His Hollow Heart (Fallen Kingdom Book 1)

Bella

It’s been three days since I miserably failed at trying to escape. I’ve managed to stumble into this dark cloud that’s draining me of purpose. Everything I had hoped for or planned for the future seems so unattainable. All my dreams, as far away as they were, have washed away in a matter of days. What’s left of me lies hopeless in this fancy bed, when all I really want is to be home, curled up on my yard sale, full-size mattress.

There’s a knock at the door, one of many over the last seventy-two hours. I ignore it, just like all the others. And, just like every other time, the door opens and Peter comes in, against my wishes. I’m not angry with him. He’s just doing as he’s told by his boss. The person I’m angry at is Callum.

“Ms. Jenkins, Mr. Ellis has requested your presence for lunch in the courtyard.”

The courtyard? I roll over to my other side, so I’m able to see Peter. “What courtyard?” As far as I’ve seen, everything outside of this castle is just unattended landscaping and overgrown weeds.

“I’ll show you to it if you’d like.”

Rolling back over to face away from him, I tug the blanket up over my shoulders. “Tell Mr. Ellis I kindly said to fuck off.”

My stomach growls loud enough for it to ripple through the room, but I ignore the cries of hunger.

The sound of Peter’s shoes against the hardwood floor alerts me that he’s coming closer. “You should consider eating. You need your strength.”

“I’ll survive.”

When he occupies the space beside my bed, I look over my shoulder. Before I can even speak, he does. “He’s very fond of you, Ms. Jenkins. Mr. Ellis is not fond of much.”

Curiosity piques my interest as I push myself into a sitting position. “Your boss is an asshole. Not to mention, he basically kidnapped me.”

“Legally, yes.”

It’s obvious whose side he’s on.

My legs fold into a crisscross and I use this opportunity to quiz Peter, possibly while earning his trust. It could benefit me in the future. “How well do you know him?”

“Well enough to know that he’ll be very upset if he knew we were having a conversation about him. He’s a very private man and prefers to keep things that way.”

“Okay then, we can keep this our little secret. How long have you worked for him?”

Peter looks at the ceiling, as if he’s counting the years, then he looks back at me. “I’ve been with the Ellis family for seventeen years.”

“Oh, wow.” That’s long before Cal was adopted into the family. I figured Peter came on board after the death of Mr. Ellis Senior. There’s a good chance he knows all the secrets to this mysterious man.

“So you knew him when he first came to live with the Ellises?”

“I did. In fact, I’m the one who escorted him from the home he was in to his new home in New York.”

“New York, huh? I didn’t know that.”

“He was such a quiet boy. Had a very hard go at life, but inside of him, there is a heart that beats with good intentions.”

“Yeah,” I chuckle, “a hollow heart.”

Peter glances behind him before leaning forward and whispering, “He can be a bit intense, but it’s because he knows no better. He needs you to show him.” Peter straightens and takes a step back. “He’ll be waiting in the courtyard.” He gives a curtsy, nods, and leaves me with my thoughts.

He knows no better. He needs you to show him. 

No. Screw that. Cal is twenty-six years old. It’s true that he had a hard go at life, but so did I, dammit. I’m not out kidnapping people who pissed me off and belittling them to the point of no return. He knows better and he, or anyone else who says he doesn’t, is just making excuses for his behavior. He might be rich and insanely attractive, but he needs to earn back my respect and all the money in the world won’t buy it.

Last night, for a brief moment, I looked into Cal’s eyes and I saw the boy I once knew. He undressed me with such attentiveness. Never once tried to take advantage of my defenseless state. But it doesn’t change anything. Those moments were short-lived before he threw me into my room like I was a naked rag doll and left me in tears.

There’s a monster inside of the boy who was once my friend and I’m not sure he’ll ever break free from the chains that bind him to his past.

Kicking my feet out in front of me, I get up. My bare feet pad across the floor, then down the hall.

I’m wearing nothing more than a pair of black lounge shorts and a solid gray hoodie, twice my size, but I’m not exactly out to impress. It’s apparent with the messy bun topping my head and the lack of makeup on my face.

