Page 52 of The Broken Keys

“Why would you say that? He hurt you in unspeakable ways and deserved what he got.”

My mind hooks onto that New Year’s Eve when all Callum’s and my problems started. Bile crawls up my throat. Callum’s right. Tony was a horrible person, and the world is better without him.

“Lily, I know you don’t wanna hear this, but sometimes violence is the only way.”

“Callum, please don’t say that.”

“It’s true, and I’m not gonna lie to you. There are people out there, fucking terrible monsters who deserve to be tortured on their way out for all the pain and destruction they caused. And after years of deceit, I’ll tell you the truth. I hope all those motherfuckers get what they’ve earned.”

Why do I feel like he’s trying to tell me something?

He continues. “If you’re ever in harm’s way, I’ll fucking die trying to protect you. I won’t stop until I know nothing malicious will happen to you.”

“You’re being ridiculous. I’m not in any danger.”

“You sure about that?”

“Why would you ask me that?”

Callum studies me with a weighted stare. “Remember when you asked me about the tattoo on my arm? The one with the skeleton who was actually a fallen angel carrying a woman away from the gates of hell.”

I visualize the image. “Yeah. You said you liked the picture at the tattoo parlor. Why?”

“I lied to you back then.”

“About what?”

“There’s more to the ink etched on my skin. That tattoo represents a vow I made to myself. Here’s the meaning behind it. I’m the guy carrying the woman. The woman is you. It’sme making sure no evil will ever touch you. You’re safe in my arms, even if I have to die to get you out alive and protected.”

Holy mother of God. What do I say to that?

“Callum…that’s a beautiful sentiment, but I?—”

“Why do you think Sebastian and Zara are friends?”

I shake my head. “Maybe they’re lovers?”

“No. They’re both miserable people, and that’s why they hang out. They have the same dirty morals, so they understand each other.”

“Where are you going with this?”

He places his palm over his heart. “I want you safe, and when that’s threatened, I lash out. That won’t ever change, so maybe you need to consider if you can accept that.”

There’s more to his truth. I can see the determination and a deep-seated reason swirling in his eyes.

What’s he trying to tell me?I should ask, but something deep inside whispers for me to wait.

“Lily, if you can’t handle me protecting you, I understand. I’ll let you go, but I’ll never stop trying to keep you safe.”

My brow furrows. “Why are you so adamant about this?”

“Our life together was taken from me…from us. I want this to work. I want you to see what we were always meant to be. Not the broken keys that played out of tune and ruined our love song. What happened that caused our breakup was orchestrated and tore us apart just like they wanted.”

“I know.” I glance down.

Callum never cheated on me. He staged it in order to keep Zara from coming after me. But damn, the agony of that memory slices me apart.

I raise my gaze. “It still hurts, and that’s the part that scares me.”