I wasn’t prepared for the nightmare that came to me the night before. Hank was the star, and he gripped me by the neck and bent me over the bed, raising my dress and removing my panties with force.

I didn’t see the end because Calloway woke me up.

Thank god.

I got ready the following morning and had a little pep talk with myself. Last night, I was weak and let that vulnerability show when I shouldn’t have. I admitted I was scared, and that confession made Hank the victor. I’d been taking care of myself for a long time, and so far, I’d managed to keep my head above water.

I would continue to do so.

Even without Calloway by my side, I wouldn’t let Hank get to me. I wouldn’t allow him to take something that didn’t belong to him. If I had to, I would kill him and suffer the consequences later.

Calloway and I rode in the back of his car on the way to work. He moved his hand to my thigh and rested it there, his palm heavy from pure masculinity. He kept his gaze outside of the car and didn’t question me about the night before. He never asked what my nightmare was about—probably because he figured it out on his own.

We arrived at the building, and Calloway opened the door for me like he did every morning. He didn’t take my hand or put his arm around my waist now that we were outside the office.

Together, we walked to the entryway, practically a mile apart. Calloway wore a dark suit, looking magnificent like always. His face was cleanly shaven, and his exposed chin made me want to trail kisses all down his jawline.

But I kept my hands to myself.

As we approached the door, I felt a malicious gaze fall on my body. The look was scorching, evil. Deep down inside, I knew who it was before I even looked. I turned my head and locked eyes with the man who was committed to ruining me.

That fucking asshole.

Calloway kept moving to the door, but my rage took over and I did something stupid. I marched over to Hank with my hand balled into a fist. If he thought he could do something on my way to work, he was an idiot. I’d kick his ass right in front of the building for the whole world to see. “You fucking asshole.”

Hank smiled like this was a game. “I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by. Nice to see that you cleaned up well.”

I launched my fist at his face immediately.

Hank caught it and lowered it back to my side, using his strength to overpower me. His eyes were absorbed in my expression, so he didn’t notice Calloway behind me, who was probably about to murder Hank right this second.

A shadow passed over me, and that’s when I knew Calloway was officially in the mix. He moved right past me, forcing me to the side when his massive frame squeezed me out of the picture. He was taller than Hank, so he had to look down at him slightly, his eyes brooding and threatening. He didn’t say a single word to Hank, just warned him with a simple look.

Hank didn’t back down, but he didn’t make the mistake of throwing a punch. He eyed Calloway, sizing up his opponent before he determined what to do next. He was in his suit, probably on his way to work at the DA’s office.

Calloway took a step forward.

Hank automatically took a step back, his arms tense by his sides. Calloway was a much bigger adversary than I was. His punches couldn’t be easily stopped with a simple block. When Hank’s face paled to a milky white color, it was obvious he didn’t like the turn of events.

Calloway knew better than to attack Hank right out in the open like this. There were witnesses everywhere, and it would be easy to control the narrative and say Calloway started an unprovoked fight. Since Hank was an experienced lawyer, it was a path Calloway couldn’t take.

Hank stepped back again, obviously uncomfortable by the maniacal gleam in Calloway’s eyes. I’d been the victim of that stare before, and I knew how terrifying it was. Calloway didn’t have to say a single word to express his feelings. They were quite clear. Yet he let one slip. “Run.”

Hank faltered backward as he tripped over his own feet. His hand caught his body on the concrete, and he quickly got up again, dirtying the back of his suit. He didn’t run like Calloway recommended, but he definitely didn’t take his time getting to the road and waving down a cab.

Calloway watched him the entire time, his shoulders tense and his arms tight. His eyes followed the car until it was completely out of sight. Even then, he kept searching for Hank like he might return. His jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes were full of imminent threat.

I’d never seen Hank take off like that. Every time I threatened him, it just spurred him on. He clearly didn’t see me as a threat, but when it came to Calloway, it was a completely different story.

We entered the building and took the elevator to our floor. Calloway stayed on one side of the elevator, his hands in his pockets and his gaze concentrated on the wall in front of him. He didn’t make any effort to comfort me. He was focusing on keeping himself calm before the doors opened and his employees looked at him.

We stepped out and walked by everyone’s desks like usual. One hand was in his pocket, and he held his head high as he walked. When we were past everyone, he spoke.

“My office,” Calloway said darkly. “Now.”

I didn’t object.

We walked inside, and he locked the doors behind us, not caring if people thought we were screwing. He walked to his desk and stood in front of it, his shoulders broad and rigid. He gave a violent shout before he tossed all the contents off the desk, breaking his computer and everything else.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stood silent, knowing any sound would just make it worse.

Calloway paced the office space before he leaned against the desk, gripping the edge until his knuckles turned white. He stared at me with blue eyes that burned hotter than white-hot flames. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths, his recklessness unable to be tamed.

