Page 38 of In the Dark

Her eyes were filled with so much sadness that I considered lying to her. But she knew me as well as I knew myself. “Tía, so be it. The best will live then, huh?”

She sighed and left me to pack up the suitcase and change. Looking around the room, there wasn’t much to pack. I stared at the ball of fur in the corner of my room.

Romeo was overweight and eyeing me with contempt from the racket I was making throwing clothes in. “You’d probably rather stay here with Aunt Perla than go to Paradise Grove, right? I’ll die there, you know, and I doubt they’ll treat you nice once I’m gone.”

The cat languidly stretched before prancing over and plopping his body across my suitcase like he wanted to be packed with it.

I smiled at that. It was definitely a sign.

If I was going to give into Cal’s timeline, he could give into the start of my demands.

I pet Romeo before removing him gently and zipping up my suitcase. Then, I got the cat carrier from my closet, wincing as I reached for it. My ribs were definitely bruised, probably freaking broken.

“This is going to be a long, tortuous stay, Romeo. You’ve been warned.” I unzipped the cat carrier, and he trotted right in.

He was the only male in the world that warmed my heart at this point.

I pulled on a sweat suit and glanced at myself in the mirror. I used a bit more coverup on my cheek and was pretty happy with the result. I looked normal. Not bruised and broken and like I was about to give my hand in marriage to a man I didn’t love.

My aunt came stomping back up the stairs right then. I went to grab my suitcase handle and she smacked a hand away. “Let him get it.” She glanced at the other suitcases. I’d packed most of my clothes, figuring I’d need them for all of two years. “You’re about to be married. He has men down there that can do this. Let a man care for you in that way, at least.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. Then, I grabbed one suitcase handle and proceeded to roll it down the hall in front of him while carrying Romeo, who meowed loudly.

And, of course, Callahan didn’t offer to help anyway.

He stood there, leaning against the doorframe with an arrogance that made my vision blur with heat and rage all at the same time. He wasn’t in a suit today. He wore a light sweater that hugged his shoulders and jeans that looked like they cost more than my car. And he seemed entirely too comfortable in my doorway.

I’d dressed even more casual than him in a light blue sweat suit. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. Instead, I wore baggy clothes to cover as much of my body as possible. I didn’t need him seeing any bruises I may have forgotten to cover.

“You’re early,” I said, my voice steady despite the throb in my side.

His eyes sparkled like he thought all of this was some big joke, like he was ready for the fun that torturing me would be.

“I got bored,” he said, shrugging. He looked past me into my apartment. A small, dark smirk touched his lips. “Nice place, Viper. Anything my men can get?”

Screw it. They could take the suitcase. I pointed to it, “And there’s more luggage in my room. Along with a bin of yarn too.”

“Yarn?” He lifted a brow but signaled to two of his syndicate men that flanked him. They moved at once, leaving the other two by his side.

“I crochet.” I lifted my chin. “Also, why do you feel the need to come early without letting us know? We had an agreement.”

“The initial agreement was for a week. Asking for another week on top of that is a bit presumptuous when I’m already doing you the favor,” he said, stepping into my space, forcing me to take a half step back. The pain in my stomach flared, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from flinching.

“Oh, please,” I snapped, rolling my eyes.

He narrowed his at me like he was trying to assess when and where my attitude had changed. It was the moment I saw his stupid name signed on that contract too. I didn’t have to be docile or submit to shit anymore.

Our plans were now inked in writing. And I was pissed he’d gone back on his word already.

“You could have waited like I asked.”

“I don’t like waiting for things that belong to me, and that now includes you. So, say goodbye to your family because time’s up.”

Perla stepped forward, her hands fisted at her side. “She has been unwell, Mr. Knight. I told you she was sick. She needs her rest.”

Callahan’s eyes shifted to my aunt, cold and dismissive. “She can rest at my estate.” Then his gaze dropped to what I still held in my hand. He stared at it like a nuisance. “I’m allergic to animals.”

“Well, I’m allergic to syndicate men, but you don’t see me complaining.”