Page 122 of Dust to Dust

Callum stared sadly at me. “I don’t believe so, brother.”

A fissure line had cut through my chest at Isla’s actions. My bruised heart began to thump with a growing rage. Just like Maura, Isla played me. But I wasn't enough. She’d taken advantage of Kellan as well. “Get her in here.”

“I’ve already called her in. She should be here in twenty minutes.”

“Good.”

Callum’s brows creased with worry. “Are you sure you want to be a part of this?”

“I’m a man for fuck’s sake. I’m not going to slink out of here with my tail between my legs.”

“I wasn’t insulting anything about your manhood. I’m just concerned about you.”

“I’m not going to kill him or her if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

At the pity flashing in Callum’s eyes, I growled. “Fuck you.”

“For caring about you? For feeling like my heart is being ripped out for you?”

“I don’t want or need your sympathy.

When a knock came at the door, my chest clenched. Callum nodded at Owen who opened the door. Dare came in first wearing a solemn expression. Then with slow, hesitant steps, Isla walked into the room. Her usually peachy complexion appeared white as a ghost. Her blue eyes darted around, nervously taking in the office décor. At the sight of Callum sitting at the desk, she swallowed hard.

Since it was her off day, she wasn’t outfitted in her usual sultry attire. Instead, she wore black leggings and an oversized white sweatshirt with the letters MIT emblazoned on it. Her long blonde hair was swept into a messy bun while simple glasses sat atop her perky nose.

At the sight of me, hope bloomed in her expression, and a smile lit up her face. “Hey you,” she said. When I stared impassively, her lips turned down. “Quinn?”

I still didn’t respond. Instead, Callum replied, “Thank you for coming in so quickly, Ms. Vaughn.”

“Quinn, what’s going on? Why aren’t you speaking to me?”

“I’m the one who called you down, Ms. Vaughn,” Callum replied.

Isla gave a jerky nod of her head while her fingers anxiously played with the cuff of her sweatshirt sleeve. Her teeth nibbled anxiously over her bottom lip, and I could tell it was taking everything within her to keep her mouth shut.

Callum motioned to one of the chairs across from the desk. “Please. Have a seat.

After quickly dropping down into the leather chair, Isla placed her hands on her knees that were visibly shaking. The part of me who still loved her desperately wanted to go to her. To wrap her in my arms and tell her everything was okay.

But I didn’t.

Heavy silence draped the room. From her shifting in her seat and her trembling hands, Isla was fighting to keep herself in check.

And then the dam broke.

Unable to hold her tongue any longer, Isla blurted, “Please, Quinn, talk to me. Tell me what I’ve done wrong.”

Callum narrowed his eyes at her. “In my club, I ask the questions.”

“It’s not your bleedin’ club,” I spat.

Cutting his gaze from Isla to me, Callum cocked his brows. “Aye, you’re right, brother. But I am the leader of this family, am I not?”

“Aye,” I begrudgingly replied.

“Then I’ll be handling the interrogation.”

Isla squeaked before clamping a hand over her mouth. When we turned our attention back to her, she stammered, “I-Interrogation?”

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