I stop walking directly in front of Cal’s bedroom door, wondering if it could be unlocked. Maybe I could get an inkling into the man he’s become if I can find something in his room. Possibly something that shows what he’s been doing the last twelve years to become such a deranged man.

Just as I go to reach for the doorknob, my hand jerks back when I see Peter.

“Oh dear,” he says in a concerned tone, rushing to my side. He grabs me by the shoulders and walks me toward the elevator. “Never, ever, try to go in that room. Mr. Ellis is a very private man and he’d be very upset.”

“Duly noted. It’s just a room, though.”

“A room that is off-limits. For your own safety, pretend it doesn’t exist.”

For whatever reason, Peter is very persistent, but it only makes me want to go in that room even more. To be that serious about no one entering, Cal has to be hiding something.

Peter continues to usher me to the elevator. He even presses the down button and makes sure I’m on, before letting the doors close with him on the other side.

Cal has waged a war and I’m prepared for battle—at least, in my head I am. Physically, I’ve got nothing. He could do whatever he wants with me on this island and I’ve got no defense.

When the elevator stops at the ground level, I look around, wondering where this meticulous courtyard could be. It has to be out back, possibly beyond the arch I saw when I was out here with Peter a few days ago.

Each step sends my heart deeper into my stomach. Something is different. I’m not outside yet, but I can see that the yard has been manicured. The grass is cut, and…is that the sound of a fountain running?

I pick up my pace and step outside.

My eyes widen in surprise. It’s not what I was expecting at all. Everything I envisioned—all the ideas I told Peter I had for this back yard—it’s all here. There’s a fresh paved patio with a wrought-iron, glass table sitting in front of me with two chairs on either side of it. To the left is a beautiful garden blooming with wildflowers, even peonies, which Cal knows are my favorite. They had to have all been planted because they certainly did not grow.

Walking farther out, the sound of the fountain comes closer. I keep going until I’m on the finished, wood bridge. It no longer looks like it’s about to collapse at any moment. It’s newly built with a cherry finish with clear water running beneath it. I walk across it and gasp at the sight in front of me.

It’s the courtyard. At least, I think it is. This is exactly how I would imagine a courtyard would look. A curtain wall wraps around the circular area. There are bushes with symmetrical tops surrounding the wall. The grass looks like it was laid, not grown. It’s far too perfect, not a bare spot in sight. In the center is a large square of mosaic tiles and right in the middle of them is a fountain that takes my breath away. Made of five tiers with water running into sphere-shaped bowls.

“What do you think?”

I jolt at the sound of his voice. Spinning on my heel, I turn to face Cal. “It’s beautiful.” I continue to walk the grounds, taking it all in. The flowers and live plants offer a sense of calm. Everything here has felt so dead since I’ve arrived and it’s twisted, but it sort of felt like that was my fate. While it’s beautiful, it doesn’t change that I’m still slowly dying inside.

“The cook has just brought lunch out. Come with me.” Cal extends his hand. I look down at it like it’s encased with poison.

“No,” I say point-blankly, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

I shouldn’t have even come down here, but Peter piqued my interest when he mentioned a courtyard. I had to see what he was so buttoned-up about. Well, now I know.

“I’m going back to my room.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I hide the fact that I’m not wearing a bra, though it’s not noticeable in this large sweatshirt.

“Bella, wait.” Cal reaches out from behind me and grabs me by the arm.

“Get off me.” I scowl, jerking away from him. “Don’t you get it by now? I don’t want to be here anymore. As soon as I can get a signal on my phone, I’m taking the first boat out.” My words are harsh, but they have to be. Cal has not shown me the slightest bit of decency and I refuse to let him think I will stay here, just so he can make me feel like shit for leaving him twelve years ago.

“You’re not going anywhere. Now, quit being a pain in the ass and eat.”

“Why do you care so much if I eat?” It’s getting really annoying. He treats me like I’m a child who’s on the verge of starvation.

“Because you need your energy.”

