Elias was so glad he’d decided to brave the bone-rattling ride on a military aeroplane instead of waiting till tomorrow to return to the academy.Every second away from Callie had felt like an eternity as he worked tirelessly to track down Kee Ting.He had followed leads, chased shadows, and crossed dangerous lines to ensure he could put an end to the threat.The moment he tracked down and executed the drug lord, Elias was on the next transport back to Valour Ridge.Thank god he came back just in time.He would never forgive himself if anything had happened to Callie.Callie’s features relaxed, a sigh escaping her as her fingers brushed against Elias’s cheek.Relief flooded her expression, a mix of gratitude and something deeper, something that transcended words.‘Thank goodness,’ she whispered, her voice tinged with both vulnerability and strength.With a gentle touch, Elias stroked her cheek, his gaze locked onto her. ‘Let’s get you out of here.’He climbed into the driver’s seat an
Before Elias could finish his sentence, Callie’s lips crashed against his, a hungry kiss that ignited a tempestuous storm within them.It was a storm of urgency, a dance of passion that left no room for doubt.Callie’s hands roamed over his chest, her touch searing through his uniform like a brand.Elias’s restraint snapped like a taut wire stretched to its limit.He responded with a fervour that matched hers, his fingers tangling in her hair, his body pressed against hers in a possessive embrace.Their kisses were a clash of desires, a battle of wills that left no room for surrender.Callie’s soft moans were a siren’s song, a melody that stirred the very core of Elias’s being.Her fingers worked deftly, undoing the buttons of his uniform with a determination that sent a surge of electricity straight to his groin.He groaned against her lips, his control slipping like sand through his fingers.But just as he was about to take over, to claim her with a primal need that threatened to co
It was not until the first light of dawn began to paint the horizon that Callie finally settled into an exhausted sleep.Elias’s fingers brushed against her hair, still damp from yet another shower.His calm face masked the maelstrom of thoughts that raged within him.As his mind played out scenarios of vengeance, Elias’s grip on Callie tightened, vowing silently to shield her from harm’s reach.He shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if he had not made it back in time, if Callie had been left alone in the clutches of Simon.***The blinding sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting the room in shades of gold.Callie’s eyes fluttered open, her mind still foggy from a nightmarish haze.Her heart raced as she tried to piece together what had happened.The last clear thought she had was talking to Simon, relieved and glad that he was finally leaving the academy, and then…She bolted upright, her chest heaving as the memories rushed back like a tidal wave.The pain
Elias’s hands moved with purpose, his touch igniting sparks along her skin.They were both seeking refuge in each other, using the language of touch to banish the shadows that threatened to consume them.As their bodies melded together, their connection became a lifeline, a lifeline that they held onto with unwavering determination.Afterwards, Callie and Elias lay tangled in each other’s arms, panting.The room was cloaked in a contented stillness, a sanctuary from the outside world.Elias’s gaze shifted from the ceiling to Callie, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.‘Well, I’d say that was one hell of a morning,’ he quipped, his voice a low rumble.Callie giggled.Then she pulled the pillow over her face, suddenly feeling shy after the fact. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’‘Hey.’ Elias traced a finger on her arm. ‘You are my wife. What you did is perfectly natural.’He added with a grin, ‘And much appreciated.’The burnt toast sat neglected on the kitchen counter.Elias pu
With another sigh, Callie curled up on the sofa, seeking comfort in Elias’s arms.Her voice was soft as she spoke, uncertainty tainting her words. ‘What will people at the academy say if they know about this?’‘This?’‘About…what happened last night.’Elias’s voice was resolute. ‘They will say Simon is a scumbag who deserves to be locked up. They’ll say you did the right thing to break up with him.’Callie was less confident. ‘What if they judge me, look at me funny? People will talk.’‘About what? You did nothing wrong.’Callie bit her bottom lip. ‘I shouldn’t have agreed to have that walk with him. I just thought it would be the last I saw of him in a long while.’Elias listened patiently.‘And... During the two weeks when he worked at the health centre, he really acted as if he’d gotten over me. So, I thought I was just saying goodbye to a colleague. I never imagined he’d—’‘Don’t.’ Elias’s voice cut through her words.He turned her to face him, his eyes locking onto hers. ‘Callie,
Angelia smiled, a cold, smug smile. ‘What I did? I helped patch you up at Captain Santana’s request. I gave you pain meds. Without me, you’d be screaming in pain right now.’She added with a taunt, ‘As for anything else you claim I did….Well, you don’t have evidence, do you?’Simon’s face contorted with frustration as he realised the truth of Angelia’s words.He had been played, manipulated from the very beginning.He was sure she was the one who placed the phial on his desk, but no one saw it.She was the one who kept saying love was worth fighting for and encouraged him to go for it, knowing full well that Callie was already married.She was the one who told him where Callie would be last night, but no one else heard it.Angelia leaned in closer.‘You see, Simon,’ she purred, her voice dripping with malice. ‘You’re in no position to threaten anyone.’Simon’s face flushed with humiliation, his rage impotent in the face of Angelia’s calculated manipulation. ‘B*tch!’‘Save your theatri
Elias cracked his knuckles. ‘Now, the first thing you need to know is how to disarm an opponent who’s got a blade on you.’Callie squared her shoulders. ‘I know how to handle a blade.’‘I’m not talking about a surgical scalpel.’ Elias shook his head. ‘I’m talking about the weapon most commonly used by civilians in armed attacks. It’s a crucial skill. You never know when you might find yourself in a tight spot.’Callie took a deep breath. ‘Okay, I’m ready.’Elias reached into his belt and withdrew a training knife with a rubber blade. ‘All right, Callie, pay attention. The key here is to control the situation. You want to stay calm and focused.’Callie nodded, her fingers tightening around the straps of her gloves.Elias lunged forward, the rubber blade glinting in the fluorescent light.Callie’s instincts kicked in, and she sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the attack.‘Nice move,’ Elias commented.He lunged again, this time feinting to the left before coming in from the right.Callie ba
Elias guided her through the motion. ‘Good. But remember, timing is crucial. You strike when he’s off balance, caught off guard.’Callie practised the move repeatedly.Elias was relentless. ‘Higher!… No, use the tip of your shoe…Pivot, make use of momentum…Again!...Again, and more force!...’By the time the moon was high in the sky, every one of Callie’s muscles ached and sweat was pouring down her face in tiny rivulets.Elias’s lips curved into a proud smile. ‘Let’s call it a day. You did great, Callie. But you’ll have to keep practising.’Callie nodded and flexed her small biceps. ‘I feel stronger already.’‘I’m not the best instructor to teach you self-defence,’ Elias said, taking her hand as they left the stadium. ‘The techniques I learned are aimed to maim or kill, not just incapacitate, but what you picked up today should suffice. When we have the time later, I’ll teach you how to shoot.’But if he could help it, he hoped she never had to use a gun.***After Elias made sure Cal