She finally reached Alexander’s building and fumbled for the door just as it was opening. She slammed right into Alexander’s muscular chest, frantically grabbing onto him as if her entire life depended on it because, at that moment, it did.

“Hey, hey. Slow down.” He put his arms around her. “Are you okay? I got your message. I was on the other line. What is going on?” he asked, scanning the streets with a concerned look on his face.

Olivia’s entire body shook from a combination of the cold, her wet clothes, and pure adrenaline. “I thought I was crazy. I left my shrink appointment and wanted to go for a walk. Then I realized that I’ve really been a selfish bitch and my relationship with you scares me to death, and then someone started following me all the way from Comm. Ave. to the North End, and then I called you, but I dropped my cell phone in the snow bank and when I bent to pick it up, he started to rush toward me so I left it in the snow and ran into you.” Olivia took a deep breath.

“Where the fuck was your escort, Olivia?!” he yelled as he led her toward the elevator and punched the code for the penthouse, taking out his anger and frustration on the keypad. “What the fuck were you thinking?! I told you to never go anywhere without someone! Did you think I was joking?!” Alexander was furious.

Olivia stared at him and immediately broke down crying. “I know! I’m sorry, Alex! Okay?!” she screamed out. “You’ve made your fucking point!” She glared at him as tears fell down her face, willing him to say something.

His face softened immediately when he saw the frightened look on her face. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.” He held her close, lowering his voice. “Jesus, you’re shivering. Your clothes are soaked through. How long were you out in that weather?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “A few hours.”

Alexander’s face flamed red in complete frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~

Nathan Roberts had finally found her. He hadn’t seen the girl for over twenty-one years, and he had spent the last several years looking for her. Thomas Burnham kept everything hidden and covered up. So much so that when he died, he had no way of finding her. It had been years since that day all those years ago when his entire world fell apart around him.

It wasn’t too hard to find out where she lived. However, he was rather thankful that, at the moment, she had round-the-clock security detail. She seemed to spend quite a bit of time at Alexander Burnham’s house. He thought that if anyone would make sure Olivia was safe, it was Alexander. He reminded him so much of his father.

He sat in his rental car outside of Olivia’s house, waiting for her to come home from her appointment. He had been watching her the past several weeks and had become quite familiar with her schedule. It was Thursday so she was at her therapist appointment. Nathan wondered whether his actions may have been the cause of her need for therapy.

At half-past noon, he saw Olivia walking down the street. He thought it was odd, considering that she had left with her security detail. How did she lose him? He recalled the first several years of his protection all those years ago. It was nearly impossible for him to go anywhere without someone at his side.

He watched as Olivia kept walking past her house. Where is she going? He started his car and sped through the snow in the opposite direction that Olivia was walking, desperate to get onto the other side of Commonwealth Avenue to hopefully find her. Damn Boston and its one-way streets! he thought. He drove through the city, eager to find her. She was all alone, walking through the snow with no one looking out for her. It had taken him years to finally set eyes on her again. He felt the need to know where she was at all times.

He searched for what seemed like an eternity, hoping to find her. He drove to her office building and never saw her. Then he drove to Alexander’s apartment building, desperate for some clue. He parked in a nearby garage and ran onto Atlantic Avenue, keeping watch from a bench across the street.

Finally, he saw Olivia approaching. She was running, constantly glancing over her shoulder behind her. Nathan turned his head to see what she was looking at and, presumably, running from. He couldn’t make out much, but it was a man dressed all in black, wearing a back beanie.

He jumped off the bench and made his way across the street just as Alexander came running through the lobby of his building. The man in black saw Alexander and immediately turned down a side street. Nathan followed the man in black, catching up to him with ease.

“Oops. I’m sorry,” Nathan said, bumping into his shoulder as he walked past. He turned to get a better look at him. The man in black stared at him, as if trying to place him. Nathan knew who it was. He walked briskly away in the direction of the parking garage, hoping that he hadn’t been made. Apparently, Mark Kiddish - or, as he was now going by, Donovan O’Laughlin - had started doing his own dirty work. He couldn't know that Nathan was in town. Not yet, anyway.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

COMING TOGETHER

THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPENED into Alexander’s foyer. Martin immediately appeared. “Sir, I have Marshall and Kerrigan on this. Nothing has turned up yet. I have no idea what happened to Thompson.”

“Thank you. Please alert me the minute you have more information. Do we have any street camera feeds yet?”

“Not just yet, but the tech team is working on it.” Martin turned to face Olivia. “Miss Adler, do you remember where you dropped your cell phone?”

Olivia tried to remember exactly where it was, but it was all kind of a blur. “I think it was around Congress and Milk.”

“Jesus!” Alexander exclaimed, running his hands through his hair in exasperation as he paced the large living room, trying to compose his thoughts. After several long moments, he stopped in front of Olivia, glaring at her. “What the fuck were you doing over there?”

Martin excused himself, leaving them alone.

“I was trying to be evasive.” She shrugged. “I thought if I kept going down side streets, I would eventually lose the guy,” she replied meekly.

“What the fuck, Olivia?! Rule number one… When you’re being followed, large pockets of people are your friends!” Alexander raised his voice, unable to control his anger any further.

“I know!” she shouted at him, pushing him away and stomping further into his living room. “I don’t need a lecture right now, Alexander.” Olivia sat down on his couch. “Just, please, let it go. I feel foolish enough bursting in here like this.” She shivered.