“Something on your mind?” I ignored my glass of wine because I wished it were scotch instead. I put away the hard liquor once she moved back in with me because she made her feelings about it pretty clear. I wasn’t allowed to be a drunk when she was around—in my own home. But the more authority she showed, the more obsessed I became. I was drawn to her power like a moth to a flame.
“No.” She kept her eyes down, a guilty sign.
“Don’t lie to me.” I didn’t mean to come off so harsh. It was difficult for me to be gentle when I was concerned. I wanted her to be completely open with me—no more secrets. She should have told me everything about Hank before things got this bad.
She looked up again, the hardness in her eyes. She always fought me out of principle, but she loved my authority at the same time. Sometimes, I wondered if she even realized it. “Have you thought about what we’re going to do about Hank?”
Other than kill him, not really. “My PI got some information on him. His record is squeaky-clean. But he’s got skeletons in his closet like any other politician. And I’ll find them.”
“What do you know about him?”
“He went to the best schools. His father was the mayor for a long time. He’s put away a lot of cop-killers. He’s pretty much the face of this city.”
“I was afraid of that…” She took a bite then sipped her wine.
“But this behavior couldn’t have started with you.” Rage burned up inside me again, and I had the urge to knock the table over. My hands formed fists on the table, and I forced them to relax. “He must have a history of assault and abuse. I’m looking into his old lovers to see if I can find anything.”
“And do what?”
“Get them to come forward,” I explained. “Maybe the word of one woman isn’t enough, but when there are several, it really makes a difference.”
“That’s true…”
“So we’ll go the legal route. But if that doesn’t work…”
She watched me, her gaze full of hesitance. “Then what?”
I didn’t finish the sentence because I didn’t need to.
“We aren’t going that route. That’s not a solution.”
My temper flared, and I couldn’t control it. “I’m running the show, Rome. We’ll do whatever I see fit. This is my problem, and trust me, I will fix it.”
She didn’t like that answer one bit. “Killing him isn’t the answer. You could lose everything, Calloway.”
“But you would be free.” She wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder every time she walked down the street. She wouldn’t have to make sure the door was locked ten times before she could sleep at night. She would never have to worry about that man coming after her again. That would make it all worth it.
Her eyes softened like I’d said something funny. “I don’t want that, Calloway. I don’t want you or Christopher to get in trouble because of my mistake.”
“It wasn’t a mistake, Rome. How were you supposed to know he was a psychopath? He purposely misled you. Don’t apologize for that.”
She looked down at her plate again.
“In my experience, these problems don’t go away unless someone dies.”
“Calloway, stop talking like that.”
“It’s the truth.” I clenched my jaw in irritation. “This is just a sick game to him. He’s obsessed, and he’s not going to stop until he wins. That’s how it goes. He’s the predator, and you’re the prey. But I’m a bigger predator, so now he’s the prey.” I grabbed the wineglass and drank all of it, needing all the alcohol in my system even if it was weak. I could really go for some scotch right now, but that would get Rome all fired up.
Rome set down her fork and pushed her plate away, obviously finished with her dinner. But there were still a few bites left.
Now I knew something was seriously wrong. “Sweetheart, talk to me.” Did I say something to upset her? Did I take it too far? Maybe I shouldn’t have worn my rage so well, made it so visible.
“I just…” She ran her hand through her hair, pulling the soft brown strands away as she kept her eyes averted.
I waited in dread, unsure what she was going to say.
“I guess that whole thing is really hitting me. I’ve never taken the time to sit down and think. I’ve never had the opportunity to feel safe, so I just kept pushing forward. I never had any choice in the matter, so I just dealt with it.”
I didn’t really understand what she was saying, so I remained quiet, hoping she would become clearer on her own.
“But now that I have you…I feel safe.” She kept her head bowed like she couldn’t look at me. “And now that I know what that feels like, I don’t want to be scared anymore. I’m more scared of being scared… I know I’m not making any sense right now. But when he dragged me into the apartment, I was so afraid I was going to lose. I was afraid he would overpower me and…I knew how much that would hurt you.”
I kept a straight face to make this easier on her, not wanting her to see my pain.
“I just want it to stop, you know?” she whispered. “Only when I’m in this house do I really feel like no one will hurt me. Only when you’re sleeping next to me do I feel protected. I love feeling that way, but I hate relying on someone to make me feel that way. I feel like I don’t have any freedom, any power.” She ran her fingers through her hair again, her eyes wet.
I stood up and moved to the chair directly beside her. My arm hooked around her, and I pressed my face close to hers, comforting her in the best way I could. “It will stop, sweetheart. I promise.”
“I know…”
“And he’s never going to succeed, Rome. He’s never going to bother you again. As long as I’m breathing, he’ll never lay a hand on you. You can enjoy feeling safe because I’ll continue to make you safe.” I brushed her hair off her forehead then kissed her temple.
“I know you will, Calloway. I just… I’ve always taken care of myself. I hate having to rely on someone else. It’s not in my nature. I feel like an embarrassment to women everywhere.”
