Beginning of the Reckoning

by Vera Quinn

  “Have you told ma?” Keifer ask dad. “Did you tell her this matter is delicate?” “You leave your ma to me. She knows our life is hard and we have to do what we have to do. You keep your woman away from Callie. She doesn’t need to be upset with things Kizzy will throw in her face. If you want to keep her breathing, keep her away. Last warning.” Dad looks at Keifer so they understand where the other one stands.

  “She seems like a nice kid. I hate to see her caught up in this. When Chief finds out we will have a war.” Keifer is always the family worrier. Then we see Ty stick his head out the door and look around. I step out of the door and wave over my head letting him know we see him and will be in soon.

  “We will need to get back to Oklahoma tomorrow morning. As soon as the courthouse is open you two can get your license and we will return Friday night. Devil if you want to, we have that cabin at Beavers Bend for a short honeymoon. You can at least give her that. I’ll call and have it stocked and cleaned. You need to talk wedding when we get back in there and get it over with. The sooner the women have it squared away the better it will be. No monkey suits though. I hate ties and being uncomfortable. I know Chief said a couple of the club’s ol’ ladies would help. That way ma and Callie have more stuff to keep them out of the way for a while.” Dad is talking like he is the one getting married. I know he just doesn’t want to have to bring ma back down here this week.

  “That’s fine with me. The cabin will work.” I hadn’t even thought about the honeymoon. Marriage is two people, a license, and a preacher to me. All the rest is unnecessary but if this is what I have to do to get a ring on Callie’s finger then this is what I will do.

  “I think we should get back in there.” We all agree and get out of the SUV and walk back into the clubhouse. I hear the laughter coming from ma before we get in all the way. Ma and Callie are laughing it up. I knew they would be good friends. They are too much alike not to be.

  “We need to get this wedding discussion over with. I only need to know my part. Everything else doesn’t matter to me. What have you two come up with?” I look at ma and Callie but both look confused.

  “Son, I know you men of mine think this world revolves around you, but we haven’t been discussing the wedding. We were having girl talk, but if you want to discuss the wedding we can.” My ma puts me in my place. She loves us but she does enjoy taking our egos down a peg or two every once in a while.

  “I don’t want a wedding. A JP ceremony works for me. You wear whatever, I wear my jeans and we go in and it is over. Simple. We make an appointment and it is done fifteen minutes later.” Callie puts in, but Chief is coming out of his chair and his face does not look happy.

  “I said you would have a wedding here. I am going to get Kelsey and Chelsea in here so everything can be put together while Kat is here.” Chief lets his wishes known. “I only have one daughter and I will give her away at her wedding. Callie, I swore to Tommy I would. I will keep my promise or you won’t be getting married. Ty get the girls from upstairs” Chief is not letting Callie out of this. We will have to do a small ceremony.

  “Chief, what if we have just a simple ceremony here with just club families. Will that work? Callie you can have your simple. Chief can give you away and I, get the I do’s. Everyone happy. Ma, Kelsey, and Chelsea will set up the ceremony so you don’t have to do anything. Just pick out a dress and show up.” Seems simple to me. As long as I don’t have to wear a suit I am fine.

  “What if I want to wear jeans?” Callie is being difficul t. Then I see she is just kidding. She has a sexy little grin on her face. She knows exactly what she is doing and ma sees it too, and has a big grin on her face. Those two together are going to be trouble.

  “Ok, settled.” Chief must know Callie is playing or he just doesn’t care and knows he is going to get his way. “Women in the front room and men in my office. We need to talk about a few matters. Kelsey and Chelsea will be down soon to join you two. Callie will you send Hambone and Zman back when they get down here. Get it all taken care of Callie. There will be a ceremony if you’re getting married.” With that Chief leads us into his office.

  Chapter 36

  Chief I take the chair behind my desk and sit down. I feel tired. Very tired. Driller, Ty, Steel, Stone, Devil and I just get seated when Hambone and Zman joins us. Everyone here needs to know the information that we have dug up. All of our main objectives is to keep Callie safe. I have to trust Devil and his family to help with that now. It is hard but I have to accept it.

