His Hollow Heart (Fallen Kingdom Book 1)

Callum

That was easier than I thought it would be. Bella is becoming more compliant each day, which is a step in the right direction. Last night we had a little mishap when her curiosity got the best of her—and again this morning, when Peter let his guard down—but as long as we’re moving forward, we’re on track.

It’s possible we may be ready sooner than I thought. Regardless of whether or not she has a say in her future, I would like it to be a pleasant one. I’ve always heard spring weddings are beautiful. It won’t be long until she’s bound to me forever and the pact is carried out on both our ends—a vow to never part. Until kingdom come.

Before joining them, I make a quick call to Byron. It goes straight to voicemail, which pisses me off more than I already am.

“Get those damn women off this island now or you’re done, this friendship is done, and I’ll hire a new attorney to change my will. You won’t get a fucking dime.”

The space downstairs is complete but wasn’t supposed to be in use until after the grand opening. Byron, being the nympho that he is, can’t seem to keep his dick in his pants long enough to grasp that concept. Serena and Arabella were supposed to be gone after my night with Bella on the yacht. In fact, they were never supposed to be here in the first place, but Byron brought them for his own personal gain. Now I can see that he kept them here and he’s been using The Grotto as his own sexual playground.

He was scarce for a while, but now that he’s around, it’s obvious he’s trying to get under Bella’s skin. Bringing the girls here, telling her about my previous hookups. He sees her as a threat, so he’s making himself one.

I tuck my phone in my pocket and rejoin them in the courtyard.

“Trent,” Bella says, grabbing his attention.

He dusts his hands off on his gray slacks and gets up to face where she stands. His mouth is stuffed full of muffin and while I wish he’d choke on it, I prefer he lives to hear what Bella is about to say.

“You remember Cal…Callum, right?”

Looking me in the eye as he chews, his mouth likely becoming drier and drier with each passing second, he seems stunned.

His gaze shifts from me to Bella. “What is he doing here?”

“Cal owns the property. He inherited Ellis Empire when Mr. Ellis Senior passed away. He was adopted by Vincent and Delilah Ellis when he left The Webster House.”

Trent looks like he’s seen a ghost, and not a friendly one. He reaches his hand out and grabs Bella, pulling her close with his eyes cemented to mine. “You never mentioned that.” He still holds my stare, although he’s speaking to Bella.

“I had no idea until I arrived.”

“Could you give us a minute alone, Callum?” He finally looks at Bella. “My girlfriend and I have a lot to discuss.”

“Actually,” I reach the table and grab a muffin, peeling back the paper, “I’m pretty hungry.”

“Me, too,” Bella chimes in. She takes Trent’s hand in hers and I watch intently as she wraps her fingers around his. “Let’s eat.”

Trent follows her lead and sits back down in his chair. I pull out a seat for Bella and take the one to the left of her. “This is nice. Like a reunion of old friends.” I bite into my muffin, challenging Trent with a glare.

“Cut the bullshit, Callum. We were never friends and you know it. Wouldn’t surprise me if you purposely hired Bella just to get under my skin.”

I hold up a finger, putting him off while I chew the food in my mouth because, unlike him, I have manners.

“Actually, honey,” Bella says to Trent, “Cal had no idea.”

Honey? Is she buttering him up before leaving him high and dry?

“Here,” she hands him a croissant, “try these. They’re like no croissant you’ve ever tasted before. In fact, Cal has the best cook and every meal is divine. Wait until you see what’s for dinner.”

Dinner? I toss my muffin down on the small round plate. “Bella,” I warn, “isn’t there something you wanted to tell Trent?”

“Oh yes,” she giggles, “how could I forget? Our room has the best view on the island. It’s on the top floor. Well,” she corrects herself, “there’s one floor higher up, which I think is the turret. I’ve been wanting to go up there, but the elevator stops on the eighth floor and the stairs are closed off. We should—”

“Bella,” I snap, “what the hell are you doing?”

“Whoa. Don’t talk to her like that.” Trent raises his hand, then rests it on Bella’s lap like he’s trying to comfort her from my outburst.

I clear my throat, steady my pulse, and glower at her. “Do it.”

She sits poised with a twitch of humor on her lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I want Trent to feel at home here. After all, he’ll be staying. Right, honey?” She looks at him with fluttering eyelashes.