I’m trying really hard to keep my cool here, but I’m two seconds from lashing out at him. After years of therapy, I’ve learned, quite well, not to wear my emotions, but he’s pushing buttons that he has no right to push.

Ignoring what he said, I storm back toward the castle.

“They’ll never love you the way you love them,” he hollers from behind me, in a last-ditch effort to get a reaction out of me.

Against my better judgment, I give him the reaction he’s digging for. “That’s where you’re wrong. They do love me the way I love them. You’re mistaking my family for yours.” There’s a smirk on my face that I hope he reads loud and clear. He once said he could read my thoughts just by looking in my eyes, so I glower hard at him, hoping he’s hearing exactly what I’m thinking. The smile on his face says he’s reading me all wrong, so I lay it out for him. “Fuck you.”

Long strides bring him in front of me. “Oh, I will, and I’ll love every second of it.”

“I’d die before I ever had sex with you.”

His tongue runs between his lips. “I prefer my women alive while I’m fucking them, but I’m willing to make an exception just for you.”

He takes my hand in his, but I pull back, and in a knee-jerk reaction, I slap him across the face.

Unmoved, he warns me with a hard stare and before I can react, he’s grabbing me by the waist and walking me backward, as my handprint forms on his cheek.

A low grumble climbs up his throat as he takes both of my wrists and pins them with one hand over my head. “I hate you, Callum.”

“Quit calling me that,” he bites back.

“Oh, now you want me to call you, Cal? I thought that title was saved for your friends and family.” A shiver rides down my body.

“I have neither of those.” Hungry eyes dart down to my lips and I lick them instinctively. He wouldn’t dare.

I watch his mouth in anticipation and I despise the part of my brain that wants him to kiss me, just to see how it makes me feel. “Well, you know exactly who to blame for that.”

“That I do. You.” His face comes closer, and I catch my breath, right before his mouth lands on mine.

I should fight him off, but the pressure he’s laying on me is too much. He pries my tight lips apart with his strong tongue. His hard cock grinds into my hip bone while my hands stay anchored over my head, unable to push him away—not that I’m sure I would.

My nipples pebble under my sweatshirt. No one has ever kissed me with such intensity or made my body feel weightless the way it feels now. We could leave the ground and float away and I’d be none the wiser.

Sweet mint seeps into my taste buds as it rolls off his tongue. His free hand slides down, gripping my waist. I’m miniscule and weak beneath him and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

My pussy pulsates, begging to be touched, while I internally scream that this is not what I want. That deceitful little bitch.

My eyes open and I spot Peter carrying a pitcher of lemonade, but when he turns back around abruptly and walks away, my eyes close again. I try to pull back, so I can stop this, but there’s no point. What Cal wants, Cal gets, and right now, he wants me.

So, I fall into the kiss and I give him all I’ve got. Lifting my knee between his legs, I rub it against his erection. He groans a sound of desperation, then moves his hand up my sweatshirt. I’m braless and he soon realizes that when he pinches the bud of my nipple and rolls it between his thumb and forefinger. My skin tingles and my logic is clouded, once again.

Cal moves his fingers steadfast down my side and immediately sticks his hands in my shorts. “Cal,” I whimper into his mouth. He silences me by crushing it harder against mine, deepening our kiss.

I gasp when he unexpectedly shoves two fingers into my sex. A twinge of pain shoots through me, but it subsides quickly. My skin sears as my face reddens from the heat I’m engulfed in, just from his body pressing so closely to mine. Hesitation pokes at me, but I ignore it.

When Cal breaks our kiss, he looks me in the eye momentarily, possibly seeking assurance—something I refuse to give him—then he plants soft kisses all over the crease of my neck.

I’m sure he’s confident that I won’t try and run at this point, so he lets go of my hands. Unsure what to do with them, I set them on his shoulders.

I push away all hesitation and give in to what my body craves. If he wants to pleasure me, fine. But, I refuse to reciprocate the gesture and do the same for him.

Parting my legs slightly for him, he cups my pussy and continues pumping two fingers inside of me. The swooshing sound of my arousal makes me cringe, but at least it drowns out the thumping of my racing heart.