I slowly approached him like he was a wild animal that could be spooked at any time. I placed my hands against his chest and ran them down slowly, touching him the way I did when we were in the shower together.

Calloway calmed slightly when he felt my touch. His breathing slowed once he felt the pressure of my fingertips. He stared down at my hands and closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again.

“I’ve never seen Hank do that before…” I was in awe that Calloway had scared him off so easily. He didn’t even need to say anything. All he had to was flex his muscles and give an ice-cold look. He’d done something I didn’t think anyone could accomplish. “He’s scared of you.”

“He recognized me.”

My hands moved to his arms, gripping his biceps. “How do you know?”

“I could just tell,” he said quietly. “He recognized the building, and put two and two together. I may not be the DA, but I’m pretty well-known in this city. He knows I’m not someone he should cross.”

I massaged his arms and felt the relief wash through me, the first time I ever thought Hank might actually disappear. All these years I’d been running from Hank, when all I needed was Calloway to scare him off. “Do you think he’s gone, then?”

“I’m not sure.” He hadn’t looked at me once, his eyes glued to the floor. “But he definitely knows I’m officially his enemy. I don’t think he’ll strike at you in the open anymore. We come as a package deal.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved into his chest, holding him and letting him hold me. I’d never felt so safe as I did with this man. Christopher was strong, but Hank didn’t see him as a problem at all. But Calloway was different. He was strong and powerful. He was wealthy, with influence. He was the smartest guy I’d ever known. “Thank you.”

When he heard the sincerity in my voice, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer into him. “You don’t need to worry about him anymore, sweetheart. As long as I’m around, he won’t touch you.” He moved his lips to my hairline and gave me a gentle kiss as his arms tightened around me.

I closed my eyes and rested against his powerful chest, wishing we were home and alone together. Calloway gave me the greatest gift anyone could have ever given me. He gave me back my freedom, gave me back my liberty.

* * *

I shut my office door so I could talk to Christopher without anyone eavesdropping. “Hey.”

“Hey, how’s it going with that caveman? I haven’t talked to you in a while and just want to make sure he didn’t eat you or something.”

He ate me all the time, in fact. “It’s been really good, actually.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m not still pissed at you.” Christopher and I hadn’t talked in a while, and I knew he did that on purpose so I would cool off. But he knew me better than that. I didn’t forget easily.

Christopher sighed into the phone. “I’m sorry, okay? But I did what I thought I had to do.”

“I specifically told you not to tell Calloway.”

His anger flared just the way mine did. “It was either that or let that psychopath get to you. I honestly believed you would be safer with Calloway than you would ever be with me. I’m sorry you’re angry, but that’s too damn bad. I made my choice, and I don’t regret it. You’re my sister, Rome. I’ve got to protect you—even if I piss you off in the process.”

After hearing Christopher defend himself, I couldn’t stay angry. Besides, he ended up being right. “You were right about Calloway. He’s the only person Hank seems to be afraid of.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hank tried to corner me outside the office today. Calloway was with me, and he scared him off with just a look. I’ve never seen Hank back down from a fight. Actually, he nearly ran. I don’t know if this means Hank is gone forever, but I think it’s a good sign.”

“Hell yeah.” Christopher clapped his hands together hard over the line. “Calloway is the fucking man. I told you. I told you that from the beginning, Rome. You’re staying there forever. Helps me sleep at night.”

“I don’t know about forever…” Now that I was living there again, I didn’t want to leave. I loved sharing Calloway’s bedroom with him. I loved sleeping in that enormous bed with him right beside me. We had a routine every morning before work and every night before bed. I treasured it.

“He told me he gave up everything for you, Rome. Yes, I think this is forever.”

“He told you…?”

“I called him the other day,” Christopher explained. “Just to check in.”

I thought Christopher was pissed at Calloway for lying to me. He obviously got over it. “He hasn’t told me he loves me.”

“Not with words, no. But he does.”

“Why do you think that?” My heart was racing in my chest, the adrenaline flooding my body. There was nothing I wanted more than to tell him I loved him and hear him say it back.

“Are we gossip girls again?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Because it’s obvious, Rome,” he snapped. “The guy is letting you live with him again. He watches every step you take. He’s given up Ruin for you. Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

“Then why won’t he just tell me?”

“Because words are stupid. They’re meaningless. They can be taken back with the snap of a finger. But his actions say everything that needs to be said, Rome. Maybe he’s just afraid of intimacy. Maybe he’s just afraid to say the words out loud. But he does love you. We both know it.”

When I’d told Calloway I loved him, his eyes softened in a way they never had before. Then he’d made sweet love to me on the couch, moving slow and taking his time so we could enjoy each other as much as the sex. I believed he did love me. He just wasn’t ready to say it.

