Page 84 of Chasing Callie
“I don’t know.” That’s the worst part of all. Theo could be anywhere.
Brax must see my turmoil because the angry lines soften, and before I can give in to the weight that’s threatening to make my knees collapse, he’s there. Holding me up. Arms wrapped around me. Strong. Protective.
“You’re not alone, Callie.” His voice rumbles against my ear. “We’ll fight him together. That bastard won’t get away with what he did to you.”
Grasping at the material of his shirt, I rest my forehead on his chest, sagging against him as I cry. Real, ugly tears. Part of me expected this to be the thing that drove him and his brothers away. I should have known better. This is Brax, he may be my lover now, but before all that, he was one of my best friends.
Has Theo truly fucked me up so badly I forgot what unconditional love looks like?
I hug him, breathing in his familiar scent, sniffing as the tears begin to slow. Small voices ricochet down the hall, and I pull back, pinching my eyes shut and willing the moisture to stop. I have to get a hold of myself. Brax bats away the last of my tears with his thumbs.
“Look at me.”
I do.
“I love you, Callie. My brothers love you. No one gets to fuck with you and get away with it.”
The simple declaration warms my soul. No one I knew in NYC knows me like they do. All my new friends turned on me. Doubted me. But my guys? They’re with me forever.
“I don’t know what to do,” I admit.
He shrugs. “First, we tell my brothers and then we make a plan. Theo won’t get away with this.”
He sounds so certain. I wish I had as much faith but this is a story that’s been told before. Small town versus big city. Money versus family. In the end, we all know who usually wins. I won’t go down without a fight, though, and with the guys by my side, maybe everything won’t go down in flames.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
CALLIE
I left the school early for my appointment with Mr. Davidson. The law office smells like leather and dust. I clutch the retainer check in my sweaty palm, the retainer fee that took every last dollar from the savings account I barely started. My shoes squeak against the polished floor as I approach the receptionist’s desk.
“I’m here to see Mr. Davidson.” My hands shake a little. I never thought I’d be the kind of person who needed a lawyer, but here we are.
The red head behind the desk glances up. She’s vaguely familiar, a few years older than me. “Welcome in, Mr. Davidson is with another client right now, but you can wait over there. Can I get you anything?”
“No.” I shake my head and head to the small waiting area, settling into the uncomfortable chair that probably cost more than my monthly rent back in the city. My leg bounces as I stare at the motivational posters on the wall. A picture of balanced scales. Stupid quotes about law being the great equalizer.
As if we don’t all know the law is fucked. Right and wrong don’t always translate to law.
The office door swings open. I rise, plastering on my best smile.
Theo strolls out like he owns the damn place, a familiar charming grin plastered across his face. My blood freezes in my veins. How did he know I’d be here? I try to take a breath, but I don’t know if I can breathe.
“Hello, Callie.” His voice drips with false sweetness as his skeezy gaze rakes over my outfit, unrightfully possessive.
“What are you doing here?” My voice cracks, and I clutch the check until my knuckles turn white.
He spreads his hands. “Just visiting.”
“No, I mean here,” I say, this time a little stronger. “What are you doing here?”
“Same thing you are, sweetheart. Business.” He exhales and glances at his watch, like he has better things to do than torment me. Which is a lie. We both know this is his favorite pastime. “I hired Mr. Davidson to handle something for me.”
My eyebrows slam together. Why would he do that?
Mr. Davidson appears in his doorway. He’s exactly what you’d expect from a small-town lawyer. Gray hair, kind eyes. Unlike Theo who is clearly a snake.
“Callie?” Mr. Davidson glances between Theo and me, confusion creasing his weathered face.
