by Anna Edwards
"It was, it was like nothing I've ever seen." He could still smell the odour of the worst of humanity on him. "I hope heads will roll dad."
"They already have."
"Good."
"Hopefully they'll have new accommodation tomorrow as well."
"If not, I'll be buying them somewhere myself."
"Callum." His mum placed her hand on his wrist. "Your father will sort it. Just be patient."
He shrugged her off. He wasn't in the mood for placating. In the space of a few days, he'd held Marie as she'd had her first orgasm in two years, and then held her as she broke down and told him of the harrowing life that she'd been living. She'd near enough said that he had to leave her because they couldn't be together if he couldn't pay off her debts. She'd sacrifice her own happiness and his to protect her family. She was that caught in a mindless trap these drug pushers had created for her. He'd wanted to tell her there and then. He'd wanted to tell her the truth about who he was, but he'd taken the cowards way out. Too many women in the past had wanted him for what he could give them. He wanted to trust Marie, but there she was, saying she would only marry someone rich. Well, fuck it! He was rich! He’d inherited a trust fund on his twenty-first birthday that provided him with millions. He hadn’t spent all of it when he went crazy and started drinking, smoking, and gambling. The women he'd met then had used him, so he used them back.
That was, until he needed to change.
The day his father went to meet the Queen. The day his father had become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Marie
"How is he doing?" The instantly recognisable voice woke her from a daydream. Callum stood at the door to the hospital room.
"They've taken him off the drugs keeping him asleep. They're hoping he wakes soon. They'll be able to do more tests and know more then." The night had been a long one. Between her and her aunt, Owen had not been left alone.
"That's good news. Can I come in?" He pushed off the door frame but didn't enter the room.
She smiled. "Of course you don’t need my permission. Or are you a vampire as well as a Dom?" Without warning, Callum pulled her up and sat in her chair. He then arranged her, so she sat on his lap and leaned against his broad chest. She didn't argue. She knew she should, but she needed this. She needed him. "I'm sorry about last night."
"You were worried about Owen. It's understandable. I'm still here. You don't get rid of me that easily."
"I don't know whether I should fear that or be grateful."
"You should probably reserve judgement ‘til you hear what I've done."
"Done?"
"When I left here last night I spoke to Matthew."
She pushed off his lap.
"You told him what I said?" Her hands started to flap as she began to pace. "Oh God, are you crazy? They'll come for Owen. We have to go. We have to run. You've no idea what you've done. You've made everything so much worse." Years of pent up frustration suddenly surfaced and brought itself down on Callum's chest. Her hands stung, but she didn't let up. She just kept punching. "You come into my life and try to control it. You've no idea. Go, leave me alone. I never want to see you again!"
Callum grabbed her hand and spun her around. He flipped her over his shoulder.
"Put me down!"
"He flung the door open with his free hand. "Helen?" Her aunt appeared and paled.
"Helen, call the police. I want this man arrested."
Nobody moved.
"Helen, stay with Owen." Callum finally spoke. Her aunt just pathetically nodded in reply. "Jasper." A stunningly muscular man stepped forward. Where the hell did all these men keep appearing from? "Any change in Owen's condition, send someone to get me. I'm taking Marie on a little field trip."
"You aren't fucking taking me anywhere." She started to kick her legs as best she could. If she could just move her left leg a bit more to the right, she stood a chance of getting him straight in the balls. Callum shifted her a little and used his other hand to secure her legs. Fuck it!
"You need a hand to the car?"
"I've got it. Thanks."
A hospital security guard came running up.
"Help me." She bellowed.
"I'll deal with it, you go." Jasper got between them and the security guard.
Callum walked her through the hospital still screaming and shouting for help. People looked at them, but nobody made any attempt to stop them. What was wrong with these people?
They emerged out into the sunlight, she blinked repeatedly and squinted against the light. A car drove up in front of them, and Callum pushed her into the back. She was in trouble. Serious trouble. She could sense someone beside her; Callum took a seat in the front and the car started to drive away. Her eyes were shut. She was terrified to open them. What if Matthew worked with them? What if her whole life had been one great big lie?
"Marie, sit back and put your seatbelt on please, the alarm is really annoying." A familiar voice permeated her panic. She opened one eye. James North sat next to her, a seat belt in his hand. She sat back, and he helped to put it on.
"That is better."
"Are you going to kill me?" Her voice came out so small and trembling it was barely loud enough for a mouse to hear.
Callum turned in his seat. "You think we're working with the gang that killed your sister?"
"I don't know what to think anymore. I'm tired. I'm scared. I just want this all to end."
Callum reached around his chair and placed a hand on her knee.
"It will. We're about to send a statement."
"A statement?"
She looked out her window and saw her tenement home looming before her.
"No." She shook her head. "Please. You can't come here."
"We've already been here." Matthew pulled the car to a halt, and all three men got out at the same time. Callum came and opened the door for her.
"Out."
She huddled further into the seat.
"Now." Callum whispered in her ear as he protectively placed an arm around her shoulders. "Good girl."
