Page 6 of Wicked Duty
Callum dresses in tailored suits that love his body, conceal his weapons, and allow ease of movement. High-quality but understated watches. Nothing too flashy. When he walksanywhere, all purposeful and alert and ready for anything, he almost prowls.
He’s the kind of guy who radiates natural authority. He always appears calm and unbothered and in control, and he does all this while still exuding menace.
I’ve spent enough time around lethal men to recognize one in the wild.
Fear drips down my spine, and for an instant, the memories threaten to escape. My own scream echoes through my mind. The ghost of calloused, unyielding hands grabbing my wrists. A rough, strong body pinning me down. Hot breath against my ear. Fiery pain. Humiliation. Pleading for my freedom but wanting to die.
I squeeze the handle of the display case until pain buzzes through my palm. The momentary hurt gives me the strength to shove the ugly thoughts away.
It’s over, Lucy.
That ordeal is finished. And so are the people responsible. Maybe with one awful exception.
I swallow, hard and uncomfortably, before straightening my shoulders.
So what? I survived. No looking back. Only moving forward.
No point in thinking about any of that again until it’s time to testify.
Besides, that guy who’s always ordering black coffee and leaving generous tips? He isn’t out to abduct me. He’s just here to intimidate our customers and drive me insane by stalking me to death.
Even after I insisted that I didn’t want or need a bodyguard.
Freaking Maya.
I love my sister. Don’t get me wrong. But she couldn’t have found a more annoying man to protect me if she’d tried.
The first time he showed up at the diner, introduced himself, and explained his presence, I told him, promptly but politely, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Which got me absolutely nowhere. And unfortunately, my rude attempts to dissuade and deter him since then haven’t worked either. Neither has pleading with Maya to call off her watchdog. In fact, she said that, if not for Callum, she’d leave her study abroad program and return home.
Frustration scalds my chest.
I don’t want my sister to give up Italy just to babysit me. God knows she’s already spent most of her life taking care of me. No one deserves to go off on their own adventure more than she does.
That’s why I eventually relented and agreed to let Callum trail me like a big scary stray dog. But that still doesn’t mean I want him here. He makes me feel uncomfortable. Vulnerable. Weak. Like I’m losing my independence.
Sally bumps my elbow with hers, clinking her armful of plates and glasses. “Could you go see if that guy’s okay? Get him another coffee?”
I bite back a snappyno. She has no clue Callum’s a giant thorn in my side. “I’d love to.”
“You’re the best.” She flashes me a million-dollar smile and heads into the kitchen, her high black ponytail swishing away.
Rolling my shoulders back and plastering a confident expression on my face, I weave through tables using the self-assured swagger I normally reserve for potential clients.
He raises his head, observing me with a silent intensity that brushes shivers along my spine.
No, Lucy. Absolutely not. Attraction is out of the question.
Too bad my body somehow missed that memo.
Propping a hand on my hip, I cock my head in a casual but flattering pose. “See something you like, or are you here to meet your daily reading goal?”
“I’ll take another coffee.” His deep voice carries more than a hint of Irish brogue. “Thanks for asking.” Then he all but dismisses me by returning to his tablet.
Asshole.
A few minutes later, I return with a fresh carafe of piping-hot dark roast. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be watching me, you seem awfully engrossed.”
