Page 78 of Bound By Secrets

“No, Callie,” he says, chuckling. “We’re all on the same page with everything. I’m not going to be annoyed with anything you do with them. I’ll get my chance with you at some point in the future when we’re both ready.”

My cheeks flush at his playful words and a smile spreads across my face, glad that he’s genuinely okay with the situation.

“I’ll text you when I’m on my way.”

As I’m stirring my coffee, waiting for Nate and Kat to arrive, I hear footsteps thumping against the marble floor in the entryway. My muscles tense, and my hand stops as I turn around to see who it is.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Callum walking in, rubbing at his eyes and scratching his navel.

“You still find it weird, don’t you?” he asks, moving over to the fridge and grabbing the milk.

“What do you mean?”

“I can read your body language too well, Callie. I saw how rigid you were when I walked in here.” My shoulders slump, and I nod my head, turning away from him to continue making my drink.

“I’ve spent years being fearful and apprehensive in this house, always listening to every movement and being cautious in case they get the jump on me. I forget that they’re gone, and I don’t think I can fully believe that we’re safe until Colin finds them and locks them up.”

He sidles up behind me, slinging his arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his side.

“Yeah, Connor and I feel the same way,” he says, dropping a kiss to the top of my head before pushing his hip against mine and moving me away from the kettle. “For example, I heard some real strange noises early hours this morning. Freaked me out at first until I realised that they were coming from your room.”

My face heats, and I whip my head around, staring at him with wide eyes.

“Oh my god!” I shriek, covering my flaming face with my hands to hide my embarrassment. Callum laughs at my reaction.

“Don’t worry, I plugged my ears afterwards. I didn’t hear all that much.”

Thankfully, the doorbell rings, saving me from this mortifying moment.

I rush out of the kitchen and fan my face as I walk through the entryway.

As soon as I open the door, I’m engulfed in a light hug, Kat’s face squished against one side of my face and Nate’s chest pressed against the other side.

“I’ve missed you so much, and I can’t wait to have you all to myself on Saturday!”

I giggle, wrapping an arm around Kat. “I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

When she pulls away, I move further into Nate’s arms and breathe him in.

“I’ve also missed you. It doesn’t seem as sincere now that she’s said it before me,” he mumbles into my hair. I squeeze him against me as I smile against his t-shirt.

“I think it’s safe to say that we all missed each other.”

He finally releases his hold on me when we hear footsteps descending the stairs.

Turning, I see Brad and Ryker at the bottom of the staircase and Connor walking down.

Connor’s steely eyes dart between each of us, confusion marring his face.

“How come everyone’s here?”

“Oh, uh, Nate called earlier. He has some stuff to talk to us about,” I rush out, glancing at the pair at the bottom of the staircase and willing them to keep their mouths shut.

Thankfully, Connor doesn’t even pay them attention, his eyes flying over to Nate instead.

“Is it about my mum or my dad?”

“It’s about Derek and Cameron. My dad called me this morning, filling me in on some things and asking me to tell you as he’s busy building the case and putting all of the evidence together to hand over to his superior.”

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