THE LOST VALENTINE

CHAPTER 5

Harvey's POV

Olivia went white as a sheet. I caught her before she hit the ground, pulling her against my chest as her knees gave out.

"Breathe," I commanded. "In and out. Focus on my voice."

She clutched my shirt, gasping. "Martha. They have Martha. We have to save her."

"We will. But not by walking into their trap." I pulled out my phone and dialed Marcus. Not her pathetic ex. My head of security, Marcus Stone. "I need a tactical team. Now. Send me everything you have on the Chen woman. Martha Chen, age fifty eight, lives in the Riverside district."

"On it, boss. What's the situation?"

"Kidnapping. Possible murder attempt. Treat it as hostile." I looked down at Olivia's terrified face. "And Marcus? If anything happens to the target, I'm holding you personally responsible."

"Understood."

I ended the call and tilted Olivia's chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Listen to me. Whoever took Martha wants you panicked. Wants you making mistakes. So we're going to do the opposite. We're going to think clearly and move strategically."

"You don't understand. She raised me. She's the only family I have."

"Wrong. You have me now." The words came out fiercer than I intended. "And I protect what's mine."

Something flickered in her eyes. "I'm not yours, Harvey."

"Aren't you?" I pulled her closer. "You're carrying my child. You were about to sign a contract binding you to me. You're connected to my family's greatest tragedy. Like it or not, Olivia, you became mine the moment you walked into my office."

She should have pulled away. Should have told me to go to hell.

Instead, she leaned into me, her forehead resting against my chest. "I'm scared."

"Good. Fear keeps you sharp." I stroked her hair, breathing in her scent. Something floral and sweet. Completely at odds with the violence swirling around us. "But you're not facing this alone. Not anymore."

My phone buzzed. Marcus.

"We found her. Martha Chen is at an abandoned warehouse on the docks. Three heat signatures inside. Armed."

"Send me the coordinates. Have the team ready to move in five minutes."

"Boss, this is a job for professionals. You shouldn't—"

"Five minutes, Marcus. Don't make me repeat myself."

I hung up and looked at Olivia. "We found her. My team is moving in."

"I'm coming with you."

"Absolutely not."

"She's my aunt. I'm coming." Her jaw set in a stubborn line I was starting to recognize. "You can either take me or I'll follow on my own. Your choice."

Damn stubborn woman. I should have locked her in my penthouse and gone alone.

But the fierce determination in her eyes reminded me why I was drawn to her in the first place. She wasn't some fragile flower who needed protecting. She was steel wrapped in silk.

"Fine. But you follow my orders exactly. No arguments. No heroics. Understood?"

"Understood."

We took my car, a bulletproof sedan I kept for situations exactly like this. The drive to the docks took twenty minutes. Long enough for me to brief Olivia on basic safety protocols. Short enough that she didn't have time to overthink and panic.

Marcus met us two blocks from the warehouse. Tall, built like a tank, covered in tactical gear. He looked at Olivia and frowned.

"Boss, I can't guarantee her safety if she comes in."

"Then make sure the building is clear before we enter." I checked my weapon, a Glock I kept registered and legal. "How many hostiles?"

"Three confirmed. Possibly more. They're expecting someone but we can't tell who." Marcus handed me an earpiece. "We breach in three minutes. You stay in the van until I give the all clear."

Olivia grabbed my arm. "What if they hurt her when they hear you coming?"

"They won't. Because they think you're coming alone and unarmed. They're expecting an easy target." I met Marcus's eyes. "Non-lethal if possible. I want them alive for questioning."

"Copy that."

Marcus and his team moved into position. I watched through the van's monitors as they approached the warehouse from three different angles. Professional. Silent. Deadly.

The breach happened fast. Flashbangs. Shouting. Three men down in under thirty seconds.

"Clear," Marcus said through the earpiece. "Target is alive. Shaken but unharmed. You're good to come in."

I took Olivia's hand. "Stay behind me. Don't touch anything. Don't talk to anyone."

We entered the warehouse and I immediately scanned for threats. Old building. Rusted equipment. Perfect place for an ambush.

Martha sat in the center of the space, still tied to a chair. Her face was bruised but her eyes were alert. Sharp. Not the eyes of a victim.

Something felt wrong.

Olivia ran to her, dropping to her knees. "Aunt Martha. Oh god, are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"I'm fine, sweetheart. Just a little banged up." Martha's gaze slid to me. "Mr. Pearson. Thank you for coming."

"How do you know my name?" I asked quietly.

"Everyone knows your name. You're all over the news."

True. But the way she said it felt rehearsed.

Marcus appeared at my side. "Boss, we have a problem. These guys aren't talking. No ID. No phones. Nothing."

Professional kidnappers didn't work without communication. Unless they weren't expecting to leave.

I grabbed Olivia and pulled her away from Martha. "Get back."

"What? Harvey, what are you doing?"

"She's not tied up." I pointed at Martha's hands. "Look at the ropes. They're loose. She could have gotten free anytime."

Olivia looked. Saw what I saw. Understanding dawned in her eyes, followed by betrayal.

"Aunt Martha?"

Martha sighed and stood, the ropes falling away easily. "I'm sorry, Olivia. I really am. But you have to understand. They offered me five million dollars. Five million. Do you know what I could do with that money?"

"You sold me out." Olivia's voice broke. "You were supposed to protect me."

"I did protect you. For twenty five years I kept you hidden and safe. But now they found you anyway. And I'm tired of running. Tired of being poor." Martha's expression hardened. "Besides, you're about to inherit billions. What's one life compared to that kind of money?"

"You b***h," I snarled, moving between them. "Who hired you?"

"I don't know. Everything was done through encrypted messages and wire transfers. They just wanted me to keep Olivia calm until—"

The explosion cut off her words.

Fire bloomed from the far wall. Then another blast from the opposite side. The building shook, metal groaning.

"It's a trap!" Marcus shouted. "Everyone out! Now!"

I grabbed Olivia and ran for the exit. Behind us, Martha screamed as the ceiling began to collapse.

We made it to the van as the warehouse erupted in flames. Marcus and his team piled in after us. Everyone except Martha.

She'd vanished in the smoke and fire.

Olivia stared at the burning building, tears streaming down her face. "She betrayed me. After everything. She sold me out for money."

I pulled her into my arms, letting her sob against my chest as we sped away from the disaster.

My phone rang. Unknown number.

Against my better judgment, I answered.

"Hello, Harvey." The voice was distorted. Electronic. "Tell Olivia that was just a warning. Next time, she won't be so lucky. And neither will you."

"Who is this?"

"Someone who's been waiting twenty five years for this moment. Someone who's going to finish what they started." A pause. "You should have stayed out of this, Pearson. Your father made the same mistake. Look where it got him."

The line went dead.

I looked down at Olivia, still crying in my arms. At the warehouse burning behind us. At the future spiraling into violence and danger.

And I made a decision.

Whoever was behind this, whoever had killed her parents and threatened her now, they'd just made their last mistake.

Because I was going to find them. And I was going to destroy them.

No matter what it took.