His venomous breath hits the shell of my ear. “Fuck. You’re so wet, Bella.”

My cheeks heat up again, but when his thumb begins rubbing my most sensitive spot, all modesty leaves me. I drop my head back and rest it against the stone wall. Cal bends his fingers and hits my G-spot, sending me soaring. My eyes close, my mouth falls open, and I relish in the insane amount of pleasure he’s giving me. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Trent has fingered me before, but it wasn’t like this—not even close. At this point, I’m not even sure if I’ve ever had an orgasm before, that’s how novel this feeling is to me.

“Oh God,” I cry out when his pace quickens. My spine grates against the wall, but the pain only arouses me further. “Cal, I’m—”

“That’s right. Come for me, Bella.” His voice is strained and husky. Holding a lust that sends my body into a frenzy.

Holding my breath, I clench my thighs and feel my insides contract while leaving me powerless. Ripples of electricity course through me and the next thing I know, I’m coming around Cal’s fingers.

It takes me a moment to collect my thoughts, but once I do, I’m humiliated. I straighten my back and look to the right of me, avoiding eye contact. “That was a mistake.” I pull at his arm, forcing his hand out of my shorts.

Cal puts his hand on my cheek, with the same fingers that were just inside me, and he turns my head to look at him. “It’s a good thing you’re not a regretful person then.” His lips press against mine and nausea pools in my stomach.

“When do I get to go home?”

His eyebrows dip. “I’ve told you. You are home.”

“Cut the bullshit, Cal.”

“Oh. I’m Cal again?” He runs his fingers behind my ear and I push him back with two hands.

“You can’t keep me here forever.”

“Sure I can.” His hand grabs mine and he pulls me like a disobedient dog on a leash, dragging me through the courtyard.

I look down and notice a wet spot on my shorts that looks like I’ve pissed myself. When I look up, I see Cal watching me as we continue to walk.

“Peter,” Cal calls out. When he doesn’t show his face, he yells louder, “Peter.”

At his beck and call, Peter pops out from the archway of the castle. “Yes, sir?”

“Please bring Bella some clean clothes. She’s made a mess in her shorts.”

I instantly feel my cheeks flush and pinch my eyes closed. When I open them, Peter is gone. I swat hard at Cal’s shoulder. “Why would you do that?”

He bites back a smile and my stomach somersaults. Did Cal almost laugh? I’d do just about anything to hear that sound again. One of his curled-over belly laughs. It was the best sound in the world.

Cal pulls out a chair and gestures for me to sit. “I’ll wait until I change, thanks.” My eyes roll as I try hard to maintain this hard-ass facade. I can’t let him see how much of an effect he has on me. If he knew that I hated his guts one minute and internally cried to see a humane side of him the next, he’d use it to his advantage. All sociopaths do, and I’m almost certain that’s what Cal has become.

It hurts to know that it’s partially my fault. If I’d been there…no, I can’t go there.

Cal slides a chair out from the table, the metal legs scraping against the cement patio. He takes a seat and sets a napkin on his lap. “I hope you still like spaghetti,” he says, pouring himself a glass of lemonade and then another that I presume to be mine.

I press my hands to my hips. “If I eat your damn spaghetti, can I catch the next boat out of here?”

“No.” He flips open a Manila folder on the table and takes out some stapled papers. “But you can have your copy of the contract, like I promised.”

I snatch it away when he hands it to me. My eyes skim over the first page, then the second, but I’m too riled up to read anything my eyes see right now.

“Thought you might want a copy of this, too.”

I look up and see him holding out what looks to be a page from a newspaper. I take it from him. “What’s this?”

“Insurance.”

The headline on the paper grabs my attention immediately. Hanafin Incorporated negotiates partnership with Callum Ellis, owner and operator of world-renowned Ellis Empire. 

“Okay,” I say with sarcasm. “You want me to congratulate you or something.” I hold up the paper. “I’ve got no idea why you think I’d care about this. You’re rich. I get it.”

“Keep reading.”

I shake my head in annoyance but read the short paragraph.

Hanafin Incorporated, known for their subsidiary company, Office Pro, specializes in custom office furniture. 

