″Well, now that we have cameras set up, we can hopefully get a good look at his face and Sean can run it through facial recognition.”
I rub my arms. “I just want to feel safe for once in my life.” It’s a low whisper, more to myself.
I’ve never felt peace. Never knew what it’s like to just be happy with no worries. Even now with Callum, his life is chaotic. How can it be anything but when he’s the heir to an organized crime ring?
It makes sense why I’m drawn to him. Chaos is all I’ve ever known. It’s why I thrived in the Army, and why I did best on my own for so long. Nothing will change that. Not even giving my heart to Callum.
Callum pulls me close. He rests his chin on my head and runs his hand along my back like he always does. “I will always protect you, Haley. I’ll keep you safe.”
″You can’t promise that, Callum.” Even though I know it’s impossible to promise to protect me, I embrace his touch, hugging him. I exhale a deep breath against his chest. He may not be able to ensure my safety, but with his arms wrapped around me, the worry eases.
He mumbles, his lips catching my hair. “I know.”
I breathe in relief, then when my stomach growls, I pull away. “I’m starving. Where are we going?”
″The diner down the street. Are you ready?”
″Yeah. I wasn’t expecting you to wear a suit, though. I feel a bit underdressed in jeans.”
″I always wear suits, Doc. Unless it’s a day off.”
I raise a brow, smirking at the thought of seeing Callum in casual clothes. “And what do you wear on your days off?”
He follows me towards the front door. “Nothing.”
″Nothing?”
″Aye. I walk around my penthouse naked, drinking whiskey, and smoking cigars.”
″Do I get an invite next time?”
He wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. “Absolutely. But if you come over, we wouldn’t leave my bed.”
″Maybe I wouldn’t want to,” I say. I’m not sure where the courage is to be so bold.
″Good,” he murmurs against my ear as we leave.
The warm sun hits us as soon as we step off the stoop. Spring in Boston is way more beautiful than the winter. No worrying about jackets to stay warm. I’m not sure what possessed me to come to the northeast, but I don’t regret it.
We walk through the park and even though I’m hungry, when we pass the empty field in the center, I drag him and we fall into the grass. Callum lands on his stomach, grabs my waist, and rolls me on top of him as he turns onto his back.
His laugh rumbles through his chest and shakes my body. I pause, smiling as I watch him. I’ve never heard it and the sound sends shivers up my spine.
He stares at me a moment, cocking his head with a questioning look.
″You should laugh more,” I rasp, as I smile down at him.
″Should I?” He lifts his head and rubs his beard against my chin.
It tickles as his lips press against mine. I’d imagine his beard would be coarse, tough against my skin, but instead, it’s like resting my head against a soft blanket.
Like home.
I sit up to straddle his waist as I look down at him. “You should. I enjoy seeing you carefree.”
I glance up, noticing a patch of clovers above his head. The inner child in me wants to find a four-leaf one.
Sarah used to love running her fingers through the grass whenever we found a patch on our walk home from school. She’d crawl into someone’s front yard on her hands and knees, nose buried to the ground. Me, being a whole three minutes older than her, used to say she was being stupid. No chance in hell she’d ever find one.