fuck?" Caleb breathed over my shoulder. "Is that Olivia?"
I knew why he recognized her. It was those big brown eyes. They were unmistakable. And they were undoubtedly injured.
"Yeah," I finally replied after a moment. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My lungs felt like they were burning. "It's her."
I felt Caleb walk away from me. I could hear him pacing but I couldn't take my eyes from the photo. I was riveted, captured by the pain within the caption. As shitty as my childhood had been, not one photo existed where this much pain lived. The woman I loved more than my own life had not known love in her first six years of life. And I didn't know the first time she realized love existed, but the pain I felt growing in my heart was like a sword piercing my skin before shooting through my heart and out the other side. It fucking killed. The woman I loved was so fucking terrified of being a mother because of this. There was no longer any doubt in my mind. She was terrified of committing the same crime on our child as her parents had committed against her. I wanted to throw the photo, but I couldn't. I couldn't release it. I just couldn't.
"What does that letter say?" Caleb asked, breaking into my thoughts.
I scowled. "What letter?"
"The one that was under the photo." Caleb's brows furrowed. "Are you going to be all right? You look - different."
"I'm mad."
"I know. I am too and I'm not her fiancé but fuck," he sighed. "No child should ever look like that."
"You're right. No child should ever look like she did." My words were low in my throat.
"She doesn't look like that anymore, Jace." Caleb said with vigor. "She's happy. And she loves you."
"I know." I replied tightly. I hated feeling so filled with emotion. It was potent. It spread through me like a flame on gasoline. I loathed her parents and I detested whoever was sending these surprises to her. She deserved happiness. Didn't the fucker see that? Couldn't he see she was happy with me?
"Jace, you've gotta keep a clear head. We need to find this fucker." Caleb spoke with venom and I agreed. "Obviously he knew her as a child. This is someone who's close to her. You know she has a brother, right?"
"I know she has a brother. But, I don't think it's him." I felt my teeth grind. "I think he likes her gone. He viewed her as competition. She always did better in school then he did."
"You're still thinking Bryce Cane?" Caleb said quietly.
I nodded. "I am." It was just a hunch - but I couldn't ignore it.
Caleb sighed. "He would have access to this photo. It's a possibility we'll have to look at a little closer."
"I've been looking." Anger was seeping through my pores. I was certain of it. "He hasn't appeared to make any contact with her what-so-ever. He's even been going on dates."
"I know." Caleb said quietly.
"You do?"
"I've been looking up on him." He admitted. "I told you I would help. I wasn't shitting you, Jace. I want to know who's doing this too. I care for Olivia."
"Thanks." I spoke quietly.
After a few moments of silence had passed, I picked up the letter, tore open the envelope and wished the piece of shit weren't so careful. I'd had every envelope tested for DNA. There was nothing. He didn't lick the envelopes and he didn't touch the paper with his bare hands. He was smart. But the smart ones were always the cocky ones. I knew this with certainty. Gabe had been a profiler and soon it would become obvious who was behind these twisted games. Soon, I would know who was tormenting my Olivia and I would end him.
I focused on the letter. This one was shorter than usual. But it made me angrier than all the others put together.
My Dearest Olivia,
Do you remember the last time you wore a white dress? I believe you were told you weren't worthy of a love like the one that exists in fairytales. Am I wrong? Do you remember the pain that festered for years in your heart until I found you and put you back together? Do you remember? I fixed you. I own you. Your
Jean-Claude Izzo, Howard Curtis