by Vera Quinn
Devil will be President when Steel kicks the bucket and I’ll have mine and you, little girl will be left in the cold. All alone like you deserve. Since all you do is look down on your mom and you as good as killed your brother Tommy.” She finally shuts up and I can’t believe everything I just heard. How can I be so stupid, every time? I see Mason coming down the hall like his pants are on fire and I know someone called him. I see the fury in his eyes. He comes and stands between us. Always my protector, until he isn’t. He betrayed me. Then I see her. She just walks in the club like she owns it. She’s older and the years have not been nice to her but I know it is Karen. She’s laughing.
“Well, well, well. Where’s your mighty protector now? Chief out of town?” She knew he was gone. This is a set up. She planned it along with this other woman and Kizzy. It’s all coming to me now. She had orchestrated this all to hurt me. Because this woman always hated me. The words never ever, never ever, keep running through my head. The things Tommy and dad used to always tell me. She’ll never ever get to you again and again. Then never forever, nothing ever last never forever. “Bitch you look like you seen a ghost. It’s not like I can bring back the brother you killed.” I loved Tommy. It wasn’t my fault. Never forever. She can’t hurt me anymore, never ever. Mason has her up by her throat and throws her across the room before I know what is going on. “Bitch get up and get out.” Then he looks at the other two and he points “That means you two also. I don’t hit women but you hurt Callie and I will put all three of you in the ground. Out.”
“Stop.” I look at the woman beside Kizzy. “What’s your name?” She only hesitates a minute and smiles when she says it, “My name is Brianne but Devil calls me Bri.” Then I knew everything she said was true.
“You always have the se men wrapped around your finger. One day I will get you alone and I will put you in the ground where you should be instead of your brother.” That’s all I could take. I walked around Kelsey and straight up to Karen and pushed Mason out of my way. I pulled the gun out of my waistband and then I grabbed a hold of Karen’s hair and slammed her face into the wall all with one hand and then I pulled her up straight and put my gun under her chin.
“Bitch I see you again and I will put you in the ground and I have a dad and it isn’t Diamondback. If either of you approach me then someone will die. Do you have that message straight?” She has fear in her eyes but she has to save face in front of her friends, “You don’t have what it takes.” Her face turns white when I pull the trigger back on my gun.
“Shall we test that theory, because I can guarantee you, I do.” I get right up in her face and everything and everyone else in the room has faded out, until Ty puts his thumb in between the trigger and firing mechanism of my gun.
“Callie, calm down baby girl. Look it’s me Ty. Callie please.” I let go and le t him take my gun. “Thank you.” I don’t back away. Instead, I step up to her and grab her throat. “You take that message, bitch, straight back to Diamondback. I’m not the weak little girl for you to terrorize anymore. I will end you. You got that bitch.” Karen looked shaken and when I looked at Bri she seemed surprised too.
“One more thing. Your dad, Chief, has known about Diamondback your whole life just like Tommy. So even the ones you care about lie to you. You will never be anything but miserable in your life. I will make sure of that.” With that from Karen I turn and walk out of the club house. I am so over all this. I need fresh air. Mason, Ty, and Kelsey all come out after me. I guess Hambone and Jeb are taking care of the trio inside. I know what I have to do but I only hope I can pull it off.
“Kelsey can you drive me home? I need to rest for a while.” I know Kelsey will stay with me but not smother me so I can get things set up for tomorrow. “Sure, whatever you need.” Kelsey is concerned. “Are you ok sis? You know you can’t trust anything they say.” Ty is trying to smooth it over so I know it is bad, but right now I need quiet and I need to make my plan.
“I’m ok but I’m tired. This was all too much. You know I don’t trust Karen and I don’t even know those other two. Can I just go home?” I give my best performance of my life.
“Ok, but Mason is going, too. I don’t want any more surprises today and I think you need to rest. You’re pregnant, take it easy. Dad and Devil are both going to kill me.” I know Ty is trying to lighten things up but right now I just want gone.
