Page 93 of Wicked Duty
Callum gently extricates himself, rises from his place on the pew, and then floats all the way up to the altar. He folds several bills from his wallet, drops them into the offering tray, and lights three candles.
Once the flames are going strong, he steps back, head bowed in prayer.
And just like that, a new layer of affection settles over me.
I understand more about Callum Kavanagh than I did this morning.
I know that his life held little meaning for a long time. I’m sure he hasn’t felt any joy in years. After he left the military, he started protecting people through freelance work, but they weren’t the nicest clients in the world, and he only really did it for the money.
Until I met you.
My hand presses over my sternum to alleviate the sharp ache.
For Callum and that poor family that he couldn’t save.
When I rewind our interactions, the way he treated me at the beginning takes on an entirely new color.
My heart splinters a little for him.
I thought he was cold and calculating, but he was just shielding himself from more pain. And what about me? What have I been protecting myself from?
Once we’re back out on the street, he cups my cheek. “Thank you.”
I peer at him from beneath my lashes. “Somebody’s got to pray for the departed. I’m definitely no good at it?—”
“Not for that.”
“Then what?”
“For surviving.” He kisses my forehead, right in front of the cathedral entrance. “Against all odds, you’re standing here with me. And I just wanted to say thank you.”
Chapter 35
Callum
We return to the hotel around sunset, hand in hand, gliding through sliding doors and across marble tiles like any other couple.
It doesn’t seem real that I just had a lovely day with a gorgeous supermodel on my arm. And in the several hours we spent together, we didn’t even have a single fight. I managed not to act like an asshole, and she treated me like I was the only man on the planet.
My attraction to her keeps growing. Exponentially.
Entirely out of my control, raging like wildfire with every touch, every glance. I know I should be panicking, but discomfort is the furthest thing from my mind.
That is, until I clock one of the hotel managers in a three-piece suit beelining toward us.
His balding head and obnoxious bow tie do nothing to distract me from the alarm on his face. Urgency infuses his hectic strides as he scurries to meet us. “Mr. Kavanagh?—”
“What is it?” Something’s obviously wrong.
“Would you please come this way, sir? It’s important.”
“What happened?” Worry underscores Lucy’s tone.
I tighten my grip on her hand, stepping closer without another thought while scanning the lobby. The space buzzes like a beehive, with guests checking in and out and bar patrons chatting over martini glasses and live piano music. Nothing and no one suspicious flags my attention. I don’t trust that.
“There’s been a breach.” The manager gestures for us to follow. “Right this way.”
Fuck.
