Claimed by My One Time Crush

Chapter Six

Callan's POV

When Mr Cadell offered me a place in his firm, I took it, desperate to grab hold of anything that could allow me to feel that purpose that I'd gotten from the Army, hoping it could chase away the wrongs I did by doing more things to help, giving myself once more to the safety of others. We went on different kinds of missions, instead of saving the desperate and needy, we were the wall of security between the rich and famous and anyone trying to hurt them. I love my job, I can't lie, every job is different but brings that rush of adrenaline from making a difference. I didn’t just want to help the rich though, I wanted to help everyone who needed it. Being poor shouldn’t mean that you can’t get protection if you need it. A young woman in college with a stalker should be just as important as a rich man with gold dripping off him who wants to go to a damn Gala without getting shot.

Sometimes, I my mind would wander to my trust fund that still sits untouched from when it became accessible six years ago. I could do so much good with that money, but it’s not free, nothing is ever free in the world of the Hownell family, and I don’t want to pay the price to access it. I close my eyes tightly, reminded that I’m already on the hook, I owe my father a debt now and the sudden phone call and demand of an audience? Yeah, that debt is about to become due and I know that whatever it’s going to cost me, I’m not going to like it.

A loud tapping on the window makes me jump, my body jerking upward in shock as I turn to the passenger side to find my best friend and former room mate Gage grinning through the glass at me.

Cutting the engine, I unclip my belt, grabbing the bag of food, and slide out of the truck, rounding the hood to greet the man.

‘I thought you were dead’ Gage states as he tugs me into a hug and slams his fist against my back.

I laugh, pulling back, ‘nah’ I reply easily, ‘when I go out, it’s going to be in a blaze of glory that will be splashed across the papers for weeks.’

Gage chuckles, nodding as he turns to head toward the front door of the building.

‘So how is the ball and chain?’ I ask, my grin widening as my best friend throws me a look over his shoulder.

‘Hali is fine’ he replies, ‘and she said to ask if you want to come to dinner this week.’ He rolls his eyes, ‘she worries that you will die of malnutrition from only eating take out and frozen dinners.’

My happiness level lifts further at the thought of a homecooked meal by the realtor.

‘Is she making meatballs?’ I ask hopefully, crossing my fingers as my best friend glares at me.

‘I don’t appreciate my girlfriend having a particular dish that she has to make for you’ he grumbles, shoving open the front door and stepping into the spacious, air conditioned reception area, 'and the fact that you think that my girlfriend who can't boil water actually cooks for you, is laughable bt the way, I cook your favourite meals.'

I shrug, ‘she still loves me more, the fact that she'd try to pass off your cooking as her own, proves it’ I tease, smirking as that flicker of annoyance graces my friend’s face. We both know that I’d never make a play for his woman, but his jealousy over her attention is something that I just can’t help but poke at.

‘She tolerates you’ Gage mutters, ‘a bit like me, you’re this mangy dog I found outside of a supermarket and took home. Now she feels responsible for you for some reason, I keep telling her that you won’t f.uck off if she keeps feeding you.’

I laugh, nudging him, ‘did she tell you that she asked if I wanted to move in the last time I came over?’ I lie smoothly.

My best friend stops, turning slowly toward me, eyes narrowing, ‘when did you come over last?’ he demands.

I shrug, keeping my expression neutral, ‘a couple of days ago’ I muse, tapping my finger to my chin as though thinking, ‘I think you had that late meeting with the Berinagio family. Hali ordered this amazing dinner . . then we sat on the couch, watched a film . . some chick flick she said that you wouldn’t watch with her . . . she was a little sad that you didn’t love her enough to sit through a film she liked. Anyway, about halfway through, she said she wished I lived with you, so she’d have someone to watch films with, talk too . . you know, about her thoughts and feelings . . ‘

I yelp loudly, starting to struggle as Gage puts me in a headlock, growling angrily.

‘You are an asshole’ he snarls, as I start to punch him in the side, trying to get him to let me go. Dammit, even after all these years out of the military, the man is as strong as an OX.

‘Oh hell no!’ comes a furious voice, seconds before my ear hurts painfully and Gage’s arm releases me, my best friend also grunting in pain.

Glancing up as best as I can, I find that Elijah has both me and Gage by the ear, pinching them painfully as he glares at us.

‘I just had a new vase delivered after waiting over two months’ he snaps. ‘I am not going to have you two neanderthals wrestling in my reception area and knocking it over. If you want to rough house, take it downstairs to the gym, make use of that ridiculous boxing ring that you both insisted on.’

I peek over at Gage who is also wincing in pain as he nods, I follow suit, and Elijah huffs before releasing us, both of us straightening up and rubbing our throbbing ears. I study the lean man in front of me, arms crossed as he glares warningly at us.

‘Sorry Elijah’ Gage mutters contritely.

‘Yeah sorry’ I repeat warily, waiting for the receptionist to nod before turning back to his desk, dismissing us both.

Following slowly behind him, I rummage in the bag and pull out the younger man’s sandwich, placing it on the desk before heading back toward the stairs. Gage falls into step beside me and we make our way up to the first floor where our offices are.

‘I swear he’s supposed to work for us’ Gage mutters under his breath.

‘Shh!’ I growl back, glancing over my shoulder to find the shorter man still watching us, ‘he’ll hear you and then we’ll both be in trouble.’

My best friend’s eyes widen in horror before he also glances back at the receptionist warily, releasing a sigh of relief when Elijah finally turns back to his computer, the only sound is the sharp clicking of his keys on his pristine, white keyboard, as he types whatever the hell it is he deals with. Honestly? I have absolutely no idea what the man does for this company other than answer the phone and greet people, but he always seems busy, and I’m too scared to ask him what he's doing in case he thinks I’m trying to imply he doesn’t do his job or something.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I pull out my own lunch and hand the bag to Gage so he can give his brother his sandwich for me as their offices are next to each other. Giving the man a chin lift of goodbye, I turn the door handle, and head into my office, shutting the door behind me.