36. Chapter Thirty-Six
The last few days have been a complete waste of time. Callum, Connor and I searched every nook and cranny of our house, hoping to find something else that would incriminate Derek or Cameron and have come up empty-handed.
Ryker even helped us crack into the safe that was hidden in the wall behind a portrait of Derek, and all that was in there was a scattering of bank notes.
I still feel uncomfortable whenever I’m in the house, so I’m glad to be out today with Kat, doing some shopping for an outfit to wear tonight. Hopefully, this will take my mind off things and relax me before we go back to my house to get ready.
Kat’s fingers link with mine and she drags me towards a little boutique that’s filled with racks of clothes.
“We have to get you that little black dress that’s in the window! It would look amazing on you.”
I look over my shoulder at the mannequins lining the windows and see one that has a scrap of fabric over it.
“Kat, that is way too revealing. I can’t wear that,” I tell her, shuddering at the thought of how much skin would be exposed if I were to wear that dress. “Besides, we’re going bowling before we go to the club, so I want something practical.”
“You’re so boring,” she huffs, playfully rolling her eyes. “Okay, let’s go over here and look through the two-piece sets then. I’m sure there will still be something sexy but practical.”
I agree, following her lead through the store until we reach a section filled with a multitude of colours. There are sets with trousers, skirts and shorts. The tops are varied styles too; cropped tops, a few with long sleeves, and some are simply a band of fabric that’s supposed to cover my boobs.
Kat giggles beside me, drawing my attention from the silky white trousers that I was admiring.
“Look at those guys. They look so out of place standing in this shop.” My gaze follows where she’s pointing and I see the two officers who’ve been appointed to us standing a few feet away amongst the racks of women”s clothing.
“I feel bad for them having to follow us around all the time, especially when we’re out shopping. Imagine if we went into a lingerie store.”
Kat cackles, slapping at my arm. “We should totally go to a lingerie place now, I have to see that!”
“Don’t be so cruel, Kat.”
Her laughing sobers. “Okay, but seriously, let’s go get some lingerie after we’ve picked an outfit. You should get something lacy or maybe something silky!”
I shake my head, already opposed to the idea.
“I don’t want to wear any lingerie. Just because I had sex with Ryker and Brad the other night, it doesn’t mean it’ll be happening again any time soon… I also need something supportive to wear. I don’t want some flimsy lingerie.” My hand lifts to the underside of my bra, and I feel for the hard metal handle of Ryker’s knife through my top.
Kat’s eyes follow the movement, and she sighs, smiling sadly.
“You still have that on you?”
“Yeah, it makes me feel safe. I know I probably don’t need it, but my family is unpredictable and clearly unhinged. Ryker also made me promise that I’d keep it with me whenever I wasn’t with any of the guys or the twins.”
“Okay, no lingerie shopping then. We can do that at a later date.”
Callie:
We’re finished shopping now and on our way home!
Ryker:
Want us to meet you there?
Kat:
No! I need more girl time
Brad:
You’ve already had Callie for 3 hours!
It”s our time to have her now
This isn”t fair :(
Nate:
Ignore him. Take your time. We’ll be fine here
Callum:
*picture of Connor playing with a dog*
Kat:
Of course that grumpy fucker gets along with the devil dog from next door
Callie:
We’ll get ready and then meet you guys at Nate’s house 3
Brad:
Please don’t take too long
Kat grabs the bags of clothes from the boot whilst I unlock the front door.
“I didn’t realise how exhausting shopping could be,” I groan, kicking my shoes off to relieve the ache that’s beginning to form.
“Well, you have to go into every shop in case you find something better than any of the previous ones. It’s what shopping’s all about.”
“But I’m so tired,” I whine, hobbling over to the stairs and sitting down. “I can’t even rest because we’re meant to be back at your house by nine, and it’s already seven o’clock!”
“Okay, okay! Stop complaining. Take your bag, go have a shower. I’ll find us some alcohol, and then I’ll join you upstairs and help you get ready. I have big plans to make you look even more stunning than usual. I want to see each of those guys drooling when we see them later.”
She chucks one of the plastic bags towards me and then skips off into the kitchen.
I practically drag myself up the stairs and into my room and try to mentally hype myself up for the night ahead.
I know that I’m likely to have fun tonight and enjoy myself, maybe even be able to finally let my hair down and let loose, but I can’t help but feel a heavy sense of trepidation.
I pull the light blue two-piece from the bag and grab a hanger from my wardrobe before hanging it over the door. The top is long-sleeved with a swooping neckline that’s guaranteed to show a large portion of cleavage yet still be modest. I’m also positive that I can wear a normal bra underneath, so if I feel like I need to, I can bring the flip knife with me.
The trousers are full-length and tight with a little slit at the bottom.
As soon as Kat saw the outfit, she squealed and thrust it into my arms. According to her, it’d make my bum and my boobs look amazing, and therefore the guys won’t be able to keep their eyes off of me.
