Page 99 of Empire of Lust
“Okay, baby,” Callum murmurs, stroking her tangled blonde curls. He’s still holding on, but he could snap at any second. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong.” He kisses her sweaty forehead before brushing the hair away from her skin. “You don’t owe me an apology. I’m glad you told me. You shouldn’t have to keep something like that inside.”
“I’m ashamed of myself,” she admits in a whisper, running her hands under her eyes. “I lost it earlier, too. It wasn’t his fault. I just…”
“You don’t have to explain. And you never have to worry about telling me things. When you need help, I’ll be here to help you. Always.”
“Dad.” She’s still shaking and sniffling, but looks him in the eye. “I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid of what you’d do to him.”
Romero takes a step toward the sofa, his fists clenching. “You want to protect him after what he did?”
“No. But I don’t want to cause trouble.” She squeezes Callum’s hands. “Please, don’t do something stupid because of me.”
“All right, sweetheart.” He cups the back of her skull in one hand and kisses her forehead again while looking over her head at Romero.
Their eyes meet, and even though I’m not a mind reader, I know Kristoff’s days are numbered. The thought of a murder being decided that easily, without using words, makes me shiver, but I can’t find it in me to care, not after what Kristoff did to her. He doesn’t deserve to live. I wish I could kill him myself.
“Let’s get you home.” Callum helps her to her feet but gently hands her off to Romero. “He’ll take you to the garage, and I’ll help Bianca get your things together.”
There goes the pit in my stomach. For Tatum’s sake, I put on a brave face until she’s out of the suite, and I can let out the breath I was holding. Now it’s just the two of us. Nobody’s here to protect me. Nobody to keep me from throwing myself into his arms and begging him to love me. Having him this close has stripped away every reason I had for running. I can’t afford to forget what staying with him means, no matter how my heart wants to.
His stormy eyes threaten to knock me on my ass, but I hold my ground. “I didn’t know it was like that,” I whisper before he can ask. “I didn’t know he did that to her.”
“I believe you.” He folds his arms, looking me up and down. “What? No argument?”
“About…?”
“About killing that bastard for what he did to somebody I love. You’re not going to tell me how wrong it is or run away again?”
“Callum.” I sink into an armchair close to the window overlooking the city. It’s a beautiful suite in a beautiful hotel, and I’ve spent a miserable day in it. All I want is to go home and forget this happened, but he’s not going to make it that easy.
“Well?”
“You tracked my phone without me knowing about it.” His face is stony. He doesn’t even have the decency to look sorry. “I’ve been living in a cage most of my life. When my mom died, my dad doubled down on protection. I couldn’t make a move without him hovering over my shoulder. Over the years, I grew to resent him, and at times, I’ve even hated him. It ruined my relationship with him, and when I got my own place, I promised I wouldn’t go back to living like that.”
I sigh. “I don’t want to grow to resent or hate you. You have to let me live.”
“What about my cruel protectiveness saving your life?” he counters with a sneer. “It came in handy last night. I’m a bad man. I warned you of that and won’t apologize for what I did to him.”
“I’m not asking you to. But I’m asking you to apologize for violating my privacy—again.”
He clasps his hands behind his back and paces in front of the sofa. I can’t take my eyes off those hands, clenching and relaxing rhythmically. Hands that could snap a neck with no problem. Hands that have brought me great pleasure.
“If you’re wondering,” I add in a soft voice, “it’s comforting, knowing I have you to defend me. It’s a little scary too, but it’s comforting.”
He snorts, shaking his head while wearing a groove in the throw rug under his feet. “Glad I have your approval.”
“I’m trying, Callum. Meet me halfway?”
“That’s not how I work. I won't compromise.”
“Then that’s it.” My chest aches. It hurts more than I can stand. He might as well tear out my beating heart and stomp on it. “This is where we end. Because I’m not living in a dictatorship. If you want me with you—where I want to be, so much—you have to give me space. I’m yours, but I don’t belong to you. I belong to me. I love you… but I love myself too.”
I can’t believe the words slipped from my mouth so easily. I’m almost shocked. Not by the meaning. I’ve been falling for Callum for awhile, but the impact they have on us, ifweeven exist anymore.
Seconds tick by, and I almost wonder if he heard me. “You love me?” His voice is a sharp jagged whisper. All I can do is nod, the lump in my throat making it hard for me to speak. He crosses the space between us stopping in front of me. “I want you to come home. With me. To stay.”