His Hollow Heart (Fallen Kingdom Book 1)
His Hollow Heart: Chapter 16

Callum

I gave her shelter and she gave me company. I gave her a dance and she opened her legs for me. Now I’m giving her this date, and she will give me a promise—a promise to keep. She can pretend that her relationship with Trent is viable, but it died the minute she stepped foot on my island.

In life, we come across people with needs. We all have them. Bella has big dreams, dreams that I have the ability to make come true, and I can do that, but I never give without getting something in return.

My kindness is not out of weakness, and she will offer up her mind, her body, and her soul for the sake of her future.

We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.

“The boat is waiting,” Peter says as he enters the open door of my office.

“Thank you, Peter.” I set the contract down in the folder on my desk and close it. “Has she started the pills yet?”

“It doesn’t seem so. I will check while you’re out.”

I give Peter an approving nod and he leaves the room. My hands press to the desk as I look at the door, waiting for Bella to come in. I can hear the clanking of her heels down the hall, so I know she’s close.

I need Bella’s cooperation, but more than anything, I need her trust. She needs to realize that I am not out to hurt her. I simply want her. Revenge is a broad term and can be carried out in many ways. I can admire her beauty, enjoy her company, and fuck her, all while knowing how much she hates it. I plan to take everything that she holds dear to her heart, everything she acquired over the past twelve years and replace it with me. That’s my revenge. Forcing her to live the life I want her to live instead of the one she wants.

Taking her virginity was not part of the plan. I had no idea she saved herself for me, even if she didn’t realize she was. It’s obvious, though. It was meant to be. Her pussy was never meant to be tainted by another man. And now, it never will be.

It’s a satisfying feeling knowing that I laid claim to her in that way. She truly does belong to me in every sense of the word. My only wish is that I would have done it properly instead of in the heat of the moment.

“Cal,” Bella says, knocking her knuckles on the wide-open door.

My back straightens as I take her in. She’s as beautiful as the original Mona Lisa. Alluring, tactful, flawless. Primed to perfection in a sleek black dress. An hourglass frame that makes my cock twitch. Rounded ass and plump lips that would fit perfectly around me.

I’m no match for her beauty in a simple black suit with a matching black tie. My hair is in dire need of a cut, but I’m reluctant to bring Sage, my stylist, to the island. We have a history that I worry she will dredge up. It’s the last thing I need now that I finally have Bella.

“Cal,” she says again, snapping me out of the trance I was in, “are you ready?”

“Yes.” I step around the desk and clear my throat. “You look…nice.” My arm ushers out, and she hesitantly locks hers around it.

“Nice? Gee, thanks.”

We leave the room and I close the door behind me. We get halfway down the hall when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I drop Bella’s arm and take the call. “We’re headed down,” I tell Leo, before he has a chance to speak.

“The chef is getting antsy. Says the food is ready and he worries it will go cold before you get here.”

“I said we’re on our fucking way,” my voice rises, “you tell him to keep it warm or he can get the hell off my boat and go cook for someone else.” I end the call and stick my phone back in the front pocket of my pants.

Bella rolls her eyes at me, as if she’s disgusted by my cruel nature. “Main floor?” she asks, her hand hovering over the down arrow.

“Yes.”

The doors open and we step inside. They begin to close and it hits me that I forgot to lock up my room. “Shit,” I holler, tapping the button to open the door, repeatedly. It does no good, we’re already moving.

I pull my phone back out of my pocket and give Peter a quick call.

As usual, he picks up on the first ring. “I was in a hurry and left the door to my bedroom unlocked. Please use the master key to lock it up.”

“I will do that as soon as I get to the eighth floor. The new guard was giving Paulina a hard time.”

“Make it quick.” I end the call abruptly.

It’s rare that I forget to lock up. Actually, I never have, and the fact that I did goes to show that I’m far too distracted.

“Everything okay?” Bella asks as we exit the elevator.

I place a hand on her lower back and lead her to the main doors. “Everything is fine,” I say sternly. “Have you ever been on a yacht, Bella?”

“No,” she shakes her head, “I hate boats. In fact, I hate large bodies of water in general.”