“Don’t say that.”
“But I do. I don’t want to run to the shelter of a man. I want to fight my own battles.”
“Everyone needs help, sweetheart. It has nothing to do with the fact that you’re a woman. We all need to band together to reach our goals sometimes. You aren’t relying on me to do anything. I’m looking after you because—” The words died in my throat before I could say them, before I could do something incredibly stupid. “I’m looking after you because I can’t live without you, Rome. We’re a team. We’re in this together.” I kissed her temple again, my lips warm against her cold skin. “We will find a solution. I promise you.” My hand cupped her neck, and I rested my thumb against her gently beating pulse. I pressed my mouth against hers and gave her a slow kiss, full of affection and devotion. I wanted her to feel safe with me because there was nowhere else in the world that she would be safer. I didn’t need guns or knives to protect her. All I needed was my body and my bare hands.
I was dead asleep when Rome rolled hard into my side, her hand lashing out and striking me right in the back of the head.
I sat upright and looked down at her, my eyes lidded and heavy with sleep. I dragged my hand down my face so I could get a better look at her, my eyes taking a moment to adjust to reality.
Tears streaked down her face as she continued to whimper under her breath, saying wordless phrases in the throes of a nightmare.
“Sweetheart.” I grabbed her shoulder and shook her gently. “Come on, you’re having a nightmare.” I shook her again when my words weren’t enough to wake her up. “Rome.” I said it more firmly, using her name to pull her out of the terror she was experiencing.
She finally sat up and gripped her chest as she gasped, taking in a deep breath like it was the first time she could access air. When she felt the tears, she quickly wiped them away as if she was embarrassed. She stared into the dark room like she was trying to figure out where she
was.
“Rome, it’s okay.” My arm hooked around her, and I pressed into her side. “It was just a nightmare. That’s all.”
She pulled her knees to her chest and concentrated on slowing her breathing, forcing herself to calm down.
I pressed a kiss to her shoulder and allowed my affection to heal her, to remind her she was safe with me. “It’s just you and me. No one else.” I rubbed her back and continued to kiss her, to let my adoration seep through her skin and directly into her core. “Alright?”
All she did was nod.
I kissed the back of her neck then her hairline, giving her more affection to lull her back into relaxation. I lay back down and then patted the mattress beside me.
She eyed the spot before she crawled across my chest, getting so close to me there wasn’t any space between us. My body heat encompassed her, bringing her back into the security my strong frame provided. “I’m sorry…”
“Shh, it’s okay.” I ran my hand through her hair as I held her close to me.
“I don’t usually have nightmares.”
“It happens to the best of us.”
“Did I hurt you?”
“No.” I pressed my mouth against hers, giving her a seductive kiss that changed the course of her thoughts. Feeling her cling to me for comfort only aroused me. I loved hearing that she needed me, that I made her feel safe when no one else in the world could. I loved seeing her trust me, knowing I would risk my own life to protect hers. In that sense, it reminded me of the Dom/sub relationship that I missed, where my partner trusted me completely to give her what she needed.
Now I was hard, but there was nothing I could do about it.
I kept kissing her until I felt the strength to pull away. Rome just had a nightmare, and it would be insensitive for me to automatically take it to sex, not when she was obviously still upset.
Rome stared at my lips once they were gone, her lidded eyes looking beautiful in the dark. She moved back into me and kissed me again, her lips aching for mine. Her smell washed over me, her hand gripping me like she needed me. Then she pulled me on top of her, her leg hooking around my waist.
Once I felt my cock rub against her wet pussy, all my sensitivity went out the window. My woman wanted me—and there was no way in hell I was going to say no.
3
Rome
I wasn’t prepared for the nightmare that came to me the night before. Hank was the star, and he gripped me by the neck and bent me over the bed, raising my dress and removing my panties with force.
I didn’t see the end because Calloway woke me up.
Thank god.
I got ready the following morning and had a little pep talk with myself. Last night, I was weak and let that vulnerability show when I shouldn’t have. I admitted I was scared, and that confession made Hank the victor. I’d been taking care of myself for a long time, and so far, I’d managed to keep my head above water.
I would continue to do so.
Even without Calloway by my side, I wouldn’t let Hank get to me. I wouldn’t allow him to take something that didn’t belong to him. If I had to, I would kill him and suffer the consequences later.
Calloway and I rode in the back of his car on the way to work. He moved his hand to my thigh and rested it there, his palm heavy from pure masculinity. He kept his gaze outside of the car and didn’t question me about the night before. He never asked what my nightmare was about—probably because he figured it out on his own.
We arrived at the building, and Calloway opened the door for me like he did every morning. He didn’t take my hand or put his arm around my waist now that we were outside the office.
Together, we walked to the entryway, practically a mile apart. Calloway wore a dark suit, looking magnificent like always. His face was cleanly shaven, and his exposed chin made me want to trail kisses all down his jawline.
But I kept my hands to myself.
