**Ellis POV"O-Olivia, I can't understand… What about Ken?"Olivia was frantically screaming into the phone. I couldn't understand what she was saying. It all sounded like gibberish. "K-Ken is… h-he's m-missing," she sobbed. "What!?" I asked, my hand tightening around my phone. "H-he's…" she trailed off, sobbing more. There was a shuffling sound and then Jenny spoke. "Ellis, Ken is missing. He disappeared from the boutique. The police are on their way," Jenny explained. "I'll be right there," I growled. I called my driver and had him take me to the boutique, telling him to ignore stop signs and red lights. I didn't care what fines I had to pay. My son was missing!First Nancy stole some documentation, now, my son was gone. I didn't think it was a coincidence. If Claire was right and Nancy was acting out someone else's orders, a man she loved, I could think of only one who would care about the information in the document that was stolen. Olivia was sobbi
**Olivia POVEllis was silent as he drove back to the mansion. I clasped my fingers over and over again. Had I really been so blind to who Bennett was? I'd trusted him, let him look after us, and now he'd stolen the one thing I cared about most in the world. "Ellis… I…" Ellis shot a sharp look at me and I closed my mouth. His hands gripped the steering wheel like he was holding on for his life. "I'll do what is necessary to get our son back," he repeated. "This feels wrong, somehow. Like you're playing into his hands," I explained. Ellis shrugged. "And I'd do it a million times if it meant keeping you and Ken safe. The two of you are my family. That is more important to me than money and business."I sighed and looked at my hands. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate Ellis's willingness to sacrifice everything. I would give up all I had and more to make sure my son was safe, so I understood where he was coming from. The fact that he would give up his wealth
"Oh, baby!" I cried. I knelt down and grabbed Ken, hugging him close. "Mommy, you're hugging too hard," Ken whined. I didn't let him go. I just kept squeezing him. "I was so worried about you! Why did you leave the dress store?" Worry and anger mixed together with my relief. I never wanted to let my son go again!"I… I…""Olivia, you don't need to smother the boy," Ellis chastised. He put a firm hand on my shoulder. Sighing, I slowly released my son. I put my hands on his shoulders and looked him over, checking for any marks or bruises. "Are you sure you're okay?" I asked. Ken shrugged and nodded. I kissed his cheek and stood up. Ellis picked Ken right up and gave him a hug. "I want to take you to my private doctor to get a checkup, okay?" he asked. When Ellis hugged Ken, I saw how he closed his eyes and breathed a huge sigh of relief. I didn't always get to see him being emotional and vulnerable. Smiling lightly, I put my hand on his arm. "Do I hav
"Mommy, mommy, wake up!" Ken cried, running into my room and jumping on the bed. I groaned and rolled over, pushing him off of me. "Oh, Ken, it is too early for this.""But it is a big day," he cheered. Sighing, I blinked the sleep from my eyes and sat up. Other than Ken, the bed was empty. "Where is your father?" I asked. Ken shrugged. "Getting ready.""Getting ready for what?" I asked, smiling at him. I grabbed my son and pulled him close, tickling his belly. Ken shrieked with laughter and wiggled away from me. "He's getting ready for the party," he said. "What party?" I asked. I stopped trying to catch him. Ken's laughs started getting quieter and quieter now that I wasn't tickling him. "The engagement party, remember? You just got a dress for it," Ken reminded me. "Ken, I don't think we're going to have the party today," I said. I laid back down and patted the bed next to me. Ken got closer. He laid down and snuggled up to me. I looped my
**Olivia POVEllis seemed almost despondent by the words, and I had felt the same. He said the thing I was hoping he would never have to say out loud. Yet, here it was.We would have to call off the engagement.I tried my best to remain calm because we were in the middle of an engagement party! I had guests and appetizers… a band was playing happy music for a celebration! Now we had nothing to celebrate and I couldn't tell anyone about it.I knew the panic on my face became more apparent as I worried about how to break the news. I buried my face into my hands for a moment, knowing my mother would have a fit if I told her the engagement was off.It's not like I could answer questions, either. I didn't know what was going on. Later, I could speak with Ellis in private. I had to deal with the party guests first but I didn't have the slightest idea on where to start."Mommy," Ken breathed, pressing his hand on my leg in concern. "What's wrong? Are you and Daddy not—""Hey, everything is fi
I tossed another outfit into my suitcase and swallowed looking at the mound of clothes piling in the bag. I wasn't sure how long we would be gone, but I wanted to be prepared for everything. Who knows what could happen?I reached for my next pair of shoes on the top shelf and felt a hand brush into my shirt, grazing my skin with a warm, welcomed touch. It still made me squeak in shock and I fell backwards into Ellis' grasp."You scared me," I snapped, pushing forward.He yanked me right back into his possessive hold, his lips moving against the back of my ear. "I love when you're feisty.""Very funny," I teased.He kissed my neck and I groaned, melting in his arms. I wanted to stay like this forever, but I needed to pack! Everything had to be ready to go for this trip, no matter what might happen while we were there. Whatever we were about to face, I just knew it wasn't good. I couldn't let Ellis see that faltering fear, though."Are you okay?" I asked, feeling his lips pause on my sk
**Ellis POVIt was a shorter plane trip to upper Maine where my grandfather resided than I had anticipated. Maybe it was my nerves, but I felt like we were deplaning as soon as we got on. Ken skipped out onto the tarmac while Olivia chased after him. She was still smiling at this point, but I knew that would fall soon. I didn't want her to be upset, but if my family is good at one thing, it's making people frown. Especially if they're seen as a threat.I pulled Olivia into the car with me and Ken tried to buckle himself in next to me. I helped him along while the driver gave us a brief look. I could feel him staring at my beautiful lover in the seat next to me. If Ken wasn't on the other side of me, I would have let the driver have a piece of my mind.Olivia leaned into my side, slipping her arms around my midsection tenderly. I kissed her head, clinging to her like she could be ripped from me at any moment.I pulled her hair off her shoulder and kissed the warm skin that sat there. S
**Olivia POVI sat down at the end of the table, Ken propped up in a chair beside me. Joan had tried to usher Ellis near her at the head of the table but he sat firmly beside me, instead. I felt calmer with him here, even if he wasn't feeling the same level of relaxation I wanted him to.He had reason to be upset and anxious, but he would have to endure it either way.The appetizers came first and while everyone was given a lovely array of fish and caviar, Ken and I were given some kind of mushy vegetable mix. I swallowed my concerns and just looked at my plate, I turned to help Ken as the squash flopped off of his fork."Mommy, I don't like this," he whispered to me, as though to not insult the chef. I reached for his plate, only to hear a scoff come from across the table."Little girl," Joan spoke. I somehow knew she was referring to me and glanced over, her beautiful eyes catching mine. "Have you no etiquette?"I gave Ellis a helpless look while he refused to touch his refined