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And vulnerabilities are always a weapon that can and will be used against you.
The hurt crossing her face after my cruel words flashes in my head, and growling, I get up and walk to the window. I admire Chicago through my high view, thousands of cars driving on the busy roads with people rapidly moving to their destinations and stopping only by some coffee shops or food joints to catch a break from the restless energy that surrounds everyone here.
I can almost feel the delicious scents wafting in the air, the laughter echoing in the space, and exciting conversations about the newest art exhibition in town that everyone just needs to check out for its rich history.
My beloved city, even if I had to pay with blood and scars in order to stay here.
My cry is still in my throat when he fists my hair, dragging me to the edge of the stairs. He kicks me from behind so I land on my knees. “Repeat after me. ‘I’m a piece of shit no one ever wanted.’” I bite hard on my lip, his tight grip almost ripping my hair. “Repeat it!” he shouts, but I shake my head, refusing to give him such satisfaction.
It won’t change anything anyway because his fury always needs an outlet that results in my pain, so what difference does it make?
“I hate you. No one wants you here, Octavius. You should have died right along with your father. You’re ruining my family.” Fear sweeps over me when he pushes me even closer to the edge, and I try to halt the slide with my hand. “Maybe I should help you.” A hard kick comes from behind, and my scream reverberates through the house as I tumble down the stairs, hurt rocking off my body, and the only thought present in my mind is her.
The her who stands behind him and watches it all without ever saying a word.
A ringing sound pierces through the memories, and without taking my eyes off the road, I pick it up. “Hello.”
“Judging by the phone call your girl just made to my wife, she isn’t your biggest fan.” He sighs. “You make it really hard to be your wingman. I’ve given you a golden opportunity, and you blew it.”
My earlier fury comes crashing back to me, and I hold my phone so tight it’s a wonder it doesn’t crack. It wouldn’t be the first time for me either. “Never do that again.”
“Do what?”
“Blindside me like that again. Never, Callum.”
I should have known when Todd mentioned his name there would be some kind of catch. I just didn’t expect him to be this fucking stupid to allow Isla inside my domain and tempt the beast in such a way.
“I would have explained everything had you picked up the phone. Santiago must have gotten to you first and told on me. Nothing personal, Octavius. He’s just my friend, and you’re…potential family.”
I still at this. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Isla is my wife’s best friend, but they are more like sisters. So that makes me sort of her brother-in-law. Which means…”
“It means nothing.” I stop him before he can voice what he so wishes because it’s something that will never happen. “And she’s nothing to you.” We both probably don’t miss the possessive and warning notes in my tone, but once again, I don’t give a fuck. “Don’t ever indulge her requests again, Callum. Isla and her wants and needs do not concern you.”
“If she’s happy, my wife is happy. I cannot ignore her plea for help.”
Hilarious, really, how altruistic he sounds right now. The man is selfish and lethal on his best days; he might be obsessed with his wife and worships the ground she walks on, but it doesn’t change his character.
Unless it benefits him, Callum won’t lift a finger. “Isla is not your responsibility.” In fact, the madness consumes me just thinking about her going to another man for any help.
She’s mine, and what’s mine should never beg anyone for anything because all the riches and connections of this world belong to her.
No other man will sustain her needs but me. Only I know what’s best for her, and right now, she has to stay put while I’m handling the maniac hunting us both.
“Says who? You?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t like upsetting my wife, Octavius. Besides what would I tell her? ‘I can’t help your friend because my friend is against it’? You see, there is no reasonable explanation for it.” A beat passes between us while my anger only intensifies. “Unless you can give me one.” The challenge rings loudly, the fucker knows exactly what he’s doing trying to force me to admit what’s really going on.
“Find a reasonable explanation, then. I don’t care how you justify it to Giselle.”
“Well…”
“Callum, stay away from Isla and don’t ever put her in any dangerous situations just because she thinks she can handle it. Only I decide what she can or cannot do.” He laughs, and I hear him flicking open his lighter. “Go against me, and you’ll discover what my wrath entails.”
“Is this a threat?”