I look at her, surprised. “Really? Yet, you took a rowboat out in the midst of a storm, in the dark?”

“That was a matter of life and death.” She picks up her pace, walking away from my hand that was resting on her.

“You’re still here and very much alive. So call it like it is. You were trying to leave me.”

She looks over at me with a scowl on her face. “I won’t deny it. Of course I wanted to leave.”

“Wanted to? Or want to?”

“Both.” Her shoulders rise then fall dramatically.

I bite back a smile. “Well, I hope you can hold your stomach because we’re going out on the bay.”

She stops walking and jerks her attention to me. “We’re leaving the island?”

“Leaving, but staying.” I gesture to her to continue toward the dock. She presses up on her tiptoes as she walks, trying to get a better view.

The yacht is lit up in a blue ambient glow and I can already smell the Lobster Thermidor.

“So, we’re having dinner on a yacht?” Bella walks across the steppingstones and I follow behind her.

“Precisely. How do you feel about that?”

“I feel like there’s a good possibility I’ll be throwing up on your shoes. But I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.”

When we step on the dock, Leo is waiting with his hand held out to Bella. She accepts his offer and steps through the hull doors.

“Good evening, sir,” Leo says in his Italian accent, offering me his hand as well, but I snarl at it and step aboard on my own. I’m not a big fan of the guy, but he does what needs to be done, so I keep him on my payroll.

Bella stands in the middle of the deck and looks around. “This is nice.”

“Nice?” I laugh.

“Yeah. You know, nice? Like the way I look tonight.”

Touché. Those were my words. I wanted to tell her that she took my breath away and made my heart race, but I’ve never been good with words.

I join Bella’s side and draw in a deep breath when I see Serena, one of the hired servers, on board. I thought I was strict on my orders with the crew that I did not want any of the ladies working tonight. I requested all men, yet there Serena stands. The last thing I need is for Bella to get a look into my past. I wasn’t a womanizer, per se, but I have fucked many of the women who have accompanied me on the island. It was always consensual, and my partners always knew that it was strictly sexual.

“Right this way,” Serena says with a glint of a smile. She walks ahead of us, assuming we’re following.

I take Bella’s hand against her will and lead her at my side. She doesn’t fend me off as we head straight for the bar.

“We’ll see ourselves to our seats, Serena,” I say in a very serious manner. “You may go.”

Serena pulls her lips between her teeth and sticks her hands in the pockets of her black waiter apron before spinning on her heels.

I look down at Bella and realize she’s watching me back. “What was that all about?”

I shrug my shoulders, brushing her off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Strips of blue lights run down a large mirror behind the glass bar and I’m able to see Bella’s reflection as she stands beside me. Her fingers are still tangled in mine and I’m surprised she hasn’t pulled away or pushed me out of her personal space.

Where the hell is the bartender? I lean over the bar and holler, “Can we get some damn service over here?”

“Sorry about that,” Arabella says as she walks behind the bar. Fuck my life. What the hell is she doing tending the bar tonight? Either Peter or Byron royally fucked up and they’re both on my shitlist right now.

“Two dry martinis,” I tell Arabella, who is waiting for our order with a smug grin on her face.

“You got it, Boss.” Arabella winks, warranting another glare from Bella.

Peering down at Bella while our drinks are being made, I rest one arm on the bar. I opt for a distraction rather than an explanation. “Still just nice?” I ask her.

She smirks then looks over my shoulder. Tipping her head she asks, “Who was that girl back there?”

I look behind me, fully expecting to see Serena, but she’s not there. “Who? Serena? Just help.”

“And the bartender? Do you know her, too?”

“Neither of them are of any importance.”

“Not of importance?” Bella blows air. “Help is important.”

“You know what I mean.”

“No. Actually, I don’t. And the way you tensed up tells me they’re both more than just hired staff.”

Arabella sets our drinks on the bar and I release Bella’s hand to grab them both. “Let’s sit.” I nod toward the only table in the open space. On top of the table is a ten-piece setting for a formal dinner. White cloth napkins, stainless steel silverware, and fine white china.

