“They will if I have any say in it.” It’s been on my mind because she’s due for parole in five years, and I want to find a way to keep her behind bars indefinitely. Keeping her away from Darcy forever is the goal.
She chews on the corner of her mouth, and I see the debate raging in her eyes.
“Ask me.” I run a hand through my hair. “Whatever it is, you can ask me.”
“Why aren’t you playing football, Callan?”
“I had a career-ending injury after a tackle went wrong. The sum of my professional football career was the eighteen months I played for Thamesford.”
Sympathy softens her features for a split second before she disguises it. Her mouth opens and closes, but she doesn’t say anything. She just stares at me.
“It was widely reported in the media. I was sure you’d have known.”
“Why would you think I’d want to see anything written about you? You took a machete to my heart, and the only way I could protect myself was to pretend you were dead. I know nothing about your life, Callan, and that’s the way I want it to stay.” She lifts her shoulders and grabs her briefcase from the counter. “I think it’s fair to say karma caught up to you too.”
That hurts, but I’m guessing that’s the intention.
“Please let me tell you everything.”
“No.” Steel glints in her gaze as she stares at me. “That’s as much as I needed to know. We’re not stupid kids anymore. We’re adults now, and we need to keep things strictly professional. If you don’t want to lose this contract, you’ll forget we ever shared a past.”
I arch a brow. “Are youthreateningme?”
“I’m not the one you have to worry about.”
Her heels click on the marble floor as she walks off, and I watch her leave, wondering if any of the girl I knew exists in the woman she is today.
When I exit the hotel, I find Astrid standing outside, looking around and nibbling on her lip. I can guess the issue. “I can give you a lift if you need one.”
She snorts. “As if.” She pulls out her cell. “I’ll call an Uber.”
I chuckle. “You’ve spent too long in the city. You don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting an Uber this time of night.Not without a long wait. There aren’t many cars that service this area.”
I click my fob to unlock my Range Rover. “My car is right there.” I point to where it’s parked. “I’ll drop you home. It’s no bother.”
“I’m not getting in a car with you.”
“I promise I won’t say a word. I’m sure you’re tired, and your fiancé wouldn’t want you hanging around waiting for an Uber.”
“Seán organized a car, but it hasn’t shown up, and I don’t want to bug him when he’s dealing with an accident on-site.”
“So, let me drive you home.”
“Trust me, my fiancé would not want me accepting a ride from you.” She snatches her briefcase. “I’ll walk.”
“Astrid, stop being so pigheaded. You’re wearing heels, and we’re miles outside of town.” I don’t know where she’s staying, but there are only a handful of houses in this vicinity, and I’m pretty sure none of them are rentals.
“News flash, Irish. Women can walk in high heels!” She storms off to prove her point, and I chase after her.
“Astrid, come on. It’s dark out, and it’s not safe.” I keep pace with her strides. “Surely your fiancé would prefer you to get home safely even if it is in my car.”
She slams to a halt. “I’m not your responsibility, Hunt.” She jabs her finger in my chest. “Go away and leave me alone.”
“You just said we were adults. Me driving you home means nothing.”
“Goodbye, Callan!” She strides down the driveway, and I shake my head. Still fiercely independent and stubborn. Perhaps there is more of the girl I knew in the woman after all.
I trail Astrid along the driveway in my car. I don’t give a fuck what she says. I’m not driving off and leaving her alone until I know she’s safe. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to her. I have my window down and the radio on low, fighting arelentless stream of memories as they surge to the forefront of my mind.
