Chapter 48
Lucy
For the ten days Callum spends in the hospital, Runway Revolution hardly crosses my mind. I’m probably the only person in the modeling world who can say that though.
The competition wound up in the news as soon as they reported Marco Benetti’s death. In the wake of his passing, the organizers postponed the final round to carve out space for the global outpourings of grief, love, and support.
Which was just fine by me. Time away from the competition gave me enough flexibility to sit by Callum’s bedside until the doctors discharged him. Being with him, even while he’s recovering, have been some of the best days of my life.
Getting to compete in the very last round of Runway Revolution is simply the icing on a very delicious cake.
No sign of Viktor yet, but I know the Kings are searching, along with probably every bounty hunter and FBI agent within a five-hundred-mile radius. Given all the heat and the fact that he took a bullet, too, the risk of him popping up to abduct me seems low for now.
I shake myself free of the memories and concentrate on the present.
The final competition takes place on another rooftop, with a mile-long catwalk lit from below.
The who’s who of the fashion industry line four rows of chairs on either side of the runway and the other spectators applaud and snap photos.
Through all the commotion, I sense Callum tracking my every movement.
Sitting in the front row of the audience to my left, Maya cheers with the enthusiasm only a big sister can generate. She hopped on a plane the minute she heard I was taken and decided to stay to see me compete for the top spot. Nika’s right beside her, beaming. They both look so proud.
No crying, Lucy.
Having my three favorite people here to cheer me on is the real victory.
I glide down the runway, radiating confidence in a stunning avant-garde creation by renowned designer Fumiko Ishiguro.
The judges whittle us down quickly.
In the final round of this final round, it’s just Adrian Madriaga and me.
Heather, who made a full recovery after our abduction, dropped out of the competition, but she and I have kept in touch since our harrowing brush with death. My trauma recognizes hers, and vice versa.
With a little time, I believe Heather will return to modeling. She’s already had some job offers just from making it so far in this competition.
She’s strong. She’ll survive.
The event builds toward the crescendo, and the time arrives for my final walk. I take the runway once again, having never felt more like a queen.
My eyes meet Callum’s where he’s standing guard by one of the entrances, and it’s like I’m strutting toward my king.
The heat and pride in his gaze spring across the distance. I feel the full force of his support and love all the way from here, and it gives me a little extra pep.
After everything that happened with Marco, I was sure Callum would go back to being overbearing and impossible, demanding that I drop out. But even though he’s keeping closer tabs on me than before, he’s surprisingly supportive, which leads to me mauling him every chance I get.
The end of the night is a whirlwind.
Impossibly, wondrously, unbelievably, I’m crowned the winner of this year’s Runway Revolution. Overnight, I become the toast of the town. Contract offers pour in so quickly, my email app freezes.
I’m thrilled. But the competition isn’t as important as it was a month back.
Now, I’m just happy that I’m safe. That my loved ones are safe. That Callum is safe.
After my win, we return to the Gallagher estate to celebrate.
Darren and Nika arranged for us to commandeer the Gallagher dining room for the occasion.
The five-star gourmet spread is honestly the best I’ve ever had, and Callum plays bartender much of the night, which explains why I have a healthy buzz going on by the time the door swings open and a man I don’t recognize saunters right in, wearing a custom suit and a handsome smile that doesn’t reach his deep brown eyes.
He strides right up to me. “When I heard we had an award-winning supermodel in our midst, I knew I had to stop by.”
I glance over my shoulder.
He laughs. “I believe congratulations are in order, Miss Marlow.” He grasps my hand, bending to kiss my knuckles.
Something bubbles in my stomach. “Who even are you?”
“Down, Kellin.” Riley draws up beside me, looping her arm through mine. “She’s spoken for.”
“That’s what I get for being late to the party.” He flashes a bright white smile at one of my newest friends.
“Don’t mind him, Lucy.” She bumps shoulders with mine. “I know he looks more like a Wall Street shark than a mob specialist, but he’s actually good at what he does when he’s not using his charm as a weapon.”
Kellin smooths his shirt. “Kind of an ungenerous description of me, don’t you think, cousin?”
Despite his charm, he strikes me as a little uncomfortable with his surroundings. A bit odd if he’s family.
I wonder if there’s a story there.
I swivel toward Riley, eyebrows raised. “Cousin?”
“My uncle’s son. An extraction and intelligence specialist for the Kings.”
“Sounds dangerous.” Maybe I’m swaying a little.
“So is flirting with Callum Kavanagh’s woman.” Riley issues Kellin a stern rebuke before nodding toward the bar cart, where Callum pins her with fiery green eyes.
“The one time I’m home and something interesting’s going on, and I’m too late to do anything about it.”
That remark earns him a smack on the arm from Riley.
“Kellin, you’re here!” Harper materializes by her cousin’s elbow. “I want to hear about how things went in Thailand.”
Harper drags him off, and Riley escorts me across the room to my one and only love.
Callum’s steadying hands find my waist. “Making new friends?”
Riley laughs. “Don’t worry, I kept the slobber off her.”
“Who’s slobbering on my runway goddess?” Nika loops her arms around my shoulders.
We all laugh—even Callum—and it’s one of the best nights of my life.
When I was trudging back and forth between foster homes without a penny to my name, I couldn’t imagine this. A modeling contract worth a million dollars. My work phone ringing off the hook. Agents waiting in the wings to represent me.
A gorgeous, loyal, domineering yet surprisingly gentle man, tangling his fingers with mine and leading me away from the party down to a quiet parlor.
Callum and I retire to the biggest leather armchair and sit, enjoying the peace and serenity. He strokes my thigh while I balance one of my arms around his shoulders.
When I last left this estate, I never thought I’d return. But here I am, snuggling on Callum’s lap in the same room where I sipped margaritas with women I now consider my friends.
I can’t help but chuckle and shake my head. “I still can’t believe you stole the wallet back from Shane just to ensure the Kings sent help.”
“I’m lucky to still be breathing.” He presses his lips to mine. “But I’d do it a million times over again because you’re worth the risk.”
My heart melts at his words.
I kiss his mouth, his cheek, and nuzzle close to his ear. “Want to get out of here?”
Callum grins. “I thought you’d never ask.”