Page 22
“I’m not a fucking idiot, Ala—” She stops, then corrects herself. “Kai. I’m being serious; Jack was acting weird as hell…” She trails off, her cheeks turning red. “I just… well, yes, I am a bit uncomfortable. I just specifically recall you threatening his life in the past, and usually that’s an indicator that someone doesn’t like a person.”
“You’d be surprised. I’ve threatened many people that I knew I wouldn’t actually kill,” I say honestly and grip her hands tighter. “He wanted you, Calli. He probably still does.” I move my hands to grip her hips, pressing her body into me. “But you are mine. And he knows it. Jack is no longer of concern to me.”
“So brutish. You realize Jack is a total golden retriever; he would never do anything without my explicit consent.”
“Golden retrievers are still dogs, Calli.” And that is not Jack. If given the opportunity, Alok absolutely would take advantage. Which is exactly why I stay close to him. We’ve shared many women in the past, but Calli is different. This one, I love— So I could never truly trust him with her.
“Hey, you said your brother left, right?” I ask, wanting out of this subject.
“Yeah, he’ll be back tomorrow. I heard him take the bike so I doubt he went far.”
Maybe this is my opportunity to get her out of here. As far as I understand, she has basically been a hermit her entire life.
“Why don’t I take you out? Would you like that?” I see her eyes light up at the suggestion. “I’ll take that as a yes. Any suggestions?”
“Can we go to the bookstore?” she asks, almost giddy.
Good. After what just happened with her and Gen, she needs this. I didn’t ask, but I know she’ll tell me when she is ready.
“Do you think your brother would mind if we take his truck?”
“Uh, maybe we just don’t tell him…”
We pull in front of the local bookstore and Calli is glowing, her smile literally lighting up my vision. She hops out without hesitation and runs to the door.
She’s adorable.
I follow her inside, but she’s looking around, fixated on the shelves.
“You lost, pretty girl?”
“Yeah, actually. I’m looking for something stalkerish.”
“Oh, so that’s what you’re into? No wonder you fell for me so easily.” I bite my lip, and she sticks her tongue out at me.
Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, “Do that again and I’ll be sure to put that tongue to use.”
She pushes me away from her as a girl in all black, with bright pink and blue hair turns the corner. Calli picks up a book and reads the back.
“That one is so good!” the girl says to Calli.
“Yeah?”
“Had me at chapter one.” The girl smiles as Calli flips the book, looking at the front. It has a massive spider on the front.
“Thanks, I’ll get it.” Calli’s face lights up as she reaches her hand out. “I’m Callisto.”
The girl shakes it. “Jocelyn.”
Calli turns and looks over to me excitedly. “I’m ready!”
I take her hand in mine as we walk to the front of the store and check out.
“Would you like to go to the park?” I ask when we’re back in the truck.
“Sure, that actually sounds nice. There’s a beautiful path that we can walk.”
Right, the park she and Jack were talking about at the restaurant when I was still following her. Yay.
