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Callen’s words rang inside my head. “Your room?” I rasped. “Why?”
He lifted his chin. “Before we wed, you agreed to do anything I asked, without question.”
How many times and ways would our previous bargain bite me? “Isobel Campbell agreed to those terms.” I pasted a too sweet smile on my face. “Hello. I’m Elle Bruce. Also, I’ve acquiesced to nothing of the sort.”
He worked his jaw. “Jamie learned Tavish succeeded in turning more of my men against me, and thereby you. He’s planning your downfall, and I want you by my side.” Determination laced his voice.
“Is he not a threat to the others?” Why not move Gavina and Mirren into his room, too?
“His focus has always been my romantic partner. Andnow that that’s been explained, let’s go.” Callen wrapped an arm around my waist, led me out of the building and into an actual limo, making it clear the conversation was over.
I reeled the entire drive home. In one seat, father read to daughter, both ignoring the rest of the world. How he could read in a moving vehicle without becoming sick, I didn’t know. Beside me, Gavina stared out a window, wistful as she watched tree after tree whiz past.
Even with the danger level so high, I shouldn’t bunk with Callen. Right? It was a bad idea. Super bad. Despite our best intentions, prolonged proximity could lead us straight into trouble. Every rom-com proved this. Besides, those blips of attraction I’d experienced? They shouldn’t be encouraged. Especially since he might’ve encountered a few blips of his own. The way he’d pressed the pad of his thumb in the center of my bottom lip…And hehadadmitted to wishing to remain in my presence.
Something akin to warm honey flowed over me. Except…
I won’t sleep with you.
I donna recall asking.
His derision rang loud and clear in my head. Perhaps my safety was truly his only concern. Yes, he’d caressed my lip. Yes, he wanted to be with me and may have seemed moments away from kissing the breath from my lungs before his daughter interrupted us. But that didn’t mean he sought a real marriage with me.
On the other hand, he was trusting me with Mirren. Had his ice-cold hatred for Isobel–me–begun to melt?
We reached the castle far too soon. The number of guards lining the security wall had doubled once again. To Callen, Tavish was a legit threat. But which male was moredangerous to my cause? The one who kept me under constant observation or the one with the proven track record of success?
The vehicle eased to a stop in front of the home. “Gavina, your clothes will be delivered within the hour. Isobel, show our guest to her room, then meet me in ours,” Callen said, opening the door. But he didn’t emerge. He kept his attention on me, his tone polite but firm enough to leave no doubt he’d issued an order. “Say aye,” he commanded at my hesitation.
Just how long was this arrangement supposed to last? Whatever the answer, it was way too long!“Yes to the first, no to the second.” Not until I’d worked out the details in my head. “I’ve got plans, and they can’t be changed without a cancellation fee you can’t afford.” I waved the book I’d snagged from his office. Something he supported since he’d offered no castigation.
Gavina blinked at me with horror, as if I’d made some grave error from which I could never recover. But I wasn’t afraid. Not of Callen, the man who’d ordered me to move into his bedroom.
A low growl rumbled in his chest. “Isobel.”
“Elle,” I corrected, beyond exasperated. “For goodness sake, it isn’t difficult to say.”
“Elle,” he grated. “There’s something else we must discuss.”
Shock surged. He’d actually used my nickname. Of his own free will. His hatredwasmelting. “Fine. I won’t avoid you for long. Just an hour or two.”
Mirren glanced between us, growing visibly agitated. She felt her doll’s brow and gasped. “Oh, no!” She tugged on a lapel of her father’s jacket. “Bonnie is dyin’, Da! Dyin’!”
“She’s not dyin’, sweetheart. I promise you, she’s not.She’s tired is all. Let’s get her inside and tuck her in for a good, long rest.” As our group exited the vehicle, Callen did his best to console the girl.
“Sheisdyin’,” Mirren shrieked, refusing to be comforted. “I know it.”
My chest constricted. Seeing a big tough man doing everything in his power to cheer up a fragile little girl wrecked me.
He cast a desperate look at Gavina, and my chest constricted with more force.
“Miss Mirren is tired, too,” the other woman assured him over the girl’s protests. “Like Bonnie, she requires a nap.”
I disagreed. There was more going on here than simple fatigue. Since I was the source of the upset, no doubt, I kept my mouth closed.
Nodding, Callen carried his sobbing daughter and her doll into the foyer. Gavina and I followed him up the stairs. Once our foursome reached the top, Callen branched off, heading in the opposite direction, taking Mirren to the chamber next to his. The second locked room.
I cast a glance over my shoulder, an action as natural as breathing. He cast a glance back at me. Something hot arced between us. Then we turned our respective corners, and I lost sight of him.
