“Unfortunately, since his stepbrother has been missing for twenty-four hours, we are going to need more of his assistance.”
Michael.
No… No fucking way. How’d he get past security?
“Looks like another police officer.”Oh fuck. They probably didn’t even think to stop and ID him… or compare him to the photo they have.
I fumble through my pockets, searching for my phone, though I know it’s probably on the couch, or maybe the coffee table.
Calista laughs nervously. I jerk my head from side to side. Left, the master bedroom. Right, the guest room. If I go out the back door, he will see me.
“He’s in the shower, I think. I can drive him down to the police station when he gets out.”
I can’t leave her, and I know this man too well. When he chuckles, it isn’t friendly. It’s condescending, bleeding straight into his irritated words. “No, that won’t do.”
“Hey! I don’t permit you to enter!”
If she stays, she’ll be in danger, but I can’t willingly give myself to him either.
Except, do I have much of a choice here?
I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
Keoni… What do I do?
When I open them again, my gaze falls to my forearm, right into the lion’s eyes. The same eyes that look just like his, the ones I pray I haven’t seen for the last time.
I do love you, Keo. I hope this works out and I can show it to you better…
I move quickly but quietly into the guest room and grab a piece of paper from the printer.
“Where is he?”
After writing down what I need, I walk calmly to the back door and open it. I know he can see me, but I angle my body just enough to tuck the note between the door and its frame, then close it.
I take one last breath of freedom from the man who has ruined my fucking life and turn to face him.
51
“Cal,” I say, getting her attention from screaming at the back of Michael’s head. “I’ve got this.”
When I meet his dark brown eyes, my anxiety spikes. He has his officer uniform on but is strategically missing his name tag and badge. His hair hasn’t been shaved since the last I saw him; it’s grown a few inches from his head, uncombed, and the curls sprouting from several different places.
“Who’s your superior officer? I’m reporting you for this shit!” She rushes around toward me, her cellphone in hand.
It’s now I hear vibration and know by the rhythm that it’s my phone going off. Odds are it’s Britt updating me…Fuck.
I need to play this safe for Cal’s sake, so as badly as I want to go for it, I don’t.
“Hey, why don’t you head home? I’ll help this officer with whatever he needs, and then I’m going to shower.” Offering her a smile, I give her a nod. “You’ve done enough for me.”
Her brows pinch. “What? It’s fine. I’m not leaving.”
I place my hand over hers as she reaches to dial Ronan, stoppingher before she can. “I’m fine. I’ll call you with any updates.”
“I’m just going to ask him some questions,” Michael says, breaking the conversation between us. “Then I’ll be on my way, miss.” I can hear him trying to hide his fury. For someone like Cal, she might not notice, but I can.
I’vealwaysbeen able to tell when he’s on the verge of losing his temper.
