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

“Mallory understands. I just don’t want her to see me as a hero or want something more from me because she is grateful,” Callum muttered.

He had no idea why he was being so open with his boss. This was Sir Hugo, the boss of the Star Elite. However, now they were alone, Callum saw no reason why he should not be completely honest with his boss, not least because he knew Sir Hugo was the only one likely to be able to understand his predicament.

“Which is why I said that you should return to the investigation and see if the feelings she has for you fade. If what she feels is gratitude it will fade just as soon as she is given a house and the money to live as she pleases. Yes, she may always be grateful to you for getting her freedom back. However, that gratitude will shift to whoever gives her a new life. It cannot be you, not if you want to know if her feelings for you are genuine and not a reaction.”

Callum nodded, but then shook his head.

“What?” he demanded when he saw that Sir Hugo was smiling.

“You have gone already,” Sir Hugo teased. “I can see it on your face. You are already baulking at the idea of leaving her. You may as well see what happens during the journey to Cornwall. Once we are there, you are going to have to stay and get some rest. It is up to you to decide what you want to do before you return to Melrose’s stomping ground. By the time you are ready to go, though, the men might have already arrested him.”

“I hope they do. The bastard needs taking down.”

“I just hope he does try to ambush us,” Sir Hugo mused suddenly.

Callum swept him with a look. “Do you really think you are up to a fight?”

“I have a score to settle. Believe me I have been in worse conditions and won fights,” Sir Hugo growled.

Callum didn’t doubt it.

“Let’s hope he is sitting at Mann’s house.”

“We go after Haugham after Melrose and Mann have been dealt with.”

While Sir Hugo plotted, Callum turned his attention to Mallory once more.

“Where do we meet with them? Mallory, I mean,” Callum asked after several miles of silence.

Following Sir Hugo’s instructions had taken them in a random direction that was difficult for anybody to predict, but Callum knew that they were miles away from the safe house.

“We are going to meet at Citterton Bridge. When we get there, we are going to sweep the area and check that nobody has followed us. As soon as she arrives, we will take a different route of the area and make our way to Cornwall. Oliver has sent word to the local teams to meet us as we pass through, but I don’t know how immersed they are in their investigations and if they are able to join us.”

“Let’s get to Citterton Bridge then,” and with that Callum clicked the horse into a trot before settling back for a nice, long drive.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Mallory’s journey wasn’t as pleasant. She was terrified, hot, worried, and desperately wanted to get out while at the same time was too scared to move. Tension thrummed through her so much she was starting to feel sick from the stress it caused. She waited for that fateful order for the farmer to stop the cart during a journey that seemed to take an age, but it never came. Eventually, the carriage rumbled to a stop.

“Wait here,” the farmer muttered quietly.

The cart rocked wildly as he climbed down.

An icy, isolating, deathly silence settled about Mallory. It was more disturbing than the constant rumble of the cart’s wheels. Mallory listened for any sound of movement, or voices, but couldn’t hear anything. She wanted to take a quick peek out from beneath the folds, just to make sure the farmer hadn’t simply abandoned her, but she daren’t.

The hours ticked by. One. Two. Maybe more. Mallory had no idea. At some point she must have dozed off because something awoke her. A furtive scuffle. A slight sway of the cart. Whatever it was, Mallory sucked in a breath as panic engulfed her. It took her a moment to remember where she was. When she did, she closed her eyes and began to pray that whoever was climbing onto the cart wasn’t going to hurt her.

“Aye, well I shall see you next week then,” the farmer called to his friend.

Other insults and jibes were called as the farmer took his leave of his friend.

“I will help myself, if you don’t mind,” he added jovially.

Seconds later, the cart jerked as it began to move once more. Minutes later, the cart rumbled to a stop once more.

“Out you get now,” the farmer murmured.

At first, Mallory didn’t realise he was talking to her. It was his soft tap on the wood directly above her head that made her jolt. When she didn’t move fast enough for him, he eased the bags covering her away and tugged the heavy cloak off her head.