Page 112 of In the Dark

“Why?”

“Because I might want to kill you half the time, but no one gets to do that but me.”

“How romantic,” I scoffed, but really, my heart was going a mile a minute, my mind was going even faster, and my palms had begun to sweat. He’d wanted to protect me, and he’d been honest always.

Never did he hide anything from me, and still there was a tiny little SD card I was hiding from him.

From everyone.

I touched his cheek and took a step back. “We shouldn’t be making plans beyond the two years until we’re through them first, Callahan.”

He shrugged. “That’s the one and only plan. To keep you safe and comfortable.” He pulled me back in with his arm around my waist, and I couldn’t stop the smile that came as he kissed the sensitive skin at my neck.

“Well, how about I take care of myself, and you call off all these men milling around your house, Knight?”

“Our house.” He nipped at my collarbone, thinking about my negotiation. “I want you safe.”

“You’re being overprotective.”

“You were stabbed.”

I sighed. “I’m still here, though, and you said you got someone with eyes on the three men, right? I can keep myself safe.”

He hummed like he might agree, then murmured, “But also, Viper, I can keep you safe, and I intend to at all costs.”

33

Jasmina

I DIDN’T HAVE MUCH of an excuse for avoiding that SD card, other than the fact that I didn’t want the time with Callahan to end, other than the fact that I didn’t know what I would find.

Something in my gut told me I wouldn’t like what I found.

Something in my gut told me to wait.

So, instead, I called Lucille for help, and when she recruited Mia and Olive, I didn’t balk.

It was just two days later when they arrived to taste test cakes and desserts with me.

“Where’s Archer?” I asked Callahan as we tried another vanilla cake.

“He’s outside with the rest of them.”

“Why?” My hand froze, fork hovering with food. “Isn’t it freezing out there today?”

“Because you said they made you uncomfortable milling about.”

“So you put them all out in the cold?” I frowned at him. “Even Archer?”

Mia, Marian, and Lucille grumbled their discontent at the thought. Lucille even tsked, “Such a breezy day.”

“Can you go get him the sweater I made for him upstairs? It’s the black one. It’s done.”

“Oh, which stitch did you use?” Lucille asked me.

Yet, Callahan stopped me from answering by saying, “He’s not getting a damn sweater.”

“Why, exactly?”