Chapter 33 Red
Chapter thirty-three
Red
I pace in the long grass on the side of the road, my gaze continually flitting back to the imposing prison entrance.
As much as I want to see Callisto drive out through the gates and hear what happened to Zack, my shaky pulse says I’m also dreading it.
What was I doing, even thinking of Callisto as a potential sex-scene stand-in?
It’s the worst possible way to mix personal feelings with business.
But the truth is, as much as I’ve reassured Rickon everything is fine, I know my control skates on thin ice. Ghost Red took over so easily when I thought we’d lost Zack, and she lurks in the corner of my mind, waiting for more bad news to consume me.
Despite the lurking fear, warmth thrums through the bond, and I relax. Zack’s okay. Happy, even. Compared to the terrible wailing of his inner voice before we met, this feels almost like he’s on vacation. It’s so hard not seeing him, but at least I have this heart connection.
The OCB van door bangs and footsteps swish through the grass. Agent Pierce walks over and holds out a mug with a tea bag string dangling over the side.
“You’re a legend!” I declare as I take it, catching hints of peppermint rising with the steam.
He grins in acknowledgment. “Rickon’s inside?” he asks as he sips from his own mug.
“Yeah, he’s napping.” My cheeks burn with heat, and I look away. Better not say he’s passed out on the mattress, snoring softly, after our frantic late-afternoon fuck. We were both worked up after feeling Zack’s alarm today.
“What’s the word?” Pierce asks, jerking his thumb toward the prison.
“Callisto said he got a call from Zack, and he’s in one piece.” A sigh escapes me. “I guess out of all of us, Zack’s used to constant danger.” I sip my tea, appreciating the warmth seeping down my belly that chases away Ghost Red’s lingering chill.
“He’s got help on the inside,” the agent says, jutting his chin toward the imposing concrete walls. “We looked into Alhedy, the other man in the hospital, and he’s a powerful underworld boss down in Darinian.”
I snort. “Who knew we’d ever be grateful for a crime lord?”
“Right?” He snickers.
Distant voices catch my attention. The security gate at the prison slides open and Callisto’s black sedan glides through. He drives slowly up to us and pulls off near the van.
My heart leaps as Callisto opens the door and sticks his long legs out. He looks as put together as ever in his suit, this one a dark navy with a pale salmon tie featuring pretty scrollwork in silver thread. He smiles as he walks over, loosening his tie knot with one hand.
Like a husband coming home at the end of the day.
Pierce offers his hand, and the two alphas shake, exchanging greetings.
I want Callisto’s attention, but not with something as benign as a handshake. Gingerly, I open my arms. “Um, hi?”
Callisto’s eyes widen, and he closes the gap in an instant. “Hi, beautiful. He practically drooled on me to share his scent today.”
My pulse races as I catch Zack’s aroma on his shirt. Seems Callisto thought this is why I asked for a hug, but it’s not the reason. Zack’s barley scent mingles with the underlying cherry wood flavor, and my knees go weak from the cocktail. Tea splashes from my mug onto the grass.
“Whoa,” Callisto cries, lurching a step forward as he balances us. “He’s okay, I promise. Not a scratch on him.” He strokes my hair, instinctively comforting an omega. His omega.
“What happened?” I ask, pulling back enough to see his face.
His gaze darts to Pierce for an instant before flicking back to study me. “Someone got attacked, and the guards got rough while rounding everyone up.”
“But it wasn’t Zack who got attacked?” Pierce asks, brow wrinkling.
Callisto shakes his head, but I read something else in his silence.
“That’s a relief,” the OCB agent says. His concern brings a smile to my face. These agents have witnessed our journey from the day I brought Zack home. Even if my prime alpha’s been troublesome for them to deal with, they still care.
But it’s clear Callisto can’t talk freely with a law enforcement agent here.
“Shall we go inside?” I ask, tugging against the lawyer’s embrace.
He nods but seems reluctant to release his grip.
Pierce reaches out for my empty mug. “We’re making burritos for dinner. You want one, Callisto?”
“Thanks, Pierce.” He flashes a bright smile. “That’d be great, if you’ve got plenty. Don’t want to put anyone out.”
