Back in the day, I’d cultivated dubious friends, dodgy deals and wheels within wheels – all the things I needed to rise, but which I thought I could just dust off when the time was right. Karma was laughing at me because I was going to have to embrace all of that again.

I had something to ask Callie first. Once I had her answer, then I could get to work. No protection officers, no police. No witnesses. I began to pace, waiting for her to arrive. But that wouldn’t do. I headed out of my apartment and down to the foyer, protection officers following silently in my wake. I wanted – no, I needed – to be with Callie from the moment she entered the building. And yeah, I had it bad. There was no point in trying to deny it any more.

The thing of it was, if anything bad happened to Troy, it felt like it would be happening to me and Callie as well. I couldn’t have that. Yes, I was being selfish. I needed my life back on an even keel, with Libby and Troy in school again, and Callie by my side, and this ridiculous murder charge hanging over my head erased once and for all. So I was strategizing, figuring out exactly where to place my pieces on life’s chessboard.

And there could only be one outcome.

I wouldn’t settle for anything less.

thirty-eight. Callie

When I arrived at Tobey’s apartment building, to my surprise he was already in the foyer, waiting for me. He must’ve had a previous meeting and just seen someone off the premises. The moment I appeared, he came over to greet me, flanked by two close-protection officers at a discreet distance. Tobey kissed my cheek before I could stop him. The warmth of his lips on my skin lingered.

‘Hello, Callie,’ he began. ‘Listen, I’m so sorry about what happened to you this morning, but you must believe that I had nothing to do with it.’

I pushed the ghost of a smile onto my lips. ‘Sorry, Tobey. I realized that as soon as I’d calmed down.’

Which was the truth. If Tobey had been responsible for my arrest, he would’ve named it and claimed it long before now. He placed a hand on the small of my back and escorted me to the lift.

‘Have you heard anything? From the kidnappers?’ I asked softly, though so, so eager to hear good news.

Tobey shook his head.

‘Mum and I haven’t either,’ I said, my hopes deflating. ‘It’s too long.’

‘Callie, we’ll get them back,’ said Tobey.

‘How d’you know that? What exactly are you doing to make that happen?’

‘Everything I can.’

‘Is that going to be enough?’

‘I hope so.’

‘You hope so? That’s all you’ve got?’ I said.

‘Isn’t that all any of us have? Hope?’