking prick... just because I was talking to another man. A man who's my friend!" she blabbered, laughing in disbelief.

I looked at Hannah, giving her a curt nod of thanks before hoisting Olivia into my arms. Her body soft and small compares to mine.

I tucked her into the passenger seat, buckling her in as she whimpered into her shoulder. As I closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, I felt the wall between us shifting again.

She had me in her emergency call. That's a great start.

But I seriously need to do something with this behavior. Not following her curfew, the drinking and smoking, and her boyfriend.

That f*cking manchild.

Leaving her alone in a vulnerable state because of what? Jealousy? Because of a mere fight?

She was mine to guard. Mine to break. He had no f*cking right.

I stared at the back of her head as she slumped against the window, her breathing heavy and erratic.

"Sleep, Olivia," I said, my voice a low promise as I pulled away from the curb. "Tomorrow, the rules change."