Chapter 26: Chapter XXVI

Callum paced the length of the concrete-floored office in the warehouse, the low murmur of Julian's voice blending with the static from the old speaker on the desk. The playback from the intercepted recording was unclear— like a whisper from a ghost — but one name had landed like a gunshot.

“Ariana.”

The voice was unmistakably Emilio's, and though the rest of the context was muffled by interference, Callum had heard enough.

He slammed the pause button on the recorder. “We need to get back to Manhattan.”

Julian, arms crossed and steady as always, didn’t flinch. “Not yet.”

Callum’s eyes snapped to his brother, heat rising under his skin. “They know her name, Julian. They’re talking about her like she’s part of this—”

“She is part of this now,” Julian cut in, calm but firm. “Which is why we can’t rush back without wrapping this up. Emilio gave us breadcrumbs. We follow them, we control the story before it blows up in both our faces.”

Callum scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I should’ve never let her go back alone.”

“You sent her with security. You’ve done what you can—”

“It’s not enough.”

Julian narrowed his eyes. “You think leaving now helps her? If Milanna or anyone else is pulling strings in Manhattan, we need to know what they want. And we need leverage.”

Callum didn’t answer. He was already reaching for his phone.

....................................................................

Later That Day, Ariana stirred her coffee in slow circles, eyes wandering. Her sister’s surgery was tomorrow, and though the hospital had assured her everything was on schedule, a gnawing sensation of dread lingered in her chest. Maybe it was the silence from Callum. Maybe it was the city’s new coldness.

Then her phone buzzed.

There was a message from an unknown number.

She hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen. Curiosity won.

The message was simple.

“Careful who you trust. The man with diamonds on his tongue wears blood on his hands. Do you really know who you're dealing with?”

Her stomach twisted.

Her fingers trembled as she opened her laptop, the one Callum had gifted her. She searched “Callum Guerrero once again.” Articles flooded the screen. She stumbled on an old article on a club fire a couple of years ago. One injured. Three dead. There were many speculations under the comments saying the fire outbreak was shady. Silence from authorities. No formal charges.

Her breath hitched.

The man who held her so gently. The man who guarded her in the night. The man who never talked about the past…

The phone rang in her hand, jarring her. It was Callum.

She hesitated before answering.

“Hey,” his voice was low, cautious.

She was quiet a moment too long. “You don’t usually call during the day.”

“I heard something. I… I need to check on you.”

A beat of silence passed.

“I got a message,” she said finally. “Anonymous. They mentioned something about me being careful and not knowing the real person I'm with. The message seemed like a warning and I'm scared.”

Callum’s jaw clenched. He could almost feel Milanna’s smirk from across the state.

“Don't pay that message any mind. It's probably someone from the media that is trying to create a frenzy and to get a reaction out of you.” he lied.

“Why won't you tell me what's really going on?” Ariana asked with a sigh.

“I wanted to protect you. From this. From all of it.”

“You told me I was safe. That I’d be okay. Does this have anything to do with that reporter girl, Milanna?” she whispered, voice catching.

“You are safe. I swear it.” His voice cracked, just slightly, and Ariana clung to it. “I’m coming back. You don't need to worry about Milanna, I will handle it.”

She blinked. “I thought Julian said—”

“I don’t care what he said,” Callum cut in. “Someone sent that message to rattle you. Which means they’re watching. And I’m not letting you stand in the middle of their games.”

Ariana exhaled slowly. “Then come back to Manhattan.”

He closed his eyes at the sound of that word.

“I’ll be back sooner than you'd expect. For now I need you to be very alert and careful. The security detail are there to ensure your safety and nothing will go wrong.”

The call ended and Callum's mind was racing. They were getting closer to Ariana. Way too close.

He needed to leave California but he knew Julian was right. They had only breadcrumbs of information and not the full picture. He of all people knew what it would cost to go into the battlefield with no weapons.

He had to make a decison.

Should he stay to protect the empire his family struggled to build over the years or to race back to a woman that was slowly becoming a safe space for him?