The blindfold is pulled from my head, and I blink up at a young woman. Kylie has bleached-blonde hair that’s impossibly straight, fake tan, and makeup you’d call bold. Her dress could easily take her to a club, or the beach, and she has gold necklaces and perfectly manicured nails. And she is looking right at me.
Ah.
“Callie Flowers.” Subtly, I drop the penny I’ve been using to try to cut the tape, trying to get it to go into the seam of the sofa.
I fail. It rolls and pings onto the marble floor.
Kylie spots it, and glances between me and the little copper. Then she turns me and there’s a rip. Agony as the tape is torn from my wrists, removing every tiny hair with it and possibly the top layer of skin. I yelp.
“Oh that’s a very good effort,” Kylie says, regarding the silver tape she’s cut from my hands, and I really can’t tell if she means to be genuine or patronising. “I think you might have managed eventually.”
I look up, shaking. There’s barely a dent in the tape.
“Mmm.” I’m not at all sure this girl isn’t completely crazy. I massage my stinging wrists. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” she replies casually. “Sorry about all this. Your man will be here soon, don’t worry.”
I blink in confusion. My man? Does she mean Reid? That’s wishful thinking.
“In the meantime, would you like a cup of tea?”
I do the only thing I can. I smile. “That would be lovely.”
21
REID
There are no guards and no resistance as we surround then enter the Loughton compound. It’s completely empty, and almost comically simple. Just some locks that are easily broken. My heart slams into my throat with every step.
I have to find Callie. I have to bring her home safely.
It’s silent as we work our way through the main house, until finally—finally—I hear voices coming from behind some double doors. I’m moving before I can think, bursting into the room, gun raised… To see Callie sitting on a sofa next to another young woman, both with cups of tea in their hands.
“Ah! See?” The other woman beams at Callie. “He’s come for you.”
Callie is on her feet, tea discarded. I’m running to her. We meet halfway, and I grab her up and crush her to me, lifting her off her feet and burying my face in her hair.
“Callie.” My voice is hoarse.
“What is this about?” Lambeth snaps as he follows me into the room.
The relief is a waterfall and I can barely hear or seeanything but Callie, safe in my arms again. My heart is light.
“I’m Kylie,” the woman says. “Apologies about my stupid brothers. But this worked out well?—”
“It was kidnap,” Lambeth growls.
“—Because I wanted to talk to you about working together.”
I don’t hear the rest. I have everything I need. Callie is whimpering, and holding me as tightly as I am her.
“But look here—” Westminster walks in and weighs into the discussion.
I don’t care. Callie gasps as I scoop one arm under her knees to lift her, but she clings to my shoulders as I carry her out of the Loughton compound.
My heart rate doesn’t begin to slow until we’re in the car, speeding away, back to my house in Woodford.
I can’t let go of her. She’s so incredibly precious, and I almost lost her, and that’s the worst thing of all. Perhaps I might have never got the opportunity to tell her that she’s my whole world. I hold her on my lap, and she clings to me as tightly as I keep hold of her.
