Chapter 1 #2
“I have honest intentions, Callum. I’ve let go of the past and wish you weren’t going through this.”
His tough expression cracks. “Thanks, it means a lot that you came. He would’ve told you himself, Lily. He felt awful for what he did to you. Over the past couple of years, he talked to me about it a lot. I believe he wished things would’ve been different.”
“Then I’m glad you were able to make amends with him while he was still…around.” I peer into Callum’s blue eyes and instantly split in half. I swallow the pain and focus on John. “Callum, I forgive him for everything. It’s time to let it all go and move on.”
His heavy stare lingers on me. “You might wanna forget what we could’ve had, but I won’t. I’ve forgiven my uncle, but I’ll never let go of what we made. It was meant to be Lily, and it was taken from us.”
Callum and his flip-flopping messages. It’s the same cycle. One where he disses me, then begs me to look past his behavior. He loves me and wants me back, but he can’t be with me because I’ll get hurt.
He changed the name of their last album to get my attention and haunt me. It burned like hell just like he intended, but then he spent the next nine months apologizing and sending me messages saying he wished he could take it back.
He said he would clean up his act and fight for me, but he was wasted and with another woman a few hours later. Now this. I’m supposed to understand what he means when he speaks in circles.
Instead of arguing, I nod. “I’m sure the drugs caused his explosion that day. Like I said, I’m at peace with it now.”
“I’ll never be.”
I study him at a loss, his sad eyes sending love my way and dredging up every unresolved feeling. For whatever reason, I can’t sever all my ties with him.
Maybe it’s because he was my first love, and we went through a lot together. I should hate him for cheating on me, but even that gets lost in the moment.
“We need to talk in private.” He takes my hand and leads me out of the room.
“Callum, you should stay with your…” I glance around.
Everyone is watching us. It’s better if we leave so John can be the one everyone will focus on. I relent and follow Callum.
He guides us down a hallway near the restrooms and out into the parking lot. He waits for the door to close behind me. Once we’re all alone, we stand off to the side of the building.
He runs a longing gaze over me. “You’re beautiful, even at a funeral.”
“Thanks. You clean up well yourself.”
“The only other time you’ll see me in a suit is at my wedding.” He laughs under his breath.
A vision of him walking down the aisle flits across my mind. I lower my head, knowing there’s a good chance he’ll be meeting someone else at the end of his stroll.
“Lily, I’m never gonna move on.” He lifts my chin with two of his fingers. “When I say that, I mean it’s gonna happen with you. There’s never gonna be another.”
I tilt my head, a sad smile tugging at my lips despite myself. “Callum, you couldn’t go a full twelve hours the last time you brought up this subject.”
“I’m sorry about that.” He rubs his neck, and a low growl rumbles in his throat. “Something upset me, so I got wrecked. I spiraled. And I lost you all over again before I even sobered up. I don’t have an excuse. All I can say is I’m sorry.”
“You already have a million times, but I don’t want to be with someone who forgets about me the second I’m gone.”
“I’ve never forgotten you, Lily. You can trust me. If you commit to me and I know we were in that type of relationship, I wouldn’t even look at another woman.”
“Callum—”
A limo pulls into the lot and stops before us.
He tenses. “That better not be who I think it is.”
He’s not addressing me. His glare is fixed on the car. The driver gets out and opens the back door. Leon Baker appears, crawling out of the opening.
“Cash, Livianna.” Leon slithers out of the limo in a pinstriped suit sharp enough to draw blood. “If it isn’t the star-crossed mourners. Nothing like death to make the doomed remember they’re tethered.”
Callum steps in front of me, blocking Leon. “You’re not welcome here, Leon.”
“It’s in poor form if I don’t show my face.” Leon advances, then stops a foot from Callum. “Don’t make a scene, Cash.”
The sinister warning in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve seen them interact like this before.
Nothing about their relationship seems normal. Leon uses his power to keep Callum in line and he lets him. It’s strange to witness.
I step around Callum, facing Leon head-on. “What’s your problem? This is his uncle’s memorial. If Callum doesn’t want you here, then you should leave.”
Leon’s evil gaze snaps to me. “Oh, I see you’ve gotten brave. Maybe we can all meet up after the funeral and see how long that lasts.”
Callum tugs on my hand. “Go back inside, Livianna. I can deal with this on my own.”
“But—”
“I said, let me handle this.” Callum’s chest heaves.
“She can stay.” Leon breaks out a wicked smile. It’s all teeth, the kind wolves wear before they bite. “I wouldn’t mind. In fact, I’d love to sit down with Livianna and discuss a few matters.”
Callum twists to me and takes my arms in a tight grip. “Thank you for coming, but you need to leave.”
“You’re asking me to go?” I shake my head in disbelief.
“Yes. I have too much on my plate right now.” He palms the door open to the restaurant and guides me through with a push born of protection.
I stumble a little, but that doesn’t matter to Callum. He watches me disappear from his sight as the door closes. The click behind me is like exile all the same.
My mouth hangs open. I’m about to march myself right back out to deal with them, but Bren shows up.
He strides past me. “Livianna, get Mom and Dad, and I’ll meet you guys at home.”
“No, Leon said he had something he wanted to talk to me about. I’m staying and figuring out what he wants.” I point to the parking lot.
Bren stops and stares me down. “No, you’re not. You’re leaving, and Cash and I are gonna deal with our problem.”
“You’re involved in whatever madness is going on between those two?”
“I am now.” He turns to go outside. “Cash can try to stop me, but this is my war, too. And this time, I won’t stand by while he gets burned.”