Chapter 18
Lucy
In the giant bathroom of our hotel suite, I stare at my reflection. “You, Lucy Marlow, won tonight’s challenge.”
Grinning, I bury my clean face into a luxuriously fluffy towel and half scream, half laugh for another thirty seconds straight.
Still doesn’t feel real.
After sharing the news with Maya and Nika and posting a reaction video on TikTok and a thank-you message on Insta, I still can’t believe it. This is really happening.
Only a few challenges remain before the judges choose the model who’ll headline Runway Revolution. I’ve gotten further in this competition than I ever thought possible. A few months ago, I thought I’d be…
Darkness from my time in captivity washes over me, shooting my nervous system into panic mode.
After a long self-inspection in the mirror and some breathing exercises, the pain slowly slips away.
The truth remains though. A few months ago, my life was worse than over. It had been stolen from me, controlled by an evil man. At the time, I didn’t know if or how I’d survive.
Now, I’m on my way to becoming a modeling sensation.
I hover on the precipice of kick-starting a career that would not only lead to everything I’ve ever dreamed of but would also put the horrors of my life so far in the rearview mirror, I’d hardly be able to recall those despicable experiences again.
The giddiness returns with a vengeance. I put the towel away and head into the main suite. Callum is there, frowning over our room service order. I’m pretty sure he’s checking for poison.
When he’s finished with his meticulous guard dog routine, I sit at the kitchen table and dig in. Lobster, garlic mashed potatoes, and asparagus.
Sweet heaven, this is amazing. A celebration dinner for the ages.
I spear a bit of everything on my fork.
The bite is halfway to my mouth when Callum’s words stop me. “I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier.”
I’ve been so excited about the win that my issues with Callum haven’t crossed my mind since they called my name.
Holding a grudge against him is simply out of the question, and even if it weren’t, I’m sure my resolve would’ve faltered as soon as the word sorry tumbled from his infuriating but mesmerizing mouth.
I set my fork down and give him my full attention. “Go on.”
His grip on the back of the dining chair beside me tightens. “Dealing with all those crowds…following the attack at that after-party… I guess you could say it put me on edge.”
Is Callum trying to tell me he was nervous? Giving me some window into how he felt?
What parallel universe is this? I win round five of Runway Revolution, and Mr. Ice Box over here starts to melt the same day?
“I was nervous too.” I glance down at my plate. “It’s okay.”
Callum doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even move, so I give him the warmest smile I can manage. “Sit. Eat. It’s been a long day. You must be starving. I’m so hungry, I could eat you—” I babble like an idiot, catching myself seven words too late.
That eyebrow pops up as Callum smirks at me. “What was that, Marlow? Hungry for something besides lobster?”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. But I’m in too good a mood to let him win this time.
“That depends. They do say it’s an aphrodisiac.” I spear the meat from my lobster tail. “What do you have on offer?”
He snorts. “Something bigger than that claw.”
My gaze slides from the shellfish on my plate to Callum, then back again. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“You couldn’t handle it.”
“No, Callum, you couldn’t handle me. But that’s okay. I don’t date grandpas, so you have nothing to worry about.” I give him a sweet smile. “Do you even remember how old you are?”
He laughs.
The man with the emotional repertoire of cement cracks a laugh. The rich, throaty timbre washes over me, and tingles swarm beneath my skin. I’m caught off guard by how much I love the sound.
I hardly know how to react. “I didn’t know you could…laugh.”
“Despite what you may think, I am a human being.”
“Right, but…I never imagined you knew how.”
Callum sinks into the chair beside me and piles his plate with lobster and greens. “Well, good.”
“Good what?” I sip my water.
“You and I are even.”
“Excuse me?”
“I surprised you.” He stabs his fork into a stalk of asparagus. “And earlier tonight, you surprised me.”
My heart thumps as I attempt to puzzle out what he’s saying. “What do you mean?”
I take another bite of this sumptuous five-star-hotel food. Savory gourmet flavors greet my tongue. For a moment, I drift on a sea of culinary bliss. What were we talking about?
“I mean tonight.” Callum clears his throat. “That was some photo up there.”
I don’t have to see myself to know a flush is spreading over my face and traveling down my neck.
But why? I’ve been overjoyed about that photo for the past few hours. Why should his compliment fluster me? And why am I even interpreting his sad attempt at flattery as a compliment?
“Let me guess.” I take a swig of wine. Though I rarely drink, I figured one celebratory glass wouldn’t hurt. “You just realized I’m talented and might need a bodyguard once I’m rich and famous.”
He flinches like I pinched him.
Wow. I can see a typical asshole remark forming in his mind, but he doesn’t let it come out.
Instead, he exhales, his shoulders relaxing some. “That’s not it.” He bites into his lobster and chews pensively. “I think that going after something you’re passionate about and actually being good at it…is amazing.”
Why does that one sentence from his lips cause my heart to race?
Under the table, I cross my legs. “What would you know about it?”
“Deirdre.” Callum chews some more and swallows. “My sister.”
That breaks my concentration. “You have a sister?”
He takes another bite. “Six years my junior.”
I struggle to imagine this man as part of a family unit. “What’s she like?”
“A lot like you. Determined to do what she wants to do, against all odds, advice, and previous experience.”
“Which is?”
“Teaching.”
I shrug. “What’s so wrong with that?”
“Let’s just say it goes against family tradition.” Callum sips his wine. “It’s actually how I know Darren.”
“Oh?” My eyebrows rise. Why’s he opening up to me like this out of nowhere?
His eyes darken as he drinks some water. “My family’s part of the mob back in Ireland. We have old-world ties to the Kings.”
“But not any longer since you work for Darren and he left?”
He hesitates. “No.”
Now, I’m the one chewing thoughtfully.
When I don’t come up with anything else to say, Callum continues. “My sister and I both went against our family’s wishes to explore our heart’s desires instead of joining the fold.”
“She became a teacher, and you became…hired muscle?”
“Close.” He gives me another unreadable, unamused look. “Military. Irish Special Forces.”
I almost drop my fork. “You’re a soldier?”
“Former soldier.”
“Well, that explains things.” No wonder he’s always so deadpan.
“Anyway,” he runs his tongue over his teeth, “Deirdre always dreamed of being a primary school teacher, and now she’s a wonderful one. All I’m trying to say is…it’s admirable that you’re in pursuit of your dream too.”
Those words jab me right in the heart.