“I’m going to go get changed, and check on Callum,” I said, standing up.

“Jane?”

I turned around to see Aiden standing up, too.

“Can you promise me something?” he asked, taking my face in his huge hands.

“Maybe?” I was afraid of what he was going to ask me.

“If I tell you to leave, will you please listen? If this guy is as violent as Callum says he is, and something shady happens. I want you and Nathan to leave.”

“But…”

“I’m serious Jane, no buts. You and Nathan need to leave, and I will get Callum out.” He rested his forehead on mine. “I don’t want to be worried about you and Nathan because if you stay, I won’t be able to give Callum all of my attention.”

When he said it like that, I couldn’t say no. “Ok, I won’t question it, I will leave with Nathan.”

“Thank you.” He looked relieved. “Go check on Cal and give him some confidence.”

I pulled him in for a kiss, so thankful he would go to great lengths to make sure all of us stayed safe. His protectiveness made me feel things I didn’t know if I was ready for. We pulled away a little breathlessly, and I walked away feeling tingly.  I wished we didn’t have to go to this stupid fight, and we could stay here in our bubble of safety.

Walking into Callum’s room, I heard the shower still on. I walked into the open bathroom, seeing Callum leaned against the wall with water cascading down his impressive body. I took my clothes off with the need to comfort him. When I opened the door, he didn’t even flinch, as if he were expecting me. “Med pack ok?” He asked, not even turning around.

“All ready.” I hugged him, pressing my front to his back.  I placed small kisses on him, wanting to take away this burden from him. I had the means to do it too, but I knew that wasn’t an option for him.

“I need you to promise me something,” he said, and I smiled, wondering if he was going to say the same thing.

“Ok,” I said, rubbing his shoulders, running my hands up and down his upper arms.

“If I tell you to leave, I need you to go with Nathan.” His voice was gravelly.

“Ok.”

He turned around quickly, looking at me suspiciously. “You’re not going to argue with me?”

“No, I’m not.” I placed a kiss on his lips.

His shoulders sagged in what looked like relief. “I expected a fight.”

“Well, Aiden beat you to asking, and he reasoned with me, but it didn’t take much.” I ran my hand through his hair, trying to calm him down.