Chapter 20
Callie
The smell of coffee brewing always wakes me. I extend my arm, expecting to find Lochlan, but the other side of my bed is empty.
Too bad. I was thinking about one more round of incredible sex.
Yawning, I stretch and ache in places I didn’t even know existed. My Lord, the man has stamina. Turning onto his pillow, I inhale his spicy scent and try to count orgasms. I may have beaten the Guinness Book of World Records.
Smiling, but not yet ready to face the world, I shower until I hear my phone’s ringtone. With hair and body still dripping, I poke my head out from behind the curtain, glance at the callerID, and almost don’t pick up.
I can’t believe Gerard would have the audacity to call.
“Calliope, thank God I got ahold of you. Yuri tried to reach you but when he couldn’t, called me. He wants to meet up with you and help you finish your thesis before he goes overseas.”
“I don’t need to talk to Yuri, I went to see Dr. Subramanyam. You stole my work.” Shivering, I put the phone on speaker and wrap myself in a large bath towel.
Gerard’s voice pitches higher. “I didn’t steal it, I just made people think I did.”
Growing more irritated by the second, I towel dry my hair. Does he really think I’m so gullible? “Dr. Subra said you were going to publish my work.”
“Listen up fast.” His tone grows mean and ugly. “You’ve no idea what you’re dealing with. You’re in deep trouble. Did you remove the FBI’s trackers?”
“Lochlan did, but...”
“Think, Callie. Why would he do that?”
“He said the FBI wanted to arrest me.”
“How does that make sense? For God’s sake, grow up. Grayson Patten is a terrorist, an arm’s dealer. How do you think he got so rich? We’ve known each other forever, how can you trust that bodyguard over me? Please, honey, talk to Yuri.”
Without warning, a car backfires in my living room and Suds shouts, “Callie, get out of the house! Use the bedroom window!”
Holy shit, that was a gunshot and when more follow, I dive to the floor. Crawling on my stomach, I hide under my bed. In front of my face lies a fire escape ladder still in its wrapper, the one I should’ve tested ages ago.
In the other room, more shots are fired, a man screams, and Suds curses.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.No time for instructions, I jump up, throw open my bedroom window, and get a face full of arctic air. When my breath vaporizes, I realize I’ll need my coat and toss it through the opening. Then, I bite off the plastic wrapping, latch a hook over the windowsill and lean out. Yellow ropes with plastic steps fall to the ground.
No time to dress, I climb onto a chair, swing a leg outside, and cut my foot on a sharp piece of aluminum.
“Open the damn door.” Some man shouts as the water on my skin turns to ice.
Three perilous steps down the ladder, my feet go numb and I slip. Arms flaying, I scream, and pray the deep snow will cushion my fall.
When I’m caught in strong arms, I thank God Lochlan was so close. Then, sensing my mistake, I open my eyes and stare into the face of Yuri Romanoff.
“Help me! Please!” I squirm and kick, too scared to be embarrassed.
Why isn’t he dialing nine-one-one and why is he smiling with a dark look in his eyes. Oh hell, this is bad. I inhale to scream but his fist comes down hard.
For a moment there’s pain so intense, I want to die, then all goes black.
When I wake, I’m in the backseat of a car, face throbbing, my coat draped over my body.
“Callie? Are you all right?” Noses almost touching, Gerard’s concerned face looms over mine and outside the car, tunnel lights flash by.
We must be heading toward the airport.
