Page 40 of Callen's Captive
“Never send me away again, Kate,” he finally said, his voice stern and shaky at the same time.
“I won’t get myself into that situation again.” He would have killed that guy if she hadn’t stopped him, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
“And don’t blame yourself for what that piece of human trash did,” he added.
She swallowed and shook her head, not sure she should say what she was thinking, except she trusted Callen not to mock her, not to belittle her as her foster mom had. “This is why I don’t like mixing with people, why it’s safer online.”
“Online is just a way to hide from those who care about you.”
“I’m not hiding from anyone.”
“You’re hiding from me. You have been since we met.”
Another growl left those strong lips she enjoyed kissing. Without thinking, she stepped away from the growl, away from Callen. Not much that was happening in her life lately made much sense, like why his growls put her on edge. Callen didn’t scare her, even when he was angry he didn’t scare her, but she’d already stepped away from him. He looked hurt, all because of her callousness.
“You didn’t need to beat him. I had gotten away.”
“He had it coming. Maybe he’ll think twice and not assault the next girl unlucky enough to walk into his sights. Now, let me see your wrist.”
She didn’t realize she’d been cradling her left wrist until he asked to see it. With a gentle touch, he examined her wrist. Bending it hurt, but nothing seemed broken.
“I’m not hiding from you,” she repeated. Even to her ears, her words sounded hollow, like an excuse. “I’ve told you everything about me.”
“Not why the WSSO wants you so badly.”
She started biting on her pendant again, then let it drop when he sighed. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything to him in the first place. “They want their money back.”
“You’re still lying. Try again, Princess.”
“Fuck you, Callen.” She spun around to get away from him, but swayed instead. It didn’t matter that she had just cursed at him; he was there, steadying her. “I don’t need you or your help.” She lurched away from his grasp and reached for her backpack.
He grabbed the bag first. “Going to run from me again?”
“I never ran from you.” She yanked the pack from him. “I simply left you before you could leave me!” She covered her mouth with her hands, the pack dropping with a resounding thud. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes, you did.”
She practically fell into his chest and started sobbing for no reason at all, except she was tired, scared, and felt as if she couldn’t do anything right. Her parents, the cousin she’d loved like a brother, and Janie. They’d all left her. Now, she was starting to fall for Callen, and she knew it was only a matter of time before he’d leave, too.
“Hey, look at me.” His face was still tight, but his voice was gentle and full of concern. “We’re going to find some place safe to sleep, then we’ll get some food in the morning and come up with a plan, okay?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to say or do anything more at the moment. When his hand slipped around her waist, whatever connection she had to him soared. She was becoming too attached to him. Letting herself fall for him would only end in disaster. And yet, him leaving her would crush her. Damned if she did, damned if she didn’t. One way or another, Callen would be her undoing.
* * *
CALLEN
Callen worried that Kate wasn’t merely keeping a secret from him, she was withdrawing into herself. Something he’d said or done had caused her to retreat, but he couldn’t figure out what. For now, he let it go, as they were both exhausted and needed sleep. She’d led him to the back section of an estate on the outskirts of town, to a treehouse of all things. It made him wonder how long she ever stayed in one place, even before the WSSO had started hunting her.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared of trees,” Kate shouted down as she climbed up the wooden planks nailed into the side of the tree. They didn’t have to be so quiet here, not with the main house over a hill and then down a small valley. He gazed up at the tree, questioning the wisdom of climbing, but it was shelter and the rain was starting to come down hard.
She stopped midway, giving him a nice view of her backside. “Come on scaredy-cat,” she teased.
He loved how carefree she could be at times. Unfortunately, those times were few and far between. Her past haunted her in a way he could never relate.
“Wolf, not cat,” he corrected, staring up at how high up the treehouse was. At least twenty feet.
“Wolf, cat, close enough.”
