Calliope nced at Ss, 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 Ss upset because of that? Since she had approached them on her own, Calliope didn''t want Ss to me the guys.


    "It''s not their fault. I came over myself," Calliope exined. "It was lively here, and I just checked on them."


    Ss noticed her anxiety and his gaze softened. "I''m not ming you, and I''m not mad either." Calliope let out an involuntary sigh of relief.


    "It''s good to protect thedy. From now on, wherever and whenever, make sure she''s safe, whether I''m here or not," Ss said to Damien and the rest.


    "Mrs. Myers''s good with us. We''re happy to look out for her," Damien and the others assured Ss. "Had enough fun yet? If you do, let''s head back. If not, I can keep youpany for a bit longer," Ss asked gently.


    "It''s gettingte. 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 Ss.


    "Do you like Damien?" Ss asked as they walked.


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


    Ss didn''t press the matter any further.


    "I heard you had dinner with Gideon and his crew? And you nning 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 damagepensation 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?" Ss''s eyes bore into Calliope. "You and Damien are that close already?"


    Calliope hesitated. Was he mad?


    "What do you call me then?" Ss asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    "Ss?" Calliope tried, her voice a bit tentative.


    Ss 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 cing 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," Ss said softly. "You''re a married woman now."


    "Yeah, I know!" Calliope nodded.


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


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