Chapter 6

For a long time, Hope paced from one end of Victor Kiriakis' lavishly decorated living room; shock, anger and feelings of betrayal running through her body. For years Bo had kept his love-child a secret from her; now the child, an insolent brat, was living in HER house! And to think she'd felt so guilty and ashamed of her affair with Patrick Lockhart, had agonised over Ciara's paternity until the tests had proven that Bo was the father. He'd forgiven her; sure he had to. Because he'd done exactly the same thing! Hope Brady was close to hating Bo right there and then.

Her mind switched to the girl. Justin had said that she looked exactly like her mother. Which meant that the mysterious woman Bo had an affair with was a real looker, Hope thought jealously and her anger grew with the need to smash something. Instead she threw herself on the couch, staring into space.

Victor came back from a fundraising dinner party about an hour later and found Hope gulping down a third shot of his finest brandy.

'What's the matter now?' he said, in a bored tone.

Hope looked at her father-in-law standing in the doorway, looking distinguished in his expensively cut tux. 'Don't start with me, Victor.' she put the glass down.

'Well, you're still living under my roof. Surely I have the right to know what's bothering you.' He replied, walking in.

Hope gritted her teeth, trying to curb her anger. 'Your precious son is harbouring his secret love child at our house as we speak.'

'Come again?' Victor exclaimed.

'That's right! Bo had an affair and his bastard has resurfaced. He actually introduced her to me!' She laughed mirthlessly, pouring herself another shot.

'Come on now, Bo? Even if he had an affair, a child won't be something he'd keep from you.'

'Yeah, well Bo isn't exactly the boy I married; I hardly feel I know him anymore.'

If he'd heard this statement once, he'd heard it a million times since she and Ciara moved in and he was fed up.

'So who is this girl's mother?' asked Victor, still unable to believe Hope's story.

She made an impatient gesture with her hand. 'Some woman called Kelly... no, Carly or something.'

'Carly? As in Carly Manning?' Victor exclaimed. 'That's impossible!'

'What do you mean by that? You know her too?' Hope snapped. 'How important was she to Bo?'

Victor pulled herself together. 'Her relationship with Bo is immaterial.'

'VICTOR!'

'Trust me on this. Whoever this girl is, she can't be Bo and Carly's daughter.'

'Why not?'

'Because that tramp died sixteen years ago and she and Bo never had children!' Victor snapped, the memory of how Dr. Carly Manning, formerly Lady Katarina Von Leuschner, had spurned his love stinging him all over again. After her untimely death, he'd felt some regret over what might had been and commiserated with Bo, who only scorned his gesture. Bo had been inconsolable with grief for a long time then had slowly moved on with Billie Reed. Then unexpectedly, Hope had returned from the dead.

Hope was stunned but not enough to ask, 'why are you calling her that? Who really was she?'

'She was my wife.' was the bitter reply.

'Your wife? Help me out here, you just said that she and Bo...'

'She was sleeping with Bo behind my back, then later ran off to live with him on that damned boat as bold as you please!' spat Victor, the old jealousy back in full force after several years. 'I promised her the world and she betrayed me!'

'That's not how it happened and you know it, Victor.' Justin cut in before Hope could speak.

'This doesn't concern you.'

'Oh, yes it does- front, back and centre. Carly was more than a friend to me and Adrienne; I'm not about to let you slander a wonderful woman any further besides listening to you play the victim.' Justin wondered just how much poison Victor had fed Hope.

'Go to hell! Victor barked, outraged.

'Justin,' Hope got up, determined to get a word in. 'What did you find out?'

'A lot of things, things I'm still trying to digest. I think you should sit down, especially you Victor.'

'Hope just told me a preposterous story about a girl claiming to be Carly's daughter.'

Justin snorted. Anyone who saw that kid would have little cause to doubt her claim. 'She is Carly's daughter.'

'Carly's dead!'

'No, she isn't.'

'Justin, have you been drinking?' Victor asked suspiciously.

'Far from drunk, Uncle of mine. As we speak, Carly's breathing through a tube, no thanks to your ex nephew- by marriage.'

Victor exchanged a confused look with Hope before sitting down at last.

'Start talking, boy. And it better be good.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

After Justin had taken his leave, Bo went up to look in on Olivia. Clad in a lace nightgown, she was sound asleep; the day's events had worn her out. Standing over her, Bo thought how beautiful, innocent and defenceless she looked. He'd only known her for a few weeks and already felt nothing but boundless love for her. Just thinking of Larry's hands slapping her around as well as his fists making contact with Carly's soft skin sent more surges of red hot hatred and rage through him. Justin had brushed aside his fear about Olivia having nightmares.