* * *

Calloway came to my office at the end of the day right on time. “Ready to go, sweetheart?” He gave me an endearment right in the middle of the hallway where everyone could hear. But he clearly didn’t care.

Since everyone knew I was sleeping with him, I guess a nickname really didn’t make a difference at this point. I grabbed my stuff and met him at the door.

He looked down at me like he wanted to kiss me. He eyed my lips with his usual look of intensity, probably wanting to pin me against the wall and fuck me right then and there. I didn’t want him to kiss me because we were at work, but if he did, I wouldn’t stop him. He eventually pulled away, having made up his mind.

We left the building and took the car back to his place. When we sat in the back seat together, he grabbed my hand and brushed his thumb over my knuckles. His eyes were glued to the window, but he glanced at me from time to time.

We arrived at home then walked inside. The second we were alone together, the electricity filled the air between us. His desires were an open book. I could feel his arousal without even looking at him.

His hands went around my waist, and he moved me into the wall.

Before he could kiss me, I spoke my mind. “I want to please you.”

He eyed my lips, his hands still gripping my hips as he held me against the wall.

“You did something amazing for me today. So I want to do something for you.”

His hands tightened on my hips, and his look intensified. “You don’t owe me anything, sweetheart.” He pressed his face against mine then placed a kiss to the corner of my mouth.

“But I want to…” I moved my hands up his chest and undid the buttons of his shirt, popping one by one. I loosened his tie and let it come apart over his chest. “Whatever you want, Calloway. I’ll do it this time.”

When his eyes darkened, I knew he understood exactly what I was offering.

He chased away my greatest nightmare and gave me back my freedom. He did so much for me without ever asking for anything in return. I knew he had his fantasies, and I could fulfill one—an innocent one.

“You’re sure about that, sweetheart?” He stepped closer to me, his chest pressed against mine as he backed me up into the wall.

“Yes…something tame.” He knew I didn’t want him ever to raise a hand to me, ever to strike me the way Hank did. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be violent in any way.

He struggled to say no, to give me the slow and sensual sex he knew I enjoyed. But his entire body wouldn’t allow him to do that. It went against his nature, the beast deep inside him.

He unzipped my dress and let it fall to the floor. Next, he went for my bra and panties, stripping me down until I was completely naked with the exception of my heels. He yanked his tie off then forcefully turned me around without warning. He pushed me against the wall, my tits hitting the cold surface. He bound my wrists together and secured them with his silk tie. His lips remained next to my ear, breathing heavily right into my canal. “Last chance.”

I was scared, but I was also excited. “I trust you.”

He pressed his face against the back of my neck and took a deep breath, his hands pressing against the wall as they shook. Something I said went straight to his core, went straight to his being.

He kissed the back of my neck. “Fuck, sweetheart.” He undid his slacks and let them fall to the floor, his boxers dropping around his ankles. Without any warning, he shoved himself inside me, slamming into me without the gentleness he usually showed. He pumped hard and fast, pinning me against the wall while he fucked me like a madman. He gripped my hips and kept me still as he gave me his long length over and over, breathing and grunting. He fucked me harder than he ever had, like he lost his mind to the carnal temptation.

I arched my back and used the wall for balance since my hands were bound behind my back. I felt his arousal, his adrenaline, and fell into the abyss with him. His cock felt enormous like it always did, but the hurt was so damn good.

I’d already begun to scream just a minute into it. My face was pressed against the wall, and my body shook as he thrust into me like he’d never really fucked me before until now. Now that his secret was out in the open, he showed me all his true colors. He showed me just how rough he liked to fuck.

And it felt good.

“Come for me.” He pressed his mouth to my ear. “Now.”

I was on the verge, so he didn’t need to push me.

“Now.” He grabbed me by the throat and gripped me hard, his cock stretching me like I was a plaything rather than a woman.

My body responded to his command like it had a mind of its own. I came with a loud groan, feeling my entire body tighten in ecstasy as the wonderful sensation washed over me. Everything felt so good. I was in heaven and hell at the same time. “Calloway…”

He pumped into me a few more times before he released with a quiet groan, his hand still on my throat and his mouth pressed to my ear. He filled me with all of his seed, giving me another deposit of his come.

When he was finished, he rested against me, with the wall for balance. His cock slowly softened inside me, the blood draining and returning to the rest of his body. A gentle kiss was placed on my cheek then my lips, like he was apologizing for the way he’d just fucked me with abandon.

He finally pulled his cock out of me, making me wince once my pussy was barren of his size. “Let’s shower.” He still spoke with authority, but now he sounded angry—livid. The awesome sex we just had seemed to piss him off more than satisfy him.

But that couldn’t be true.