by Quinn, Vera
“Baby girl all I have wanted to do since the day you were born is to protect you. The day you were born I was the first to hold you in the hospital and I knew you owned the best of my heart from the moment you were put in my arms. I had Ty and I love him, but here you were, a little girl, and you wrapped me around those cute little fingers of yours. Still to this day, I just want to wrap you up and keep you close. I know you’re grown but I don’t have to like it and until the day they lay me in the ground you will be my baby girl. I know things are about to change, but I want you to know I am here no matter what or how old you are. I have tried to give life lessons that will stick with you. I will stand beside you whatever decisions you make. Now this is about as touchy feely as you’re getting from me. I’ve said all I can say, so do what you have to.” My dad always knows exactly what I need and when I need it. He’s said exactly what I needed to hear.
“Ok dad, I get that, and I love you exactly the way you are. I hope I have learned my lessons well. I hope my decisions are right. I love you and I will come to you if I need anything. Let’s do this. Will you set it up for tomorrow afternoon? Don’t forget to let Devil know he will be footing the bill. I am going to let Fe and Sarah know we are cancelled, maybe take a nap. I didn’t get much sleep.” I get up from my chair and wait for what he says.
“No problem, Callie. Did Cross give you any idea of the price? I’ll set it up.” He wants to say more, ask more questions, but he’s giving me room to come to him.
“No idea what the price will be. Mr. Cross is going to call you later to let you know. He had to talk to someone at the courthouse that owed him a favor and he will let you know. I just don’t want to keep going over this and I want to think on it today[A3] . Can I have that?” I look at him with pleading eyes. I don’t want to feel guilty about not sharing yet, but I want him to know I feel pressured.
“It’s ok Callie. I just want you to be sure. You know it is hard to let go of control over your children, especially a daughter.” Dad does understand he is just having problems letting go.
“Ok, I am taking that nap now and notifying my friends.” I turn and walk back to my room. I shoot Sarah and Felix a text, they both understand and will call later. I undress and find an old jersey of Mason’s in my drawer and put it on. I know it will be the last time I wear it, I just couldn’t stop myself. Right now I need its comfort, if that even makes sense. I go to my bed and yank the covers back and crawl in and wait for the darkness to take me to nothingness. To feel nothing, to think about nothing, and to not have to be an adult for right now.
Chapter 21
Chief
Damn, I always knew that girl would be the death of me. Ty and Callie have always been the best part of me. Ty is all me. His old man made over. But Callie is soft with a heart as big as Texas. She has grown into a beautiful woman. I have to be able to let her go, but I will protect her until my dying day.
I look over the club and all I feel is tired. I have to find the gun men from last night and who sent them. All I want to do is put them to ground, but I have to be smart. I cleaned this club up. At one time the BlackPath MC was into everything, gun running, drugs, pimping women, and we had a chop shop in the back. All we do now are protection runs, we have a motorcycle and car shop that is the best at what they do, and we have a strip club and one restaurant.
We also have a wrecker service and we volunteer in the community. We’ve had to work hard for the respect we’ve earned, and I don’t want to wash it all down the drain and it all be for nothing but I will protect my family.
The decisions I have laid on Callie are wrong, but I have to let her decide for herself. I loved Tommy. He was as much my brother as Tren,t but the day he was killed Callie lost so much. When she finds out the things I have kept from her, I hope she can forgive me. This decision, I could not make for her. If someone had taken any of my family away, I would want that decision to be mine. I just hope she can survive her decisions. I hope that I can too.
I have other things and other people to take care of, too. I need to get this done. “Trent, call lock down. All ol’ ladies and children will be staying inside the clubhouse until further notice. They only go out with escorts. All club girls are gone, unless a member is going to be responsible for their actions. Mandatory meeting in two hours. Vote on membership of Ty and Woody. We need three new recruits. Not like the ones I sent packing. I will be in my office on the phone. I have to set up a meeting with Steel and Devil after the vote. Be ready to ride with me. If all the club girls are gone, then the ol’ ladies will be in charge of keeping shit straight. Tell Hambone to inform Kelsey and you tell Laurie, they’ll be in charge. Callie can help, she’s sleeping right now. It’ll be tight here, but we can make do for a few days until we make sure it is safe.” I turn towards my office.
“Is Callie ok? What do you think she is going to do?” Trent asks.
“Hell if I know. I can’t bribe with a ride on my bike anymore, she keeps everything to herself.” And I just keep walking to my office.
“Everyone heard the Prez. Let’s get it done.” Trent downs his drink and makes sure everyone is scattering.
Chapter 22
Devil
I wake and it doesn’t feel like I have been asleep long. I can tell by the way the sun is coming through the curtains it is well into the afternoon. I couldn’t get to sleep for a while, and then it wasn’t a restful sleep. Too many ifs, ands, and buts. I am a man that likes cut and dry, black and white. No gray areas, those drive me crazy. I can’t believe my whole plan relies on a young woman I barely know. Sure I’ve tried to put pressure on her and I will do what I have to do. I will get what I want if I have to start a war to get it. No one tells me what I can or can’t have. Doing this the hard way is dad’s idea. His friendship with Chief stands in our way.
