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“I’m confident in your work ethic, and I know you gave it your all.”
His mood lightened. Actually, everyone’s mood lightened, including Jamie’s. And mine! Guess I’d said the perfect thing.
Callen’s gaze told me what he couldn’t.You did good. I know this was difficult for you, and I appreciate your efforts.
I bloomed under the silent praise.
“You may go,” he said out loud before pressing a soft kiss into my lips. “I’ll handle things from here.”
I tried to convey my own message.Thank you. Your mercy has not gone unnoticed. Find me afterward so we can talk. Among other things…
Crystalline irises glittering, he motioned to Gavina, who hustled to my side and ushered me away. Drawn by an irresistible force, I glanced behind. Callen watched me, and our gazes met once again. Just for a moment, but it was enough.
I want everything,he projected.
The corners of my mouth tilted up.Then that’s what I’ll give you.
Anticipation bubbled in my veins,as heady as champagne, as I hugged Gavina goodbye.
“That is the fastest punishment I’ve ever attended,” she said, wide-eyed. “I’ve never seen Mr. Bruce so accommodating, either.”
I smiled, pleased with my decision to be with him. To stay with him and overcome our difficulties.
“Have a wonderful night,” I told her, and sealed myself inside the room.I know I will.
I swiped my phone from the bed and sank into a chair by the hearth to await Callen. My blood flash-froze when I checked the screen.
Mr. T: Big mistake. Huge. But I’m not worried. I’ll be hearing from you soon, I’m sure of it.
I gnashed my molars. Once again Tavish possessed info he shouldn’t. He knew I hadn’t betrayed Callen, who would learn the truth by the end of the night. No doubt he had ways I didn’t to suss out a traitor.
The door swung open with a bang, and my husband strode inside the room. I yelped in surprise, only to smile, then frown when I spotted his expression. Hmm. He didn’t exude the same eagerness as before. In fact, he roiled with aggression he didn’t even try to hide behind a mask I suddenly missed with every fiber of my being.
Confusion drove me to my feet. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
He kicked the door shut, a phone squeezed in his grip. “Are you, or are you no’, associated with Tavish?”
Oh, no. I was too late. Better spill all before things spun out of control. “I am, but only because of Isobel. The day before the wedding, Isobel approached me in a bar and drugged my drink. You tracked her. You can verify. I passed out and woke up in her body to discover she switched with me after the wedding. My name is Elizabeth Darcy. I’m from the United States. Oklahoma City. I’m a special education teacher on vacation.”
He rubbed his hand over his mouth. His lips remained pressed together in a thin line. “And Tavish?”
He believed me? I didn’t know, couldn’t tell, and proceeded with caution. “The wolf showed up in my bedroom the day he sent the messenger, thanks to a mole in your camp. Tavish told me he’d given Isobel the potion to switch us. Later he messaged me to say if I disavowed you, he would take me home and switch me back. As you can now attest, I denied him and chose you. And I’m sorry about Isobel’s betrayal. I truly am. But she betrayed us both.”
“I see.” With slow, measured steps, Callen approached me, tapped buttons on his phone, and lifted the screen for my viewing pleasure. “Elizabeth, is it? How do you explain these?”
My stomach bottomed out. Selfie after selfie of Isobel and Tavish, smiling, laughing, and kissing. “Okay, so this looks bad.” Very bad. “She must have taken those before she switched with me.” I gripped his shirt. “I’m not Isobel. You know I’m different.”
“I’m supposed to trust the woman who has run from me, betrayed me with another, and lied to me over and over.”
“That wasn’t me,” I rasped. “Itisn’tme. I’m Elizabeth. Your Elle. I’m not Isobel,” I repeated, parts of me begging him to understand.
“Even if I believed you, even if you were this other woman, you still lied to me.”
“To save myself. You threatened to kill me.”
His eyes narrowed to tiny slits. “Ah, but by your actions you have only condemned yourself.”
He clamped my bicep in a firm grip and dragged me to the hearth. With a slap of his scarred palm against the marble frame, and the entire structure spun like a lazy Susan, revealing a shadowed opening to a secret passage.
