Return to You

being so goddamn stubborn."
    "You're the one who's goddamn stubborn."
    "What's going on here?" Parker asked, joining
them.
    Olivia noted he took Lainie's side protectively. At
least something was going right tonight.
    "Good," Rick said shortly. "I need to talk to you
too. Let's step outside."
    "Wait a minute." Olivia grabbed Rick by his jacket
before he could move. "How do you know him?"
    The look Rick and Parker shared did not give her
warm fuzzies. In fact, it made her suspicious.
    "Maybe we should move this to someplace a little
more private as suggested."
    Olivia snorted. Her father—the voice of reason.
"Fine. There's the office downstairs."
    She turned and headed toward the narrow stairs
through the kitchen, not caring whether anyone was following her.
She wanted to get this over and done with so she could go home and
crawl into bed.
    Rick caught up to her in the staircase. She glanced
at him hovering like a gargoyle at her side and rolled her eyes.
She couldn't imagine what this was about but she doubted it could
be as bad as he was making it out to be.
    They walked into the small office and Olivia flipped
on the light. Folding her arms, she leaned her hips on the desk.
"Okay, spill it."
    He shook his head. "Let's wait for your dad."
    They didn't have to wait long. Parker strode in like
it was his throne room. "What's the meaning of this, Clancy?"
    "You were right. I found this tonight." Rick handed
him a piece of paper. Parker quickly scanned it before he looked up
with a frown.
    Rick nodded. "I want to know what you're going to do
to protect Olivia from the backlash."
    "Okay, wait a minute." Olivia propped her hands on
her hips and regarded the two men. "Someone needs to explain to me
what's going on here."
    "There's a mole at Parker Pictures. Someone's been
selling information to the press. Your father hired me to
investigate a possible suspect."
    "Why would he hire you?" It didn't make sense from
her standpoint. Parker had to have a team of people in Los Angeles
who handled these types of issues. He was a shrewd businessman—he
always made sure all his bases were covered.
    "It was more conducive for me to follow the suspect
as she was up here for the shoot."
    She? Frowning, she asked, "What does this have to do with me? I
don't have anything to do with the production company."
    "You're the daughter of the owner and the lover of
its top director."
    She studied Rick with a frown. How did he know about
her and Michael? Maybe one of her friends had mentioned it in
passing? She shrugged mentally. Rick collected information like
some people collected stamps. He picked up on even random
information.
    Parker stepped forward. "Clancy, there's a
misunderstanding here."
    "I don't see how there is. You had suspicions, which
I've investigated and proven. Now we just need to insure Olivia's
protection." Rick crossed his arms and gave him a narrow look. "I
want to know what you plan to do."
    He eyed Rick with something that resembled respect.
"Olivia's in no danger. There's nothing that can be revealed about
her that would cause harm."
    "Isn't there?" Rick turned to her and stared her in
the eye.
    He knew. She wasn't sure why she was so certain of it suddenly, but
there was no doubt in her mind that Rick knew about her
baby.
    She imagined it being splashed across newspaper
headlines. She felt the blood drain from her head. She quickly
plopped down on the desktop to steady herself.
    Rick moved to her side and took her hand. "I'm
sorry."
    She looked into his eyes and knew he was apologizing
for more than being the bearer of bad news.
    "What does he mean, Olivia?" Parker pushed back her
hair but was careful not to touch her otherwise.
    "I—" She gaped at him in confusion. Was that concern
on his face?
    "Your stool pigeon has undoubtedly found out that
Olivia was pregnant eleven years ago," Rick said. "According to
those emails, I'd say she's about to leak the story to the
press."
    "Who is she ?" Olivia couldn't imagine anyone
being that cold hearted. A light clicked on in her head. Except
Sophie Martineau, who quite obviously wanted Michael. She looked to
Rick.
    "Elaine Adams," he said grimly.
    She blinked. " Lainie? "
    There was a gasp from the doorway. All three of them
looked up to find Lainie standing there, pale as a sheet. Michael
stood behind her.
    How long had he been there? Olivia gripped the desk.
But by the look in his eyes she knew he'd heard. He stared at her
coldly, as if she'd killed his puppy.
    Anger