Chapter 51

Daylight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, brushing golden across Ariana’s bare shoulder. She stirred gently beneath the sheets, her limbs still tangled with Callum’s. His arm remained draped across her waist, his chest pressed to her back, warm and steady like a promise.

Neither of them had moved much since falling asleep. And neither wanted to now.

Callum’s voice was husky with sleep when he spoke. “Ari, are you awake.”

“Mmhmm,” Ariana murmured, turning slightly so she could face him. His hair was tousled, his eyes softer than she’d ever seen. There was something deeply intimate in seeing him like this—unguarded, quiet, and hers, even if only for this moment.

For a while, they said nothing, just watched each other, breathing in the quiet that followed the storm they’d created between the sheets the night before.

It was Ariana who spoke first.

“That was…” Her voice trailed off, eyes searching his. “More than I expected. I don’t think I realized how far I’ve fallen into this until now.”

Callum brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle. “I know. Me too.”

She blinked. “Really?”

He nodded once. “You’re not just someone I’m protecting anymore, Ari. Somewhere along the way, that changed.”

She smiled softly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s scary how easy it is to fall for someone who was supposed to be temporary.”

Callum’s throat worked. He didn’t say it out loud, but he felt it too—that this was no longer temporary. The line they crossed had blurred everything. And neither of them seemed ready to retreat from it.

She reached for his hand and laced their fingers together under the covers. “I don’t do this, Callum. I don’t get this deep. Especially not with someone like you.”

“Someone like me?”

“Powerful. Controlled. Untouchable. You live in a world I still don’t fully understand.”

He nodded, accepting that truth. “But you haven’t run from it. From me.”

“I’ve thought about it,” she whispered. “But then you show me these pieces of yourself, and I want to stay.You're a whole different person with me and I'm sure a lot of people don't get to see this kind, delicate side of you.”

His expression softened. “Then stay.” He moved to lay down on her chest and hold her closer.

They lay like that for a while, wrapped in something that felt far more dangerous than lust: trust.

Eventually, Ariana propped herself up on an elbow. “I should check in with Charlie. She’ll be transferred here soon. The doctor's have sent her transfer letter to the hospital here in Manhattan and they've approved for her to be transferred.”

Callum leaned back against the headboard, watching her reach for her phone. “You’ve never told me much about her. I’d like to know more.”

Ariana looked over her shoulder with a small smile. “You’re about to.”

She pressed dial, and after a couple of rings, her sister’s groggy voice answered.

“Aria?”

“Good morning, sleepyhead.”

“Oh my god, I must look like a zombie,” Charlie groaned. “They just gave me meds and it makes me dizzy.”

Ariana laughed, her tone warm, teasing. “You always say that.”

“You always call right when the nurses are checking my vitals. It’s like you know.”

“I do know,” Ariana said, grinning. “How are you feeling today?”

“Better. Less pain today. The doctor said I’ll be cleared for travel in a few days.”

“That’s good. Callum already made arrangements. You’ll have a room set up here and a nurse.”

Charlie’s voice perked up. “Wait, Callum? The super mysterious, possibly mafia but ridiculously hot husband?”

Ariana blushed immediately, glancing at Callum, who raised a brow but said nothing.

“He’s… right here, Charlie.” She said with a smile.

“Ohhh,” Charlie said slowly, clearly enjoying herself. “Hi, Callum. Treat my sister well or I will find a way to haunt your nightmares.”

Callum leaned toward the phone, his voice amused but sincere. “Duly noted, Charlie. I look forward to meeting you.”

Charlie snorted. “Wow. You do sound powerful.”

Ariana laughed, half embarrassed. “Okay, you’ve had enough excitement. Rest up. I’ll call later.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go make out or whatever.”

The call ended, and Ariana turned back to him, laughing.

“She’s a riot,” Callum said with a smirk.

“She’s my whole world.”

“I can see that.” He looked at her a long moment. “You’re a different kind of strong when you talk to her.”

“She’s the reason I keep pushing through all of this,” Ariana said, quieter now. “I’ve always had to protect her. Even when I couldn’t protect myself.”

Callum took her hand again, drawing it to his chest. “She has you. And now, you both have me.”

Ariana stared at him, stunned by the quiet conviction in his words.

Somewhere in her chest, something unraveled.

Something that had been tightly wound for years.

“Thank you,” she said, voice small.

They didn’t need more words. The look they shared said everything: the tides had shifted between them.

And neither of them was ready to go back.