“He won’t like that you did that,” I say under my breath as we walk to the car.
Callum helps me into the backseat before getting into the driver’s seat. Then he looks over the seat at me.
“You let me worry about your father.”
I give him a terse nod, not sure how this is going to play out.
Father can be furious, and I don’t want to face his anger when Callum is no longer here.
Maybe that’s the point, though.
After several minutes of silence, Curiosity gets the best of me, so I decide to ask, “Callum, are you staying until I’m married off?”
He winks at me in the rearview mirror.
“I’m here until I know you are safe. If that means the rest of your life, then so be it.”
“Why, though? Killian has never sent anyone before.” I say as I relax into the seat.
“Killian was unaware of how bad your father had become. I see it now and so does he. He cares about you, Cleo. While he still has to answer to his people, which restricts some of his moves, he really is trying to do the best he can for you.”
“Can you make sure he knows I appreciate that?”
“You can call him, you know,” Callum says.
I shake my head. “My father monitors my phone. I usually don’t even keep it on. I only use it every now and again, so he knows I still have it. I prefer my privacy.”
He nods in understanding. “I could get you a new one.”
I shake my head again. “No need. I don’t have anyone to call, anyway. You’re here and you can always get me in contact with Killian if I need to.”
“No friends from school?”
“They are all either afraid of my father or they don’t want to be seen with the prude Irish girl. It’s not a big deal. I’d rather have no friends than fake ones.”
“I’m sorry, Cleo. It won’t always be this way. I’m working on it,” he says sincerely.
Clearing my throat from the sudden tightness, I change the subject. “What did you want to talk to me about, anyway?”
“How much do you know about your father’s business?”
“Not much. He believes women shouldn’t be involved.”
“I figured as much. He doesn’t do any business at the house from what I can tell.”
“Why are you looking into him?”
Callum glances in the mirror at me, his face tense.
“Are you loyal to your father?”
If it was one of his lackey’s the answer would be yes without a doubt, but Callum is different. He treats me differently.
“Are you?” I challenge, raising my brow.
“I’m loyal to Killian, our leader.”
I bite my lip a moment, then breathe out. “I’m loyal to him, too. Even over my father, but please don’t tell him,” I say quietly.