She just glared at him. She could hear James and Matthew laugh.
"Who are your friends?" They all looked around to where the voice had come from. She didn’t know his name, but everyone called him D.
"Who's asking?"
James stepped forward. Marie wanted to jump in front of him. She'd seen these young lads with guns before. Callum must have sensed it and held her tighter so that she couldn't move.
"I asked the first question."
"They’re just here to help me get a few clothes for Owen." She found her voice. "He's in the hospital."
"Three men to assist for a few kid's clothes." Two more lads, slightly bigger, appeared beside him. "If you ask me, they look more like pigs.”
"Police! No way. You know I wouldn't go there."
"You know what would happen to Owen if you did."
Matthew took a step forward. Callum still held her.
"We're just here to get clothes." She reached up to Callum's cheeks. "He's my boyfriend and these two are his mates."
"I think the boss will be interested in hearing you have a boyfriend and pals that own an Aston Martin."
No one made a move. The tension in the air was thick. Her billionaire boss stood to her left, his bodyguard who was ex- MI5 to the right. She was pressed into Callum, who, well she didn’t know where he came from, but as much as she hated him right now, she didn't want him to get hurt. D clicked his fingers, and all the boys disappeared.
Matthew pulled his gun out.
"We don't have long. Callum, do what you need to do. I'll stay here as look out."
Callum nodded and picked her up and put her over his shoulder again. What was it with him and the caveman attitude? James pulled his own gun out and flanked Callum as he brought her up to her flat. He placed her down outside the door. It had been kicked in. Her heart deflated. It
wasn't the first time they'd broken in and stolen the little things that she managed to hide. Owen's toys, her mum's iPad. They would all be gone. If it could be sold, it would be. Not that it would be deducted from the debt she owed.
"We don't have to go in here. Callum please, you know where I live now. Can we go back to the hospital?"
James ignored her and pushed the door open. The smell hit her, and she saw him screw up his face. He'd probably never seen anything this bad.
"You live here?" His brows furrowed.
She nodded.
"Is this why you flirt with me?"
"What?" She hadn't expected that.
"You wanted me to fall in love with you, marry you, and take you away from this?"
"Yes."
"Marie, I love Amy. I won't be leaving her, but I won't be leaving you here, either. Matthew will pay the debt off today. I am loathe to give a drug runner money, but he will not destroy your life anymore."
"You can't do that. I can't ask you to do that."
"You're not. I'm telling you I'm doing it." She wanted to shrink away, but Callum stood directly behind her. He hadn't spoken since they entered the flat.
"May I touch her?" James' eyes flicked to Callum.
"Yes."
James lifted her chin up. His dark blue eyes bore into her. "Throw the books away Marie, this is real life. No amount of dreaming will ever have saved you from this." He spun her around so she faced Callum. His arms were folded across his chest. His gaze was deeply intense. She felt her insides clench. "Real life is standing right in front of you. Don't risk losing it." With that, Callum stepped aside and let him pass.
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Place both your hands on the wall. I’m going to make you see sense as a Dom would."
She tentatively did as he asked.
“What are you going to do to me?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes. But I still want to know.”
"I’m going to spank you. Now, James doesn't own you, but you should have asked either him or Matthew for help. I own you, and you lied to me. You want me to stop you say Rome."
"You can’t do that. You don't own me. The gang do."
"Not anymore."
He brought his hand down on her backside in a whack which shook her very core.
"I think I prefer them owning me. Pissing in my hallway is a lot less painful that you smacking my arse." Her catty remarks didn't get her any respite as he hit her twice more, quick successive punishments that left her smarting.
"Who owns you?"
He hadn't tied her up or anything. She was able to move but why couldn't she.
"Answer me." Another wallop on her bottom.
"One last chance, Marie." The next hit almost had her legs buckle.
"You do." Her lips moved involuntarily, and she screamed the words he wanted to hear. "You do." Tears started to fall down her face. An emotional outpouring of relief.
"Yes, I do. Last night I removed all your personal belongings from this place. You will be moving to different accommodation effective immediately. It's over. They don't own you. I do, and I protect what is mine."
"It's not that simple."
"Yes, it is."
"Owen?"
"Matthew has methods. We'll find out who is his father, and he'll be signing away every right he has to that little boy. He's ours now.”
"Ours?"
"Mine and yours. You come together. Your mum, too. Do you understand me?"
"I think so. My brain is taking a bit of time to catch up."
"Say goodbye to this flat."
She looked around the damp, rotten room. She wouldn't miss it.
"Goodbye." She breathlessly uttered.
Callum swept her up onto her feet. "I would like to give you better aftercare than this, but I'm afraid we need to get out of here."
She shut her eyes.
"Hospital?"
"Yes."
"Wake me when we get there."
James’ and Callum's chuckling was the last thing she heard as they descended the stairs. Her brain allowed her a moments peace and she used it to sleep.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Callum
"Could I get you another drink, Mr Ashworth?" Marie winked. He sat opposite James North in the Chairman’s office. Callum had been discussing the latest management accounts for the last three hours. With the corrections to the Italian balances, everything was looking in order.
