I didn't think it really mattered. He was the one who bankrolled the first cafe, anyway, so it wasn't like he would've risked hurting my business by giving it out.
If he did break in, he would probably only do it to get to the apartment I kept above the cafe. And none of my stuff had ever gone missing.
We went into the kitchen, and after confirming that he wanted a slice, I dished up two pieces of cake. On a normal day, I would've wanted to sit in my café to eat it, but I was itching to go into my apartment.
Callum didn't seem surprised at all when I led him up the stairs in the back and typed my code again, opening the door.
"How early do you start building your nest?" he asked.
"I'm surprised you don't know already."
"I never had cameras inside your home. That seemed too intrusive."
It definitely would've been.
I was positive he had one outside the door, though. If he was trying to make sure I didn't take anyone home with me, that was kind of unavoidable.
"Where's your camera out here?" I asked.
He gestured to the fake plant I'd put in the short space between my door and the top of the stairs, in an attempt to bring a little nature in. "You put those everywhere. It's incredibly easy to hide small cameras in them."
"You're disturbed."
"Unquestionably."
I opened the door. "Who were you stalking before me?"
"No one. I had to learn the art after I met you. It was that or abducting you before your magic settled, which would've been unacceptable."
"Would your presence have really messed with my magic?
"Without a doubt. I'm far too powerful for it not to. It could've affected your connection with Sable and your ability to shift."
I believed him. Given what had gone down since I turned twenty-five, and the intensity of his pain, I didn't think there was any way he would've stayed away from me if the consequences were avoidable.
Inside the apartment, Callum grabbed a set of forks while I carried our cake to the couch. I left the plates on the cushions while I pulled a blanket out of my room, taking it to the couch with me.
It was comforting, even if the smell wasn't quite right.
"We can stay here tonight, if you want," Callum said.
I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at the thought. "No."
He looked faintly amused. "Why not?"
"You know why not."
"Humor me."
I picked up my plate, sitting back down. He handed the fork over, and I dug into the cake. "It doesn't smell right in here anymore. When we sealed the bond, my own scent stopped being the one I'll need around me during heat. Yours is what matters, and the mansion smells like you."
"Yourmansion."
I shot him a confused look.
"I lived at the end of Fae Row before. Next door to Liv. I bought and moved to yours for the windows, so you could see the forest at all times, and decorated the interior to your taste. The title to the home is in your name."
My forehead creased further. "You have a second mansion?"
