Page 99 of Fallen Hero

I sighed.

Calli smiled. “Sweet of you to notice.”

Fallon looked confused. “Notice what?”

“How refreshed I look after a bath and a good night’s sleep.”

The saccharine smile she flashed at Fallon was what did it for me. I couldn’t stop my laugh. Through it, Calli’s smile changed from phony to knowing—a secret smile just for me.

“That’s a euphemism for something, right?”

“Give it up, Fallon.” Pete entered the conversation.

Fallon winked at Calli and went back to eating his sandwich. “There’s more crab salad in the fridge.”

“Did you make it?” I asked.

“Yep.”

“Hard pass.”

Calli looked at me in question.

“Trust me, baby. It’s swimming in mayo.”

Pete’s eyes immediately narrowed, as did Aiden’s.

There it was. I gave it away and Pete picked it up, and Aiden didn’t miss the endearment either. Gavin coughed into a closed fist, likely to hide his smile.

“I need to call Tom,” Calli declared, completely oblivious to my team watching us.

Dread hit my chest. For reasons I didn’t understand, it felt like I was on the verge of disappointment. One wrong move would change the course of my life. I’d learned to ruthlessly control every aspect of my life. Withhold my trust. Never allow vulnerabilities.

Emotion was the great disruptor.

Yet for the last few days, I’d been playing fast and loose with every set-in-stone rule I had. The consequence of that was this—emotional turmoil.

“When did Amir’s secretary say the party was?” Pete inquired.

“Friday.”

Today was Wednesday.

Two days.

Or would she leave today since she had the address?

Panic flared and stole my breath.

“Tight timeline. Is it even possible for Tom to have a team on standby?” Aiden asked.

“I would assume the team is close, but unless I’m directly involved, he doesn’t share his plans with me.”

No, he just used her, and in the between times or when it suits him, he lets her ass swing out there. I hated that fucker.

She was staring at her phone like she was stalling.

“Calli,” I called, and her eyes came to me. Her gaze was full of trepidation. “What’s wrong?”