Page 10 of The Broken Keys

“Guns didn’t tell me you owned a beach home in Malibu.” Callum shoves his hands into his pockets. “If you own this, what will you do with it when you move?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

His brow creases together. “How long ago did you buy it?”

“Um… It’s… It’s not that simple.”

“Now it’s my turn to ask why?” His gaze burns into mine as if he knows a secret and he’s testing me.

My defenses rise, and I deflect. “What’s with your fascination with this house, Callum?”

Chapter Three

CALLUM/CASH

A Week & A Half Before Now

A Haunted House & Deep-seated Terror

She says it’s hers, but I’m waiting for the guy who owns it to jump out and slit my throat for trying to win what he thinks is his.

“My fascination?” I drag my fingers through my hair while my mind races through memories of seeing her with a man in this very space. It makes my chest burn. “I guess I’m just impressed. This place must have cost a fortune.”

The truth sits on my tongue like acid. I wanna demand she explain why she’s standing in this kitchen, pretending she owns a house that belongs to some faceless bastard who made it impossible to find the records.

I wanna tell her I’ve seen her here before, spinning in the fucking driveway like she was dancing for someone who made her feel like the center of the universe.

But I can’t. Because admitting I followed her here would make me sound like the obsessive stalker I’ve apparently become.

When she sent the address and I realized where it was, I nearly toppled over in shock. I’ve been on edge ever since.

This is the home where she’s rolled around in a bed with a man I almost lost her to. It reeks of their shared intimacy, and I wanna burn it to the ground.

She doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, she busies herself arranging the lilies to her liking. “I don’t want to talk about this property when we can be at a nice restaurant, sitting in the area where we can watch the ocean tide crash against the sand as the sun sets.”

The flowers look perfect against the white quartz, black and white petals creating stark beauty against the coastal luxury that screams serious money and more power than I’ll ever have.

“You’re right. Let’s get out of here and celebrate your new partnership.” I gesture toward the door. “By the way, you look beautiful tonight.”

Her shoulders relax, and she smiles at me. “Thanks. You look great, as always.”

My hands clench into fists inside my pockets as I glance around the space with fresh eyes. This home is designed for two people who cook together and share morning coffee while watching the sunrise over the Pacific.

I’ve gotta leave before I say something stupid, so I focus on her beauty. “You’re different from how I remember.”

“How so?”

“Softer.” I step close enough to smell her perfume mixing with the salt air drifting through the windows. “When we were younger, you always dressed like you were ready for battle. Like you expected the world to take a swing at you.”

“Maybe because it usually did.” She turns to face me fully, and the sadness in her blue eyes makes my heart ache. “But you’re right. I’m trying to be gentler with myself these days.”

“It suits you.” I trace my thumb along her jawline, and she doesn’t pull away. “This gentle version of you is nice. ThoughI have to admit, I kinda miss the girl who used to wear combat boots with sundresses just to piss off your ma.”

Livianna’s giggle is genuine, the first real one I’ve heard from her since she returned to my life at Coachella.

She sways toward the front door. “Those boots are in a closet somewhere in storage. Maybe I’ll break them out again sometime.”

“Promise?” I follow her, thankful to be leaving this place and hopeful we can get back to where we once were, only better.