“Had to get these babies.” I flash her my holster.
“Fair enough. I don’t carry any of those.” She frowns.
“I have to.” I stroke her cheek.
“I know, defend and protect.” She rolls her eyes.
“Fuck, woman, you make me sound like a cop.” I glare at her.
“Big bad Callum scared of the comparison with a cop?”
“No, it’s fucking wrong.”
“Did you ever fuck a cop?” she asks as we walk out of the house after I punch in the alarm code.
“Next question.” I sigh, I didn’t expect this kind of question.
“That means yes. Interesting.” She chuckles.
“Why is that interesting?”
“Because I thought you never slept with the enemy.”
“It was a mistake.” I hand her a helmet and get on my bike after helping her with it.
“Was I a mistake?” she asks, staring at me.
“No,” I say truthfully. “I did fuck a cop, it was a mistake. She wanted something I couldn’t offer her, and she died because of me.”
“Did you pull the trigger?”
“No, but th—”
“Then she didn’t die because of you.”
“She did.”
“Look, I’m guessing she died while some funky business went down. Unless you forced her to be wherever it went down, you are not responsible for what happened to her. Go on, try to go against what I just said. You know I’m right, that’s why you’ve got your sour face going on,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest, making her breasts look bigger.
“Get on the bike, I have things to do,” I say coldly.
“Don’t be a dick to me because I’m right and you’re wrong.” She gets behind me and wraps her tiny arms around me. She’s right and I’m wrong, but hell if I’m going to admit it; my pride would take a serious hit. It already did when I decided to go all Magic Mike on her last night.
Driving to her place, I think about what she said. Despite her being right that in the end, Lewis was woman enough to make her own decision and died in the process isn’t on me, I still feel responsible for the fact that she was so implicated in our club business. Maybe if I had stayed away from her none of this would have happened. If I had told Bennett about Nancy sooner, then his brother fiasco would have been a hell of a lot different. There’s nothing I can do about any of it now, but it’s still fucking with my head more than I’m willing to admit.
Parking in front of her building, she gets off the bike and hands me the helmet I put on her.
“Keep it for next time.” I smile at her.
“So there will be a next time.”
“Yes, of course. Why are you asking?”
“Because of what I said. I could feel the rage emanating from you.”
“It’s not rage, it’s just annoyance.” I sigh and kiss her softly.
“Because I’m right and you’re wrong?” She smirks.
“Something like that.” I groan seeing the smug look on her face.
“I knew it.”
“Shut it then.” I chuckle and kiss her deeply. “Stay safe.”
“You too.”
“Always.” I wink at her before putting my helmet back on and driving away.
The last thing I wanted was to leave her, but I can’t stop my life because of a woman.
Driving to the compound, I can’t help but think back on what Bella said about Lewis. What is she doing to me? Making me question my own beliefs. I don’t like this one bit, but maybe she’s what I need. It’s the first time in forever that I’m content with how life is going, but I have a feeling that this is going to be short-lived.
Parking at the compound, I get off my bike and walk straight to the chapel. Spending more time than I should have with Bella made me be late. I’m never late. Either they are going to wonder what I was up to or they’ll know I was with a woman and tease the fuck out of me. Either way, I don’t want them to question what I’ve been up to and much less figure it out.
“Finally, you’re gracing us with your presence,” Bennett says.
“Fuck off.” I chuckle and take my place.
“You love me.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
“Keep telling yourself that.” I shake my head. If anyone should be in a fucking bad mood today it should be him with his relation to the Satan’s Inferno, but instead, he’s happy and joking around. I don’t think Bennett will ever make any sense. “What’s up?” I ask Ant.
“You two quiet down. What’s left of the Satan’s Inferno is back in town. They’ve been spotted trying to take women and keep the legacy of what their old MC once was,” Ant says.
“Son of a bitch,” Bennett shouts.”
“We’re not going to let that happen. Ray made the call to me early this morning because they tried to take one of their women. We’re not on lockdown yet. We don’t know if they are trying to get us back by targeting our women, or if they are just going after women in general. They are going to seek out revenge on what Bennett did to their Prez, and we have to be prepared.”
“We outnumber them with just us,” I say trying to reassure everybody, but I’m scared shitless of what they could do to Bella.
“We do, but we don’t know if they’ve got the help from their other chapters. We’ll have to keep an eye on their activities and advise then. If you see any of them trying to take a woman or get attacked, do not hesitate to fire at them. We need to put them all down. It might start a war as they promised, but we can’t risk having them attack us full force. So if we can take a few down while they are on their own then so be it.”
“What if they target one of our women and succeed?” Aleck asks, sounding worried. I get him, Charline is pregnant, and he doesn’t want to risk anything happening to her.
“If any of you want your women to go to the safe house, just say the word and go. I just don’t want to sow panic amongst them. Ayden and Charline don’t need any added stress,” Ant confirms putting Aleck’s mind to rest.
“Thanks,” Aleck says rubbing his face.
“If you want to go with her and sit this one out, then go. Just tell me so we can advise with the Bastards and the Angels.”