I don’t even continue. Slamming the paper down on the glass table, I rattle the fine china sitting on top. “You son of a bitch.”

“I never knew her, but I assume she probably was a bitch. I mean, you’d have to be to leave your newborn child next to a dumpster in an alley.”

“Is this some sort of a joke to you?”

Cal re-situates his napkin and casually lays his arms on top of the table on either side of his empty plate. “No joke. Strictly business.”

“You bought my parents’ fucking company!” I scream, grabbing the glass of the round table and flipping it up.

Cal springs to his feet as the glass crashes against the pavement.

“Why?” I shout, even louder this time. “It’s a measly office furniture company. You don’t even have offices.”

“Sure, I do,” he replies, completely calm and collected, and it only pisses me off even more. “But that’s not why I bought it. I told you, it’s insurance.”

Cal begins picking the remnants of my outburst off his shirt. Spaghetti noodles drop off him. Red sauce coats the patio and glass is everywhere.

“Insurance for what? Me? I will never belong to you, Cal.”

He stops, noodle in hand, and flings it to the ground as his eyes darken and the rigid cords of his neck bulge. “You already do.” His jaw clenches, teeth grinding. “And now it’s set in stone. You try to leave and your parents are out of jobs. They’ll never find work in that rundown town. They’ll lose their house, their cars, everything.”

My head shakes in disbelief. “What the hell happened to you?”

I always knew Cal had a side to him that could be dangerous if it wasn’t controlled, but I never expected he’d turn out to be this heartless.

“Life happened. When you’re forged with no purpose in life, unwanted by the world, and hated by all, this is what becomes of you.”

My heart aches. As angry as I am with Cal, I know that gnawing feeling inside that tells you you’re incapable of being loved. “You are wanted, Cal. You have a family. A very wealthy family, I might add.”

He gives me a side-glance while wiping his sauce-covered phone with a napkin. “I didn’t ask for this.” Then he goes to leave, hollering over his shoulder, “Peter will bring food to your room.”

“No,” I holler back, “you can’t just leave. I need answers, Cal.” He doesn’t stop, so I follow after him. “Cal,” I try again. He picks up his pace, so I snatch his forearm. “Please.” He jerks away and I feel defeated. Tears begin falling down my cheeks and I’m so damn tired of crying. I swipe them away violently. I fall to my knees on the cement foundation in the unfinished area of the castle. “I’ll never stop trying to leave. You won’t win.”

Cal stops in front of the elevator, his icy stare held on me. “Then I’ll be forced to destroy everything you love.” The doors open and he steps inside, leaving me broken and helpless.

After spending an hour moping around the ground level and seeing if there is anything to help me make my escape, I come up with a plan. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than doing nothing. I just have to break Cal down and use my charm to convince him to let me leave. Even if I do get a signal or a phone to use at this point, it’s no use. He’ll destroy the lives of everyone I care about and I’m not about to let that happen. So, tonight, I’ll play the dutiful prisoner.

When I came back to my room, I found a dress lying on my bed with a note on top of it that said, Meet me in the ballroom at eight o’clock. 

This afternoon I would have crumpled the letter and possibly lit it on fire outside of Cal’s bedroom, but now, I’m stepping into a teal gown while Peter waits outside the door to zip me up. Fortunately, I did bring a strapless bra with me, so I don’t have to go commando underneath this thing.

“You can come in now,” I holler in front of the closed door.

The door opens and Peter steps inside. I glance over my shoulder and notice Peter’s rosy cheeks. It makes me wonder how long it’s been since this old man touched a woman. He’s such a sweet guy and it’s a shame his life has been wasted on this unhinged family.

With my hair bunched to the side, Peter zips the dress up, and I turn around to face him. “How does it look?” My fingers run over the satin fabric and I feel like Cinderella. If only I were about to meet my Prince Charming.

“You will most certainly take Mr. Ellis’s breath away.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.” With any luck, it will be the last breath he takes. The thought crosses my mind, but I quickly sweep it away. I don’t want Cal to die, or even get hurt, for that matter. I just want him to let me leave, so I can go back to my life in Rhode Island and begin searching for a new job. Of course, I’ll have Trent telling me how I don’t need to work.

