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“I’m sorry you had to live through that. I thought…” He sighs. “Foolish of me, but I believed that while we were just dating, you didn’t need a security detail. You don’t have enough money, or a rank, to make you a person of interest to the wrong crowd. I never considered this. You’ll have a security detail starting tomorrow.”
Some of my dread fades.
If someone had told me before yesterday that I’d want someone to follow me around, I would have rolled my eyes so hard. But right now, it sounds amazing.
“I will?”
“Of course. No one is hurting you but me,” Callum promises, holding me tight against his chest.
I lower my head to his shoulder and let him.
I don’t try to go out for the rest of the weekend. On Monday, I have to force myself to leave the safety of the penthouse.
I know Callum drew up the fifty-nine-page long contract over the weekend, and brought it to my father’s attention. The asshole was only too quick to accept, of course.
He’s going to get a million euros by the end of the business day; the likelihood that he’ll come after me right now is low.
But after he blows the money, that’s another story.
I make myself go to class.
By December, I don’t even flinch when I hear loud noises.
I’m good. Everything is good. Manageable.
The next time Cal asks me to move in, I accept eagerly. I rarely ever leave the apartment, anyway.
“Would you like to see someone about the attack?” Callum offers. “I…my cousin and I—we’ve been trained to expect that sort of thing since childhood. Kidnapping, attempted murder. There are people who don’t like the fact that aristocracy exists. Besides, we’re filthy rich. So we’re prepared. I know it came as a shock to you.”
As usual, he knows exactly what I need.
I go to therapy, which helps a bit.
But nothing entirely removes my newfound anxiety until Christmas Day comes, bringing many gifts, including one I never would have expected.
CHAPTER 26
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The snowstorm is insane this year; we’re used to it in Anderia, as the entire country’s in the mountains, but it’s a lot, even for us.
Callum’s best friends are all snowed in on the high peaks, in their mountain resort, so we expect to be quite quiet, yet on the twenty-fifth, the footman announces a visit.
“Caden!” I grin at Callum’s cousin, hugging him. “I thought you were still up in the Valmont manor?”
“The snow let up three days ago. I was there until this morning, though, if you ask anyone.” He shoots me his best winning smirk, one that I would likely find entirely irresistible if I wasn’t so used to it from Callum.
I tilt my head. “Why would I ask where you were?”
“Some people might,” he replies lightly. “Is your man in?”
I wave towards Callum’s gym. “He’s sweating—in the boring way. I doubt he heard the footman’s call, given how loud his music is when he works out. He should be done in ten, but I can get him…”
“Don’t. It’s you I wanted to talk to.”
That’s…odd. “Do you want a drink?” I offer. “It’s a little early, but if we can’t day drink on Christmas Day, when can we?”
He chuckles, following me to the lounge. “Yes, please.”
