Page 39 of In the Dark

He sighed and bent at the hip to look at Romeo. My cat was such a good boy that he hissed and clawed at Callahan’s face. He knew an enemy when he saw one. “So, he has a temper like you?”

“He has good taste.”

He said it again like he might change my mind, “I’m allergic to cats specifically.”

“Probably time to get some meds, then.” I shrugged. “I can’t go anywhere without him.”

“I highly doubt you’re that attached.”

“I am. His name is Romeo after the man I really loved.”

“You loved?” Cal’s voice seemed higher than before.

“My ex, of course.”

“Your ex?” He repeated after me again, and I could swear his eye was twitching. I named my kitten after my first love and couldn’t bring myself to change the name. “No fucking way are you having a cat named after him in my house.”

“Maybe you’d like to call this off, then.”

“If you want Fitzpatrick after you and can pay us back the billion you owe.”

We were at an impasse. Everyone knew it. The two men at his side even stepped back like they didn’t want Callahan to lash out and strike one of them in an uncontrollable fit.

He was bound to have one with the way I was already acting. I was pushing him too, quite honestly. And I didn’t know why. Other than the fact that I hated him and wanted nothing to do with him.

I knew my life was no longer my own, and I hated that too.

Yet, this was my choice. It was the only way. So, when he finally commanded, “Get in the car, Viper,” I went.

I had nothing to say to him.

Not even when I saw the plane we were getting on together.

I never flew with Paolo. And if I had, I don’t think he would have had this type of luxurious private jet.

Stepping onto the tarmac, I knew my eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

His hand went to the small of my back, and he smirked like he wanted me to fluff his ego when he asked, “Ever flown on one of these?”

I just rolled my eyes and walked past him, putting my Air-Pods in while I tried my best not to look awestruck.

I chose a soft white leather seat in the corner of the plane and hoped no one would come near me, but of course Callahan stood over me and pointed to the cat carrier I’d put on the seat next to me. “Move your ex.”

“Romeo likes to sit next to me. Otherwise, he’ll be scared.”

“Put him by your feet then, Jas,” he said, his jaw ticking.

I grumbled a fine and moved Romeo down by me before turning to face the window and then turning the volume up on my newest playlist. It included only vicious, mean songs. I was about to endure a lifetime with this man, and I knew I would have to amp myself up.

He leaned across the armrest between us and snatched the phone from my hands before he paused the song, frowning at the title. “We should talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I reached for my phone, but he pocketed it.

“You brought a goddamn cat on the plane.”

“So? I’m going to take care of him. He’ll have my undivided attention.”

“Or he’ll end up dead when we have to travel to events, and—”