  “Ok, Devil I am talking to you now. Not Steel. This is the way you want it so you get it. Diamondback is the one responsible for the shooting in front of the club. We know he has found out Callie is his biological daughter. This son of a bitch is twisted. We don’t know what his angle is yet, but we are sure it was him. We have to keep him away from her for her safety. A little while after your wedding, I am going to try and set up a meet with him. I want to find out what he wants. I still can’t figure out why he would want to hurt her. I have never met the man, but surely he doesn’t want to hurt her for no reason.” Chief looks deep in thought. The man looks tired. He can run an entire Club but when it comes to someone hurting his little girl, then he will leave no stone unturned or stop until he puts an end to it. “Can your club keep her safe? Will you do what it takes to protect her?”

  “Our club will keep her safe, I assure you. I will guard her with my life and every life in our Club. She is mine and no one hurts what is mine.” Devil says it and by looking in his eyes I believe it. Callie has worked her magic in such little time. I see that he genuinely cares for her. That helps with the things I must show him next. Callie would hate it if she knew I showed this to him but I have to. They have to know what Karen is capable of if she comes in contact with Callie. I know Callie can take care of herself but I still do not trust Karen to fight fair and she has sworn her revenge on Callie. She has always hated her daughter since before she was born. She tried to make herself miscarry many times during her pregnancy. She did not have an abortion because she knew Tommy would have left and cut her out of his life. For as much as Karen hated Callie she loved Tommy. The day Tommy was killed, even though it was Karen’s fault, she blamed Callie. The men killed Tommy but they were sent after Callie by Karen. She was going to sell her young daughter for drug money she owed. Callie would have become a sex slave to depraved men. Her life would have been hell. Tommy saved her, but he lost his own life in the process. I have to make these people understand the lengths Karen will go to. I have to do this so I might as well get this done.

  “Ok, I will take your word for that, but you need to look at all these pictures. These are pictures of the day Tommy, Callie’s brother, was killed protecting her from child sex traffickers. This is what they did to his body. This is what Callie looked like.” I showed them the pictures of each.

  “These are more pictures of Callie. Karen, and her boyfriend at the time, beat her. She was only three. We kept her as safe as we could but the state kept giving her back to her. Tommy finally was awarded temporary custody of her after this. After Tommy was killed, Karen did two years in a dry out clinic and half-way house. A slap on the wrist. She never did any time for what she had done to Callie. She knows if she comes here she will die. We have cleaned up our club, but this is me. I will put this woman in the ground.” I am watching for Devil and Steel’s reaction but Stone is the one most moved by the pictures. It’s like he can’t believe his eyes and he does not do a good job of containing his anger.

  “Chief said this is not club, but I can assure you if I see Karen first she will meet her maker.” Driller puts in.

  “That goes for me too. I don’t remember the woman but if I do meet her I will be the last thing she sees.” Ty adds.

  “That goes for any man in this club. We stand as one on this.” Zman also puts in. “The women feel the same. My ol’ lady would take her out and laugh about it.” Hambone speaks up. I know my club loves my girl and I love them for it. �
��I promise you I will protect your daughter from shit like this. That is beyond right. Some people shouldn’t have children. I will protect her as she is mine. I swear to you Chief.” Steel looks me in the eyes and gives me his word. Devil is still looking at the pictures. He finally lifts his head from them and approaches me with his hand extended for me to shake it.

  “I promise you Chief, I will never let that happen to Callie again. I will keep her safe. You have my word.” I look in Devil’s eyes and I know there is something he is not saying, but these pictures are a lot to take in, so I’ll give it to him for now. If I had only known to look deeper to what he wasn’t saying.

  “Ok then, we are on the same page. Let’s see if those women are done and we can get on with this day.” I let everyone go with that and I will try to get through this next week with a smile.

