Chapter 59

Calliope glanced at Silas, her heart pounding with fear. She had wandered over out of boredom, drawn by the lively crowd. Plus, she knew befriending these folks could only be beneficial, so she stayed to chat and get acquainted. But she had forgotten that she was the only woman in this group of men, and maybe that wasn’t the most fitting situation. Was Silas upset because of that? Since she had approached them on her own, Calliope didn’t want Silas to blame the guys.

“It’s not their fault. I came over myself,” Calliope explained. “It was lively here, and I just checked on them.”

Silas noticed her anxiety and his gaze softened. “I’m not blaming you, and I’m not mad either.”

Calliope let out an involuntary sigh of relief.

“It’s good to protect the lady. From now on, wherever and whenever, make sure she’s safe, whether I’m here or not,” Silas said to Damien and the rest.

“Mrs. Myers is good with us. We’re happy to look out for her,” Damien and the others assured Silas.

“Had enough fun yet? If you do, let’s head back. If not, I can keep you company for a bit longer,” Silas asked gently.

“It’s getting late. Damien and the others should probably get some rest,” Calliope replied, standing up. She waved goodbye to Damien and the crew before heading back to the main house with Silas.

“Do you like Damien?” Silas asked as they walked.

“They’re all quite skilled. I’d like to learn a thing or two from them,” Calliope admitted honestly.

Silas didn’t press the matter any further.

“I heard you had dinner with Gideon and his crew? And you planning to go back to him?”

“No way. They invited me for dinner. I figured, why not? If I didn’t go, they’d just find some other way to get to me, so I went. But they didn’t get anything out of it. I ordered a ton of food, and they didn’t eat a bite. Oh, and I also got a nice chunk of emotional damage compensation from them,” Calliope said with a mischievous grin.

“They were so mad, their faces turned blue. I never said taking their money meant I’d get back with Gideon. When I turned him down, he was livid. On the way back, I left him stranded halfway. You can ask Damien; he knows all about it.”

“Damien?” Silas’s eyes bore into Calliope. “You and Damien are that close already?”

Calliope hesitated. Was he mad?

“What do you call me, then?” Silas asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Silas?” Calliope tried, her voice a bit tentative.

Silas seemed satisfied, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Did they give you a hard time?”

Calliope paused, realizing who he meant, and then shook her head. “They can’t bother me.”

As long as she stayed strong and firm, the Jewell family, Fleur, none of them could trouble her. Her past hardships were a result of placing too much hope on her family. She had always thought that while they favored Lisette, they must love her too. But in the end, she learned the hard way that she was wrong.

“If they ever do give you trouble, I’m here,” Silas said softly. “You’re a married woman now.”

“Yeah, I know!” Calliope nodded.

Silas had promised to protect her throughout their marriage. Sometimes, she even used Silas’s name to assert herself, and she wasn’t afraid to do so.

That night, Silas didn’t make any moves. He wanted to, but he was cautious not to hurt her. And Calliope slept soundly, nestled in Silas’s arms.