Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Callum
I take a moment, absorbing the words Dom said to me. I love you, Callum.
Those words send a burst of warmth throughout my body. I feel lightheaded, even slightly giddy. Though, I’m not sure if it’s from Dom’s admission or the nervousness of taking a leap with these men.
I know that we have more than just a physical attraction to each other. When we are together, whether it’s just two of us or all three, we don’t just have sex. We talk, we laugh, we get to know each other… like couples do, trying to build a connection.
We’ve formed a bond… been in a relationship all this time and I didn’t comprehend that until now.
Why didn’t I see that we already are together?
The more I roll his declaration around in my head, the more I come to realize that my feelings for these guys are as true as any couple who say they are in love. Like Danny and Tobias. And even if Connor doesn’t admit it out loud, he and John are also in love with each other.
Just like them, I’m in love with Dom and Pen.
Equally and separately. They have shown me these past months that love—real love, not like what I grew up with between my mother and Brian, doesn’t hurt.
Aside from Dom’s default to keeping things close to the vest, that is, which I know he does to protect us.
He is going to have to do a lot of explaining about that to Pen.
As if I’ve conjured him, Pen rushes into the room, gun in hand and eyes wide with fury. “We found Jordan.”
I gasp. “Where?”
“He’s by the gate. He called and asked me to meet him there,” Pen says in a growl.
“I want to go with you,” I demand, knowing damn well he won’t let me.
“No.” He shakes his head. “Stay in the house, and keep the doors locked. Two of Dean’s men will be standing guard.”
“Pen,” I grate out. “I want to look that asshole in the eye when you beat the hell out of him.”
“I’m not going to do that. I’m only going to contain him until the cops come.
” He eyes me warily. “Listen to me. I promise you; you’ll get your moment to tell that bastard off, but right now isn’t the time.
You need to remain here. Promise me that, so I can keep all of my attention on Jordan. Alright?”
“Okay,” I concede.
“Once this is over, and the cops arrive, we’re leaving. So finish packing.” Pen gives me a brief smile and sprints out of the room.
I wait for a minute before walking to the living room. I glance out the window and spot the two men standing by the front entrance. Good.
Feeling more secure, I head back into the bedroom to pack. I’ve just picked up my practice guitar to put it back in the case, when I hear a noise. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough to draw my attention. As I walk out to investigate, the front door opens.
“That was pretty quick. Did he give up?” I say, rounding the corner until I come face to face with a man I’ve never seen before. “Who are you?”
He is wearing dark gray camo, unlike the two guys I saw moments before.
I step back, ready to run when he pulls out a gun and smiles at me. “Don’t move, Callum, or I’ll put a bullet in the back of your head.”
I freeze in place, believing what this guy promises. “Who are you?” I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.
“Don’t you know?” His evil smile widens, which has me inwardly quaking, but I try to keep my outward composure as I shake my head no.
“I’m Rick Morrison. Dom’s ex-partner from our U.S. Marshal days. What? You haven’t heard about me?”
“No, he didn’t ever mention you.”
Rick walks over to me and I have the completely useless thought that his grin mimics the Joker on Batman.
Cold and emotionless eyes are fixed on me.
As I stand there, unable to move or breathe as he walks toward me, another useless thought flies through my brain.
I really need Pen to give me that self-defense training.
He presses the end of the gun’s barrel to my forehead.
“Okay. Maybe you remember this. Tell your father to stay out of my business.”
I gasp. “You.”
“Yes, me.” He chuckles.
“Why?” I attempt to hold back my tears, but my vision blurs and Rick’s face distorts before me. “Brian has nothing to do with this, with me.”
“Well, that’s not quite true. But I’m doing you a favor—you know, like a two for one.” He shrugs like we’re talking about a fucking grocery list.
“Then why me?” I realize it’s a stupid question when the puzzle pieces finally begin to slot into place. Dom.
“I’ll fill you in when we get on the road.” He jabs the gun harder to my skull. “Now move.”
“Where are we going?” I ask, as I turn around and face the kitchen area.
My brain is scrambling to find a way to escape this crazy bastard.
My eyes land on the plates and cast iron frying pan I left on the island, and I realize they are within my reach As I lunge for the frying pan, Rick slams the butt of the gun to my temple and pain rips through my skull. Then everything goes black.