Page 147 of The Unlikely Heir

All that matters is getting to Callum.

But I’m going to be too late because I can see the woman with the tattoo raising the gun and Callum standing on the dais defenseless, holding nothing but a sword and gold rod. Ceremonial things, useless things.

Nothing that can defend him against a bullet.

“NO!” I scream the words as if by the very force of my will I can stop what’s happening in front of me.

I throw myself at Callum as the sound of a gunshot reverberates around the castle walls.

ChapterForty-Two

Callum

I’m slammed to the ground by Oliver’s weight. The golden rod falls out of my hand, clanging on the slate next to me while the crown dislodges from my head, falling to the ground.

Oliver’s hot breaths puff against my ear as he shields me with his body. People are screaming, and a cacophony of chaos surrounds us.

But my focus boils down to Oliver pressed against me. The feel of his body and his scent are so familiar and right.

Until I realize that wetness is blooming between us.

I squirm to pull back from him, my hand instinctively reaching out to touch the moisture between us.

I stare at my hand.

It’s blood.

So much blood.

Oliver is bleeding. Oliver has been shot.

Panic surges through me, so strong it leaves me dizzy.

“Oliver.” The word leaves my lips like a prayer.

I maneuver so I’m hunched over him, tugging at his suit jacket. Blood pulses out from his chest.

His handsome face is pale, his eyes flickering as he struggles to stay conscious. His dark eyes meet mine.

“I—” he starts but doesn’t manage anything further before he loses consciousness.

“Help!” I scream.

I cradle him. “Help him, oh my god, help!”

Bodies are pressing in from all sides, and suddenly, there are arms prying me away from Oliver.

“I love you,” I say frantically, but Oliver can’t hear me.

The strong arms continue to rip me from Oliver, but I’m struggling against them, fighting them off to get back to Oliver.

“I loveyou!” My voice is ragged, desperate. As I’m dragged away, I continue to scream the words, trying to get Oliver to hear this fundamental truth that my life boils down to.

“I loveyou. I loveyou.I LOVE YOU.”

Because I can’t let him die without hearing those words from me.

I just can’t.