The metal makes a ghastly sound, loud and squeaking and unmistakable.
“Shit,” I mutter, turning to Callum and taking him by the hand. “We need to go. Now.” I tug him toward the light, out of the shadow of the alcove.
But the door to Harold’s office is already open, the sound of footsteps thudding our way.
“What’s going on?” Callum asks.
Instead of heading for the light of the hallway, the escape route back to my suite, I pull him deeper into the darkness, hoping the shadows are enough to hide us. Harold’s final words to me run on repeat through my mind.
Lady M will murder Callum if he goes to kill his father. What’s to stop her from taking him out right now, solving the problem before it becomes worse?
I have a split second to figure out how to save us both. “Do you trust me?” My back hits a wall; we’ve retreated as far back as we can go.
“Yes,” he breathes, his weight pressing me into the darkness.
I let that weight comfort me, let myself feel, for just the briefest second, happy that he is here.
Happyisn’t the right word, of course. Because he’s here, and if I keep him here, if I do what Harold demands I do, Callum Reid is going to end up hating me. If I cost him the opportunity to do what he feels is best for his father and the country, he will never forgive me. The thought makes me sick to my stomach.
But what is the hatred of one man when compared with my sister’s life, even if he is a man I’ve grown to care for? I would doanything to keep Andra safe, something Harold and Lady M both know.
They’re putting me in an impossible position: Risk my sister’s safety or betray a man who doesn’t deserve it. Betray a man who, whether I can fully admit it or not, has buried himself inside my heart.
The footsteps grow closer, and I know we are not hidden enough. If Harold or Lady M steps into the alcove, they will see us. Harold will immediately know that I was listening to his conversation. And with Callum right here, what’s to stop him from thinking the very worst—that I’ve betrayed him and told Callum everything?
I tilt my chin up, searching for the steadiness of Callum’s blue eyes in the dark. “Kiss me,” I breathe.
“What? That’s against your rules, Caterine. I don’t—”
I don’t give him time to finish his sentence, pressing my lips to his and cutting off his protest.
He hesitates for only a second before kissing me back, his soft lips moving gently over mine. I sigh into the kiss, leaning into the warmth of his embrace, forgetting after just a second that this is a ruse, that his life could be at risk if we are discovered, as could my sister’s. My hand fists in the fabric of his shirt and his travels to the nape of my neck, holding me tightly. As if I could even dream of pulling away.
I tease the seam of his lips with the tip of my tongue, swallowing the groan he releases like it’s rich whisky. His tongue sweeps into my mouth and this time I’m the one letting out an unholy moan.
Callum’s hands travel down to my waist, as mine tangle in his hair. His hips thrust into me and I relish his hardness.
I lose myself in him.
Until I hear Lady M’s derisive declaration. “It’s just another one of your whores.”
Callum moves like he wants to pull away, address the claim, but I keep his lips pressed close to mine, desperate to hide his face and his recognizable copper curls in the shadows. I wrap my legs around his waist and his hands slide to cup my upper thighs. It’s the distraction we need, so potent I even distract myself.
I don’t hear Lady M retreat, but the sound of the office door slamming shut reverberates through the small space.
I gently guide Callum’s lips away from mine, not wanting to separate from him, but knowing we need to move quickly.
His breaths are shallow as we part. “Are you okay?”
The fact that his first concern in this moment is whether I’m okay breaks something in me. I laugh. “Not really.”
He tries to put space between us, but I keep him close, needing his solidness and comfort. “I’m sorry I overstepped.”
I take his cheek in my hand and press a soft kiss to his lips. “You didn’t. But there’s something I need to tell you. Can we go to my room?” I know I can’t tell him the whole truth, not really, but maybe if I put some time and space between me and Lady M and this new version of Harold, I might be able to come up with some plan that doesn’t involve me hurting everyone I care about.
“Of course, my lady. Whatever you need.”
I peek into the hallway, only emerging fully once I see that the space is clear. Tucking my hand into Callum’s, I pull him along the corridor until we reach the safety of my suite. I put some space between us the moment the door closes and locks, darting toward the balcony doors.
