From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 53

**Chapter 17**

Since the moment Olivia had stepped out of the sterile confines of the hospital, Ethan had embraced the role of her unwavering protector with a fierce determination. He had woven himself into the fabric of her daily life so effortlessly that it felt as though he had always belonged there—a silent sentinel, ever-watchful, accompanying her through the smallest of routines.

Each dawn, before the sun cast its golden rays across the horizon, Ethan would rise from his warm bed, driven by a sense of purpose. He would tiptoe into the kitchen, the soft clinking of pots and pans echoing in the stillness, as he prepared her medication and a hearty breakfast. A cheerful sticky note, bright against the wood of her nightstand, served as a gentle nudge for her to take her pills—an emblem of his thoughtfulness. The rich, comforting aroma of oatmeal bubbling on the stove filled the air, wrapping around them like a warm embrace, promising a day filled with care.

In the afternoons, he would sit beside her, diligently poring over case files, though his focus often drifted. He was acutely aware of every subtle shift in her mood, every fleeting expression that crossed her face, especially when pain flared up unexpectedly. “Is the pain acting up again?” he would ask, concern lacing his voice, his eyes searching hers for reassurance.

As night fell and shadows danced across the walls, Olivia would sometimes wake abruptly, her heart racing from nightmares that clawed at her peace. In those moments, Ethan would be there, a calming presence against the backdrop of her fears. The warm glow of the lamp illuminated his figure as he leaned against the door frame, a glass of warm milk in hand. His gentle touch, as he massaged her temples, felt like a soothing balm, his soft reassurances a lifeline that made the darkness seem a little less intimidating.

Every act of kindness, every tender moment of support, filled Olivia with an overwhelming sense of gratitude that began to blossom into something deeper, something she was just starting to fathom.

Two weeks later, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as Ethan and his colleagues gathered to celebrate a successful operation in a lively restaurant. The air was thick with laughter and camaraderie, a joyous symphony that enveloped them.

Captain Donovan stood, his voice booming with pride as he raised a toast, celebrating their hard work and dedication. Caught up in the excitement, Olivia lifted her glass, but before she could sip, Ethan swiftly took it from her grasp.

“You’re not fully healed,” he declared with a firm conviction, his gaze steady on hers. “No alcohol for you.”

In a swift motion, he replaced her glass with a steaming mug of honey-lemon tea, a thoughtful gesture that prompted playful teasing from their comrades.

“Any toasts for her? I’ll take them,” he announced, his voice calm against the backdrop of laughter.

The squad erupted in playful banter. “Look at Consultant Ethan playing bodyguard for Officer Hayes!”

Unfazed by the lighthearted jabs, Ethan adjusted his glasses, his attention drifting to Olivia’s flushed cheeks. “Damn right I am,” he replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, his eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and affection.

That night, he raised his mug high for every toast intended for her, a silent vow to protect her always.

Later, as the night deepened, they found themselves outside Ethan’s apartment building, the cool night air wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. Olivia leaned against a slightly swaying Ethan, her laughter dancing with the crisp air. “You can’t hold your liquor, but you still have to show off?” she teased, a playful glint illuminating her eyes.

He leaned closer, his breath warm from the whiskey, sending delightful shivers down her spine. “Only… I only dare to get this wasted when you’re around…”

His words ignited a warmth that spread across her cheeks, an unexpected rush of emotions that caught her off guard.

“You’re such a smartass… Next time, sober up. With or without me. Got it?” she replied, her tone playful yet firm, a challenge hanging in the air.

His dazed eyes offered no sign that he had fully grasped her words, lost in the moment.

As they stepped into the elevator, he suddenly grasped her hand, pressing it against his chest with a fervor that made her heart race.

“This thing right here?” His voice was rough, gravelly, filled with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “It hasn’t beaten right since the day I met you.”

“My love isn’t for Officer Hayes,” he murmured, nuzzling his forehead against hers, the world around them fading into a blur. “It’s for the girl who sneaks chocolate before an op, who needs a night-light after a bad dream, and who shares her umbrella with stray cats… Just Olivia.”

In that moment, something within Olivia cracked open, a realization dawning upon her.

For the first time since her tumultuous past with Alexander, someone had truly seen her, every vulnerability laid bare before him.

Her pulse quickened, pounding against her ribs. “When did it start?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laden with curiosity and hope.

He grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes, and pulled a necklace from beneath his shirt—a bullet casing pendant that caught the light.

His thumb brushed over it tenderly as he spoke. “Our first op together,” he said, his words wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

He kissed her fingertips softly, his lips lingering against her skin. “Maybe it started a long time ago, the first time I saw you in the field.”

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