This is the Callisto the world sees: charming, polished. But the man I know is a little different—more vulnerable, anxious, and struggling to find his way. I think I kinda like the insider’s view to the other side of his personality coin.
“Yeah, we got plenty,” Pierce reassures, waving away Callisto’s concerns. “Plus, you brought us donuts last time.”
Callisto releases me and lifts his hands. “Sorry I’m empty-handed this time. I left in a rush when I got Zack’s call.”
“All good. There’s always next time.” The agent turns and strolls back to his quarters.
Callisto scans my face and then chews on his bottom lip, the searching look pricking at my insides.
“Zack’s really fine?” I whisper, mourning the loss of his touch.
He nods and whispers back. “The inmates went after Alhedy, but they’re both fine. Zack thinks they’ll end up in solitary for a while, and he gave me a message for you.” He looks away and scrubs a hand over his neat beard. Is the great Callisto Wren blushing?
“What is it?” I ask.
He won’t meet my eyes. “So, Zack said to have more sex. He—well, he likes it and won’t get bored if you’re . . . you know.”
My breath catches. “He . . . what? Really?”
“You heard me,” Callisto grumbles. He turns and goes ahead of me, rubbing the back of his neck.
I cover my face with my hands and laugh, the noise echoing into my palms. The bond. Zack knows when Rickon and I are getting busy because of the emotions pooling down the line. I hadn’t thought about it because I’m not the one experiencing it secondhand.
I chase after Callisto only to slam into his back inside the tent flap. “Oof!” I grunt. Stepping around him, I suddenly remember how I left Rickon. He sprawls, bare legs spread wide, one hand up behind his head. Gorgeous, vulnerable, and stark naked.
And Callisto can’t drag his gaze away.
I race forward and flip the sleeping bag over his legs, fighting more laughter.
“Should w-we—” Callisto whispers as he points over his shoulder. “Um. Go outside? Something to talk about?” His words tumble over each other.
Rickon stirs, and his eyes blink open. He smiles, half-asleep and limp from relaxation. “Oh. Hey, Calli,” he murmurs before rolling over onto his side and nesting his cheek on his palm.
Well, shit. I feel like crawling right back into bed, especially with Zack’s orders ringing in my ears.
“Hi,” Callisto breathes out. He shakes off his stupor, but his gaze flits back to the alpha in the bed a few times. “Um, Red, you said you had something you wanted to talk about?”
Damn. I don’t think I can tell him now. I wrap my hands around my heated body. “It’s nothing. Just a stupid idea.”
“No, it’s not,” Ricky says, slurring faintly. “She wants to ask you to film a sex scene with her.”
Callisto swings around to stare at me. “A sex scene?”
I long to run away, but the best I can manage is dropping onto the mattress and hugging a pillow to my chest to hide behind. “So, the thing is, since Brad got arrested, I need a body double to do his sex scene with. But since it’s on screen, I’m sure you won’t be keen. It was just a silly idea.”
Callisto drops onto his knees on the floor and reaches for my hands. “I’ll do it.”
His willingness burns into me like a falling star, granting my wish and lighting me up all at once. The reluctant alpha I first met has completely vanished.
Rickon sits up and covers a yawn. His hands flop onto the covers loosely spread over his thighs. “You’ll have to do a bootcamp to gain some more muscle definition. Like how you looked when you did judo.”
Callisto turns to his best friend, but his thumbs gently massage the backs of my hands as he speaks. “That’s a while ago when I was younger. You sure I can still tone up like that?”
Rickon grins. “You’re still Callisto, aren’t you? Didn’t the other members always grumble at how fast you build muscle?”
“Your bare ass would be on the big screen,” I blurt out. He shouldn’t treat this like some sort of joke. “Don’t say yes because you feel you owe me or some shit.”
Callisto sighs and releases me, rocking back to sit on the floor at the foot of the mattress. “Answer me honestly, Red. You’re asking me because you don’t want to do it with a stranger, right?”
I duck my head. “Yeah, but I’m an actress. I need to get used to things like this.”
He reaches out to lift my chin, dark eyes peering into my soul.