Trent. Guilt gnaws at me when I think of what I allowed earlier today. I’ve always despised cheating and that’s exactly what I did. I cheated on Trent. The sad truth is, it’s the action that makes me feel guilty, not so much the thought of it breaking us apart or causing me to lose Trent’s trust. I’m at the point in our relationship where, I think, ‘it is what it is.’

Peter snaps me out of my thoughts. “If you no longer need me, I’ll let Mr. Ellis know you’ll be down shortly.”

“Thank you, Peter. I appreciate your help. It’s not like I have a lady-in-waiting here to help me with these things.” I chuckle.

“If you’d like one, I’m sure it can be arranged. Magdalene did a lovely job for Mrs. Ellis and she was very fond of the family.”

I was only making a joke, but it seems that this family really does hire all kinds of help. Peter is looking at me like he’s waiting for me to answer him and I didn’t even realize it was a question. “You’re serious?” I finally say.

“If it would make you happy, I’m sure Mr. Ellis would be obliged to have her stay.”

“No, that’s not necessary. I’m fully capable of dressing myself.”

“Very well. If you change your mind, please let one of us know. I’ll see myself out.” Peter goes to leave, but I’m left with a lingering question.

“Peter. What was she like? Mrs. Ellis, I mean.” It’s only natural that I’d wonder what Cal’s adoptive mother was like. Was she nurturing? Kind? Sweet? Did she tend to him when he was sick?

Peter’s face turns ghostly white and it’s apparent that I’ve hit a nerve as he fiddles with his fingers nervously. “Mr. Ellis is waiting. I must go.” He turns quickly and leaves the room.

That was strange. It was a simple question, and he couldn’t even answer it.

I go into my en suite bathroom, that is actually pretty small for such a large bedroom. It’s also old-fashioned with a clawfoot tub in the center and a basin for a sink that’s attached to the wall, not the floor.

There’s a small square mirror over the sink and I look back at myself while tying my hair into a bun. Remembering that my goal is to entice Cal, I pull it back down and give my head a twirl to fluff my natural curls. I dab on some light makeup and coat my lips in a nude gloss then smack my lips together.

Stepping into a pair of silver strappy heels, I straighten my posture and hope like hell that I don’t break a leg in these things. It’s been years since I’ve worn heels and I’m not even sure if I remember how to walk in them. I don’t live the lavish lifestyle that Cal does. My life is average, at most. I prefer casual clothes and nights in with movies and popcorn.

Somehow, I manage to make it down the hall to the elevator without even stumbling. My confidence is soaring as I hold my head high and imagine that I’m on my way to some fancy gathering. The elevator beeps and I go to step in but take a step back when I see that it’s occupied. “Umm, hi,” I say to Byron, Cal’s attorney, who’s standing in the elevator in a three-piece black suit with a matching tie.

“Wow,” his eyes skim over every detail of my body as he presses a hand to the door, keeping it open, “you don’t see that on Cori Cove often.”

Flattered, I feel myself blush a little. “What are you doing here?” I spit out, likely sounding ruder than I intended to.

“I’m here to escort you to the ball.”

This is just far too formal for my liking.

“Back to your original statement. You don’t see girls like me here often, or ever?” I step inside and bunch myself into a corner.

“It’s probably best if I don’t answer that question,” he says in a teasing tone, but now he has my wheels turning.

The door slides shut and Byron still has his gaze laser-focused on me. It’s not my eyes he’s looking at, though, it’s my cleavage peeking out of the V-neck of the dress.

“Come on, you can tell me. It’s not like Cal and I are dating. Or ever will, for that matter.”

Byron stuffs one hand in the front pocket of his black pants and uses the other to run his fingers through his hair. He leans against the back wall and turns his head toward me. “Let’s just say Cal isn’t as lonely as you might think he is.”