I set the drinks down on the table, then pull out a chair for Bella and she sits down before I push her in a smidgen. “You’re just gonna ignore what I said?” she asks.

Once I take my seat and position all my cutlery the way I like it, I take a sip of my martini.

Bella doesn’t seem pleased that I’m brushing her off, and while it’s not my intention, I’m hoping she drops this conversation.

“Did you fuck them?”

I cough, almost choking on my drink. “Excuse me?” I lick my lips dry, then set my drink on the table.

Her short, bare nails tap to her glass as she waits for an answer. “Well, did you?”

I believe in transparency, especially if we’re going to make this work, so I give her the truth. “Yes. Many times.” At this point, I’m mentally plotting the murder of my friend/attorney and butler/friend. Maybe a slow death—or quick and to the point. Either will be satisfying after this fuck-up.

Bella’s eyes widen in surprise. “Wow, just a yes would have been fine.”

Tilting my head slightly, I observe her with a grin. “Are you jealous, Bella?”

“No!” She says in a huff. “Not even a little bit.” She tips her glass and takes a drink, a very long drink. In fact, she’s downright slamming it.

“Whoa,” I reach across the table and grab her glass, “slow down. Nobody enjoys drunk company.”

She mumbles something I can’t make out, probably an insult.

Serena joins us and Bella reaches for her glass again, finishing it off while Serena sets down two bowls of hot soup.

“Could I get a refill, please?” Bella slides the glass toward the end of the table where Serena stands.

“Of course,” Serena retorts, her eyes darting over to me. “And you, Callum? Would you like a refill?”

My jaw clenches, pinning her with a glare. “It’s Mr. Ellis. And no, my glass is still full, as you can see.”

Serena bites her lip and rounds the table, coming up behind me, she leans down with a hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear, “You got it, Mr. Ellis.” She enunciates my name and my fingers clench around the cloth napkin in my lap.

When she leaves, I notice Bella scowling. I don’t say anything because the last thing I want to do is feed into her assumption that there is something going on between me and Serena. It’s sex. Plain and simple.

“Help, huh?” She laughs, reaching across the table and grabbing my martini.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing?”

“Excuse me if I need an extra drink. The help who has her ass hanging out of her black miniskirt and her tits threatening to break free has given me a complex.”

“So this is about confidence and not the fact that I fucked her?”

“Multiple times,” she adds. “And no, I couldn’t care less that you slept with that hooker look-alike. As long as she didn’t give you a disease that you passed on to me, we’re good.” She lifts her glass, or mine rather, and sucks half the contents down.

“I promise you she is clean and so am I. We have no worries.”

Bella laughs and I can tell the alcohol is now coursing through her bloodstream. “Damn straight we don’t because it won’t be happening again. And how do you know she’s clean? Do you have all your ‘women,’” she air quotes, “tested?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. You can never be too safe. I also run a background check.”

“Wow!” She laughs again. “Nothing like a hard cock waiting for a fax to come through before you can have a release.”

My lips press together to fight back a smile, but it does no good. “You’re just full of humor, aren’t you?”

She raises her glass. “When life gives you lemons.” The rim presses to her lips and I watch intently as she takes a drink then licks them. She notices me watching and darts her tongue out, sliding it around the rim of the glass, sweeping up the grains of salt.

My cock twitches in delight and I’d love nothing more than to have those lips milking me right about now. I could drag her down to the cabins and force her on her knees. The thought crosses my mind and I’m on the verge of getting up when Serena comes back.

Bella would probably put up a fight, but Serena would willingly do whatever the hell I wanted her to. I could sneak off and use the restroom, leaving Bella sitting alone. But that idea doesn’t satisfy me. It’s Bella I want.

Serena sets Bella’s drink down and smiles politely at her. “Anything else, hun?”

“Actually,” Bella holds up a finger, “I’d like to hear how you two met. Cal here tells me you’re old friends.”

My cheeks instantly flush with heat. Damn this girl. I need to get her under control and it needs to happen fast.

“Old friends, huh?” Serena looks at me and winks before returning her attention to Bella. “Yeah, we’re old friends.”

