“Fine. I will come with you. For now.” Leave me alone, I’m a bitch right now okay. Can’t have him thinking he has won indefinitely.
“Thank you baby. Thank you.” I just hope I don't regret this because something tells me there is a lot I don't know.
NINE
CALLUM
“You areout of your mind if you think I am going to stay here while you run off playing hero. What am I, barefoot and pregnant now?” She has been repeating the same thing to me for the last two hours ever since I told her my plan.
A while back, I was a part of a rescue mission of some U.S. Diplomats. We were shadowed by three mercenaries named Axel, Diezal and their Colonel. We became buddies of sorts and when I need a blacked-out mission completed, I call them. Well, I called them while we were on the jet and Cat was sleeping in the bedroom.
I told them I needed a complete off the books mission, with no one living from the list. I told the colonel everything. I mean everything. By the time I was done, he and the guys were all in. I sent them their mission, with the names of the Popov’s that I knew for sure where they were. I also threw in Romeo if they can find him. That is their mission. I won’t be joining them. I will be busy doing what I have been doing for the last few months. Damage control.
I made the mistake of telling Cat my plan, which did not include her anywhere but here, and let’s just say she is not happy about it. “Baby, listen. You won't be here alone. You will have guests to entertain.” She crosses her arms and glares at me, and I know I didn’t make it better. All three of the guys are married with children. They know how dangerous this mission is and as such, I offered this island as a safe haven for their wives and children until we return. Hell, we have plenty of space.
“Guests? Who the hell else is going to be here? I don’t like people I don’t know, Cal?” I grab her by her hips and pull her into my arms. I keep doing this because I wasn’t sure I would ever have this chance again.
“The wives of some colleagues who are going to help put an end to this situation. They are going to be here with you, and they are bringing their children.”
“Now I am supposed to be in a place I don’t know with women I don’t know and their kids?”
“Yes. That is the plan.” I watch her go from wanting to unman me, to trying to figure out what she can hit me with to resignation since there is nothing else for her to do. I took her phone and hid it when she was getting the final testing done before we left the hospital. This place has no WIFI, no internet connection, and no landline. It is completely off the grid like Tom Cruise in Knight and Day. Finally, her shoulders sag and she looks at me.
“Fine. Whatever. When are they going to be here?” I hear the humming of the jet above us as she finishes her question and I try but fail to hide my smile. She looks at me in disbelief, feeling like she has been duped. But you know what, I will do anything to protect her and our baby. “Seriously? Right now?” Chuckling, I pull her into my arms and kiss her, my eyes never leaving hers. I put one hand on her belly and smile.
“I just want you to take it easy like the doctor said to. Cat, this is about more than you and me now. We have someone else to think about with every decision we make. Starting now. Okay?” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me back.
“I know you are right. It is just going to take some getting used to.” The door opens and suddenly the room is filled with chaos. She tenses in my arms, not used to such noise and company having lived solitary since she lost her father.
“Colonel. Fellas. Thank you for coming.” I shake each of their hands and welcome them.
“Thank you for having us.” The Colonel steps up and says. “This is my wife Kimbella, and our four kids.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“This is my wife Saffron, and our kids.” Axel introduces. And then Diezal.
“This is my wife Teresa, and our kids.
“Nice to meet all of you. This is my fiancée, Catriona. Welcome to our getaway.” She rolls her eyes at me before turning back to everyone. She smiles, though it doesn’t reach her eyes, but damn it I am proud of her for not ripping my nuts off in front of everyone.
“I would show everyone where they can put their stuff but I myself have only been here mere hours, so I am not sure where anything is.” Her voice is sweet but laced with sarcasm and venom that I know the men picked up on, but the genuine smiles of their wives tell me either they didn’t hear it or are choosing to overlook it.
“It’s alright, Angel. I will show everyone to their rooms.” I kissed her head before walking down the hall and showing our guests to their rooms. The guys and I will be taking off in minutes. I want this over as soon as possible.
Once everyone is settled in, I see the girls pull my Angel into their little click and my heart begins to warm. She looks so uncomfortable, but I can finally picture a future where we can be normal. Have neighbors, be in the PTO, bake cookies, have more babies and not be running from the FBI.
“Ladies, we are leaving.” The Colonel announces putting an end to the chatter. Her eyes shoot to mine, panic rising in them. I walk over to her, pull her from the group and sit her on my lap.
“Talk to me, baby. What is going through your mind?” She picks at something on my shirt before she answers, not looking at me.
“I’m scared, Callum. What if you don’t come back? I don’t think I can do this without you.” She puts her hand on her stomach letting me know she is talking about raising our child. I lift her chin and force her to look at me.
“Listen to me. I am coming back, Angel. There is nothing on this earth that can take me from you and our baby. But, if something did happen, the same way you would expect me to do what I had to do as a single dad, I would expect the same from you. You are this baby’s mother. There is nothing fiercer than that.” I want her to tap into the beast inside of her and apply it to our child. “Now, enjoy the ladies. Use this as a bonding thing or whatever you girls do.” She looks over at the women and their kids saying goodbye to their husbands and fathers.
“I love you, Callum,” she says it so soft I almost miss it, but fuck if it didn’t feed me.
“Damn baby. I love you too. So fucking much. Now let me finish this so we can live our life.” I bring her face to mine and slide my tongue into her mouth. She moans, and damn is it hard to remind myself we are not alone. I pull back, kissing her once more before getting up. “You guys ready?”