Page 20 of The Anchor Holds

He nodded once, curtly. “She’s an immensely selfish woman. We tried to warn him, but he was in love. She was his whole world until he held his daughter. Then nothing mattered but her, and his wife didn’t like that. She was jealous.” He spat the sentences out like tacks, nothing like the free-flowing words of before. My earlier assumption that nothing could rile this manwas proved wrong. When it came to his family, he was a different beast entirely.

We had that in common.

Jealous. Of her husband doting on her daughter. I shook my head.

“Yeah, piece of work,” he agreed at my head shaking. “We’re better off without her. Though we could use some of her bone marrow.”

Though this entire subject was infinitely sad, I perked up at this. “She’s a match?”

Elliot shrugged. I knew he was going for nonchalance, but I registered the way his entire body tensed, his eyes hardening, and his mouth flattened as if he was gritting his teeth. “We can’t be sure, but the closer the family, the better.”

Powerlessness. I could feel it. In him.

But powerlessness was not something I accepted. So even as he spoke, a plan formed in my head.

“I better go.” I straightened my shoulders, finally able to properly look him in the eye now that I had a plan. Now that I could control something.

His expression changed as he took in what could only be viewed as an abrupt and careless end to a horrible conversation that required softness, empathy.

Good. Maybe he’d rightly ascertain that I was heartless and stay far away from me.

“Keep the check, Elliot.” I tapped the envelope.

Then I turned my back and walked out because I couldn’t stand the look on his face.

He was seeing me for what I really was. Which was a good thing. I could only pretend for so long. But I suddenly felt cold, no longer basking in the sunlight of Elliot Shaw’s gaze.

I was on my phone the second I got in my car.

“I need you to find someone for me,” I said when he answered.

“It’ll cost you.” I swore I could feel the cold smile stretching across his handsome face.

He wasn’t one for pleasantries, nor was he one to do anything for nothing. Though his voice didn’t betray a thing, I knew he’d been waiting for this. For me to slip up, ask him for something, to be in his debt.

And I’d done everything in my power to ensure I’d never ever be put in that position. I’d told myself there was nothing that could make me ask him for help.

Except for a four-year-old girl. Who needed a bone marrow transplant.

“I know.” I gave him the information required.

“No problem,” was his reply. “I’ll be in touch about payment.”

My hands weren’t shaking as I held the phone because I wasn’t that kind of bitch. But my pinkie tremored once I put the phone down and stared at Shaw Shack for much longer than I should’ve before driving off.

Five

Square One — Caamp

ELLIOT

Ihadn’t intended on keeping my date with Calliope Derrick. Not after we spoke about Clara’s illness at Shaw Shack.

Yes, she intrigued me. She intrigued my dick. Was unlike anyone I’d ever met.

Her outward demeanor had amused me, that coldness, that sharpness… As if she were a blade that if you didn’t handle carefully, it would slice you wide open. I appreciated that. Appreciated her being up front about it. I’d had experience with women who led with softness, the appearance of a kind heart before they tore you to shreds. They were much more dangerous.

Calliope Derrick was no bullshit. She put off the vibe that she was tough as nails and took no prisoners, but I couldn’t help but think there was a soft heart underneath. One I very much wanted to get to know.

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