I actually do have to use the restroom, so I excuse myself while these two have a little heart-to-heart over the monster who’s fucked them into oblivion.

As I’m walking away, I glance over my shoulder and see Bella watching me. She seems tense, but she’s the one who started that conversation and now she gets to finish it. That’ll teach her to keep her damn mouth shut.

Unzipping my pants after making it to the restroom, I press my hand to the back wall and take a piss in the urinal. My cock is still a fucking semi from watching Bella’s mouth fuck that glass so I point it straight down, taking care not to make a mess. God, she’s infuriating and so damn sexy. I knew she was a knockout, but I never expected her to have this effect on me. I had every intention of fucking her when I brought her here, but I assumed it would be basic and partially fulfilling. Instead, I wanna bend her over every piece of furniture in sight. I need to hear her scream my name, so I know that piece of shit, Trent, is out of her head. I will fuck him out of her mind if it’s the last thing I do.

I’m walking out the door, tucking my shirt into my pants, when I crash into someone, or they crash into me, rather. A low grumble climbs up my throat and I’m ready to lash out when I realize it’s Serena.

“Callum, what a surprise,” she says, looking left, then right, before pushing me back into the restroom.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I grumble, shifting away from her.

She grabs me by the collar of my jacket and pulls me close, her tongue skating across her lower lip. “I’ve missed you, baby.”

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“Oh, come on,” she chuckles, “you came in here knowing I’d follow.”

“I came in here to piss and now I’m going back to my date.”

“Date,” she blows air, now gripping both sides of my jacket and pulling me closer. “Since when does Callum Ellis date?”

“Since the last time I fucked you and had nightmares of your saggy pussy. Figured I’d give monogamy a go.”

Her hands drop, hanging at her sides. “Fuck you.”

“Probably not.”

I go to walk around her, but she slams her hand to the door.

“When you break her heart and she leaves, I’ll be waiting.”

Serena is desperation at its finest. She’s a good-looking girl and can suck a mean dick, but it was never about more than a quick fuck for me and a good paycheck for her. She needs the money, but I no longer need the whore.

“Hello,” I hear Bella say from outside the door. Serena purses her mouth into a satisfying smirk and moves her hand from the door so I slap mine against it, keeping it shut.

“In the stall. Now!” I mutter through clenched teeth.

Her hands cross over her chest and she just stands there, pleased with herself.

My jaw ticks in fury and I use my free hand to squeeze her upper arm tightly, so tight that the tips of my fingers hide in her skin. “Now! Or I will do very bad things to you.”

Serena pushes herself up on her tiptoes and sweeps her tongue across my upper lip. “I like when you do bad things to me. That basic bitch out there, probably not so much. Enjoy your vanilla sex life.” She drops down and yanks her arm away, then goes into one of the bathroom stalls, closing the door behind her.

My hands run down my suit, straightening myself out before I move my hand and open the door.

Bella takes a step back when we’re face to face. “Everything okay?” I ask her.

“I’m fine. Is everything okay with you?”

The door closes behind me and I place an arm around her and begin to lead her back to the table. She steps away from my touch and stops walking. “I was looking for the restroom and heard commotion. Was our waitress in the bathroom with you?”

I’ve never had this feeling before—the need to lie to prevent an argument. I’m always straightforward, no bullshitting, while taking none in return. Right now, though, I feel ten years old, meeting potential parents for the first time. Only this time, I’m trying not to piss off my future wife.

Since when do I care if I piss her off? I’ve done it daily, sometimes hourly, since she’s arrived.

My fingers run through my hair as I choke on the words that want to come out. “Umm, about that…” Here comes the obvious lie. “She was lost.”

Bella’s eyebrows hit her forehead, arms crossed over her chest. “Lost?”

“That’s right.” What the fuck is the matter with me? Why do I feel like I’m on the verge of being scolded?

“Whatever,” Bella waves her hands in the air, “let’s just eat and get this over with.”

Her heels clank against the hardwood floors as she walks back to the table. I watch her round ass rise and fall with each step and I’m suddenly enthralled again.

She’s definitely jealous, and I’m highly turned on.