“Mason you’re going with Callie and Kelsey. Give Callie some room to breathe but protect and no one gets to them.” Ty has come into his own, he is dad made over. I give him a kiss on his cheek and he hugs me back. “Sorry sis.” I know he is, too. Mason is right behind me and then he opens my car door but he bends to whisper in my ear, “You can fool the others but I know you’re not ok.” Then I do something I thought I would never do again I pull Mason down into a kiss. Not just any kiss, a deep lingering kiss and it has the effect I wanted it to, “You’ve never kissed me like that before. It was so much more.” Then I shut my car door and he is still just looking at me. Maybe that will keep him distracted.
Chapter 61
Callie As soon as I get home and Kelsey is settled in the living room in front of her talk shows, I sneak into Dad’s home office. I get two of the burner phones out of his bottom desk drawer. I also get the keys to our gun cabinet and go and get my 45 and my 380 out and all the ammo I can carry. I don’t think I’ll need these but where Karen is concerned I can’t be too careful. Then I go and check on Kelsey, she has fallen asleep. I take the guns and ammo and put them in my suitcase and then I find a bag and take it back into my dad’s office. I go to the safe that I keep all my things in. I have the insurance money I received from Tommy’s estate when I turned eighteen. That with money I had stashed from races, I have close to twenty thousand dollars here plus the ten in my to go bag. That’s a start. Thirty thousand. I get this back to my room and stash it in my suitcase. Ok, so far so good. Next I get the numbers out of my phone for two places. My bank in Oklahoma and an attorney. I call the bank and my funds will be transferred by two tomorrow. Then I call Mr. Cross. He is handling the annulment as we agreed to before the wedding if fraud could be proved and it can. Papers are signed already and he will be taking care of that tomorrow also. One more call and then a shower. I look the number up and this one will hurt the most but I need the money so it has to be done. There it is, Rabbit has been wanting my car for over year. I am going to give him a deal he can’t turn down.
It took all of three minutes to talk Rabbit into the deal. I already knew that. That’ll be another good chunk of change and I already called the bank here so they will have my other bank funds ready. I have cut up all my store cards and the credit cards I had. All my clothes I will need are packed. I got a refill on my vitamins. I told the nurse I lost them. I pick that up and I have a copy of my medical records faxed to me with a copy of Kylar’s, too. I hope I am not forgetting anything. I found all the little bugs my dad kept in my purses and other things. I even checked clothes and shoes. Kelsey is down stairs fixing us something to eat. Dad and Kylar have tried to call and I won’t answer. I told Kelsey I have a bad headache and don’t feel like talking. She bought it. I should feel bad but right now I just feel nothing. I’m totally numb. I know I have to go down and try to eat something for the baby, but then I am going to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day. I am meeting Felix and Hanna for lunch and they have to give me the biggest favors I have ever asked for. I just hope they can do this for me. I know it is at least a two-day ride back from where dad went, so tomorrow I have to make my move. I just hope my friends can help me. I make my way down stairs and Kelsey has made us soup and grilled cheese. Mason is eating with us. His eyes follow me around the room. While we are eating he still watches me. He is going to be a problem. Ty comes in with Jeb right before we are done. They finish eating with us. Kelsey and I clean up and I try to act like nothing is wrong but I hug Kelsey tight before she leaves. Then a thought comes to me and I act on it. “Ty is it ok if Mason stays tonight. We ne
ed to talk and I would like for him to stay.” I know Ty is not happy with Kylar. I also know Mason will stop watching me so close if we talk or it looks like I am trying to talk.
“Are you sure? Devil isn’t going to like it.” I knew it. “Ty, right no w I am not too concerned with what Devil likes. He not only has me as a wife but he has Bri as an old lady. Do you think that is fair?” Ty knows I’m right. “Next time Devil calls, because he will, you can tell him Mason is taking care of me.” That was all it took.
“Ok. But I hope you know what you’re doing.” Ty is trying to think it out. “Tomorrow we will be bust so you need to stay close.” Perfect. “I’m having lunch with Fe and Hanna tomorrow in town and we’re going shopping. A little retail therapy on Devil’s dime.” I throw in the last part for incentive.
