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

“You want me to stay with you.” It wasn’t a question.

“No.”

“No?” Now Mallory was starting to get confused.

“No. I want you to stay at my house. I will stay at a friend’s house. It is just down the street from mine, but close enough for me to be able to call in on you and make sure you are all right. I must stay in Cornwall for a little while but will then need to return to the investigation. There is still a lot of work to do to close Melrose’s entire operation down. I, personally, need to know you are going to be all right while I am away.”

When Mallory spoke next her voice was a husky whisper. “Personally?”

Callum smiled gently. “Definitely.”

The air thickened. The distance between them narrowed. Callum’s head started to lower but he was prevented from doing anything more than looking ruefully at Mallory when the dull thud of Will’s boots climbing the stairs interrupted him.

“I have to get some rest. Will is taking first watch.”

Callum snuck a look at the door, which was slightly ajar. Making the most of the last few moments he had alone with Mallory, he dropped a quick kiss onto her lips and quickly stepped away, just as Will appeared in the doorway.

“Everything’s locked down. Get some sleep,” Will ordered.

Callum nodded, and winked at Mallory before he made his way to the door.

Mallory smiled. “Stay safe.”

Callum realised then that her worry wasn’t for her own safety, it was for him. She was concerned about him; Callum. It was so sweetly touching that he couldn’t help but smile. It was the first time that someone, anyone, had truly worried about his welfare while he was in an investigation. His colleagues worried all the time, but that was because they were up to their necks in an investigation. Mallory’s concern was more personal.

“I promise I won’t take unnecessary risks. None of us do. We will do our best to make sure we are safe,” he whispered.

“I wasn’t doubting you.”

“I know. I will see you in the morning.”

With that,

Callum left the room before he did something rash, like asked Mallory to spend the rest of her life with him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Out in the hallway, Will turned to look at him.

“What?” Callum demanded when he saw the frown of concern on Will’s face.

“Things are moving,” Will muttered. “Out front.”

Together, they made their way to the front rooms of the tavern which overlooked the main street. At first glance, all was still and quiet.

“It might have been a cat or something, but everything is a little too still out there,” Will murmured.

“I have been a little concerned at just how unhindered our journey this far has been,” Callum confessed.

Will nodded. “I think we should both stay up, for the next hour or two at least.”

Callum wholeheartedly agreed.

“The gates are bolted?”

Will nodded. “The tavern keeper hasn’t returned like he said he would.”

“Damn. I wonder if we have been set up?” Callum raged at the very thought.