Return to You (20 page)

"Enough." He'd had all he was going to take. "I've
always had Olivia's best interests at heart—"

Michael snorted.

"—which is more than I can say for you."

That got the younger man's attention. "What the hell
does that mean?"

"It means your behavior tonight was unconscionable.
You acted not only with blatant disregard for Olivia's feelings but
complete disrespect for her as well." Parker motioned toward the
room. "How do you think it makes Olivia look, having the man she's
been romantically linked to playing footsy with another woman?"

"We weren't playing footsy," Michael protested
half-heartedly.

"Michael, stop fucking with her.
Move on if that's your intention, but make a clean break." Parker
leaned closer to him and lowered his voice. "And once you go,
don't
ever
step
foot near her again. Or I will personally see to it that not even
McDonald's will hire you."

On that note, Parker left. Better to leave Michael
to his thoughts. He certainly had a lot to think about.

Parker searched the room until he found Elaine. His
heart beat furiously at the sight of her. It was that dress. He'd
be tempted to give his empire to see her out of it, but tonight
wasn't the night.

He did owe her another dance though. He weaved his
way trough the crowd, intent on claiming his partner.

Chapter Thirty

Olivia glanced at Michael and wanted to snarl. If
that woman clung any closer, she'd be grafted into his side.

"I could break his legs for you."

She considered Treat's offer. "I'll keep that in
mind." She became aware he swept her around the dance floor
skillfully. "I didn't know you danced, Treat."

"Ballroom dance classes were required growing
up."

"It's heavenly dancing with a man who doesn't knock
his knees against mine. Or step on my feet."

"Maybe you need to get out more."

"You might be right."

"Eve tells me that all the time."

Olivia laughed. "I'm sure she does."

"She's worried about you."

"Eve's a worrier."

He tipped her chin up, not very much since in her
heels they were almost the same height. "Does she have reason to
worry this time?"

She shrugged. "I'll get over it. It won't be the
first time."

He sighed and tucked her head into his shoulder. "My
offer stands open. In fact, I'm sure Rick will want to help."

He stroked her hair slowly and the tension drained
from her body. Her father used to soothe her this way when she went
to bed. The memory made her tense again.

"Where's Rick?" she asked to distract herself.

"His case has him wrapped up, but he's supposed to
show up tonight. He said he had one thing to take care of before
coming."

"Hmm." She watched her father insinuate himself into
Michael's intimate circle. Frowning, she wondered what he said to
get Sophie to leave Michael's side so eagerly.

Not that she cared. Not really. She was just mildly
curious.

And what was her father saying to Michael? Whatever
it was, it was intense judging by their body language. Michael
looked like he wanted to put his fist through something and, though
her father's face was devoid of expression, his eyes burned with
repressed ire so she could see it even at this distance.

Something to do with the movie? Most likely. Work
was all either of them cared about.

She felt a tug on her hair.

Treat regarded her with faint amusement. "You
slipped into another world."

"I wish." The song ended. "Let's go. Your wife is
probably going through withdrawal and I need a drink."

They wound their way through the crowd to Eve and
Lainie. "Eve, not only does Treat have the best ass in town, but
he's also a great dancer. I asked him to run away with me but he
refused me."

"Thank God." Eve beamed up at Treat and slipped her
arm around his waist. "What would I do if I had to cook for myself
again?"

"Ah. The devil arrives." Treat nodded toward the
entrance.

Olivia looked up to see Rick walk into the room. His
tall, lanky form made him easy to spot. He was dressed in black
like always, but somehow it looked menacing tonight. Maybe it was
the fierce scowl on his face.

He strode quickly through the crowd to her side.
With a dark look at Lainie, he pulled her aside. "Olivia, I need to
talk to you."

She glanced at Lainie, who looked baffled, and then
frowned at him. "What's the deal?"

He tugged at her. "I need to talk to you.
Privately."

"Whatever you have to say, you can say here. I have
nothing to hide from Eve, Treat, or Lainie."

Rick scowled at her. "You don't know what I have to
say."

"Because you won't tell me." She became conscious of
the stares they were attracting from the people around them and
lowered her voice. "Stop 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 gripped her. What right did he have? He was
the one who left her without a backwards glance eleven years ago.
And he was about to do it again if that scene with Sophie was any
indication.

She faced Rick and put a hand on his. "You must have
gotten something confused. Lainie's my friend. I don't believe
she'd do anything malicious to me."

Rick shook his head. "I didn't believe it at first
either, but the proof is there. Can you deny that she's wormed her
way into your life? What better way to collect information? Your
father obviously thought so. Why else would he ask me to
investigate her?"

Lainie inhaled sharply. "Everett, what's he talking
about?"

Her father looked more tired than
she'd ever seen him. He looked
old
. Olivia felt a leap of panic in
her at the realization that he was as human as anyone
else.

He rubbed his face and then gestured toward a chair.
"Sit down, Elaine. I have some clarifications to make."

Her brows drawn together, Lainie sat primly where he
indicated. Michael loomed in the doorway, arms crossed tightly.

Parker took Elaine's hand. "I owe you an
apology."

Olivia would have laughed at the shock on Lainie's
face if she weren't so surprised herself. Everett Parker never
apologized.

"Six months ago they found a tumor in my brain," her
father said.

Olivia froze. That was the last thing she was
expecting.

He continued. "They operated and found it benign,
but it caused me to reevaluate the choices I've made in my
life."

"The mysterious trip you took last spring," Lainie
mumbled.

Parker nodded at her before turning to Olivia. "You
made it clear you didn't want me in your life but I thought if I
made up for the past you might reconsider."

Olivia frowned. "How could you ever do that?"

"I brought Michael back to you."

"What?"

He nodded. "I never meant for you to break up. I
just wanted you to explore the opportunities available to you
before settling down. But you misunderstood—"

"You conniving bastard." Michael pushed away from
the door frame. He stalked towards Parker, fists clenched, but Rick
stepped in front of him.

Parker's gaze never wavered from her face. "I
thought if I facilitated your reconciliation with Michael you might
forgive me."

"Didn't it occur to you to just ask?"

He cocked his brow. "Would you have listened?"

He had a point there. "So everything's been
calculated, hasn't it? You staying at the farm, the filming
there—everything." He didn't have to say anything. She could see
the answer in his eyes. "Where does Lainie fit in this?"

His eyes darted to Lainie before forging on. "When I
found out you were dating Clancy, I asked him to investigate the
source of information leaking to tabloids. With him busy, you and
Michael would have a better chance at reconciling. I told him
Elaine was the source of the leak."

"But Rick and I weren't dating."

"You weren't?" Parker and Michael both asked at
once.

Rick shook his head. "Then what about the emails I
found? The print out I gave you clearly shows Elaine Adams getting
in touch with the press."

"I asked her to contact them." At least Parker had
the grace to look abashed. "Olivia, I—"

She held out her hand to forestall him. "I need to
think." She got up and walked toward the door. She forgot Michael
was blocking it. She expected him to let her pass but he didn't
budge.

"We have to talk," he said tightly.

"Not now." She tried to push past him but he grabbed
her arm and held her fast.

Rick was suddenly in his face. "Back off,
Wallace."

Michael's jaw was so tight Olivia thought it'd snap.
"This is between me and Olivia."

"What's between us, Michael?" She jerked her arm
from his grip and glared at him. "We've got nothing, as you so
obviously demonstrated tonight."

He leaned toward her. His eyes blazed so bright with
anger it was almost painful to look at. "Whose baby was it?"