Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Sit here, please,” I told Callen, leading him to the only chair.
He frowned as he sat. “What’s wrong?”
“Who said anything is wrong? I’m eager to test this massage technique I read about.” Standing behind him, I dug my fingers into the ultra-tense muscles in his shoulders. A hoarse groan of bliss slipped from him, and I grinned. “Besides, I know for certain your mind works better when you’re not trying so hard.”
“You’ve never seen me not tryin’, so how can you know this?” he asked, relaxing into my touch.
“Because everyone’s does.” He opened his mouth as if to argue, but I added, “If you protest, the massage stops.”
Silence.
With a little laugh, I continued working the stiffness from his posture. More groans filled the air, and I realized helping him satisfied me in a way nothing else ever had.
When the half hour ran out, I bent down and kissed his temple. “Don’t you feel better now?”
“I do.” His thick tone did great things to my insides. He reached up to link our fingers and kiss the top of my hand. “Thank you, Elle.”
“You’re welcome, Callen.” I smiled as I strolled off.
“One day I might chase after you and carry you to our bed,” he called.
I winked at him over my shoulder. “One day I might let you.”
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Warrior Speak: Learning His Lingo Off the Battlefield
From A Beginner’s Guide to Berserker Bliss
Author Unknown
The next morning, I woke up from a dreamless night alone and realized Callen had never come to bed. Had he stayed in the map room all evening?
After hurrying to clean up, I checked my phone. No new messages from Isobel or Tavish. That was good, yes? Or bad?
Not that it mattered. They weren’t in charge anymore. I was, and the time had come for my conversation with Callen.
I cleaned up and dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, then went to fetch him.
“Mr. Bruce left two hours ago,” Old Man Butler informed me. “Miss Gavina and Miss Mirren are in the stable, if you’d like to join them.”
Yes. No! Not another delay. In the center of my being, a sense of urgency roared to life. A well-oiled engine with an endless supply of fuel. We needed to chat at long last, before Tavish took matters into his own hands.
If Callen accepted the truth of the switch without freaking out, and broke the rule demanding all switchers die, he could use me as bait to capture his greatest enemy. I trusted him to keep me safe. We could start fresh.
If he did freak out–
No, he wouldn’t.
“If I may be bold, ma’am,” Mr. Butler added.
“Please,” I encouraged. At least he wasn’t eyeing me with disdain at the moment.
“Mr. Bruce is best avoided today.”
“For others, perhaps, but not for me.”
Maybe I imagined it, but I thought I caught a glint of respect in his eyes. “If you say so, ma’am. He’s at his remote office.”
“Thank you.” I fetched my purse and made my way to the front entrance, where Buzz and Ponytail stood sentry. Like all other males in the house nowadays, excluding Old Man Butler, they cringed as I neared.
“What is everyone’s problem with me?” I demanded.
“The mark,” Buzz replied, no longer willing to even look at me. “We feel the violence behind it.”
Oooh. Yes, that tracked. And what a relief!
Now, to test my newfound freedom. “I need a car,” I told the pair.
Without a word, Ponytail opened the front door. I soared outside and discovered a vehicle already waiting. The original sleek sedan with the usual driver. Had he been out here all morning, just in case?
Angus sprang into action, opening the back door.
“Good morning,” I said.
He opened his mouth to respond, but only choking sounds emerged. Affected by the mark, too? Goodness gracious. How powerful was it?
Trembling, he shut my door and rushed to climb behind the wheel, sealing himself inside.
“To Callen’s office,” I requested.
In seconds, we were ambling down the driveway. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to know the bodyguards followed us in another vehicle, staying close but out of my way as Callen had promised.
They must have alerted him of my impending arrival, though, because my phone lit up with a new text.
Mr. Bruce: Is something wrong or is there another new massage technique you’d like to try?
Me: I wish to speak with you face to face.
No other message came in, but I noticed the driver received a call and immediately afterward, he picked up speed, weaving in and out of traffic.
I double checked my seat belt.
Dressed in a dark suit, Callen waited at the front entrance of the office building, pacing. He strode over as soon as we slowed and edged toward the sidewalk, then opened my door. Concern etched his features as he helped me into the sunshine.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded. His gaze slid past me, no doubt landing on Buzz and Ponytail, who rushed closer and shrugged.