“Ok. First sign of trouble call and take your gun.” He reaches into his boot holster and takes it out. Now I have three. “No problem. I’ll be back before dark. I want to fix dad a chocolate pie for when he gets home.”
“Can you make a coconut too?” Ty always loves his sweets. “I’ll check the cabinets to make sure I have everything.” Everything is working out great. “Mason just so you are not confused, I need to talk. Nothing else.” I don’t want to lead him on.
“Callie I am here no matter what you need.” Mason is trying to be understanding. After what I do tomorrow he’ll probably never want to see me again. Of course that is what I have planned. Mason follows me to my bedroom like he has done so many times before. He’s spent many nights here. We get to my room and I go in and brush my teeth and leave out an extra tooth brush for Mason and change into my pajamas. I go to my drawer and pull out an old pair of Mason’s sweats and hand to him.
“I was wondering where these went to. You were always taking my clothes.” He’s right but not this time. “You left these here the last night you were home before you had to go back.” That night seems so long ago. Mason goes to the bathroom and takes care of his business and by the time he comes out I am already in the bed with the lights low and I am really tired. He stands there just watching me. I pull the blankets back and he comes and gets in beside me. We’re awkward with each other which we have never been. Then he pulls me into his arms and I go. I lay on his chest and it is like coming home. So familiar. So comfortable. I immediately relax but before I know it I am crying and I can’t stop. I cry on his naked chest for everything I have lost. For all the pain I have suffered. I am tired. So tired of hurting. My mom never loved me. She hated me. My DNA dad never knew about me, but he had a wife anyway. Tommy was taken away from me. Dad loved me, but him and Tommy both lied to me and hid the fact they knew who fathered me. I lost Mason to some other woman. He was my first love. Kylar used me. He is the Devil and that’s all I will call him from now on and how I will remember him. Then dad knew and he didn’t tell me. How much more can I be expected to take?
Men are toxic to me or maybe Karen is right, maybe I am the toxic one. I cry and cry until I have nothing to left. I am numb. Then I slip into the oblivion of sleep. The only place I have peace, but even there Karen’s words come to hunt me down. I wake before anyone else and I slip off of Mason’s chest. I go in the bathroom and take a quick shower and dress and get ready for the day. Mason is still sleeping so I scribble him a note and thank him for last night. I see Jeb on the couch and he is snoring, loudly. I tip toe into Ty’s room and he is asleep, too. I quickly go to where I have hidden my bags and get them in my truck. Then I go back in and leave the note I wrote for dad on his desk. All that’s left is a quick note to Ty telling I am meeting Felix for breakfast. Then I am out of the house and I take my truck to Felix’s and put it in his garage. His parents are on vacation so they won’t be a problem. So far so good. Then I knock on Felix’s door and he comes out dressed with Hanna in tow.
“It’s too early for this.” I give him an apologetic look. “Let’s get my car out. Wait, you know what. Here Fe, take my truck keys and stay here and Hanna and I will get the car and you can follow us in the truck. That way we have a ride. My head is jumbled. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I have to get it together.” My friends are looking at me like I am crazy. I always think my plans through. “I will honk the horn and you follow. Ok? We’ll leave the garage door open.”
“Sounds good. We better not get caught.” Fe is always worried about getting caught.
“Are you sure Callie you have to leave?” Hanna asked with tears in her eyes. “Yes, when I am settled and I know the heat is off I will get in touch and we will meet up. I promise. I just have to do this for my baby.” I’m on the verge of tears again and I use to very seldom cry. Pregnancy hormones.