“I’ll be okay. I just don’t want her, the baby, or Ally to get hurt,” Aleck says.
“I know. Don’t worry. I understand. Ayden is going to go there the second they come too close,” Ant says through gritted teeth.
“What if they come too close?” Gabe asks.
“Let’s not give them the opportunity to come too close then,” I say, ready to go to war. I don’t know if it’s the prospect of them being able to hurt Ayden or Charline, who are heavily pregnant; or the possibility that he could hurt Bella, but I’m not willing to risk having any of them hurt, not even a scratch.
Annabella
It’s been two weeks since Callum and I first had sex, and it’s been a regular occurrence since. I’m not against getting down and dirty with him, but we are getting close on a deeper level, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. I like him, a lot, but I don’t know if he wants a relationship. I sure as hell don’t need one right now. I’m good with what we have, but feelings do come quickly when you spend most of your free time with someone.
I’m not ready to tell him about Elijah yet, simply because I have no idea on how he’s going to react once he knows I have a kid. He could judge me, or he could end everything. I don’t see this ending well, so I’m enjoying whatever it is that we have while things are good.
Callum has been a lot more protective since we had sex. I don’t know if it’s what made him change his behavior with me or if something else happened, but it’s slightly confusing me. I don’t get why he’s so overprotective. I mean, he’s been protective since day one, but now it’s like he’s my shadow and knows where I am at all times. Maybe he’s stalking me? That’d be funny in a way and very creepy in another.
Something else weird has been happening these past two
weeks. I had already felt like someone was watching me before that; probably my overactive mind, or maybe because of my nighttime job. Some clients don’t want to take no for an answer. You keep a close eye on your surroundings after one of them threatens you.
The worst has been the notes I’ve received. They range from the sweetest thing to the vilest you can imagine, and they escalated quickly. I’ve received five in the span of two weeks. I’ve been too scared to let anyone know. Maybe it’s someone playing a prank on me and it’s nothing, or it could be something serious and I don’t want to bring anyone into my mess. I couldn’t forgive myself if something were to happen to one of my friends because of me. Maybe it’s time for me to pack up and leave, as I always do.
“What’s with the sour face?” Callum asks, scaring the shit out of me.
“What the fuck?” I yell, jumping back.
“Easy, tiger.” He chuckles and wraps his arms around me.
“You don’t just show up out of nowhere like that and sneak up on people.” I blow out a breath trying to get my heart to steady.
“Yet, you do it to me all the time.” He kisses my neck.
“I know, but you’re part ninja. Half the time you know I’m there.”
“Fair enough. So, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, why do you think something is wrong?” I ask defensively.
“Because you look scared out of your mind.”
“Because someone scared me!” I glare at him.
“Sorry, babe.” He kisses me, and I melt into his arms. This man is going to be the death of me. Either by too much cuteness, or he’ll scare me one too many times and I’ll have a heart attack.
“I suppose I can forgive you.” I smile as we walk to his car. We’re going back to his place after my time at the strip club.
“Good, so, are you going to share?” He opens the car door for me, and I get in. I don’t know if I should tell him or not. I know he has enough on his mind with his club business, and I don’t want to add to that.
“It’s nothing.” I smile at him.
“I know something is up, Bella. You look scared, and you’re very jumpy. Jumpier than usual. Your car window was smashed. You’ve had your tires slashed, and I’m sure there are things you’re keeping from me. Don’t tell me nothing is happening.” He glares at me, and I feel really tiny as he pins me with his gaze.
“I’ve been getting threats,” I confess. I know it’s pointless telling him some bullshit; he’ll get it out of me either way.
“How long?” he says through gritted teeth, holding the wheel so tightly that his knuckles turn white.
“Two weeks or so.”
“After we first had sex,” he says more to himself.
“Yes. Do you think it has anything to do with that?” I ask confused.
“It could.” He blows out a breath and mutters some insults that I can’t make out.
“Care to explain?”
“It’s a long story that I can’t tell you, just be careful.” He squeezes my thigh.
“So, you’re telling me, or rather not telling me, that someone could be targeting me because I’m close to you, but you refuse to tell me who?” I ask outraged.
“Trust me, it’s best if you don’t know.”
“I beg to differ. If someone is after me, I want to know so I can be more careful. It’s not just me, you know!”
“What do you mean?” He sounds perplexed. I know that I’ve just said too much, but I’m not ready yet.
“There’s Gail. They could target her, too. I couldn’t forgive myself if something were to happen to her.”
“What’s the deal between you two? Are you lovers?”
“Trust you to think that!” I scoff.
“What? Can’t blame a man for imagining two women together.” He chuckles.
“No, we’re not lovers. She’s my best friend. She’s taken me in since I moved here and has been helping me a lot. If I’m the one bringing her trouble, I won’t forgive myself as she’s been nothing but a blessing to me.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you or her.” He kisses my hand as he parks in his driveway.
