Page 149 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“I believe you,” Asher says.

“So do I,” I chime in.

“Add me into that mix,” Jagger declares.

We look at Haze.

“If what you say is true, then he’s targeting us too now.” I watch him swipe a hand over his chin, his face in full thought.

“Lads?” He says, addressing Jagger and Asher, “A moment?”

He’s beckoning them for a private chat, and that’s fine. I need one alone with Callum.

“Fancy a coffee, luv?” Asher gently caresses my lower back.

“No, I’m good, thanks,” I smile at him warmly, and he nods and follows the other two out the door.

I make my way around Callum’s bed and sit at the edge, glancing up at the drip going into his hand.

“Technically, I’m well enough to go home.”

I squint my face at him in disagreement.

“Technically, you almost drowned and have been fed MDNA for who knows how long. So I’m gonna side with the doc on this one and keep you here for another few hours.”

“So you believe me?”

“I do.”

“I haven’t yet thanked you for saving my life.”

“Oh, it’s nothing you wouldn’t do for me,” I kid and nudge my elbow into his arms.

“I mean, it siren. What you did….” He breathes a heavy sigh. “Jumping from a moving yacht into the sea was brave and foolish.” There’s a little playful twinkle in his eyes. “I should reprimand you for doing something so insane.”

I huff a laugh.

“I love seeing you laugh, siren.”

“I love you,” I reply with ernst. “I was so scared, Callum. Honestly, you mean the world to me. I jumped in with only one thought in mind: save the man I love.”

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” I retort. “About relapsing. I mean, the thought did linger, and I hate myself for having those doubts, but I had a moment of going off track, and I should never have doubted you.”

He finds my hand, squeezes it, and then takes it to his mouth, where his lips linger briefly on my skin before kissing it.

“What’s important is that you believe me. Don’t kill yourself over it.”

I stare at him wide-eyed and a little shocked by his choice of words.

“Too early for such puns?” he asks and smiles.

“But honestly, siren, everyone’s allowed to go off track every now and again. It’s what makes us human. I sure as shite used up all my allowances for going off-track for this lifetime.”

Despite the seriousness of his words, there’s a playful cadence to his voice.

“Haze shouldn’t be so hard on you.”

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