Page 41 of Any Means Necessary

Even as I numbly follow Callum through the hallway back to the car, I feel like a zombie. I’m no longer residing in my body when the back door of the car is held open for me to climb in. Is this what shock feels like?

Closing my car door, Callum walks around to get in on the other side. My mind is racing, the world doesn’t feel like it makes sense anymore. The oxygen seems to have been sucked out of the car, and the thought of sitting in a confined space with Callum threatens to suffocate me. I can feel the vehicle shift with his weight as he sits down, the sound of his door closing behind him igniting my flight response. Without thinking, I open the car door and hop out.

“Lexie, shit. ” I don’t register Roscoe’s call as I walk. My feet move, carrying me down the sidewalk, as I force in deep breaths. I just need air, what happened to all the air? My brain is trying so hard to make sense of everything, but nothing is processing as my mind glitches.

Callum and Roscoe are violent men; ruthless and cruel. Callum does whatever it takes to get something he wants, and he uses Roscoe to do it.

And now he uses me too.

What have I gotten myself into? I signed the contract and NDA, an unsuspecting mouse walking straight into a trap. And like an idiot, I read the fine print wearing rose-colored glasses that made the boatload of red flags seem pink and harmless instead. And the trap snapped closed without sympathy. Now I’m stuck, completely at Callum’s mercy.

What have I done?

The question echoes through my mind as nausea churns in my stomach. My feet carry me one step at a time, my body on autopilot. The SUV pulls up beside me, slowing to match my pace. The back window rolls down and Callum’s dark expression acts as a reminder of exactly what kind of hell I’m living in now. I glance at him, but looking at his face proves to be too much. Averting my gaze, I look straight ahead as I walk.

“Lexie, stop.” The authority in Callum’s voice rolls over me without effect. My heart is racing too fast, my thoughts becoming too panicked—and I don’t panic.

“Lexie.”

“I can’t do this,” I say, my voice breaking on the last word. I feel breathless, why can’t I breathe? I round a corner, and the car follows. Roscoe says something to Callum, making him curse under his breath.

“Get in, Lexie,” Callum orders. I simply shake my head, staring straight ahead. I barely see the people I pass on the sidewalk, barely register the eyes on me. Glancing down, I realize I’m still splattered in blood, my blue scrubs stained by the crimson color. His blood, the man Callum made me patch up after threatening his entire family—all for illegal dock access for some shipment.

“Get in the car, Lexie. Or I swear to God, I’ll pick you up like a toddler and buckle you in myself.”

Something in Callum’s voice makes me stop in my tracks. I finally turn to look at him, still struggling to catch my breath. I feel a little faint, like the blood has drained out of me.

Meeting Callum’s eyes, I can see he means every word. He’ll physically pick me up and place me into the car right now. And the idea of him touching me with the same hands that just held a man by the throat is enough to crack through my panic.

We stare at each other for a moment, I can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he reads me. And when I finally take a step towards the car and reach for the handle, I swear his face softens slightly in what looks like relief.

Climbing into the car, Roscoe locks the door the instant it’s closed behind me. With shaky hands, I slowly reach back and grab my seatbelt. I can feel both men’s eyes on me as I slowly pull the belt around me, but I keep my eyes trained out the window. As soon as my seatbelt clicks, Roscoe is pulling out into traffic.

Callum’s eyes never leave me, burning a hole in my already crumbling psyche. I’m exhausted, physically and mentally, as I stare out the window without really seeing the cityscape pass by. When the first tear rolls down my cheek, Callum’s voice is barely audible next to me as he rasps out another curse under his breath.

“Fuck.”

Chapter Twelve: Lexie

I’m barely in my bedroom before I’m yanking the bloody scrubs off my body with shaking hands. My heart beats unevenly in my chest, making me feel unsettled in my skin. Stepping into the shower, I run the water as hot as I can, hoping and praying that the scalding liquid will wash away the guilt that’s mingling with the man’s blood.

The urge to pick up my phone to call Mia and tell her everything is almost unbearable, so I keep them busy instead. I towel dry my body, moisturize, and pull on a random gray loungewear set. I’ve just finished taking my makeup off and washing my face when I feel his presence.

“The food’s ready, come eat.”

“No thanks.” Turning on my heel, I move to exit the bathroom. He blocks my path.

“It’s not a fucking request, Lexie.”

Standing in my bathroom doorway, Callum’s giant figure fills the frame, blocking me in completely. This time when he looks down at me, I don’t look away. His expression is one of domination and intimidation, but I’m not having any of it.

“You’re going to sit down and eat a full meal,” he states—like it’s a fact.

“I’m not hungry.” It’s not a lie, my appetite disappeared the moment Callum slammed that poor man against the wall by the throat.

“I don’t give a shit if you’re hungry or not. You haven’t eaten yet today, you’re going to eat.”

“What, are you watching me?”

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