Odin (Billionaire Titans Book 2) by Alison Ryan

clear.
    “Careful, or I might just cancel my afternoon appointments and come home and have my way with you, Doctor O’Grady,” he smilingly threatened.
    “Promise?” I asked, letting the robe I was wearing slip off my shoulder.
    He stared at me like a hungry wolf would a defenseless rabbit. I withered under the intensity of his gaze.
    “Guaran-fucking-teed. Dr. Osterman can handle my afternoon patients. I’ll bring you lunch, then you’ll be my dessert. Does Varghese Kitchen sound good?”
    The mention of my favorite Indian restaurant made my stomach grumble. But even more than the food, I wanted Callum now .
    I pouted and nodded my head. He took my face in his hands and kissed me powerfully. He looked so handsome in his suit. I hated to see him leave.
    I watched him leave the driveway and I caught Abner giving me a glare. He was about the most jealous dog I could imagine. As much as he loved Callum, if Abner could have his way, he’d have been the only man in my life.
    Once he was gone, I put the breakfast dishes in the sink and drew a bath, soaking and then shaving my legs so that I’d be completely fresh and ready for the action Callum had promised me.
    Abner lay dutifully next to the tub and when I finished, he hopped up into bed, making sure I’d cleaned myself adequately by licking all over my hands and face. We fell asleep together, Abner more comfortable than I, but I didn’t have the heart to move him, since I knew that he’d be spending the afternoon locked out of the bedroom.
    I set no alarm, knowing that in a few hours my man would wake me up with the best curry in Las Vegas and then the best sex on the planet. Life couldn’t be better.
    At 3:36 that afternoon, I woke up because our dog was barking to be let outside.
    I stared at the clock on the nightstand a long while, not comprehending where or when I was, the fog of sleep muddling my brain. I rose from bed to walk to the backdoor, hoping Abner hadn’t made a mess.
    I reached for a bottle of juice and took a long swig and then it hit me; Callum should have been home. Hours ago.
    I pulled my phone from the purse I’d dropped on the couch when I came home late the night before. It was so filled with text messages and missed calls that it threatened to burst. But none from my husband. Something about hostages; a shooting… none of it made any sense. I dialed Callum and it went to voicemail after the fourth ring.
    I dialed up my friend from work, Nicole, not wanting to go back through and listen to the dozen new voice mails I’d received. I had to know what was happening. Nicole had sent me the first texts. She worked with me at the hospital, just across the street and a few doors down from Callum’s office building.
    When she answered, it wasn’t with a hello, but with a frantic, breathless barrage of questions. “Clara, oh my God, have you heard from Callum? Is he okay? Are you okay? Have you heard anything at all?”
    Fear grabbed me by both shoulders and gave me a good, hard shake.
    “Nic, I’ve been asleep. I don’t know what’s happening. Callum isn’t answering his phone.”
    “There was a guy at Callum’s building with a gun. A bunch of guns. He was a patient, I think, that’s what they’re saying. He went in there and stated shooting. They think he had bombs, it’s been all over the news, the entire street has been closed for a few hours now. Some people got out; I hadn’t heard Callum’s name or seen him or anything. I’m so, so sorry Clara. They’re still there. The police I mean. SWAT teams and everything. I bet Callum is hiding somewhere, keeping quiet.”
    I hung up and dialed Callum’s number again. After four rings, his voice. “This is Dr. Callum O’Grady; sorry I’ve missed your call. Please leave a message.” Then a beep.
    Then nothing.
    I dialed again and again, ignoring Nicole on the call waiting.
    I let Abner in and he climbed onto my lap as I sat cross-legged on the floor. He licked my face tenderly; not