“Ok. Let’s get it done then.” Fe says. He hates to see me break down. Hanna and I run the distance back and we sneak into my dad’s shop and we have my car out before anyone notices. This will be the last time I drive my baby. I built her from the ground up. This is a bittersweet drive. We drive by Fe’s and honk and he follows us to meet Rabbit who is waiting on us. He gives me my cash and I sign the bill of sale and sign over the title. I give her one more look and then we leave for our next stop. My attorney’s office, Mr. Cross. I signed all the papers and told him I would be in touch and told him my plans. He acted very fatherly and said he would push it through without anyone knowing. Since we had already agreed before the wedding and signed papers he won’t have to talk to Devil again. Could be done by week’s end. I told him I would be calling from a burner and he assured me he wouldn’t give me away, but who knows. I also picked up the faxed copies of my and Devil’s medical records. I need Devil’s for baby daddy health history. I will play it safe. I had my legal papers sent to Fe. I can check with him on the progress. Next we had lunch and I remembered my vitamins so we picked them up. Ty calls and I assure him we are having a great time and he talks to Fe. He’s happy for the time being.
After lunch I go to the bank and withdraw all funds except a few dollars to keep the accounts open. If they close, the bank will contact dad, so I leave very little in them. I now have a good nest egg. Last is a quick stop at the mall for new luggage and purse. I take them back to my truck and change everything to the new cases and clean my purse out and give my old one to Hanna. I wasn’t supposed to know they have trackers in them. So does my watch so I picked a new one up and gave Hanna my old one. One last stop with my friends then we will part ways. I go in and buy two tickets in my name at the bus stop one to New Orleans and one to Phoenix. Opposite directions. I have booked rooms for two days in each town and paid for and given both Hanna and Felix tickets home and spending money. Hanna has my purse and watch with trackers and Fe has my luggage with trackers. Distractions. I drop them off with tearful goodbyes. Then I go to the flower shop for daisies. I make it to visit Tommy’s grave but I know I am running out of time. I go straight to his grave and lay the flowers down. I kiss his headstone and sit to have my talk.
“Tommy, I forgive you for keeping things from me. I kno w you had to have your reasons. I love you brother but I won’t be back for a while. I have to leave. Too much has happened. I’m having a baby. I have to protect him or her, like you protected me. Dad lied to me. I know he loves me and I love him, but right now I need my space. I know I’ll get over it and be back, but I have to go for now. Devil used me. I can’t face this again. I’ll always remember never forever, never ever. I’ll never forget. I love you brother. Keep a watch over our loved ones.” With that I get up and walk out of this place and don’t look back. I get in my truck and I drive the two hours to Dallas and the police station I told the guy to meet me at to sell my truck to. He gives me the cash and I sign it over and give him a bill of sale. Then I call a cab and go to a small but respectable motel and sign in with my fake ID. Once I am inside. I go to part two of my plan. I take the scissors and cut my long hair. Then I take out the hair dye I bought and thirty minutes later I am a red head with a cute pixie cut. I cut up the fake ID I used and put everything in a trash liner. Then I take my cell phone and stomp it and
take the battery out and put it all in the trash liner. I clean everything in the room down and call a cab from my burner phone and leave to another motel, but a nicer one and use another fake ID. When I’m finally in my room. I lay down and the darkness takes me away again.
I’m up early the next morning and go to a car dealership and buy me a new nondescript car in white and finally I am on my way. I get to a smaller town and go into a truck stop to eat. I buy a map on my way in and then I sit at a table and soon the waitress takes my order. I take my vitamins and unfold my map. I have used every trick I know about disappearing. Distractions for people following me. Get rid of technology, phones, computers, etc. Change appearance. Use only cash. Fake ID’s. No certain destination and never go somewhere you’ve been. Now all I can do is hope. I close my eyes and point my pen and mark and then I look. That is going to be my new home. About four days taking my time and watching my tail. Five states away. I can do this. We can do this. I rub my stomach Sure enough five days later I arrive and find a small motel run by a sweet little woman. I know this is where my new home is. I asked the woman, Mrs. Clark, where to get a good meal and she told me about a diner about a mile from here and I go over to check it out. I check the hours out and this town must roll up at ten because this place closes at nine and it is the only thing in town. So I order something for now and something to go. That’s when I notice a help wanted sign. Could I have this good of luck? When the waitress brings me back my food I ask her about the position and she said she would get me an application and send the boss to talk to me. She hasn’t had a day off for two weeks and she’s pulling doubles. Don’t know what the trouble could be in a small town but I could do this if I stay.