With some effort, he controlled his anger and ordered, “Come here. I want a better look at it.”

“Actually, if you don’t mind, it’d be helpful if you left.”

With those words, her demeanor finally penetrated.

Yeah, Liv not communicating…

Seriously fucking more than a little troubling.

“Babe—” he began as he started toward her.

“Though, before you go, you should know that they’re aware of your desire to have vengeance for your dead girlfriend so you should be careful. Georgia is dealing with a number of things and I’m told it’s highly likely she’ll also be dealing with that.”

And at those words, Nick stopped dead again, his gut twisting and his heart slamming against his ribs.

When she said no more, he whispered, “Livvie—”

She cut him off again. “I’m very sorry that happened. I was unaware of it, of course. Not that, if I was aware, I could have done anything about it. I can imagine that was very painful. If it occurred as I was informed it occurred and it happened with you there to witness it…” She shook her head. “Actually, I can’t imagine. But I’m sorry you have that memory.”

He moved cautiously toward her.

To his one step, she took two back.

He stopped.

She did too.

“Let me explain,” he started quietly.

“I think I already got it,” she returned.

“I know you don’t,” he replied.

“Not that you asked my advice, but although I haven’t been told precise details of plans that have been set in motion, I’m getting the firm impression that, regardless that things went at a snail’s pace for some time, they’ll be moving quickly from here on out. I’m certain you can take care of yourself. But you may wish not to delay in—”

“Livvie,” he interrupted.

She shut up and swallowed, taking another step away from him.

“Your father has been arrested for Drake Nair’s murder.”

For a beat, she gaped at him.

She gathered back her ice and nodded shortly. “As I said, things will be moving quickly from here on out.”

“I need you to come to my place with me,” he told her.

She took another step back, saying crisply, “That won’t be happening.”

He took a step toward her and she again retreated.

He stopped.

“Liv—”

“You need to leave,” she declared.

What he needed to do, seriously belatedly, was stop fucking around.

“Liv, it started one way, but you know, you gotta know, where we are now is a very different thing.”

She ignored his words.

“Now. If you don’t mind. You need to leave now,” she said, sweeping out an arm to indicate the door to the room.

“I fell for you.”

“It’s in your best interest—”

“I fell for you, baby.”

“To go immediately.”

“Please listen to me.”

“You need to leave.”

“I’m in love with you, Livvie.”