Page 49 of Wicked Duty
I hardly know how to react. “I didn’t know you could…laugh.”
“Despite what you may think, I am a human being.”
“Right, but…I never imagined you knew how.”
Callum sinks into the chair beside me and piles his plate with lobster and greens. “Well, good.”
“Good what?” I sip my water.
“You and I are even.”
“Excuse me?”
“I surprised you.” He stabs his fork into a stalk of asparagus. “And earlier tonight, you surprised me.”
My heart thumps as I attempt to puzzle out what he’s saying. “What do you mean?”
I take another bite of this sumptuous five-star-hotel food. Savory gourmet flavors greet my tongue. For a moment, I drift on a sea of culinary bliss. What were we talking about?
“I meantonight.” Callum clears his throat. “That was some photo up there.”
I don’t have to see myself to know a flush is spreading over my face and traveling down my neck.
But why? I’ve been overjoyed about that photo for the past few hours. Why should his compliment fluster me? And why am I even interpreting his sad attempt at flattery as a compliment?
“Let me guess.” I take a swig of wine. Though I rarely drink, I figured one celebratory glass wouldn’t hurt. “You just realized I’m talented and might need a bodyguard once I’m rich and famous.”
He flinches like I pinched him.
Wow. I can see a typical asshole remark forming in his mind, but he doesn’t let it come out.
Instead, he exhales, his shoulders relaxing some. “That’s not it.” He bites into his lobster and chews pensively. “I think that going after something you’re passionate about and actually being good at it…is amazing.”
Why does that one sentence from his lips cause my heart to race?
Under the table, I cross my legs.“What would you know about it?”
“Deirdre.” Callum chews some more and swallows. “My sister.”
That breaks my concentration. “You have a sister?”
He takes another bite. “Six years my junior.”
I struggle to imagine this man as part of a family unit. “What’s she like?”
“A lot like you. Determined to do what she wants to do, against all odds, advice, and previous experience.”
“Which is?”
“Teaching.”
I shrug. “What’s so wrong with that?”
“Let’s just say it goes against family tradition.” Callum sips his wine. “It’s actually how I know Darren.”
“Oh?” My eyebrows rise. Why’s he opening up to me like this out of nowhere?
His eyes darken as he drinks some water. “My family’s part of the mob back in Ireland. We have old-world ties to the Kings.”
