Chapter 14

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"W-what?" Callie asked in sincere confusion.

   "Well, a young attractive girl," He started walking towards her as he spoke. "Running, half naked, from Michael's home and close to tears," He blinded her with the flash as he took a photograph, "There's going to be a story there." He held a smug smile on his face.

   "Excuse me?" Callie exclaimed in disgust.

   "Oh, don't worry sweet heart, you'll be paid well for anything worth printing. Don't worry, you can keep your dignity in tact." He assured.

   Callie's eyes grew large at the realization. He was one of the people Michael had been talking about- the paparazzi- he had thought she was one of them when they first met. She felt anger surge all over her body. 

   "So, what's the story, sweet cheeks." He hurried her. 

   "You son of a b-" She swung at him but missed.

   "Now, now... you've got quite a temper." He stated teasingly. "I can use that." He pulled the camera up to his face to get another shot. Callie was angry. For Michael and for herself. Her own privacy was being invaded and the man in front of her sought to exploit Michael and herself just to make a dollar. She felt rage pulsing through her veins and reached out to push the camera out of her face.

   "There's no story... Get out of here!" She ordered. The man stumbled back from the force of her shove and fell. His camera landed on the ground with a loud thud and it was certain that something in it had broken. Callie stood in shock, not realizing she was so strong. 

   "You stupid broad." The man screamed as he pushed himself to stand. He raised his hand and struck her.

   Callie grabbed her face in shock. She had never been hit before. She had never even been in a fight. Still, she wasn't giving in. She at least owed Michael that much. 

   "This is private property you scum!" She shouted in a panic. "You need to leave! Right now!" 

   The man raised his hand to strike her again and Callie shrugged away with her arms shielding her face. But she hadn't been struck. She looked and saw instead that Michael had run up in between them, grabbed the man's arm as he was about to strike, and used his other hand to punch him in the nose.

   The man fell to the ground and stayed down. Callie could see Michael from the back. His hair still damp, laying over his shoulders. He was now dressed in a black shirt and black pants. She could tell he was angry by watching his heavy breathing.

   "Never. Come. Back. To. This. Place." He said slowly, enunciating each word. His voice was so low it seemed to growl. Callie had to admit, despite the drama of their current circumstances, she was extremely turned on by him. Then she remembered, he was still mad at her too, just not mad enough to watch another man beat her. Still in her heart she let out a little victory squeal for Michael.

   "You'll pay for this!" The man threatened scrambling to reach his things with one hand and holding a bloody nose with the other one. He grabbed the remains of his camera and ran to his car, parked up the street a bit. It was so dark that Callie had to really focus to make it out. 

   Michael stood with his back to Callie until he watched the reporter drive out of sight. Then he slumped his shoulders a bit and turned to face her. The look of anger changed to one of concern as he took her face in his hands.

   "Are you okay?" he asked examining the side of her face that was now throbbing. 

   "Michael," She started wide eyed and in horror. "Are you going to get into trouble over this?"

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