Callie’s eyes are locked on Shane in the ring.
“Well. At least we found him.” I squeeze Callie’s hand, but she doesn’t acknowledge my words.
“He’s hard to miss,” Meadow says over the noise of the excited crowd. “Callie? You okay?” She touches her sister’s arm, but Callie’s still frozen. Her eyes are wide and her breathing quickening.
“Callie.” I face her and put my hands on her biceps, turning her toward me. “Hey, sweetheart, you okay?”
Finally she seems to see me.
“Yeah,” she says in a breathy whisper. “Just feeling a little freaked out at the idea of actually talking to him.”
“I understand that. But you won’t have to right now. And there’s no point in watching this fight.” Iturn to Meadow. “Don’t go anywhere. We might need to talk to you. Noah. Watch Callie’s sister.”
“What?” Noah says at the same time as Meadow protests.
“Hey! I don’t need watching!” Meadow scoffs and plants her fists on her waist.
Before I turn to pull Callie away, I see Noah look down at Meadow as she stomps her foot. He reaches for her arm as she steps away.
“Fuck,” Noah swears and follows her into the crowd. If it weren’t for what happened to Callie in Boston, I think Noah would probably tell me to fuck right off. But he’s freaked out about having let Callie get cornered by Jones.
“Come on.” I grab Callie’s hand.
“Where are we going?” She lets me lead her to a quiet corner of the room where there are a few old chairs along the wall. It’s a disgusting spot in a disgusting room, but from here we can’t see the fight, only hear it.
I sink into a chair and pull Callie down onto my lap. “We’re going to get the papers signed,” I say, sliding a hand up her back, then tugging her jacket off. It’s too damn hot down here to be wearing a coat. Callie’s shoulders sag, and she partially relaxes into me. “And we’re going to get your mother’s ring back.” I push a chunk of hair off her shoulder and place a kiss on her neck.
She sighs deeply but then pulls away. “Don’t, Wes. What if someone recognizes me?”
“They do.”
“What??” Callie’s eyes fly open, and her head swivels around us.
“There are multiple men in the crowd keeping watch.” I speak softly into her ear, but I observe two beefy men who have their arms crossed and are standing watch on us. “Thisis what we expected. Jones will have warned them about us. Shane will certainly come find us after the fight.”
“Fuck,” she whispers.
“We’re here to talk to your soon-to-be ex-husband.” I touch the bottom of her chin and turn her gaze to me. “And that’s what’s going to happen. Just take a few deep breaths. I got you, okay?”
Callie nods.
“What are you thinking, sweetheart?”
“I’m thinking that if it weren’t for you, I would never, ever have had the nerve to come find Shane here.”
“I don’t know if that’s true. You are brave. And strong. But I’m so glad you asked me to help.” Something tightens in my chest. I’ll forever be thankful that fate delivered Callie to my doorstep. No matter how this turns out.
“He’s crazy, Wes.” She stares intensely into my eyes, pleading for me to understand. But I do. I understand men like him, and he won’t respond to weakness. He’ll respond to violence and bullying, like the kind he dishes out.
“Some might sayIam crazy.” I grin. “You, I think you have said that.”
But Callie doesn’t even crack a grin or acknowledge my teasing.
“Seeing him makes me realize he’s not going to let this go. What if—” she stops speaking, her eyes wide and wild.
“Don’t you believe I can protect you?” I rub my hand up and down her back, and her eyes flutter shut.
“Yes,” she whispers.