"Yes, please. Coffee."
"I'll have another coffee as well, please," James asked.
"You don't need another one. I'll get you water." She swayed her hips walking out of the room.
"I'm not sure whether I should be offended or laugh."
"Jealous your affections have been replaced?" Callum chuckled.
"No, I couldn't be happier. How are things going?"
It had been a month since the incident at Marie's old flat when Callum had earned her trust. Owen had woken later that day, and within a week he was up and running around as if nothing had happened. Marie and her family had moved to Kensington, to a small house with a separate lounge, kitchen, and dining room and three bedrooms. Callum suspected that somewhere along the lines James had been involved with the location and choice of the house, but he didn't question it. Marie was happy, and she was safe. Matthew had paid off the drug dealers and sent a harsh message to them to leave Marie alone. Again, Callum hadn't asked.
"It's good. We're taking things slowly. She's had a horrific couple of years and needs time to just breathe and feel free."
"Not planning to take her to the club just yet, then?"
"No way but we do have a date tonight. I hope she enjoys it."
"So long as she's happy."
"I think she is. Especially since you get water and I get coffee."
James rolled his eyes.
Marie came back with his coffee. "I got you biscuits as well. It's been a while since you had breakfast and I don't know when you'll break for lunch." She placed the cookies in front of him. James reached out to grab one, and she slapped his hand. "Matthew has your food outside. Mrs North will not be impressed if I let you eat biscuits, and not the food she has prepared. I'll send him in with it if you’re hungry."
"That won't be necessary. Callum, are we done here?"
"Pretty much. Why?"
"I think I'm going to take the rest of the day off. You two can go home as well. Spend the day together as well as the evening." This time she looked down with a grin. Had his naughty little kitten been playing a game with her boss?
"If you insist, Mr North. I'm sure Mrs North will enjoy having you home to help with your son."
"I suspect she will. And Marie, as I'm nice to you, I want coffee and biscuits tomorrow.”
“Of course.” She looked up, and guilt was written all over her face. He would have to watch this one. Callum just shook his head. He said his goodbyes to James and met Marie at her desk. She was already packing up.
“That was a very naughty game you were playing.”
“I don’t know what you mean. If he has biscuits, he’ll get fat, and too much coffee will keep him awake. I'm looking after his health like I always have."
"So it doesn't matter if I have a lot of caffeine and sugar?"
"Oh, it does. I just need you to have a lot of energy tonight." She looked at him coyly. "I asked the carer if she'd be able to stay overnight to care of mum and Owen. I thought maybe we could go to your place."
He pulled her against him so she could feel the effect that her words had had on him.
"I've a few things I need to finish here." He growled into her ear. "I want you to go home and get ready. I'll text you before I pick you up." He stole a breathless kiss from her.
"Try not to fuck her over her desk Callum. She's important papers I've got to handle on there." James emerged from his office with a laptop carrier over his shoulder and a wicked grin on his face.
Marie pulled away fr
om him and in a fluster finished packing her bag.
"You're telling me you and Amy haven't done anything on your desk?"
Matthew appeared from wherever he hid during the day. "I wouldn't start that argument. As he keeps telling me, he's the boss, so can do whatever he wants."
"Maybe I should ask cleaning to disinfect your desk?" Marie added.
"You know what Marie?" Matthew stepped forward. "I like this new you very much."
James frowned and folded his arms across his chest.
"Matthew, take me home. At least my wife is kind to me."
"Only when she wants sex. The rest of the time, you're under her thumb."
Callum pulled Marie back towards him. "Get a taxi home. Take a bath and don't touch anything that is mine while you get ready."
"My body…" He cut her off with a kiss and a smack on her pert little bottom. "Alright. I'll behave. What do I need to wear?"
"Something warm and casual. Jean and a jumper are fine."
When she had left, Callum pulled out his phone and dialled. She wanted to stay at his house. Well, considering he lived in number 10 Downing Street, that wasn't going to happen just yet. Not until he told her who his father was.
There was a Sofitel hotel in St James' that he liked. He phoned and booked an executive room. It wasn't too far from the location of the evening he had planned. It would be a little different, but he hoped she liked it.
It didn't take him long to finish the rest of his work and get home to change. He packed a bag and dropped it off at the hotel on his way to Marie's. He wasn't driving so it was taxi's all the way. The cockney driver spent most of the journey telling him about how he was off Essex way for the evening to a party with his family. They'd move out of Romford to the coast and had a beautiful house overlooking the Blackwater Estuary. Callum thought he knew everything about this new house by the time he changed the conversation to a discussion on the fact that he'd had Adele in his cab the other day. He got the impression it was going to be his claim to fame now. The driver even showed him a selfie on his phone as they stopped outside Marie's house.
He knocked on the door, and Marie's mum answered. He handed her the bouquet of flowers that he'd been carrying for her. "Hello, Mrs Easton."
