Suspicion

CALLIE

“What’s happening?” I demanded.

Tony stepped back into the room, closing the door softly behind him. “My men have located your brother and… secured him.”

“Secured him?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “What does that mean?”

He watched me, and walked closer to me. “It means, Callie, that if you say the word, they can make sure he’s… taken care of. For good.”

I had told myself over and over how much I despised my brother, how I wanted nothing to do with him after everything he’d done to me.

He and my ex-fiancé had betrayed me, turned my life into a living nightmare.

He’d taken everything from me….my father, my peace. But death?

Could I really cross that line?

“You don’t have to decide right now,” Tony said, his tone surprisingly gentle. “But if you want them gone, they will be.”

I looked away, trying to process the swirl of emotions tearing me apart.

I took a shaky breath, trying to anchor myself, but it felt like the room was spinning.

I turned to Tony, meeting his gaze. “Release him,” I said firmly. “I’m not interested in killing him. Not anymore.”

Tony’s brows arched slightly, as if he was surprised by my decision. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” I held his gaze, steadying myself. “I want him to suffer, but not like this. He doesn’t deserve an easy way out, Tony. He should live with what he’s done… feel the consequences every day. I want him to know that he’s lost.”

Tony watched me for a long moment before he gave a slight nod. “Understood. I’ll have my men release him.”

A strange relief washed over me….I wasn’t going to let my brother and my ex-fiancé ruin any more of my life. This time, they’d pay, but in a way that left them powerless.

I looked back at Tony. “There are other ways to make them regret everything. I just… need your help.”

A slow smile curved on his lips. “You’ve got it, Callie. Whatever you need.”

“And Callie, just so you know…. with you as the new CEO of my company, we’ll turn it into the kind of powerhouse they can’t ignore. They’ll watch as you rise, watch as you build something so formidable that they’ll regret every single choice that led them here.

“My company, with you in it, will become their greatest threat and biggest competitor.”

His words sank in, and I felt an unexpected rush of confidence. It was one thing to ruin their lives in a moment; it was another to make them watch me become untouchable, thriving in a position they’d never imagined I could hold.

“You really believe we can do that?” I asked, the idea settling like fire in my veins.

“Oh, I know we can,” Tony replied, his voice filled with conviction.

“With your talent and vision, you’ll not only grow this company….you’ll make them wish they’d never crossed you. By the time we’re done, they’ll be drowning in your success.”

“Then let’s do it,” I said, feeling a rush of happiness surge through me. “Let’s make them regret ever thinking I was weak.”

Tony’s gaze softened just a little as he looked at me, and I could feel the beginnings of a powerful alliance forming between us.

“That’s the spirit, Callie. Together, we’re going to make them wish they’d never done you wrong.”

*********

Just as I was settling back, my phone beeped. I glanced down and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the message.

Hey, it’s me- the guy from the car. I really need to see you again. Meet me at the address below.

I couldn’t help but smile as I reread the message. I’d thought about him more than I cared to admit since that wild night…the guy who’d thrown me off balance, with his smirk and the glint in his green eyes.

That night at the bar had been a blur of fun, and waking up the next morning without a clear memory of how I got home had left me both amused and intrigued.

I’d almost resigned myself to the thought that I might never see him again. But here he was, reaching out to me.

Well, I thought with a grin, if he wants to meet, then I’m definitely going.

A part of me hesitated, wondering if Tony would approve. But his words from earlier echoed in my head: You’re free to do anything.

This wasn’t business…it was just… living. A bit of normalcy, a chance to indulge in something purely for myself. I had every right to that.

I typed a quick reply: I’ll be there.

**********

As I slipped out of my room, I couldn’t just stop smiling at the idea of meeting him.

I kept my pace light, glancing around as I moved toward the front door, hoping Tony wouldn’t notice me slipping out.

His talk about me being "free to do anything" might not exactly include spontaneous meet-ups with mysterious guys from reckless nights, especially since we’d just made plans for our next big move and I’m now married to him.

As I reached the door, I checked my reflection quickly in the mirror by the entrance. I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and adjusted my jacket, wanting to look effortlessly put together.

Just as my hand touched the doorknob, a voice from behind made my heart nearly leap out of my chest.

“Callie,” Tony voice called out, making me freeze. “Where are you going?”

I took a steadying breath before turning around, forcing a casual smile on my face.

“Oh! I just…needed to stretch my legs a bit,” I said, hoping my tone sounded nonchalant. “A little fresh air, you know?”

Tony raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Well, that’s a coincidence,” he said, slipping his hands into his pockets and strolling closer. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

My stomach twisted and my heart started beating rapidly. Why did this have to happen?

He kept watching me like he knew I was up to something, but I held his gaze, trying to keep my expression composed.

“I could give you a ride,” he offered, and although his tone was casual, I could tell he wasn’t asking. It was more of a declaration, a gentle reminder that even if I was "free to do anything," I wasn’t exactly out of his sight.

“Oh… sure,” I replied. This was not how I’d planned the evening. But there was no easy way to refuse Tony without raising suspicion. “That’d be great, actually.”

Tony gave a small, satisfied nod. “Good. Just let me grab my keys.”