To Have A Heart (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 7)

“We are not alone,” Callum breathed.

Mallory shivered, but this time it had nothing to do with the cold. Raw attraction snaked down her spine and heightened her senses in a way she hadn’t expected. It was exacerbated by the danger that threatened them. It stretched her nerves taught, and commanded she savour every moment of her last few minutes alive.

I shouldn’t be attracted to him because I didn’t even know he existed three hours ago, yet I already trust him with my life.

Callum could see that trust shining from her eyes. It was reassuring because he knew that if something did go wrong, Mallory would follow his orders. On the other hand, it created a connection with her he knew no investigator should have for anybody under his protection.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Whatever happens, I want you to know that I am grateful for what you have done for me.”

Callum looked down at her and lifted his brows.

“You saved me,” Mallory winced. “I never thought anybody would.”

Callum mentally winced.

“We are not safe yet,” he warned her. “Thank me when this is all over.”

As if to prove his point, a large twig cracked loudly somewhere behind them. Callum jerked and looked over his shoulder.

“I cannot see anything but trees,” Mallory whispered, acutely aware that they were almost cheek-to-cheek.

“That is not as good as it sounds,” Callum grunted. “Just stay quiet. We are making too much noise even whispering.”

Callum tipped his head to listen to any sounds beyond that of Horace’s hooves. He clutched the handle of his gun tighter but knew his weapon would be useless if he was shot in the back. Any moment now his life could be brought to an abrupt end. Each breath might be his last. He would be bloody useless to protect Mallory then. It was a humbling thought and brought about a stark realisation within Callum that he wasn’t prepared to die yet. He wanted so much more from life. He wanted to experience more; a wife, a child maybe.

Strangely, whenever he thought about a wife and child, the mental image of Mallory hovered in the back of his mind. He tried to sweep her aside, and contemplate what his wife might look like, but Mallory wouldn’t be ignored.

It must be because she is the only female who I have been alone with for nigh on seven months now.

But Callum knew it was more, much more. Mallory was unforgettable. She was one of those people Callum knew he would find himself thinking about for weeks after they had parted.

“What do you think it is that made the noise?”

“Whatever it was is bigger than us,” Callum warned.

“They have been waiting for us in here,” she whispered.

“Don’t forget that it might be Sir Hugo watching us,” Callum warned.

Mallory doubted it. The woods had a sinister air to them that was unnerving. She sensed danger. It wasn’t something she had ever experienced before she had been kidnapped. But being in the hands of strangers had made her wary of people; more watchful and cautious of everything around her. Consequently, she had learnt to read cruelty in a person’s face and listen to the tones of someone’s voice that could convey so much about their character.

What she could read in Callum’s face was a wisdom that made her trust him. She didn’t doubt that he had been in situations just like this in the past and had fought to stay alive. She, on the other hand, was a dithering bundle of nerves who was going to start screaming any moment now if something didn’t happen to break the unbearable tension.

“Stop right there.”

The words, when they came, were like physical blows.

Mallory felt her world crumble. Her stomach lurched. She clung tighter to Callum’s reassuring strength but began to shake so fiercely that she felt her teeth start to clatter.

Callum reflexively tightened his arm around her. It was all the reassurance he could give her right now. He knew she was terrified. The colour that had once been in her cheeks had drained from her face leaving her so pale that she looked ill. Her eyes darkened and she inwardly seemed to curl in on herself. It was horrifying to watch someone who had, moments earlier, seemed quite alive and well turn into a mere ghost of herself.

“What do you want?” he demanded of the man who stepped out of the trees and planted himself directly in their path.

On either side them, several more men stepped out of the undergrowth. They didn’t emerge completely but remained partially obscured by the bushes so that they were still protected should Callum try to shoot them.

“Give us the girl back.”

“She doesn’t want to come with you,” Callum replied. “Taking her against her will is kidnap. She is neither your prize nor your possession.”