We’ve made it a habit to come back to his place after I strip so I don’t wake Gail and Elijah, and it means I get to spend extra time with Callum. I do feel bad that I’m spending so much time away from Elijah, though. It’s all messed up and confused in my head. I don’t know what to do anymore. I want to be able to live my life and have fun but also not miss the little things about my son growing up. I have to find a balance, but it’s hard when your heart and your head want something different. When your pussy gets in the middle of it then you’re in for a treat. I’m rarely able to think with my head or my heart when I’m alone with Callum at his place. I’m sure you would feel that way too!
Callum
Mother fucking sons of bitches! I can’t believe she would hide the fact that she’s been getting threats for two weeks. Granted that she didn’t know someone would be after her, but still. She knows I can protect her and would have. I don’t know why she would keep it from me. I don’t like the fact that she’s been targeted. I’m assuming it’s from one of the Satan’s Inferno. I have nothing to go by besides the notes, which isn’t much. For all I know, it could be someone from her past.
I’ve looked into her past and can’t find much about Annabella Williams prior to four years ago. And again, it’s not much. It’s like she doesn’t really exist. I know she works at the coffee shop Josie owns and the strip club. That she lives with Gail, but other than that I have nothing else.
Even Jase couldn’t find anything about her, which made us think that she’s using a fake name. But how can someone go under the radar for so long without getting busted? Surely she’s been pulled over and asked for her papers or has been sick and had to go to a doctor. It’s all messed up how she doesn’t seem to exist.
It makes me wonder who I’ve been sleeping with and developing feelings for. Not that I’m willing to admit it to anyone and for good reasons now. Who is Annabella? Why is she here? Is she working with the Satan’s Inferno and trying to get us, or at least me, to lower my guard to attack? I don’t want to doubt her, but I can’t help the way this all appears to be.
Annabella
Work has been really slow today. It’s only eleven in the morning, and I’m bored already. It happens for things to be slow, especially mid-morning just before the lunch rush. But it doesn’t make it any easier on us. That’s usually when we sit down and have our coffee with one of the delicious goodness that Josie prepares in the kitchen.
Gail and I are usually her guinea pigs. Whatever she comes up with that day for a future release, we try it. So far, only the gingerbread one has been a fail because it got hard inside the donut so it was a bit weird, but I know she’s working hard on the recipe.
Today, we’re trying a s’mores donut, and I can’t wait. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had s’mores. It goes back to probably ten years ago, if not more. I’m ready to take a bite out of mine when Josie looks up and smiles wide at someone. I turn around mid-bite only to see Callum walking in the coffee shop, looking amazing as always in his jeans, shirt, and leather jacket.
“Josie, Gail, Bella,” he says in his low voice, the one that does funny things to me.
“Hello, handsome,” Gail exclaims, grinning like a fool.
“Hey, sweetheart. It’s been a while.” Josie gets up and hugs him.
“I know, been rather busy.” He hugs her back and looks at me.
“I can imagine.” Josie has a smug look on her face as she looks at me, too. Mind you, I’m still mid-bite and I’m frozen in place for some reason.
“Are you alright, babe?” Callum asks me, not caring about calling me babe in front of them. I nod with the donut in my mouth, finally taking a bite and I moan as I chew.
“I take it it’s got your approval?” Josie chuckles and I nod.
“Don’t moan like that,” Callum says
in his rough voice.
“Or?” I raise an eyebrow at him, licking the chocolate off my lips.
“I’ll show you tonight.” He smirks.
“This is really awkward to watch,” Gail says.
“Why is that?” Callum asks her.
“I don’t know if I should be embarrassed that you two are almost going at each other here or if I should be turned on.” She laughs.
“I don’t like a crowd.” He chuckles and sits next to me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, turning to him.
“Can’t I come see you at work?” he asks, confused.
“Sure, but usually it’s at night that you come over.”
“I know, I just wanted to see you.” He leans over and kisses me.
“Are you stalking me?”
“Maybe.” He chuckles. “Got any more notes?” he whispers sobering up, and I nod. “Son of a bitch,” he mumbles.
“What’s going on?” Josie asks, bringing him coffee.
“This little one has been getting threats and didn’t think it would be good mentioning it.” And that’s how Callum landed himself in the doghouse for the day.
“What?” Josie exclaims loudly.
“Thanks for that.” I glare at Callum.
“What? She deserves to know, you work here. If someone is going to target you, they could do it here. If she knows, it’s better.” Callum shrugs as if his explanation makes it better.
“You don’t get it.” I groan and get up, needing a coffee refill.
“What don’t I get?” He follows me behind the counter.
“Nothing.” I blow out a breath.
“Bella, don’t do this. I’m not doing this to annoy you. I want to protect you and make sure you’re staying safe and them, too. Josie is like a mother to me. Her husband is part of the MC. She’s bound to know something is going down. The sooner she knows, the sooner she can prepare herself for it.”
“I’m just bringing drama with me wherever I go.” It’s the first time I break down about it all. I don’t know why, but something about his talking about it to Josie and Gail made me just lose it and realize that it’s not just me who could be targeted but the shop, too.
Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6) Page 12