Page 175 of Callan

No sound. Nothing. Only the menacing steps.

It’s like my building has finally decided to move away from me with every step I take.

I won’t make it.

I won’t fucking make it.

And I’m so close.

I want to stay alive.

So I scream at the top of my lungs. Hysterically, I cry out. Hoping that someone might hear me.

And then an arm coils around my neck, and a gloved hand smelling like musk, tobacco, and leather rips my voice from my lips.

I fight the aggressor with all I’ve got, but even so, he easily drags me to the side despite my fists flying and my legs kicking.

And between two buildings, almost cutting off my oxygen supply, he peels his hand away from me, spins me around, and crushes his lips onto my lips, finally silencing me.

27

MACKENZIE

I cryand kiss him and cry again, my emotions pouring from behind a broken dam.

“Callan…. Oh, my God… Callan.”

My voice flutters and moves up and down, unable to settle within a normal range.

He kisses me again while my tears spill over his gloves and crazy thoughts spin in my head.

Did he just kill someone?

And do I want to know?

Should I know about that?

I probably shouldn’t.

But did he?

He did, didn’t he?

That was him.

And his men, most likely.

I can’t believe this.

How did I get myself in the middle of this?

Unable to get a grip, I frantically kiss his lips and gloves.

He peels one off and fans his fingers over my cheek, smiling, subdued, his eyes steady yet glinting with emotion.

“Calm down. Just calm down.”

How can I calm down when I can’t stop my tears from falling down my cheeks?

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