'I wouldn't worry too much about Olivia's state of mind, Bo. You're her father, Carly's her mum- two of the most stalwart hard asses I've ever met- which makes her a very a tough kid. And I don't think she'll lose sleep over killing a monster like Lawrence Alamain; the man was a beast and by killing him, she paid him out and freed herself and Carly at the same time.'

I won't let anyone hurt you, ever, he vowed silently. I'll kill anyone who dares!

Gently, he slipped her legs under the blankets, pulling them over her. Moving a chestnut curl from her eyes, he kissed his daughter's smooth, young cheek.

'G'night, kitten.' he whispered, turning off the light and closing the room behind him.

As he settled comfortably in bed, his thoughts moved to Carly. Beautiful, head-strong but compassionate, independent Carly Manning who'd brightened the darkness he was living in before she'd come to Salem. Of blue-blood lineage but the most down to earth woman he'd ever met. One of the most dedicated physicians Salem University ever had. Because of his lingering feelings of Hope's untimely ''death" and abject terror of losing Carly after her stabbing at the lighthouse, he'd pushed her away; denying his love. By the time he'd come to his senses, Victor had tricked her into marriage. Even after she's told him about the forged note, he'd sent her away again because he was stricken by a virus meant for her. But his longing for her prevailed as he got sicker and sicker. He'd sent a note and she'd immediately rushed to his side. She'd raced against time to get the antidote and administered it to him at the hospital, putting an end to the virus at long last.

Bo opened his eyes when he felt a cool hand on his hot brow. Carly was sitting beside him on the bed. Her cheeks were wet with tears but she was smiling.

'Hey Princess.' he said weakly.

'Hey, yourself.' she replied.

'How am I doing?'

'You're doing great, sweetheart.'

He reached for her hand and she slipped it into his.

'Remember what we talked about at the loft...'

'About Heaven? The place where the music is nothing but silence?'

He nodded. 'Can you hear it now, Carly? The orchestra serenading us now?'

She put her head to one side and nodded, smiling wider. 'I hear it.' She rested her head on the pillow, her face just inches away from his. 'I do hear it.'

He smiled at her. 'Thank you princess. You saved my life.'

The look in the sparkling green eyes said it all. Like he'd told her a long time ago, they needed no words. His love for her must have shown in his own eyes because she moved closer, kissing him lightly on the lips and pressed her soft cheek against his.

Bo closed his eyes. A few weeks later, she'd almost died after she'd walked into a tampered elevator meant for him. Just like she's almost died after a thug had stabbed her when his back was turned. Time and time again, somebody or something or other came between them but they'd stayed strong because of their great love. Once again, fate had brought her back during a dark period of his life; Olivia a wonderful bonus.

Hang in there, princess. Bo said softly. Hang in there.

::::::::::::::::::::

For the first time in years, Olivia Alamain slept soundly. No nightmares haunted her. But the recurring dream returned...

She could hear the sounds of mama's screams before she got to the study, Sarah scurrying after her. 'Stop! Don't Lawrence, don't!'

'I'll kill you first before I let you humiliate me, accursed bitch!'

Olivia ran in, in time to see her mother dragged to the balcony by the hair. 'NOOOO!' she screamed as her mother fell.

She ran in, charging at him. 'You cowardly BASTARD! Murderer!' she screamed, scratching his face with her nails, filled with blind rage. Lawrence grabbed both hands in one iron grip and struck her twice across the face before sending her flying across the room. Olivia saw stars as she hit the back of her head against the desk. Through the haze she saw Sarah running into the room.

'Miss Olivia!' she cried moving towards her, shrieking as Lawrence grabbed her by the arm.

'You kitchen slut, I'll teach you to interfere!' he snarled, a slap on her face following his words. As she fell, one Italian loafer made contact with her side. Sarah cowered, screaming.

Olivia struggled up and as if a voice whispered to her to look down spied Lawrence's priceless jewelled antique dagger on his desk. She'd seen it several times, had been told it was of Aztec origin. She picked it up quickly. Lawrence was still kicking Sarah.

Your chance, at last. Do it, do it now! The voice in her head ordered. With the agility of a panther, she lurched at the monster, plunging the knife deep into him. Lawrence Alamain's eyes were wide with shock and terror as he looked into her eyes.