  Devil

  I can’t believe the pictures I just saw of Callie. She was such a small child. The things Karen did to her were unbelievable. The pictures told the story. You would never believe the things Callie has had to live through. She doesn’t show it from the way she acts now. She’s a little quiet for a teenager, but never would I believe she has lived through the trauma of those pictures and to have witnessed her brother’s death. Callie is definitely amazing. She has bounced back from devastation and come out stronger from it. I see Callie and ma sitting where we left them. I know I still have to get some rings and I guess now would be a good time to do that. It will get me out of here for a while. Just as I am about to say that, my mom comes up to me and pulls me over to the side and dad joins us. “Son, have you thought about rings yet? She’s not wearing one. I brought something just in case you wanted it. Let me get it from my purse.” She goes over to the table and I see her pulling a jewelry box out of her purse. Now I see what she has brought and you know I think it might be perfect. She rushes back over to me and I see out of the side of my eye Callie curiously watching. When ma hands me the ring box I know what is in it. It is my grandma’s wedding ring. My grandpa gave it to my grandma when they became engaged and then my dad gave it to my ma. Ma wouldn’t let Keifer give it to Kizzy, but she is offering it to me. I know this is important for her so I will do it. I turn toward Callie and crook my finger at her to get her to come over. She approaches hesitantly and I reach for her hand. I take it in mine then I take the ring and slip it on her wedding finger.

  “This ring has been in my family for three generations now. My gr andfather gave it to my grandma and then my dad gave it to my ma and now I give it to you. Now all we have to do is say I do.” Callie gives me the biggest smile. A real smile. Somehow that smile makes it all worth it. I feel ten foot tall. Then I look at the faces around us and my world comes rushing back. Chief looks concerned as always. My ma is laughing and is on cloud nine. My dad has a guarded smile on his face. Keifer is fully pissed. He knows ma doesn’t like Kizzy but this is like a slap in the face for him. He asked for this ring for her and was refused. The rest of Chief’s men have no looks or expressions on their faces but the ol’ ladies are over the moon with my ma and are fussing over Callie. Callie looks happy but she still does not trust me completely. Smart woman. Now just to get through this week.

  Callie

  Later that week on Friday. The day before the wedding. Well tomorrow I will be married. Twenty-four hours. We are to be married at two and that is twenty-four hours away. What do I know about being married? Nothing. I don’t even know how to keep a boyfriend, let alone a husband. How did I get into this? Revenge. It always comes with a price and this is the price I will pay to repay my debt to Tommy. I will do that gladly. I went to talk to him this morning, but I did not get the peace it usually brings. Too much on my plate right now. I will try to slip away in the morning. We were finally released from lockdown on Tuesday, thank goodness. Dad still has someone on me constantly, but everyone else was released to go back to normal. Ty and Zman are going with my friends and me to celebrate my last night of single life. Sarah flew back in from California and Fe hasn’t left yet, so we are all going to be together, Hanna, too. Dad paid for Sarah’s ticket but I wanted my besties here for this. If I was going to have a wedding they were going to be beside me, all three of them. I couldn’t choose. Oh well. Going over my list again. Room set up, we did. Food for dinner, Kelsey and Loretta have. Wedding cake and grooms cake, Chelsea. I have my dress and that’s it. My stuff has been shipped to Devil’s home, and Kat said she received it. My car and truck are being driven up after we leave. All I have to take is my suitcase. I gave Kat a short grocery list for our house and I can get the rest when I get there. I had a mani and pedi this morning from Kelsey. She is helping with my make-up in the morning. Dad has our license and our chapter chaplain is marrying us. It is done. I have money in my purse and I have transferred some of my money to a bank in Oklahoma. Same bank as I have here, just a different branch. So I will have money. I have my credit card, bank card, and gas card in my purse. My passport, social security card, school records, birth certificate, and medical records all with me. I will go to the same doctor as ma. She’s going to take me next week. I will also have to change insurances. STOP! This stuff has to stop running through my head. I am going to drive myself crazy. Then I hear a car drive up and I know I have been rescued, but I hear my dad’s motorcycle pulling up in the driveway, too. I rush to the door and I see my dad pulling Fe over to the side and I know he is getting that you are the man of the bunch tonight speech.