As we approached the door, I felt a malicious gaze fall on my body. The look was scorching, evil. Deep down inside, I knew who it was before I even looked. I turned my head and locked eyes with the man who was committed to ruining me.
That fucking asshole.
Calloway kept moving to the door, but my rage took over and I did something stupid. I marched over to Hank with my hand balled into a fist. If he thought he could do something on my way to work, he was an idiot. I’d kick his ass right in front of the building for the whole world to see. “You fucking asshole.”
Hank smiled like this was a game. “I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by. Nice to see that you cleaned up well.”
I launched my fist at his face immediately.
Hank caught it and lowered it back to my side, using his strength to overpower me. His eyes were absorbed in my expression, so he didn’t notice Calloway behind me, who was probably about to murder Hank right this second.
A shadow passed over me, and that’s when I knew Calloway was officially in the mix. He moved right past me, forcing me to the side when his massive frame squeezed me out of the picture. He was taller than Hank, so he had to look down at him slightly, his eyes brooding and threatening. He didn’t say a single word to Hank, just warned him with a simple look.
Hank didn’t back down, but he didn’t make the mistake of throwing a punch. He eyed Calloway, sizing up his opponent before he determined what to do next. He was in his suit, probably on his way to work at the DA’s office.
Calloway took a step forward.
Hank automatically took a step back, his arms tense by his sides. Calloway was a much bigger adversary than I was. His punches couldn’t be easily stopped with a simple block. When Hank’s face paled to a milky white color, it was obvious he didn’t like the turn of events.
Calloway knew better than to attack Hank right out in the open like this. There were witnesses everywhere, and it would be easy to control the narrative and say Calloway started an unprovoked fight. Since Hank was an experienced lawyer, it was a path Calloway couldn’t take.
Hank stepped back again, obviously uncomfortable by the maniacal gleam in Calloway’s eyes. I’d been the victim of that stare before, and I knew how terrifying it was. Calloway didn’t have to say a single word to express his feelings. They were quite clear. Yet he let one slip. “Run.”
Hank faltered backward as he tripped over his own feet. His hand caught his body on the concrete, and he quickly got up again, dirtying the back of his suit. He didn’t run like Calloway recommended, but he definitely didn’t take his time getting to the road and waving down a cab.
Calloway watched him the entire time, his shoulders tense and his arms tight. His eyes followed the car until it was completely out of sight. Even then, he kept searching for Hank like he might return. His jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes were full of imminent threat.
I’d never seen Hank take off like that. Every time I threatened him, it just spurred him on. He clearly didn’t see me as a threat, but when it came to Calloway, it was a completely different story.
We entered the building and took the elevator to our floor. Calloway stayed on one side of the elevator, his hands in his pockets and his gaze concentrated on the wall in front of him. He didn’t make any effort to comfort me. He was focusing on keeping himself calm before the doors opened and his employees looked at him.
We stepped out and walked by everyone’s desks like usual. One hand was in his pocket, and he held his head high as he walked. When we were past everyone, he spoke.
“My office,” Calloway said darkly. “Now.”
I didn’t object.
We walked inside, and he locked the doors behind us, not caring if people thought we were screwing. He walked to his desk and stood in front of it, his shoulders broad and rigid. He gave a violent shout before he tossed all the contents off the desk, breaking his computer and everything else.
I crossed my arms over my chest and stood silent, knowing any sound would just make it worse.
Calloway paced the off
ice space before he leaned against the desk, gripping the edge until his knuckles turned white. He stared at me with blue eyes that burned hotter than white-hot flames. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths, his recklessness unable to be tamed.
I slowly approached him like he was a wild animal that could be spooked at any time. I placed my hands against his chest and ran them down slowly, touching him the way I did when we were in the shower together.
Calloway calmed slightly when he felt my touch. His breathing slowed once he felt the pressure of my fingertips. He stared down at my hands and closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again.
“I’ve never seen Hank do that before…” I was in awe that Calloway had scared him off so easily. He didn’t even need to say anything. All he had to was flex his muscles and give an ice-cold look. He’d done something I didn’t think anyone could accomplish. “He’s scared of you.”
“He recognized me.”
My hands moved to his arms, gripping his biceps. “How do you know?”
“I could just tell,” he said quietly. “He recognized the building, and put two and two together. I may not be the DA, but I’m pretty well-known in this city. He knows I’m not someone he should cross.”
I massaged his arms and felt the relief wash through me, the first time I ever thought Hank might actually disappear. All these years I’d been running from Hank, when all I needed was Calloway to scare him off. “Do you think he’s gone, then?”
“I’m not sure.” He hadn’t looked at me once, his eyes glued to the floor. “But he definitely knows I’m officially his enemy. I don’t think he’ll strike at you in the open anymore. We come as a package deal.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved into his chest, holding him and letting him hold me. I’d never felt so safe as I did with this man. Christopher was strong, but Hank didn’t see him as a problem at all. But Calloway was different. He was strong and powerful. He was wealthy, with influence. He was the smartest guy I’d ever known. “Thank you.”
Black Promise (Obsidian Book 3) Page 3