“Well, for a couple nights. I’ll have to leave the day after tomorrow. It’s Thanksgiving and all. I was hoping to convince you to come home with me.”

“Holidays in Hickory Knoll are my favorite.” Bella rivets her eyes to me. “There’s nothing like being surrounded by people who love you.”

I feel like that was a jab. Is she insinuating that no one loves me? That I’m incapable of being loved? If so, she’s correct.

I’ve lost all control of myself when I jump out of my chair and grip her by the arm until she’s standing. “We need to talk.” I pull her away, although she doesn’t put up a fight, and follows my lead.

Trent shifts in his seat and mumbles something that I completely ignore.

“It’s okay, Trent. My boss is an asshole and my job is demanding.”

“You got that right,” I growl in a whisper.

Once we’re back inside, I pull Bella into a small alcove. “You’ve got some fucking nerve.”

“So do you. Screwing other girls while you’re sleeping with me. Real classy, Cal. And to think, I was starting to feel like I belonged here.”

“I’m not fucking anyone else. But if you keep this shit up, I’ll lay Serena out on your bed and let her cream on your clean linen.”

Bella raises a hand and slaps me across the face. I snarl at the sting, tightening my grip on her. Her shallow breaths hit the nape of my neck when I lean forward and whisper in her ear, “Then I’ll put your face in her mess while I fuck you from behind.”

“I hate you.”

My erection threatens the fabric of my pants and there’s no doubt that I could come just by grinding into her while she trembles beneath me. “I don’t believe you. I think you hate that you want me.”

She doesn’t respond, but her labored breathing and the way her heart is vibrating against her sweatshirt is proof enough.

“Get out there and end this now, so I can take you to the turret and fuck you while we watch him leave.”

Her head cocks to the side and she thinks hard. A minute later, a smirk grows on her face. “You tell me what’s behind that door and the one in your closet, and I won’t fuck Trent tonight.”

My jaw ticks, knuckles clenched. Just the words—just the thought—sends my blood to a boiling point. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

“Don’t push me, Bella. I will kill him. I told you what I did to my parents. It’s nothing for me to end the life of the guy I hate more than anyone.”

“You say you hate him, but I think you’re just jealous of him.”

I bite down, my teeth grinding so hard that I feel the crunch against my tongue. I always knew I’d tell her, I just didn’t want it to be this soon. “It’s part of the hotel. A separate area we call The Grotto. All of Ellis Empire resorts have a grotto area. My guests pay a large amount of money for a retreat that offers luxurious accommodations, as well as the opportunity to become a member of a VIP club.”

“VIP club? What does that mean?”

“Make him leave and I’ll show you. I’ll open your eyes to a world you never knew existed.” My eyes wander to her tempting mouth.

“Tell me now or I’ll go climb on his lap and ride him right in the courtyard.”

I laugh. “Seventy-three hours ago you were a virgin. You’re far from having the nerve.”

“Watch me,” she titters, grinning from ear to ear as she slides out from under me.

“Don’t you dare, Bella.”

She keeps walking, adding an extra shake to her hips. Trent meets her halfway and his voice raises as he speaks, “Where were you? I looked everywhere. This place is a damn maze.”

I adjust my erect cock in my pants and go to where they stand. Just as I’m about to grab their attention, Bella crushes her mouth to Trent’s.

Rage consumes me. Every nerve inside me feels obstructed as I join the two of them and rip Trent away from her. “Breakfast is over.”

“Get your damn hands off me,” Trent barks. “Come on, Bella. Let’s go to your room, so we can have some privacy.”

I hold up a hand. “Not so fast. Peter will show you to your room.” I look at Bella. “We have a scheduled conference call with Barbara in twenty minutes.”

Bella cocks a brow. “I didn’t know about that.”

“You do now,” I holler over them. “Peter.” A second later, he’s there, waiting for my instruction. “Please show Mr. Beckham to his room on the sixth floor. He’ll be staying in six-twenty-two.”

“Yes, sir.” Peter nods.

“We’ll see you later, Trent.” I enunciate his name, hating the way it sounds. I despise everything about that man, and not because I’m jealous of anything he has. It’s because he stole everything I had.