Page 40 of Blood

“No, thank you. Have you seen Callan?”

Thud.

“Office, usually, by this time.” She gestures down the hallway.

“Thanks.” I tuck my hair behind my ears and swallow. Maybe Georgina will be too scared of what I’ll do to her if she tells anyone what she saw. Maybe she didn’t even see anything. Maybe she came out at the last second.

The door is cracked open. Callan sits at his desk. A relieved sigh exits my lungs. Pushing the door open, my knees threaten to buckle. Callan looks over at me, pain etched into his features. Cold, dead eyes narrow on me.

“Speak of the Devil.”

Devil.

Thud.

No.

CHAPTER15

QUEEN BEATS EVERYTHING

Static silence hums through the room, suspending time. I fight the rising panic, attempting to swallow. My mouth is too dry. My eyes flit between the two entities before me. Goosebumps skate over my skin, raising the hairs on the back of my neck.

My fists clench at Georgina’s smug face. I should have ripped out her tongue when I had the chance. She’s done her best to hide the bruising under her eyes from the broken nose I gave her, but I see it.I see her.

Callan gets to his feet and rounds his desk, walking up to a gleeful Georgina. Gripping her upper arms, he whispers something in her ear. I hate how close he is to her, his skin on hers…

Jealous little girl bullshit.Pathetic.

I never felt jealousy toward women around Tyler, but that’s probably because I didn’t care enough—didn’t crave his attention, his touch like I do Callan’s.

“But…” she starts, but he shuts her up with a look. Dropping her gaze to her heels, she bobs her head. “Fine.” She blows out an aggravated breath and storms toward me, her dress billowing behind her like a serpent’s tail, slowing when she’s beside me where I stand just inside the doorway. I keep my eyes focused ahead, not giving her the satisfaction of my attention.

“My hair will grow back. Your head won’t when Callan hacks it from your shoulders. And make no mistake, I’ll be there to watch, Devil bitch.” She sneers.

I envision myself ramming her face into the doorframe. Watching her crumble in a heap as her blood pools around her, but instead, I do nothing. She’s not important right now.

She strides past me out of the room, her heels tapping against the wood floor.

“Hey, Georgina,” I call out, halting her steps. She turns, folding her arms over her chest. “You’re a cunt.” I slam the door closed. The gust of wind from my effort lifts my hair, splaying it over my cheeks. I leave it there to hide the bruise blooming from Tyler’s rough hand.

When I turn around, Callan’s glaring at me, his body rigid. A cold draft chases up my spine, curling around my neck like a noose. I avert my eyes, trying to find somewhere else to focus, and my gaze lands on a dent chipped in the table leg.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” His words mirror those that he spoke to Kitty back at the carnival.Shit.Kitty.She’s going to be pissed when she finds out who I am from Georgina.

A dull headache begins pounding behind my eyes.What the hell can I say?Lies coat the tip of my tongue, but I choke them back.

“Looks like Georgina already told you.” I attempt to straighten my spine and slip my mental armor in place. Callan moves like a supernatural being. One minute he’s across the room and the next he’s standing over me, imprisoning me with his body. His palm slams against the door next to me. I don’t flinch. I’m frozen, rooted to the spot. I’ve been surrounded by criminals and killers my whole life. Have lived with them. Grown up with them.

But Callan is the most dangerous of them all.

He holds the power to break me.

“I’m not asking her. I’m asking you.” Unbridled rage fires in his dark stare. I wilt under it, my bones turning to ash. Game over.Please don’t hate me.

“His name is Tyler,” I murmur, watching him for a reaction of recognition.

“I know who he fucking is. What was he doing at your motel room after you left here with my cum on your tongue?” His nostrils flare, his breathing rapid.He’s jealous.

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