Before Tara can challenge him, I bring up Mina again. “If it were me, I’d want someone to come looking for me,” I say softly, and when Callum’s eyes meet mine, I add something that I don’t intend to. It just slips out. “I’d wantyouto come to help me.”
He breathes hard through his nose, and his hand comes up to rest on my ribcage. His fingers move the heavy fabric of his sweatshirt around like he’s trying toreallyfeel me. “I wouldn’t have let you out of my sight long enough for it to happen,” he says the words almost reverently, like he’s promising me that he’ll never let anything happen to me.
My heart jerks in my chest because I don’t think I could ever have this connection with anyone else.
“I’ll go in and get Mina and then we’re leaving,” Callum says gently.
“I’m coming with you,” I say, and it’s not for the noble reasons people might think. I’d rather be in danger with Callum than separated from him. I don’t want to be left here with Tara, Eric, and Ryan.
“No, you’re not.” Callum shakes his head, nudging me to stand next to Tara. “It’s too dangerous. We don’t know what’s inside.”
Eric steps closer. “Easy, killer. She’s a big girl, she can make her own decisions. She’s smart, capable. Let her think for herself.”
Callum turns slowly, seething. That was the literal worst thing Eric could have said right now short of calling me a bitch.
Eric lifts his chin. “You’re like a brother to her, right? That’s what everyone says. But, man, you seem more concerned about where she is and what she’s doing than her actual brother.”
My cheeks flush because Eric isn’t wrong.
It’s embarrassing, because people have always asked why Callum is so protective of me. Madi and Winter get it. Their guys are the same. Obsessed. Possessive. The kind that hover. The difference is they don’t have to explain that they’re just friends.
“Callum,” I murmur, but before I can say more, Eric moves closer and reaches out, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward him.
I flinch because I hate being touched. There were no boundaries in my household growing up. Come here, do this, do that. Everyone was always pinching and prodding me in whatever direction they wanted me to go. I go out of my way to keep from being pulled around by anyone anymore. The only person who doesn’t make me feel this way is Callum. Even when he is bossing me around, his touch is comforting.
And he sees it.
Callum’s eyes laser in on Eric’s hand on my arm. His jaw locks, fists clenched at his sides.
I step back instinctively, shaking Eric’s hand off of me, because I can see what’s coming next.
Eric moves to follow, but Callum’s boot shoots out, hard and fast.
Eric stumbles.
“What the hell, dude?”
Callum doesn’t even blink. “Touch her again and I’ll end your life before you can see it coming. It’s not a threat, I’m just giving you a head’s up. Fuck off, got it?”
Eric straightens, glaring at Callum, but he clearly believes Callum’s threat because he doesn’t say anything in response.
Callum isn’t finished because he stalks closer to the other boy. “She is smart. Sheiscapable. But that doesn’t mean I’ll take a chance on anyone hurting her.” He glowers. “Shut the fuck up about things that aren’t your concern.”
Then he turns to Ryan. “Fucking watch out for her,” Callum snaps. “If one hair on her head is out of place when I get back, I’ll stomp on your throat.”
Ryan blinks, confused, and I don’t want to stay here with him. If he’s letting my brother take his girlfriend off into the woods, I can only imagine what he’d stand by and watch Eric do to me.
Callum’s already stomping toward the front door, and I hesitate for just a second. Ryan’s already distracted because he’s looking at Tara’s finger. She must have broken a nail when we climbed over the fence, and to be honest it looks painful.
Perfect.
I bolt up the stairs and slip inside the front door, expecting to see Callum’s big body standing there.
But there’s no one.
LILAC
It’s colder inside than outside, almost like the thermostat is turned way down to freezing. I can’t imagine a place like this has electricity, but honestly I wouldn’t be surprised by anything at this point.
