by Vivian Wood
A shot buzzed by his head — a shot that came damned close to killing him. He ducked his head and kept himself low, waiting for another shot.
It made adrenaline buzz through his brain, fast and furious. He had to wait a few seconds, let his head clear a bit. Then he just waited for them to fire another shot.
It came, though this one was wide of Callum’s body. Just that quick he popped out and claimed another victim. The guy Callum shot fell with a groan.
“I don’t want to shoot all of you, but I will if you make me!” Callum called out.
Silence. Callum counted the seconds — fifteen — until he heard whispers.
“I’ve killed four of your men…” Callum called.
“Okay, okay!” came a voice. Younger, likely not Antonio. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Callum Connor.”
They stilled a beat, then: “What the fuck do you want?”
“I want to talk to Valetti.”
“I’m right here, motherfucker.” There, that was Valetti. “Talk.”
“I think you know why I’m here. I want to marry your daughter.”
“You fucking Paddy motherfucker. Do you have any idea how dead you are? A dead man can’t marry my daughter, you filthy fucking Mick!” Valetti spat.
That gave him pause. He genuinely hadn’t expected racial slurs, but he could get with the program.
“I love her, and she loves me. It’s enough.”
“And you’re telling me… why? Because you think that slut is worth your life?”
Callum felt his grip tighten around both of his pistols. The old man didn’t need to call her that.
“Watch your language,” Callum warned.
“What, you’re my fuckin’ schoolmarm? I don’t get why we’re having this fuckin’ conversation.”
“So, I’m giving you the chance to give us your blessing. Maybe see your grandchildren someday.”
“My grandchildren?”
He’d said too much, given his opponent an edge. Time to walk it back.
Callum sighed. “Hypothetical grandchildren.”
He heard Valetti’s laughter, low and menacing.
“No grandchild of mine. I would as soon drown it as rock its cradle, I swear that.”
Callum felt that buzzing again, adrenaline filling his veins.
He didn’t let that stop him this time, though. He just leaned out, barely looking at Valetti. A gift from his SEAL days, he never forgot once he had seen a target.
He just shot at the couch where Valetti hid, strategically and calmly filling it with lead. He emptied the entire magazine of his gun into the couch, bullet after bullet.
He heard the old man’s taunt echoing in his head.
I would as soon drown it…
He heard Valetti get hit, multiple times.
Then he forced himself to stop. This was no old-time mafia shooting, this was modern vengeance. No need for any more bullets, he told himself.
So Valetti hadn’t taken a serious hit, maybe. But it was still enough for the old man to be in the hospital for good long while.
Good enough for Callum. He didn’t need it to be critical, he just needed to put the Don out of commission. Long enough that the buzzards would be circling his throne, and he would never be able to trust anyone again.
“That’s from your grandchild, you bastard,” he muttered.
Speaking of buzzards…
To the other guy, he called: “You can come after me… or you can stay and protect your Don. Your call.”
Callum listened for a second. Then he heard, “Hello? I need an ambulance!”
The guy had made a wise move. He was calling 911, trying to staunch the flow of blood from Valetti’s wounds. Maybe trying to name himself successor…
Fine by him.
Callum turned and headed down the hall, feeling the particular lightness that he sometimes felt after a hit.
He looked left and right, then stepped into the stairwell. He stopped to tuck his weapons safely in their holsters, then ran his hands over his face.
Valetti, his threats… they were over. Now, it was time to get to the whole reason for all that, the woman he loved.
He spent the next couple of minutes slow climbing the stairs, regaining his self-control. By the time he got to the top floor, he was breathing normally again, seeing normally, too.
He wiped a splotch of blood off his knuckles onto his pants. There was no need for Viola to see that.
He went down the hallway to her doorway, pulling the wrong keycard from the lock. He raised his hand to knock, but Viola pulled the door open first.
“Already?” she asked, quizzical. “You already… dealt with my father?”
“Yeah. Turns out, neither of us had much to say.”
She surprised him by throwing her arms around him.
“Don’t think that this means I’m not mad at you for locking me in the room,” she said, tears in her voice. “I am so, so mad. But right now, I just need to hug you.”
He relaxed into the hug for a minute, putting his arms around her, too.
“I’m sorry.”
“Just… shut up and let me hug you.”
He let it go for a few seconds longer, then pulled back and kissed her forehead.
“We should go, while the paramedics are here. We don’t want the cops to show up while we’re still here.”
She nodded at him, tears threatening. “I just need to grab one bag.”
“Hurry.”
She hustled to the bedroom of her suite, and returned moments later with the bag in tow.
“Here, let me take it,” he said.
She looked at him while she handed it over, but didn’t say anything.
What were you supposed to say to the person who’d just gunned down your father?
Thanks for not making me marry another man?
Callum’s jaw tightened. That was never going to happen, not while he was alive.
He’d see to it that she was branded his forever, wearing his ring, called by his name.
“All right, let’s go,” he said.
He walked her to the elevators, and they rode down to the lobby in silence.
They walked through the lobby, passing a couple of paramedics running upstairs. He saw Viola glancing at them as they went by.