Callie is definitely different than the women I’m used to. She’s young, too young for me. Too good for the likes of me. She’s beautiful and she still has a soft goodness inside her. She’s seen some bad shit, you can see it in her eyes, but she has something that radiates from within. She’s every man’s dream with her dangerous curves and long hair. I can see why that Mason guy would try to keep her, but he won’t get her back. She will be with me and he will only be a memory for her. She has spunk and she don’t back down. She wants honesty and that will play in my favor. I need to get back home and get us some living arrangements made. Mom and Kim are going to love her. Of course, my baby sister is not going to like the attention Callie takes away from her. She’ll get used to it. Yes, Callie will fit in just fine.
I hear dad moving around in his room next door and I know he will be pounding on my door shortly. I guess it is time to hit the shower and then find some food and coffee. No, coffee first. Hot and strong.
I stretch and push the covers back and then head into the shower. This is going to be another long day. I turn the hot water on and put just enough cold on so I can stand it, then get in and let it run over my head. Just trying to let the water and steam take away the aches from my body from the last two days, and all the stress. I love riding my bike, but the ride from Oklahoma made me stiff. It’s only the worry. After tomorrow it will all either be over and settled, or all hell will break loose. I’m hoping for the first, but I have to be prepared for the last.
I hear dad banging on my bathroom door but I ignore it for a few minutes just enjoying the hot water.
“Boy we had a phone call and we need to talk.” Always something. I bend down and turn the water off and pick up the towel to dry off and I put my jeans on and step out the door.
“What the hell are you yelling about old man?” I laugh out. Knowing this always gets him.
“I may be an old man but I’m still your president, so get your ass dressed and meet me across the street at the diner. Chief called. You are going to be paying more money to a lawyer. Hurry your ass up!” He turns and leaves.
Something is definitely up with him. More money to the lawyer. I have sp
ent more money on this woman than any other woman I’ve ever known. Except for mom.
I hurry and get dressed and run across to the diner. I see dad at the back away from everyone, and make my way to the booth and sit across from him. I see he is worried. He’s not going to be easy to get along with.
The waitress takes our order and brings our coffee. Then Dad starts, “Chief wants us at the clubhouse around noon. We are going to have to pay that lawyer some more money, but Chief either won’t or can’t tell me why. Callie has made up her mind but she will tell everyone together. She hasn’t shared with Chief or so he says.” He takes a drink of his coffee and eyes me skeptically, “You ok with the payment? You usually don’t spend money on females.” I know he doesn’t like lawyers.
“What’s eating at you, dad? You’re not yourself.” I ask my dad hoping he will give me some reason for his bad mood.
“I just don’t know about this son. Callie is a good girl. Chief is a good friend. I don’t like involving lawyers. I hate lawyers.” Dad keeps watching me and I know something else is bothering him.
“What else dad? Something else is bothering you.” I hope he will just tell me. He always plays things too close to the vest.
“I have a bad feeling about all this. I just want it over. Chief is coming to talk to us any time now. Him and Trent. Be ready and stay sharp.” I know when my dad has a feeling to pay attention, so I finish up my food and raise my cup for more coffee as I see Chief walk through the door with Trent following close behind.
Their faces give nothing away. They walk straight toward our booth and I motion for the waitress. Before Chief gets to the table he stops her and tells her two black coffees. I see Chief turning and watching the waitress walk away. Guess there is a story there. When she is out of sight he continues our way. Chief and Trent drop on the other side of the booth. Chief looks like he needs more sleep. Don’t we all?
“Ok Chief, give it to us straight. I feel like we are being jerked around here. First we are supposed to pay a damn lawyer a retainer, now he wants more money and we are just supposed to fork it over. You want us at your clubhouse at six tomorrow night and now its tomorrow afternoon. Give us some straight damn answers.” Dad growls out obviously at the end of his patience.
“Look Steel, we gave the reins over to Callie and she is running this show. She talked with Cross this afternoon, and he is doing paperwork for her and taking care of some stuff at the courthouse. She says it all has to do with this. Cross is meeting with us tomorrow. That’s all I know, because she is telling no one nothing.” Chief informs us of everything that has been going on since last night.
I don’t know what could be going through that woman’s head. A lawyer and the courthouse. Legal papers. What could she be up to?
“She is taking this to heart and thinking it through. She went to Tommy’s grave this afternoon before she met with the suit. She always talks things out there when she is trying to think things out.” Trent puts in his thoughts
Maybe she is taking it seriously. I still have to use my insurance just to make sure, so I have to make time to talk to her alone before she gives her answer.
