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“No.”

“Remember, every choice you make has consequences.” He pauses; his expression turn beguiling. “Come here, Lucie.”

Shoulders squared, I let out a defeated breath and step toward him. He drops his cigarette, crushes it under his shoe, and cups my chin, drawing me close.

“You can’t do a thing to me here.”

“I can do what the fuck I like.” He leans down and kisses me, taking his time. He tastes like his cigarette, and it makes my head spin. Or maybe that’s just him. He lifts his head, eyes glittering. “Fuck, Joy, you’re so damn lucky you amuse me.”

Then Callahan frowns, searching my face. “You going to tell me why you ran? Because I can’t stress how fucking stupid it was for you to take off like that. It was dangerous. You of all people should know that.”

“And you of all people know I do what I want.”

“I’m not lax like your father.”

Anger gets the better of me. “And you’re also not him.”

“No. I have way more control over you.”

“Caveman.”

“Dirty girl.”

A wave of desire rocks my center at those words.

“Why’d you run off? Whatever you heard?—”

“Viviana contacted me,” I say, cutting him off. I’m not ready for that particular conversation of why I originally decided to flee. At least not in the middle of the street. And not while I still can’t shake that feeling of being watched. Even if my observer is right here, touching me. “She wanted to meet.”

“For fuck’s sake, Lucie. Tell me.”

“I am.”

His lips twitch. “Beforeyou take off. Now, where are we going to meet her?”

I’m torn in so many directions that he’s here. There’s safety, fear, annoyance, thrills galore, trepidation… But still, he’s not leaving, so I take Callahan’s hand and lead him to the bar.

Once inside I look around, but there’s no girl being the center of attention, no gorgeous auburn-haired beauty gathering yearning looks like prizes. And something in me slumps.

“She’s not here. She’s normally late, but now we’re late, and…”

“If she contacted you, then she’ll turn up.” He leads us to a table in the back, and it’s the perfect spot. Callahan can sit with his back to the wall and have me next to him. Viv will definitely be able to see me.

“You need to wait to be seated,” the server says when we sit.

“Fuck that noise.” Then he lays down enough cash as he orders drinks and a plate of fries to make the server happy.

“What if I don’t like fries?” I ask.

“Ah, fuck, save me from pernickety lasses.”

“Per-what?”

“I’ll buy you a dictionary. Late wedding gift.”

I snort. “An old-fashioned one?”

“Watch that pretty mouth, Lucie, because I can think of a number of things to do with it,” he says, leaning toward me and sliding a hand under my skirt. “Also, we need to talk about the mess in my room. And your little shopping spree. And that fucking cat.”