CHAPTER 5

°Lilliana Rollins°

“Momma, are we there yet?” Olive called out from the back and I groaned. She wouldn't stop asking that.

“No, Olive. We are not there yet.” I told her for the umpteenth time as I continued to drive. After my nights out, I had woken up this morning and gotten things ready for us to move. I didn't pack much as I was certain that we would have all we need at the house. The Beecham's mansion is a good two hours drive from where I lived in LA. It was still located in LA but it seemed to be on the outskirts. An estate called Winsberry by Jace. It was no wonder why the house is impenetrable. I tried spying here once but the security had been too tight even for me. And I was the best hitman in my crew. It was why they called me Blood.

As I took a sharp turn closer to the estate, I turned around to check Olive. As always, she was strapped in her car seat, nuzzling her tablet closer. Now and then she would pause what she was doing to ask me if we were there yet.

“Olive, ” I called as I looked back to glance at her again. She raised her head and big black eyes met mine.

“Baby, we are almost there. Do you remember all I told you this morning?” I asked her. She nodded sharply, her pigtails flying around.

“Yes, momma.” She grinned. She was so excited to see Jace.

“Good. Don't leave my sight, okay? Don't take things from strangers and don't talk to anybody when I'm not there. Stay wherever I ask you to stay.” When I saw the confusion in her eyes as I did earlier, I was quick to add, “And no funny questions either. Got it?” I asked.

“Got it, ” she nodded sharply at me. I smiled and focused my attention on the road. The mansion was closed now, and I could see the men lurking around the building, armed. Research has told me all I need to know. Jace was a dangerous man. It was only wise for him to have his men guard his household.

When I drew nearer, they didn't hesitate to help me with the gate. I had a feeling that they might want to search me but I had specifically asked Jace that I wouldn't be subjected to any form of harassment or I would leave with my daughter. He took the bait so I knew he must have ordered his men.

I pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. When I looked through the window, I noticed the number of men around there too. They were even more than the ones at the gate.

Just how many men did Jace have?

I turned toward Olive. She had put down the tablet and was quietly watching me. I flashed her a smile before I pulled the door open and stepped out. From my peripheral vision, I could see someone approaching me.

I pulled the door open and leaned in further as I started to unbuckle her from the car seat. She didn't ask any more questions. She just started to roll her big eyes around the area. I helped her out of the car and took her by her hand. When I turned back, one of the men that had stopped me from approaching Jace the other day was now standing behind me.

“Hello, Miss Rollins, ” he sent me a mock bow. He wasn't smiling and I could see that he was wary of me. I understood his attitude. He was a guard after all so it was quite expected of him.

I giggled internally, it would be fun to mess with his head. All of them.

“Hi, ” I finally mustered at him. “I don't see Jace anywhere, ” I told him as my gaze flickered around the environment. I had to admit that the building that stared at me in the face was one to die for. The exterior was a bomb.

“Ah, Boss had to attend to something. He asked me to welcome you.” He still wasn't smiling. I blinked as I felt anger pumping up my veins.

That bastard!

He couldn't even be around to welcome the daughter he was yearning for.

I hid my disappointment behind a sweet smile before I tugged slowly at Olive's hand. She got the hint and her eyes darted over to the huge man before us.

“Olive, this is...” I started when I realized that I didn't know his name.

“Alex, Alexander.” He completed it easily for me. The huge and tall-looking man crouched down until he was level-headed with Olive's height. I could see that his frown had melted and a small, gentle smile was now on his face. I placed my other hand on my hip while I watched them.

“Hello, Olive.” He whispered to her as he held out his hand. “I'm Alexander. I'm going to be leading you into the house.” He introduced. Olive smiled, her one cheek dimples punctuated in the smile.

“Hi, ” she let out a shy smile and I chuckled. She wasn't always shy. She was rarely shy.

“You are cute, ” Alexander commented as he flipped her nose which only earned an amused chuckle from her. He smiled and straightened to his full height and then his eyes darted over to me. When I looked at him, I noticed that he was no longer smiling.

Oh, so he had a problem with me but not my daughter.

Interesting.

“I have my bags in the trunk. Will I be getting help?” I asked and I walked over to the open trunk. He didn't reply, he just walked over to me and easily picked up the two boxes laying there. I said nothing and let him handle it.

He started to lead the way further into the house and I followed suit, holding Olive's hands. As we passed by some of the men, I noticed they couldn't stop staring at me. Who could blame them when I was such a beaut?

When we stepped into the house, I was even more enthralled by the beauty of the house. It was so cozy, the colors were nice and the intricate designs were everything. Jace surely had a taste, I could tell.

Alex led us further into the house without any word. I noticed that the number of men guarding inside was nothing compared to the ones out there. They bowed as we passed by. Beside me, Olive couldn't stop looking around and giggling. She was so excited.

“This is going to be your room. If you would like a room for Olive, then you must tell the boss. I believe you would not be staying for too long though, ” He muttered when we stopped in front of one of the rooms.

I snorted as I looked at him, thoroughly amused. “Is that your way of trying to get rid of me, Alexander?” I smiled cheekily at him. When he didn't respond, I decided to indulge him.“You must do a lot better than that though.” I winked with a smile before trying the door knob. I could feel his stare but I didn't bother to grace him with a backward glance as I ushered my daughter into the room as well as my belongings. Then, I shut the door in his face.

Since they already saw me as a threat, I might as well live to the task.

I stood tall in front of the large room which was supposed to be our bedroom. The room was a combination of white, sea blue, and gray. They were all warm colors that suited me perfectly. The bed is queen-sized as I hoped, and doused with a nice sitting area. I went out to check the bathroom and I was wowed by its spa-like setting as well as the massive closet. Most importantly, the room had a large balcony. It was all I wanted.

“Olive, you like it?” I asked when she had gone quiet as she looked around.

“Can I draw over there momma? I think I will love to do everything over there.” She bounced as she pointed at the sitting area.

“Of course, baby. You can do anything you want over there. Got it?” I bent low to smile on her face.

“Got it!” she squealed. I laughed and planted a kiss on her cheeks. She rushed over to sit there while I got to unpacking.

I was halfway through settling my things into the room when the door flipped open and a young grinning girl walked in. She stopped when she saw me, eyes doubling over to the size of saucers. I placed my hand on my hip and watched her. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Olive lift her head from her tablet toward her.

“You are not Roseanne,” the black-haired accused, her curly permed hair waving a bit. She was tall but I guessed she couldn't be more than nine years old.

“Nope,” I nodded. “I'm Lilliana,” I introduced myself. Rather than what I expected, the nine-year-old looked me in the eyes and frowned. She frowned deeply like she was utterly disgusted. Then, her eyes flickered to Olive and she gasped.

“Who the fuck are you and why are you here?” She screamed so suddenly.

“Er, I'm not sure you should be using that word.“ I spared Olive a glance. “Language, please.” I chided but the girl was having none of it. She matched into the room and looked around.

“Who are you? Why are you unpacking? You are not planning on staying, are you?” She screamed, looking mortified. She didn't even give me a chance to answer before she flounced out of the room and slammed the door shut. As she proceeded down the hall, I could hear her as she continued to scream.

Well, this better be good. I wasn't expecting anything less from a child of a Billionaire anyway.