Page 11 of Eternally Bound

“I know,” I whispered. “I think Callen and I are just not meant to be.” Nor are Daniel and I,I thought to myself with a pang in my heart. No matter how much I wanted it. “I care for him, but only as the father of my child. That bond will always be there, but I just can’t move forward with him.”

Or possibly with anyone. But Isla was right. I couldn’t just string Callen along. It wasn’t fair to him.

“How is your flower shop going?” I asked, changing the direction of our conversation. I knew her well enough that she wouldn’t stop worrying, but thankfully, she allowed the change of subject. We had known each other all our lives, so she knew exactly how far she could push.

“It’s going great.” Her light brown eyes met my gaze and she smiled. “It was the best advice you ever gave me. I was so miserable working in the office. You know I love it in the flower shop, and business is growing slowly but steadily.”

I smiled, glad to hear she was so much happier.

Chapter Three

Daniel

Sandwiched between two grey buildings, on the outskirts of London, my boots carried me through the deserted backstreet and inside the building we used for interrogating men. Or torturing them. Or in this case, just scaring the shit out of Callen McLeod.

I couldn’t do this in the club, too many prying eyes and ears. After Callen lost the game, I gave him twenty-four hours to bring Ainslee to me. The stupid asshole thought he could negotiate with me or fight me. It was way too late for that. I told him it was non-negotiable once he kept trying to argue. So I had my men bring him to this building, where the wrong eyes couldn’t accidentally see what I was about to do.

This location was discrete, without cameras to spot people coming and going. In any condition. Exactly the way I liked it - I didn’t need any attention.

“He’s inside,” Arthur announced. My right hand men, Arthur, my ex-military guy, always had my back in this not so legitimate side of my life. I knew Maxim Caldwell would have my back too, but I’d never pulled him into this world. We’ve been friends for a long time, through school, university, boot camp, and deployment. He didn’t need this fucked up side of my life to worry about too.

Once inside, I hid my rage behind the mask I wore so often. A cold and ruthless mask that served me well over thirty-five years of my life. It took me a minute to find myself in front of the bastard, tied to a chair. He already sported a black eye. Maybe I should have told my men to restrain from hurting him. But fuck it, why should I care if he was hurt. He would have so easily sold off Ainslee to my sick uncle, just to sate his gambling habit.

I stared at the man, his blonde hair stained with blood and dirt. Every nerve inside my body wanted to unleash my fury on him. He didn’t deserve her.

Ainslee was too good for him. Hell, she was too good for both of us, but at least I wouldn’t gamble her away. More than anything, I wanted her with me. I’d kill anyone for even touching her.

This fucking guy was just plain stupid. An addict. He didn’t deserve a family. Loyalty in a family was everything, and he betrayed his loyalty when he put Ainslee on the table as a chip to gamble away.

Callen’s blue eyes, so contrary to my dark ones, landed on me.

“What do you want?” he rasped the question, fear lacing his voice.

I couldn’t stand this prick. I wanted to kill him, destroy him, and take his son and Ainslee for myself. It wasn’t fair, but I no longer fucking cared about fair. This man didn’t deserve his family.

Was this the reason Ainslee never married Callen McLeod? She was bright and had good instincts. She could have felt that something was off with Callen and refused to marry him. But then why were they working things out? I have kept tabs on her and though there was no talk of a wedding, I knew those two were trying to work in that direction.

“What do you want?” Callen repeated, his voice shaking.

That’s right, coward. Shake with fear.

“You gambled Ainslee McLaren and lost. She is mine now.” He paled at my words. It was as if up until this moment he didn’t actually realize what he had done. “So this is what you are going to do,” I started, but he cut me off. His second mistake tonight.

“What are you going to do to me?” He tried to sound brave, but his voice trembled, and there was wild fear in his eyes. He was way out of his element here.

“I will kill you,” I told him calmly, rolling up the sleeves of my right arm and then my left arm. “Unless you bring me Ainslee.”

“I can figure out something and pay you back with money,” he pleaded. “I just need a day…”

“No, money is not an option. Ainslee McLaren was on the table, and I won her. Now you’ll find a way to bring her to me.” I stared at him, keeping my features menacing, and this time I didn’t bother hiding it. He shook his head, as if he had a choice in denying me. “Hold his right hand out.”

Arthur took his hand, and he screamed before I could even pretend to pull my knife out. “Wait, wait. I beg you,” he sobbed like a pathetic loser. “You can have Ainslee.”

Fury burned through my veins at his offering. Yes, I wanted Ainslee, but it made me furious how he’d sacrifice her so easily. He should fight tooth and nail for a woman like that. I fucking killed my cousin for her, to keep her safe. And for what? For this pathetic loser that didn’t deserve her.

“Ainslee and her son are a package deal,” I told him, smiling coldly.

“W-what? I don’t understand,” he wailed.

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