Page 125 of Wicked Duty
Darren and Nika arranged for us to commandeer the Gallagher dining room for the occasion. The five-star gourmet spread is honestly the best I’ve ever had, and Callum plays bartender much of the night, which explains why I have a healthy buzz going on by the time the door swings open and a man I don’t recognize saunters right in, wearing a custom suit and a handsome smile that doesn’t reach his deep brown eyes.
He strides right up to me. “When I heard we had an award-winning supermodel in our midst, I knew I had to stop by.”
I glance over my shoulder.
He laughs. “I believe congratulations are in order, Miss Marlow.” He grasps my hand, bending to kiss my knuckles.
Something bubbles in my stomach. “Who even are you?”
“Down, Kellin.” Riley draws up beside me, looping her arm through mine. “She’s spoken for.”
“That’s what I get for being late to the party.” He flashes a bright white smile at one of my newest friends.
“Don’t mind him, Lucy.” She bumps shoulders with mine. “I know he looks more like a Wall Street shark than a mob specialist, but he’s actually good at what he does when he’s not using his charmas a weapon.”
Kellin smooths his shirt. “Kind of an ungenerous description of me, don’t you think, cousin?”
Despite his charm, he strikes me as a little uncomfortable with his surroundings. A bit odd if he’s family.
I wonder if there’s a story there.
I swivel toward Riley, eyebrows raised. “Cousin?”
“My uncle’s son. An extraction and intelligence specialist for the Kings.”
“Sounds dangerous.” Maybe I’m swaying a little.
“So is flirting with Callum Kavanagh’s woman.” Riley issues Kellin a stern rebuke before nodding toward the bar cart, where Callum pins her with fiery green eyes.
“The one time I’m home and something interesting’s going on, and I’m too late to do anything about it.”
That remark earns him a smack on the arm from Riley.
“Kellin, you’re here!” Harper materializes by her cousin’s elbow. “I want to hear about how things went in Thailand.”
Harper drags him off, and Riley escorts me across the room to my one and only love.
Callum’s steadying hands find my waist. “Making new friends?”
Riley laughs. “Don’t worry, I kept the slobber off her.”
“Who’s slobbering on my runway goddess?” Nika loops her arms around my shoulders.
We all laugh—even Callum—and it’s one of the best nights of my life.
When I was trudging back and forth between foster homes without a penny to my name, I couldn’t imagine this. A modeling contract worth a million dollars. My work phoneringing off the hook. Agents waiting in the wings to represent me.
Agorgeous, loyal, domineering yet surprisingly gentle man, tangling his fingers with mine and leading me away from the party down to a quiet parlor.
Callum and I retire to the biggest leather armchair and sit, enjoying the peace and serenity. He strokes my thigh while I balance one of my arms around his shoulders.
When I last left this estate, I never thought I’d return. But here I am, snuggling on Callum’s lap in the same room where I sipped margaritas with women I now consider my friends.
I can’t help but chuckle and shake my head. “I still can’t believe you stole the wallet back from Shane just to ensure the Kings sent help.”
“I’m lucky to still be breathing.” He presses his lips to mine. “But I’d do it a million times over again because you’re worth the risk.”
My heart melts at his words.
