Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“You can't stay here,” Dad growls. “Either of you. This place isn't safe right now.”
“I don't want to leave,” Tatum weeps. “Dad, it's happening again. Why is it happening again?”
That's what does it. That tearful, pleading question snaps Callum out of his enraged haze. He is absolutely in anguish as he turns our way, and for a split second, I think he's going to cry, too. I know him so well I can practically read his thoughts, and he is blaming himself for this.
“Charlie's right,” he announces. “You and Bianca should go, at least for the time being. Not forever, just for now.”
“Should they be together, though?” Romero asks.
Tatum and I exchange a glance. I don't want to leave without her. It's bad enough I have to leave at all. This is where I belong, with the man I love. I didn't get into this life to run away when things get bad—I might have before, but that was then. I've changed. I know where I belong. But I also can't be selfish. There's a life growing inside me, and until my baby can make their own choices, I have to do what's best for them. They come first, then me.
“You're right,” Callum decides. “Charlie, I'm going to give you the address of one of our safe houses.”
“What about me?” Tatum whispers while her eyes well up again.
“I'll take you to a separate house,” Romero offers. “You'll both be safe.”
Safe. I'm starting to wonder if that word means anything. I've heard it so many times, but once again, the illusion has shattered. I don't know if I will ever feel safe again.
Dad pulls out his phone for Callum to rattle off an address which he programs into his GPS. “It's twenty minutes away. I'll get her there in fifteen,” he vows.
“I'm scared. I'm scared for you.”
Callum takes my face between his hands and touches his forehead to mind while I whisper frantically. “Come with us. Please. Let your guys take care of this. I need you with me. Our baby needs its daddy.”
“I'm going to be alright.” He presses a quick, fervent kiss against my lips and wraps his arms around me. I can feel his thundering heartbeat against my own. “I have too much to live for. I'm going to be fine. I'll be better and able to think clearer knowing you're safe. Your father will protect you until we're together again. I believe that.”
That doesn't stop him from looking over my shoulder toward Dad. “Are you carrying?”
“I have it in the glove box.”
“Hopefully, you won't need it, but I'll feel better knowing you have it.”
Dad tugs my elbow. “Honey, we should go now. This won't be forever.”
Right now? This second? Though I know it's the right thing to do, my feet don't want to move. “My things! I don't have anything with me!” I might as well be talking to myself as Dad drags me away toward his waiting car.
“As soon as it's safe, I'll send somebody with a bag,” Callum vows. “Everything's going to be okay.” He wraps his arms around Tatum, who I wave to before Dad practically throws me into the passenger's seat. I can't stop the sobs from tearing themselves from my chest as Dad gets in the car and turns it around, pointing it toward the road.
I twist around in my seat, desperate for one more look at Callum before the driveway bends, and I lose sight of him, of them. When will I see them again?
“It's going to be okay,” Dad grunts while he navigates the winding, gravel path. “We're going to get you through this. Everything will be fine.”
If I wasn't crying so hard, I'd ask who he's trying to convince, me or himself.
CALLUM
There she goes. There they go. She's taking part of my heart with her. I doubt I could live through sending her away with anyone else. Romero, maybe, but that's as far as it goes. Charlie better hope he hasn't gotten rusty during his time away from the job, because if anything happens to her, I will paint this town in blood.
A cold breeze blows over me, chilling my skin. Tatum shivers in my arms. “Dad?” Her soft voice brings my thoughts back to her. “What should I do?”
She needs me to pull my shit together. I can't upset her by blowing up now. As calmly as possible, I respond, “I want you to go to your room and pack a few things while Romero and I make plans. Okay? Can you do that for me?”
“Okay. Is it safe in there?”
I turn to the pair of men exiting the house, my brows lifting in a silent question. “All clear,” one of them announces. “We got what was left of the device out through the back.”
“Go ahead–but don't waste any time.” With a kiss on her forehead, I send her inside with one of them while Romero mutters into his phone. I haven't seen him this intense since our time at the hospital. He ends the call and turns to me. “I just sent out word that we want Moroni. Both of them.”