Page 9 of Claiming Lily (Claiming 2)

“Then, I guess I’m going to have to work at restoring your faith,” he says resolutely.

I frown as a thought occurs to me. “You do realize that Miller is self-absorbed enough to arrange this meeting with you to get back at me? He’s not the kind of man to forgive people who’ve crossed him.”

Callum falls silent for a moment, lost in thought. “One of my best friends owns a construction company in Houston. I’ll give him a call, see if he’s crossed paths with Miller. He may be able to dig up some information.” He lifts his eyes back to mine. “In the meantime, I’ll cancel the meeting with Miller Cooper.”

I open my mouth to speak, then pause. Is that what I want? To be running from the past for the rest of my life? “How about we give him what he wants?”

Callum frowns. “You mean, call his bluff?”

I nod. “This is my chance to show him that he has no power over me, that Lily Olsen is doing just great, better than great, despite what he tried to do to me.”

“You don’t have to do that, Lily,” Callum says, shaking his head. “I don’t give a shit about the deal. I wouldn’t do business with that asshole now if the future of my company depended on it.”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to. I want to put that whole situation to rest. I want to do it for me,” I say firmly.

Callum falls quiet, pondering my words. Finally, he nods. “Okay, but I’ll be with you every second, Lily. I won’t let that fucker so much as breathe on you.”

I love Callum’s protectiveness. But what I love more is that he isn’t trying to fight my battles for me—he’s standing firmly by my side, lending me his strength while I do.

A smile stretches my mouth wide. “Let’s do it.”

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