He knew that even as much as she hated him, she needed to know that her father wasn’t dead.
“He’ll be okay,” Callum said, taking her hand in his free one.
“Yeah…” she sighed. “I just… it’s a shame, and a relief. Both at once.”
He nodded, as the paramedics disappeared into the elevator.
“I know,” he said.
He led her out of the lobby and onto the street. People were suddenly everywhere, and they were suddenly moving along briskly. Blending in.
Viola was nervous, holding his hand tightly. He looked down, thinking how days ago he’d thought he would never see her again, never touch her again.
He squeezed her hand, thankful. God, was he ever thankful.
They walked a block and a half before she came to a halt, looking around.
“Now what?” she said, glancing at him.
“Well… tonight, we’ll be booked on a first-class flight. Boston, Savannah… hell, I’d go to Antarctica if you asked me.”
“Oh yeah?” she said, a crooked smile starting across her face.
He slowed his footsteps, a store catching his eye. “Definitely.”
“And until then?” she asked, cocking her head.
“Until then, I guess we’ll have to do some shopping…” he said, turning her to point her in the direction of Tiffany & Co.
“Wh— you can’t—” she started. “You don’t mean that.”
“I can, actually. I declared my intentions to your father. And as it happens, I was just thinking about how to make you mine. Forever.”
She was speechless. “I— You—”
He dropped her hand and grabbed the su
itcase, walking straight to the somber stone entrance, Art Deco at its finest. She was left to follow, mouth agape.
When he stepped inside, everything was dazzling. Beautiful displays of gold and crystal… and of course gemstones.
“Can I help you find something?” a refined sales associate asked, dressed in a flattering black suit.
“Engagement rings.” He shot a look Viola’s way; she seemed to be in shock.
Well, it was a lot of changes in one day.
The salesclerk lit up. “We have a whole selection right this way…”
Throwing a glance over his shoulder to make sure Viola was following, Callum followed the associate into a quieter showroom. Several couples were browsing together, looking very lovey-dovey, each followed by their own salesclerk.
The salesman went to a case, pulling out a tray of jewelry for them to look at.
“Let’s see… here are some of the classic engagement rings…”
Callum looked behind him, then beckoned Viola. She was turning a lovely shade of pink.
“Care to weigh in?” he asked.
Viola swallowed visibly, then stepped forward.
“Are you the young lady who this is for?” the salesman asked.
She nodded, looking uncertainly at Callum. “Yes?”
“Lucky you. Come, look over here…”
But Viola didn’t follow him. Callum knew that look in her eye; she was riveted by something. “What?”
She bit her lip, then pointed to a ring that caught her eye.
“Ah!” said the salesman, returning. “A classic piece, with a canary diamond. Emerald cut, two and one half carats…”
“Give it to me,” Callum said, pulling out his wallet and Amex Black Card.
“Right away.”
The salesman removed it, handed the ring to Callum, and the card to another associate waiting in the wings.
Callum turned to Viola, who was already welling up with tears.
When he walked over and got down on one knee, she started crying.
“Viola… what do you say to the woman who not only stole your heart, but saved your life? Just… I thought that I would never love anyone, not like I love you. And the surprise you gave me…”
He felt a tear intruding on his moment, and wiped it away with his cuff.
“Please say you’ll do me the honor of being my wife.”
She was wiping away makeup along with her tears, not that he minded a bit.
“Y-yes…” she said, breathless.
He slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a little too big, but it was like their love: sometimes imperfect.
He stood up and drew her in for a kiss, long and hard. She pulled away with a laugh.
“Forever?” she asked.
“That’s what I mean. Forever.”
She pulled him down to kiss him, and he let her. Why not?
After so much darkness, their future had a very bright beginning.
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About Vivian Wood
Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.
Vivian's lasting motto in romance is a quote from a favorite song: "Soulmates never die."
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Vivian’s Bad Boy Romances
Standalone novels
Protection
Bad Boy Prince
Punt
SEAL’s Bride
Hard Up
SEAL’s Kiss
Promise Me
Vivian’s Paranormal Romances
Sainted Sinners Series
Dirty Angel
Rebel Angel
Alpha Guardians Series
Evil Abounds
See No Evil
Hear No Evil
Speak No Evil
Bear Risen
Bear razed
bear reign
Winter Pass Wolves Series
Howl
Growl
Prowl
Red Lodge Bears Series
Josiah’s Command
Luke’s Obsession
Noah’s Revelation
Gavin’s Salvation
Cameron’s Redemption
Finn’s Conviction
Wyatt’s Resolution
Josiah’s Conclusion
Werewolf’s Harem Series
Owned By The Alpha
Taken By The Pack
Possessed By The Wolf
Saved By The Alpha
Forever With The Wolf
Fated For The Wolf
Louisiana Shifters Series
Shifters Vignettes: Maddie and Jasper
Shifters Vignettes: Rose and Mason
Shifters Vignettes: Ian and Jeanne
Shifters Vignettes: Emma and Connall
Shifter’s Ascent: The Novel
Shifter’s Legacy: The Novel
Louisiana Shifters Super Collection
For more information….
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