“We’re on lockdown until further notice. I just want to make sure with the shooting last night. I will not take a chance with any of my family members. I’d rather be safe than sorry. Have you heard anything from your guy, Steel?” Chief informs us of his clubs actions. Something has changed. A few hours ago Chief was breathing fire and now he talks like we are just having coffee.
“What changed Chief? A few hours ago you didn’t want to talk to us.” Just then the waitress brings the two coffees over so I stop midsentence and wait for her to leave. Chief and Trent both sit back in the booth so she can set their coffees down, and she refills ours while she is there, then she is gone. I look around and start back up, “So, what gives?”
“I want the information. I agreed to let Callie decide and if I know my daughter the way I think I do, she is going to want it, too. That being what it is, if my daughter gets hurt in any way I will end you. Period! I want you to know that now. Both of you.” He looks at my dad and my dad shakes his head as if they are speaking in code. “I will hold you both responsible for her.”
“I will also hold you both responsible.” Trent adds
[A4] I decide it is time to drop my little bomb. “As long as Callie makes the right decision, she won’t find out that you know who her biological dad really is from us.” I watch Chief take it in and I think I see relief in his eyes. The waitress sets our orders down in front of us and walks away. You could feel the tension between Chief and the waitress. “You have a problem with the waitress? Tension between you two?” of course I don’t think for a second he’ll share.
“That’s none of your business. Callie never needs to know who her biological dad is. Her mom hurt her enough. That man is a ruthless killer and I want him nowhere near her. I have only been trying to protect her. Steel, I thought you as a family man would understand that. Your boy is in your club, your VP and he calls you Dad. Only a man who understands family would allow that. Most men would understand that. He would only find that as a weakness. He would destroy her. Everything he touches he destroys.” Chief is stating his case. Trying to use his friendship with my dad to get to us. I know Callie’s biological dad is a bastard and as cold and calculating as they come. I will try my best to protect her. The little I know of he,r I know she is good and she doesn’t deserve his kind of cruel.
“We get it, Chief. We will protect her to the best of our ability. I will protect her with my life.” I assure Chief and Trent. They both seem to be sizing me up. They are trying to see through me but there is nothing to see.
“Ok Devil, I will hold you to that.” He then does something I never expected. He puts his hand out to shake my hand. I take his hand and shake it.
“Can I ask a small favor?” I ask Chief.
“Ok.” He simply says.
“Can I speak to Callie for just a few minutes alone tomorrow, before we all talk together?” Chief eyes me skeptically.
“As long as she agrees and it’s within the club. Be there a little early.” He agrees. Maybe we can get this settled without bloodshed.
Chief and Trent leave and I can finally breathe a little easier.
“You know you better make it count. It’ll be the only chance you get.” My dad tells me.
“Don’t I know it.” I finish my meal without another word. “When I finish I am going back to my room to make phone calls and then get some more sleep. Tomorrow I need to be on my toes and I need to be up early.” I leave money on the table for our food and a tip. I’m dead on my feet and I need plenty of sleep.
“That sounds good son. I am going to check in at home and I am going to do the same. Everything rides on tomorrow. We both need to be sharp.” We head back to our rooms with a lot on our minds and hoping sleep will help.
As soon as I am in bed I know sleep is not going to come easy. Everything that has happened since we got to Texas is playing back in my head. I still have not figured out who could have shot at us. I don’t believe in coincidences. This has to have something to do with our being here.
I finally feel the day fading away. Sleep is going to take me under and I hear the ping to give me notice that I have a text. Damn this better be good. I reach for my phone and flip it open and it’s from him. He’s making sure our plan is progressing and to see if we got the message he sent. I knew he had something to do with it. It was the only thing that made sense. I typed my dad a quick text to update him and then I turn over to try for sleep again.
My mind wanders to Callie. She could have been hurt and it would have been my fault. Mine and her dad’s. I know I need to protect her and I swear I will. Then my mind wanders to Brianne. The first woman I ever loved. Bri and Callie are a lot alike. Both are full of sass. Thing is, Bri could never accept my life the way it is and my loyalty to the club. Tomorrow I have to step up my action to get Callie, one way or another.
Chapter 23
Mason
I finally have some hope. I received notice that my leave has been approved and I will be standing back on American soil within two weeks. I have to get there and get Callie back. My whole life is in that woman and I won’t let her go. Cru told me some damn biker is sniffing around her. He can’t have what is mine. I know I screwed up, but it won’t happen again. I know I can make her understand if I can just hold her and explain. This damn ocean between us is killing us. Don’t worry baby, I am on my way and then you will be completely mine.
Chapter 24
Callie
I wake up to light streaming into my room. It’s too bright. I look at the clock on my night stand and it reads 10:30. I have slept all night and practically all morning. I was dead to the world. I have to get a shower and get a move on. I am not sure how this day will turn out. I hope I have thought of everything. This cannot turn out wrong. I have tried to think of everyone and all the angles. I need to talk to Fe. He is my go to person when I have problems to solve, my sounding board