  “Dad leave Fe alone. He cannot keep all three of us in line.” Dad pats him on the back and starts walking towards us. We finally all get in the house. I have been ready to get out of here for hours, but I know Hanna and Sarah are going to insist on doing me up the way they always do when we go to a club. Tonight we get to go to one of dad’s friend’s clubs. We get a special section for us. It’s all set for us. Dad arranged it for me and I am so glad to get out. Devil and his family and friends have most of the good motels taken up in town. I hope our club handles everyone and we have enough food. There I go again. “I am so ready to get my mind on anything but this wedding,” I say as everyone is hugging.

  “Ok then, let’s get our glam on.” Hanna says as she brings her bag to rest on the couch. They are all staying the night tonight. Our last hurrah together. We will make it good.

  “In case I am gone before you come down. No fights tonight. Have a good time. Be safe. Stay with Ty and Zman. Need anything, call. Remember there will be pictures tomorrow so try not to get too drunk. Circles under the eyes are not attractive. Do not give my men the slip or the night will be over when I find you. Do you all understand?” We all nod our heads but dad is not going for it. “Words.”

  “Yes sir, dad” I say.

  “Yes, Mr. Black.” Fe pitches in.

  “We understand completely Mr. Black.” Hanna and Sarah say together. T hey have that down pretty good. I look at Sarah and head for the stairs in a run “First shower.” I don’t stop until I am at my bedroom door and I swear I hear my dad grumble “Damn kids.”

  Callie

  We walk into the club around nine. We are all slutted up. Hanna and Sarah are in short tight dresses and heels and I opted for shorts and some cute heeled booties. I don’t like wearing dresses to clubs. Fe is styling with his hair in a short faux Mohawk style his best jeans and classy shirt. Then behind us are two scary biker guys. Ok, Zman is scary. Ty is just big and intimidating. You can’t call anyone you’ve seen puking their guts up scary. Maybe to someone else. Not me. Zman is in charge of our drinks tonight, so he asks what we want. Shots and beer all the way around. We are easy to please. Zman orders us each two shots and then he says we have to drink beer for at least an hour before we get another shot and then we can have beer the rest of the night. He is driving but he wants us to stay sober enough to walk out. We also have to order fries and pizza to eat. None of us are heavy drinkers so the shots we have had gave us a good buzz and we hit the dance floor. We have a good time on the dance floor and Zman and Ty are laughing at
our antics. By the time we get back to the table Ty has ordered us fries, cheese sticks and pizza. We have worked up an appetite so we devour everything in front of us and order two more orders of hot wings. By this time, Zman has ordered our shots and a pitcher of beer and said that is it for the night and then we go home. Zman gets a call and steps out to take it. My friends have come up with an idea to get me drunk and when Zman steps out they put it in motion. Sarah goes to distract Ty, and Fe and Hanna give me all their shots to down. Why not? It’s my last night to be single what is the worst that can happen? Famous last words….

  I am feeling no pain what so ever in the next half hour and Ty and Zman are none the wiser because we are on the dance floor. Hanna and I are getting pretty raunchy and rubbing and grinding on each other. Ty is keeping an eye on us and when Zman sees, he is not happy but they let us go on. Then I feel someone come up behind me and grab my ass. I turn and as I do he goes to grab me again and I lay him out on the floor. Oops. I just reacted. Strange hands. No permission. I did a spin kick but I landed on my ass in the process. Then I feel everyone converge on the dance floor and it is a free for all. I look for Sarah and she is on some guy’s back giving him what for and I see Hanna pulling some blonde around by her hair. Fe is trying to get everyone to calm down but some guy hits him from behind and I go crazy and jump for the guy. That’s it, Fe has lost his cool and he is a black belt. By the time everything clears out we are all going to jail. Yep, we are put in the back of the squad cars and I see Ty being put in another one and he is not happy. I can imagine Zman is beyond pissed. I’m in trouble. Famous last words they say. I shut my eyes for a second but the next thing I know we are stopping. I was guessing we would be at the police station, but no we are at dad’s clubhouse. I think right now I would prefer the police station. How did this happen again? My friends, oh yeah great defense. Peer pressure. Just then someone opens the back door and I not only see my dad, but I also see Devil and neither look real happy. Oh crap there’s Steel and Stone too.