'You... would kill... your own father...?' he gasped as the life rapidly ebbed from him.

Olivia didn't need a mirror to know that her eyes were filled with raw hatred towards the dying man in front her. Years of accumulated hate. She knew exactly what she was doing and had no regrets.

'You... are not my father.' she informed him through gritted teeth, before pushing him down to the ground. Lawrence gasped then lay still, eyes open, blood soaking his shirt.

'Is he dead?' Sarah whispered from behind.

Olivia stood over him for a few minutes, breathing fast, her heart hammering in her chest. Lawrence's eyes were already glassy.

'Seems so, Sarah.' She went to the young woman and helped her up. 'Are you alright?'

'Yes, ma'am.' Sarah rubbed her side gingerly.

There was no time to waste. Plunking the receiver from its cradle she dialled the number Mama had made her memorize.

'Hello, this is Olivia Alamain. Listen very carefully; I've just killed Lawrence. Yes, I'm sure, Mr Naveen- he's dead. No, mama can't come to the phone now; she's badly hurt if she's not dead already! Please get over here now with the police. Yes, yes... I'll do my best. Hurry.' As she put the receiver down, the butler Hoskins burst in, along with two male servants.

'Are you alright, Miss Alamain?' he gasped. The other two moved over to Lawrence's body.

'I'm fine... get away, Sarah!' Olivia snapped impatiently as the maid tried to rub off the trickle of blood flowing down the corner of her mouth, some drops had already stained her silk blouse. Her left eye was aching badly, rapidly swelling. 'Where's my mother?'

'She's been carried in... She's still alive, Thank God. '

Olivia made for the door but Hoskins blocked her way. 'No, wait!'

'Step aside, I have to see to my mother!' she snarled.

Hoskins stood firm. 'You have to deal with those thugs first.'

'I'm their boss, there's nothing they can do to me!'

'Then act it. Show them you are the mistress now.' The old man stared her down. 'The whole staff is behind you. You're not the only one who's lived in fear of him. We couldn't stop the abuse but we can protect you from those men if we have to. Show them that you are not broken.'

Sarah nodded timidly in agreement.

Olivia stared back. He's right. I can't let them walk over me; for mama's sake as well as mine. Suddenly she felt older than all her fifteen years.

'Who's looking after my mother?'

'Mrs Browning and some of the maids. The doctor has already been summoned.'

She took charge immediately.

'Jonathan, Tony... round up the staff, except those with my mother. Tell them to just stand outside the study.' The young men nodded and hurried out.

Opening the drawer of the antique desk, she found what she'd expected; a loaded automatic which she tucked into the waistband of her skirt. Despite what Hoskins said, she couldn't take any chances. Mama had long prepared her for a day like this.

Hoskins brought out a gun which she recognised as his old service revolver.

'Hoskins...'

'I meant what I said, lamb.' His face was set in stubborn lines. Sarah trembled but remained where she was.

Gideon Laughton, Chief of the Security detail burst into the room with four of his men, guns drawn. Their eyes moved from Lawrence's body to her.

Quick as a flash, Olivia looked Gideon in the eye and said with all the coldness she could muster. 'There's nothing you can do for him. My lawyer and the police are on their way. Any of you lays a finger on me and you'll all find yourselves in a whole lot of trouble.'

Hoskins stood protectively beside her. 'The law is on her side.' the old man warned the men. 'You all saw the atrocity committed on that poor lady. You want to harm his daughter further?' he barked.

Gideon glanced from Hoskins back to her. Olivia guessed his mind was working furiously. Her fingers rested on the gun tucked behind her back.

'I'm running things now, Gideon. If you and your co-goons have somewhere to run, I suggest you move before the police get here; I'm sure they would be more than happy making acquaintance with most of you with records.' she continued. 'You choose to remain; you'll be paid off handsomely, providing you behave until they get here. Or you'll find yourselves facing a firing squad. Make your choice.' She stood her ground, green eyes locked with grey. At the doorway, majority of the domestic staff were assembled, at full alert for trouble.

Gideon made his choice. He moved forward, putting the gun on the table, along with the spare. The other four followed suit.

'You win, Your Highness.' he said wryly, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Olivia didn't back down, her hand still on the gun. 'You will inform the others of this?'

'You have my word and absolute guarantee.'

'Right. Now get out.'

Twenty minutes later, Omar Naveen had shown up with reinforcements.

Yes, no nightmares haunted Olivia, contrary to Bo's fears. She felt safe in her new world and slept like a baby.