Chapter 19

Orana’s point of view

I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, letting the events of last night flicker behind my eyes in broken pieces.

My chest tightened, and I pushed the feeling down, forcing myself out of bed before it could settle in. I quickly changed into something formal. I realized I must meet the lady for the Airbnb, which I intend to rent for the next couple of weeks.

The restaurant smelled faintly of coffee when I stepped in. My eyes immediately searched for Vaughn.

I found him exactly where I expected him to be. Seated at the table, shoulders slightly hunched, his attention locked onto the tablet in his hands. It was as if he was there, but not really.

I hated that I noticed it.

I took a deep breath before making my way towards the tablet. This time, he didn’t even look up at me, and I don’t know why that hurts.

I slid into the chair across from him, a smile on my lips. He didn’t look up immediately. When he finally did, his lips curved into a small smile, almost forced. It didn’t reach his eyes.

“Good morning, Orana.” His voice was deep, husky, and calm.

My breath caught. Something was wrong with him.

“Good morning”

I frowned when a waiter served me breakfast. I glanced at the plate before looking back at him. “You ordered for me?”

He just gave a small shrug, like it was nothing.

I stared at him a second longer, something uneasy curling low in my stomach. “Since when do you decide what I eat?”

I hated that last night he kept me waiting, then acted like a caveman, and when I asked him where he went, he shut me out.

He didn’t answer that either. Just went back to his screen, two lines forming on his eyebrows.

“Vaughn...about last night,” I started, my voice low and hesitant.

Not even a flicker of acknowledgment from him, he just continued his tablet. And it somehow managed to bring me back to that moment when Callahan would ignore me.

My fingers tightened slightly around the fork I was using. “Vaughn.”

His gaze snapped up, his eyes locked on me, but before he could respond, his phone rang again, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Something shifted in his face when he saw the caller ID. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened, and he went rigid.

He stared at it for a second before he stood abruptly. “Excuse me.”

The chair scraped back harshly as he stepped away, already answering the call in a low voice I couldn’t make out. I watched him pace a few steps away, shoulders tense, his free hand dragging through his hair.

I tried to focus on my food, but I couldn’t.

Now and then, his voice would drop even lower, and whatever he was hearing made the lines in his face deepen. When he finally ended the call, he didn’t come back right away. He just stood there for a second, staring at nothing. Then he returned.

“I have to go,” he said, grabbing his jacket. No explanation or apologies like he does when he has meetings to attend.

I blinked. “What?”

“We’ll meet at McNown Tower,” he added, already moving.

“Vaughn,” I called out, but he was gone before I could finish.

The door shut behind him, and I stared at the space he left behind, something heavy settling in my chest. Was he in trouble?

I blinked.

“Well,” a voice broke through.

I turned to see Edward sliding into the seat Vaughn had just abandoned, Nehemiah following right behind him.

Edward picked up a piece of toast from my plate without asking. “He looks like he’s one inconvenience away from committing murder.”

A breath slipped out of me before I could stop it.

Nehemiah snorted. “One? That’s generous.”

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the tension still clinging to me. “You two are terrible.”

“Not as terrible as whatever’s going on in his head,” Edward said, though his eyes flicked toward the door Vaughn had exited through.

I didn’t respond, but I continued poking at my scrambled eggs.

**

The lobby was loud when I stepped out, heels clicking against the floor as I made my way toward the exit.

The doors slid open with a soft chime. I stepped out, catching the cool morning breeze.

“Orana.”

I closed my eyes for half a second, trying to calm whatever storm was in my mind.

I turned slowly, already rolling my eyes as Callahan approached like he owned the place, not missing the bounce in his step.

“What do you want?” I asked flatly, already wanting to rush towards the curb.

His gaze dragged over my face, then over my body, taking in my outfit, then up to my face again.

I felt my heart race, suddenly feeling as if I couldn’t breathe. He never looked at me like I was something he would devour. Something he wanted.

“You.”

I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “I don’t want you, Callahan. This is getting old and, honestly, quite exhausting.”

His jaw tightened, something sharp flashing in his eyes, but it didn’t stop him.

“What’s his name?” He asked suddenly, and his eyes looked at me.

I stilled.

For a split second, my mind went blank. What was he talking about?

“Our son,” he corrected.

My chin lifted slightly as I met his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. Trust Callahan to think he sired a son instead of a daughter.

“You don’t deserve to know.” I retorted, not bothering to correct him as I walked past him, but I didn’t get far when his hand shot out, gripping my wrist before I could move.

My breath hitched, heart racing so fast. The touch sends tingles all over my body.

“You think this is a game?” he murmured, leaning in. His voice dropped, low and calm. “You walk around like you’re not already mine.”

My pulse spiked, eyes meeting his burning gaze.

I yanked my hand back, but his grip tightened just enough to stop me.

“I’m not yours,” I snapped, heat flaring in my chest.

His thumb brushed against my wrist, slow, and fuck, it sent shivers down my body.

“You are mine and…” eyes locked onto mine, “you’ve always been.”

“You’re delusional,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. Why did this man still make my heart race?

He smirked as he leaned closer, his breath brushing against my cheek and ear. A chill slid down my spine.

“You’re mine, Orana. You may deny me all you fucking want, but deep down you know it.” He doesn’t stop; instead, he gently kisses my cheek, then meets my gaze when a gasp escapes my lips.

“I missed that sound,” he draws on. “The way you gasped every time I fucked you.”

I chuckled softly, moving my head as if everything dawned on me. “That’s all you ever were good at, Cal. Just fuck me like one of your whores and never make love,” I shot back.

Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone just as fast as it came. “You would have to be in love to make love, Orana,” he smirked.

I chuckled, nodding my head. “Exactly.”

“Orana”

“Let go of me, Callahan,” I hissed, and he shook his head, trying to get closer to me, but I moved my head away from him.

“Orana,” he whispered, and I shook my head, tears burning my eyes. For some fucking reason, whenever it comes to Callahan. I always go back to that place. A nobody.