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And he smacks my ass, sending me up to do his bidding.

With my heart beating hard and fast, I pace the room, wondering what Callahan might say about the pile of packages and boxes of things I bought today. He might be mad about how much I spent, but he won’t hurt me.

“Stop being so dickmatized,” I mutter. “The man’s a stone-cold killer. Someone almost killed him today and his response was fucking you. It isn’t normal. It’s scary. You should be terrified.”

And I should. I know it.

But instead, I’m standing here, trying to contain the anticipation of him coming up and continuing what we did in the kitchen and what we did in the bathroom of the bar.

Of course, anticipation turns on a dime, especially when the door doesn’t open.

And continues to not open.

Maybe I should put something cute on. Something sexy. I’ve gone and lost my mind, but honestly, I need to tell myself something I don’t know. Like how far the sun is from the Earth because me losing my mind over a man like Callahan is definitely something I absolutely do know.

I pull open one of the bags from an insanely expensive boutique and then open the box of lingerie. The purple pair of silk panties and bra are perfect. I strip, then change into the new ones. With a sweep of my eyes, I choose a dress in a dark burnt red. I like that I’m wearing lingerie that doesn’t match myoutfit.

Finally, I find a pair of black heels and slip them on. I add some red lipstick, pucker my lips, and decide if the mountain isn’t coming to me, I’ll just go to the mountain.

After all, I can tell him I’m going out.

Because, screw him.

I carry the heels down the stairs when the voices stop me.

They’re in the living room on the second floor and Seamus is talking about a girl they’ve got hidden away and need to take care of.

Callahan says something so low I don’t catch it, but I’m already backing away, heart pounding.

Fear swamps me.

Did they kidnap a girl?

And what do they mean “take care of”?

Kill?

Is thatmyend game in this?

The blood pounds in my ears. I grip my phone so tight that it lights up.

Then I hurry down the stairs to the first floor where Arnold and his kitten friend greet me.

The kitten meows and Arnold whines low, like he can pick up on my mood.

What I want to do is take them and run.

But where the heck am I going?

The card with my name on it is upstairs, and the credit card I have from Dad means he can track me. Do I call him? Beg him to come and get me?

I unlock my phone, right as a message flashes on the screen.

Luce. Can we meet?I don’t recognize the number, but it’s got to be my sister. Who else other than family and some casual friends who are all related tothe mafia and crime families would text? Dad and Mom both call, and Maximo is too busy with his school life.

Viv?

Yes! I need to see you,my sister texts.Please. Where are you?