“True. But right now, when you don’t have all your alphas around you, and you just got through a horrific court case, not to mention discovering your haze flowing out on the black market, you don’t want an unknown actor putting their hands on your bare body, yes? ”
I hug my arms around my knees. Is this a weak spot in my career? I love acting, I really do, and I want to honor all the performances that kept me going while I was held captive.
“Hey,” Callisto murmurs, brushing my cheek with his thumb. “Simple answers are fine, gorgeous. You want me there, I’ll be there.”
I lift my eyes and find warmth and understanding in his gaze. This is the man who broke down right here in our arms two days ago; of course he won’t judge my failures.
I nod. “I don’t want it to be a stranger. Not this time.”
Callisto smiles and wriggles my chin like I’m a kid. “Then it’s settled. I wanted to hit the gym anyway for my own reasons, and I assume your director will have a trainer or program for me?”
“Yeah,” Rickon says, reaching over to take my hand.
“But what about your cases?” I ask, still feeling torn. He’s doing so much for us already.
Callisto smiles. “Let me worry about that. I can rest after, since I’ve booked some time off.”
Rickon gasps and clutches at his chest. “What the fuck did I just hear! Time off? Callisto? I must’ve died and gone to heaven, because this can’t be the real world.”
Callisto lunges forward and shoves my alpha. “You brat!” he cries.
Rickon giggles and kicks his covered feet up into Callisto’s belly, who responds by tickling him. Rickon shrieks and arches, gasping and slapping at his attacker’s back, right up until the sleeping bag goes flying and Callisto lands on Rickon’s bare hip. Both men freeze, Callisto blushing beet red.
I smile. This is how we were meant to be. I can picture it now—can imagine Zack tugging me backward into his lap as these two lovely alphas play and we chuckle at their antics. Trust and care all around, melting the boundaries of our worlds.
A purr slips from my throat.
Arms locked in a wrestling embrace, Rickon and Callisto turn to stare at me. I slap my hands over my lips and gulp, equally as shocked. When’s the last time I made a noise like that?
Callisto leans close, sliding his hand up my arm to lock us together. When he speaks, he’s breathless and vibrating with alpha intensity. “Use the broken pieces of me however you like, Red Jones. I won’t run away ever again.”
He remembers the conversation we had the day we met.
I climb into Callisto’s lap, tracing his jawline under his beard as I stare down into his earnest black eyes. My trust blossoms once more, and all the boundaries between us dissolve, leaving nothing but me and my alpha.
I lean in and press my mouth to his.
Cherry wood tones explode around me like a forest. I imagine he’ll smell like a rich cherry liqueur when he goes into rut.
Callisto splays his hands across my back in a silent plea not to pull away as his lips explore mine, touching and retouching like a starved man.
I sweep my tongue over his lip, and he shivers.
Fuck, he’s so warm and close, lapels brushing my chest, and yet he’s respectfully holding back his extremes.
Letting me use him.
I deepen the kiss, tasting chocolate and coffee on his tongue. His hands tighten, fingers threading into my shirt. How much time we’ve wasted, being prickly with each other. But even now, it’s not the right moment for more. I’m not the only one with a choice to make.
With a shuddery exhale, I lean back.
Callisto gazes up at me, the night sky shining in his eyes. He reaches up slowly and cups my cheek, staring at me like I’m his deity. “What was that for?” he whispers, chest heaving.
“Practice,” I murmur.
He smiles, thumb sweeping across my damp lips. “Practice,” he echoes. “I love this acting gig already.”
Rickon sighs happily and slumps. “Yep, totally died and gone to heaven.”
His theatrics break the tension, and Callisto and I both chuckle. “Not yet, babe,” I say, reaching over to grab his leg. “I need you right here for a whole lifetime.”
Rickon grins at me and flexes his calf muscle under my grip.
“So,” Callisto says, loosening his hold on me. “Do I need to learn some lines or something?” He arches his brows and smirks. “And does anyone know where I can find a good manager? I’ve never come across one.”
Rickon kicks his back, and Calli chokes on a laugh.
“On a more serious note,” the lawyer says, turning his attention back to me. “There’s something I need to ask you in return, but I’m not sure you’ll want to do it.”
I sit up straighter, fingers tightening automatically on his shoulders. “What is it?”