I’m not sure why, but my heart drops into my stomach. I guess it’s because I never pictured him with a girl. From what I’ve seen, he’s this dark and mysterious loner, who’d easily get annoyed with one. “Wait. Is Cal dating someone?” I suddenly feel foolish for even dressing up to go meet him. I knew I should have burned the invitation. Probably all the dresses, too.

“Cal doesn’t date.”

The elevator stops, but I wish it hadn’t. I hate that all I get are bits and pieces into who Cal is because everyone leaves me hanging.

I swallow my pride and ask the question that’s eating me up inside. “So, who are these women that come here?”

Byron extends a bent arm toward me, and I hook my arm in it as we step off the elevator. It’s pretty similar to the eighth floor that I’m staying on, but I imagine the rooms here are different. They’re few and far between, which leads me to believe they are large rooms. They must be for one to be a ballroom.

“Cal’s a single man with enough money to buy an island, obviously.” Byron snickers. “You can’t expect a bachelor like that to walk the straight and narrow all the time.”

I can’t imagine Cal walking the straight and narrow, ever. “So, they’re hookers?”

Byron shrugs his shoulders with a lopsided grin and I get my answer.

I feel sick. 

Of course Cal has sex. Byron’s right. He’s a single man and he can do whatever he wants, but it still disgusts me. If he’d just be a little less daunting, he could easily get any girl he wants.

“But, you didn’t hear that from me,” Byron continues. “Callum is a very private person, as you’ve noticed.”

“Yeah. I keep hearing that. What I don’t understand is why.”

“Between you and me,” he whispers, “it’s not his fault he is the way he is. He’s earned those stripes that allow him to do whatever the fuck he wants.”

I blow out an exasperated breath. “So what you’re saying is, he’s earned the right to coerce people to an island and force them to stay against their will?” Byron goes to speak, but I’m not finished yet, so I hold up a finger. “In layman’s terms, he’s able to rightfully kidnap people because he’s earned his stripes?”

“When you put it that way, it sounds pretty awful, but you did sign a contract.”

“Ugh,” I growl, unhooking my arm from Byron’s and stomping, impetuously, away from him.

Everyone is on Cal’s side. Everyone! 

It seems he’s forgotten that he’s not the only one who’s had a rough go at life. What about all the other kids at The Webster House or in any foster home, for that matter? None of us were wanted, but we don’t go around behaving like the world owes us something. I was raised by a single mom who was a drug addict. I loved her fiercely, but my love wasn’t enough to keep her sober. I found her dead and can still smell the foam that was coming out of her mouth. For years, I had the picture of her face in my head. Now, I don’t even remember what she looks like. Life wasn’t easy for me either. But nothing worth fighting for ever is.

“Poor Callum,” I mock under my breath, right before my ankle twists and I fall straight to the ground. My legs sweep to the side and I yank off my shoe. “Stupid heels.” I chuck it down the hall, then remove the other one. I lift it to aim and throw, but see Byron standing there.

“Whoa,” he holds both hands up in surrender, “put down the shoe.”

I drop it and go to get up. There’s a twinge of pain shooting up my leg, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Byron offers a hand, but I push myself up without his help. “I’m fine. But you can throw those shoes in the garbage.”

Cal pops out of a room down the hall and it takes me a second to catch my breath. He’s probably the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

His black hair is messy, as usual, with glossy ends that are flipped carelessly to one side. A few hang in front of his forehead, but he makes no attempt to sweep them away. He’s also wearing a black suit, similar to Byron’s. A jacket buttoned halfway with a white button-up shirt underneath and a black tie. He stands tall with both hands in his pants pockets. His broad shoulders drawn back and his signature scowl on his face. It does things to me and I fucking hate it.

Regardless of how much I despise him right now, there’s no denying his strikingly good looks or the way his masculine voice makes my pussy throb.

“Bella?” Byron says loudly.

I peel my eyes off Cal and look at him. “Huh?”

“I asked if you were coming. Callum is waiting.”

Best not to keep Callum waiting. My eyes roll as I walk down the hall barefoot. It’s going to be really hard because I’m stubborn as an ox, but it’s time to play nice, if I ever want to leave this godforsaken island.