Page 108 of Wicked Duty
I don’t deserve Nika, but I’m so thankful to have her. Especially with Maya away.
We drive through the city until we’re back at Callum’s place. I still have the all-access key that gets us inside.
I’m glad Nika’s with me. Being near her always grounds me, and her presence alone keeps me from falling apart too magnificently. At least for the moment.
I head straight for the guest bedroom and start tossing everything into my suitcase.
We’re almost done when Veronika’s phone starts to buzz. I glance over to see a picture of her and Darren on the screen.
She stills, glaring down at her cell. Anger sizzles in her gray, gold-flecked eyes.
I know she thinks Darren had something to do with what Callum did. I know she’s pissed on my behalf, but I don’t want them to fall out. Not over me.
So I swipe her phone off the bed and hitAccept. Nika’s eyebrows fly up her forehead as I offer the phone.Talk to him,I mouth.
She looks from me to her phone before rolling her eyes and reluctantly grabbing it.
“Yeah, it’s me.” Defeated, Nika leaves the bedroom so she and Darren can talk. I’m grateful for the time alone.
I think I could use a shower. Callum left me feeling sleazy.
I head to the en suite bathroom, climb into the shower, and let the hot torrents of water cleanse me. On a good day, I comb through my hair and luxuriate in some self-care, but not today. Today, tears roll down my face, blending with the stream from the showerhead.
I replay all my moments with Callum, struggling to figure out how he fooled me so easily. I hated him right from the beginning, so how did this happen? At the start, I thought he was an irritating son of a bitch. Turns out my first instincts were absolutely correct. So where did I go wrong?
When did I begin deluding myself into believing he cared?
Once I’ve climbed out of the shower and toweled off, I find Nika waiting for me in the guest room, phone in her hands. Her expression still conveys suspicion and displeasure.
I comb my hair back from my face, eyes puffy and a little sore from all my crying.
“What did Darren say?”
She glances up at me. “He’s waiting for us at a coffee shop down the street.”
“He’s waiting for us? Or he’s waiting for you?”
Nika gives me the same look Maya does whenever I’m a little too cheeky. “He wants to talk about what happened and determine our next steps.” She tugs at a loose strand of hair. “I understand he’s…had a talk with Callum about everything. I thought maybe you might want in on that conversation.”
“Think again.” I shrug. “If I hear any more discussion about bodyguards or security plans, I’m going to rip out my hair. You go. I’ll finish up here, and you can swing by to get me once you two are?—”
“Lucy—”
“I’m fine.” My voice is unconvincing, I know, all thick and syrupy from my sobbing in the shower. “I’ll be okay here on myown. I promise. And Ryan’s out front. I know he followed us here. He couldn’t have been more obvious.”
“Are you sure?”
I muster the biggest smile I can manage. “I’m sure, Nika. Thanks. You’re always there when I need saving.”
She crosses the room to hug me tightly, then pulls away to touch my face. “Call me when you’re ready. I’ll be five minutes down the street.”
“Don’t worry.”
She tosses me one last apologetic, knowing glance before disappearing out the door.
Chapter 42
Lucy
