Marvels: Olivia and River

7. Deals and Chinese Food

Rivers  POV

"Bill I need to speak to you. Alone." Olivia said abruptly ,using Bills real name for once.
He didn't say anything for a minute and I could practically see the wheels in his head turning. Weighing the pros and cons. He must of decided the pros outweighed the cons as he simply nodded and began ushering everyone out.

"Mind if I keep River in here?" He asked curtly, not really asking.

"If it makes you feel better old man." She replied , propping her feet up on an adjacent chair.
"You too Jason," she whispered quietly ,as if it pained her to even suggest he leave.

I can't say I wasn't surprised. I mean she had the option to keep an eye on him and she was ordering him out? It only made me more suspicious of what she wanted to talk to Bill about.

The kid looked shocked and betrayed for all of two seconds before a meaningful look was shared between the two and he walked out with his head down.

It was quiet for a moment until Olivia gestured to the seats opposite her.

"Please, take a seat," she said smoothly smirking slightly despite her situation.
"I'm assuming you're willing to compromise?"

Olivia's POV*
My leg was twitching slightly as I waited for the old bastard to reply. I was concentrating on channelling my inner godfather and had to stop myself from saying "I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse."

"What do you mean?" It was River who spoke first , an adorable wrinkle of confusion crumpling his forehead. Adorable to someone else of course. I found it repulsive.

"I mean you're not gonna kill us and you can hardly keep us here forever. So go ahead old man. Make me an offer." I didn't mean for the old man bit to slip out but once it had I saw River smirking slightly out of the corner of my eye.

He seemed to consider what I said for a minute before speaking.
"Okay. You and the kid. I would like your help on some undercover operations. Marvs abusing their power being brought to justice that sort of thing. Stay her for 6 months and then I'll let you leave. I'll even pay you for whatever work you do for me. You and the kid seem like you could use the money." Bill added with a shrug. "There's your deal, but if you want us to stop treating you like a caged animal you'll have to stop acting like one," he added at the end.

I didn't even have to consider it. 6 months with free accommodation and money at the end of it. I'd've sold my liver for that deal.

"Deal" I said with a huge grin on my face.
"Now how about some food, I'm starving!" I said gleefully and my stomach rumbled making me laugh. "See? I'm wasting away here!!"

"I'll order Chinese." Bill said walking away leaving me alone with River.

"I'll have the salt and chilli chicken!" I yelled as his back disappeared out the door.

Rivers POV
"Why are you staring at me like that?" She said with a confused look on her face.
I hadn't realised I'd been staring but her personality change had my head spinning. One minute she's cold and indifferent and now she practically shaking with excitement at the prospect of.....Chinese food?? It left me dizzy and confused.

"I've just never seen anyone so excited over Kung pow chicken before." I replied smoothly.
She laughed at this, her eyes twinkling and for a moment she looked so breathtakingly beautiful that I swear my heart stopped in my chest.

"After the day I've had I'm surprised I'm not jumping for joy!" She said with a smile and I steeled myself against it. Warding myself against its magic.

At my lack of response her face turned somber.
"Listen River I know we didn't get off to the best start what with me threatening your life and you being an insufferable prick and all but I'm gonna be here for a while," hesitantly she added "can you not at least pretend to like me while I'm here?" She said with a teasing smile.

That was the least of rivers worries. He was just terrified he'd end up liking her too much. He couldn't tell her that of course so he simply nodded and offered up a smile.