I blush when I think about how each of them might react to me wearing it, especially if Kat can manage to do my hair and make-up nicely too.
Smoothing my hand along the leg of the trousers, I take one last look at the outfit and then turn around and walk into the bathroom.
I’m hoping tonight will be a good night, not only because we’re celebrating Brad’s birthday but also because it’ll be the first time I’ve ever been to a club and I’ll be surrounded by all of the people that I care about dearly.
Turning the shower on, I walk back into my room and strip out of my jeans and t-shirt, throwing them into a pile by the door. I pull the knife out of my bra, swiping my thumb across the engraving of Ryker’s name and then place it on the bedside table.
As I twist my hands behind my back to unclasp my bra, I hear Kat shout my name.
My head snaps towards my closed door and my hands drop to my sides. I rush over to the door and open it, scanning my eyes across the empty landing.
“Kat, did you call me?”
I wait for a reply but hear nothing.
Shrugging it off, I assume I must’ve imagined it, but as I turn to walk back into my bedroom, I hear the distinctive sound of glass smashing.
My heart jumps into my throat and my hand flies to my face, covering my mouth to quiet my panicked gasp.
I slowly take a few steps backwards, my eyes glued to my open doorway, until my legs bump against my bed. Quickly turning around, I grab the knife and stuff it back into my bra, and then rush over to the washing basket to grab a top – clean or dirty I’m not sure.
As I’m shoving my head and my arms through the holes of the t-shirt, music starts playing from the lower level of the house.
Loud, thumping music that causes my heart to pick up speed and my stomach to bottom out.
What the hell is going on?
My panicked eyes dart around the room, searching for my phone but I can’t find it anywhere.
I try to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down.
Don’t panic. I’m sure it’s just Kat who’s turned the music on.
There are police officers outside monitoring the house.
We’re safe.
I rush towards the door, no longer caring about being quiet due to the loud music. As I run down the stairs, almost breaking my ankle, I look around the entryway, searching for any sign that someone’s here.
Empty.
My eyes flit between the front door and the kitchen.
Do I check on Kat to see if I’m just being paranoid? Or do I run outside to the police car and ask them to search the house because I think someone’s inside?
My palms are sweating and my heart is pumping so fast I’m scared it might flop out of my chest.
Fuck.
I rush towards the kitchen, hoping and praying that Kat’s safe and okay.
“Kat!” I scream, sliding across the marble tiles into the kitchen.
A noise of anguish releases from my throat when my eyes land on Kat. Her body slumped on the ground, shattered glass spread around her and blood trickling from her head.
“Kat, no, no, please.” I crouch down beside her, pushing strands of hair away from her face and pressing my finger against her neck, feeling for a pulse. “Kat. Open your-”
My body freezes, and my words stop when the music abruptly shuts off.
Kat’s pulse pounds beneath my fingers, bringing me a small amount of relief knowing she’s alive and will hopefully be okay.
My relief soon turns into fear when the silence is filled with slow clapping and a familiar maniacal laugh.
I hold my breath as I feel a presence coming closer towards me.
“Oh, Callie,” he drawls, stepping so close to me that his legs brush against my back. “You should’ve chosen to run outside the front door. That was the safe option. One that I knew you wouldn’t take because innocent little Calliope cares too much about others to save herself. You know, I’m kind of disgusted with myself for knowing you so well.”
I slowly peel my eyes open, keeping them trained on Kat’s face whilst I pull my shaking hands away from her body.
He crouches behind me, his arms entangling with mine until I’m pulled against him, unable to move or fight back if I want to.
“I’ve been waiting years for this moment, although it wasn’t meant to be like this. You see, this pretty little blonde wasn’t a part of my plan, but I guess it’s fitting that she was here, seeing as your whore of a mother isn’t.”
My breathing grows fast and panic settles deep into my bones the more he keeps on talking.
“Cameron, please, you don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do!” he growls, yanking on my arms as he stands, pulling me with him. I thrash against him, trying to escape his clutches, but he holds on tighter, keeping me pinned to his body.
“I’d take a good long look at her, Callie, because this will be the last time you’ll ever see her.”
“No! Please, Cameron, please!” I scream, determination filling me. I twist my body, kick, scream, and scratch, but nothing works.
He drags me backwards, out of the kitchen and away from Kat.
Tears start streaming down my face as I fight against him, trying my hardest to break free. When I throw my head back and it connects with his, his grip loosens, and I manage to twist myself out of his hold.
I scramble towards the front door, wincing at the pain in the back of my head, desperately trying the reach for the handle.
My hand grazes against it and my fingers push down, a panicked scream escaping my throat when the handle doesn’t move.
“No, no, no,” I mutter, yanking on the handle.
“Time to go.”
I twist around as Cameron’s haunting voice graces my ears, and then searing pain appears in my skull as a crack sounds out around the room, and I feel my body crash down against the tiled floor.
“We’re going to have so much fun together, Callie.”