Turning my attention back to Kai he moves in, pressing a kiss to my lips. It’s so quick that it’s over before I can even register it.
“Text or call me later.”
“I will.”
He helps me into the car where Callum is already waiting. I watch him in the rearview mirror until I can’t see him anymore.
“Are you really okay?” Callum asks.
“I am. He saved me.”
Callum nods, remaining silent the rest of the ride home.
As soon as we make it through the front door, my father is there in my face.
“Where the fuck have you been? They have been looking for you everywhere. You ungrateful little bitch,” he bellows.
He raises his hand to smack me, but Callum steps in his way.
“I suggest you lower your hand. You will not be laying a hand on Cleo ever again. If you do, I have Killian’s permission to put you down myself. What you did tonight was reckless. It was against Killian’s wishes. He will deal with you himself, but just know the Russians are out of consideration.”
“You can’t tell me shit. She is my daughter, and this is my house. You are a guard. You do what I say. Step out of the way,” Father spits.
Callum moves closer. “Killian has left me in charge of Cleo’s safety with the order that I can put down any person I perceive as a threat. At the moment, that is you. Would you like to be put down like the rabid dog you are?” he asks casually.
My father’s face turns bright red. “You wouldn’t. My men would kill you.”
Callum doesn’t move. “Would you like to test that theory?”
My father curses. “She has a date with the Italian tomorrow then. I’ll be fucking damned if she ends up giving her cunt up to that Japanese bastard. Fuck that.”
“That is not your decision. I suggest you retreat while I’m still feeling generous enough not to kill you in front of your child.”
My father narrows his eyes at Callum but is smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Instead, he turns, fuming all the way down to his office until we hear the door slam.
Callum turns to me. “I’m going to take you up to your room. We need to talk.”
We are silent all the way up. Once inside, he flips the lock and speaks quietly. “I’m having a new lock installed so that it can be locked from both sides. I have some things I need to do for Killian, but I will take you with me as much as I can. When I cannot, I will leave you here, but let Haruaki know so that he can have an added layer of protection.”
“Wait, you’re including him?”
Callum levels me with a serious look. “That man risked the rage of the Russian Bratva to get you out of a situation in which you could have been seriously harmed. He murdered one of the heirs to that Bratva faction for you. If I had to choose right now, he would have my vote in a heartbeat. So yes, I will include him in my plans to protect you because I believe he truly cares for you.”
“If that’s the case, why can’t we tell Killian and get it over with.”
“Killian has some things going on back home. We are drawing this out as long as we can for now.”
“This sucks. I’m just ready for this to be over,” I say completely defeated.
Callum pulls me into a hug. “I know. Listen, I’m going to confide in you. Maybe this will help you understand a little bit better.”
I swallow hard, as I pull away. “Okay.”
“Killian wanted you to go on these dates and get to know the men so that you could help him make the decision. He wants your input so that you might be happy. With that being said, there are things here going on that could threaten that. He left me in charge of you because he knows I have your best interest in mind. He has his own problems back in New York, so he’s trusting me to figure out everything here. That’s why I had to go tonight. Why I will have to go sometimes in the future. You can help me though.”
“Really?” I perk up. “How?”
“Don’t put yourself in danger but listen. They think you are a silly girl, but they are wrong, aren’t they? You’re smart. Not only listen here in the house but try to gain information from these dates. I might be more willing to trust Haruaki, but I don’t trust him completely, yet. He could be playing a game, although my gut tells me differently. The Italian is a concern as well. Your father chose him and the Russian as possible suitors for you prior to the fundraiser. Obviously, the Russians were into something on the side with your father. Today has proven that, but we aren’t sure about the Italian yet.”
