Catching Forever (BlackPath MC Book 2)

by Vera Quinn

  “You’re right Tito. He wouldn’t. Good catch, but we are going to have to watch from a distance, because if he gets wind of our snitch it won’t be good. This has to be the break we need.” I feel it just like Tito. This is it. I just hope it doesn’t take too long for Chief to move. Dad does not like being away from home, but mom says either he went or she did. She won’t let him back in until Callie is home. She was disappointed in my decisions. I am, too.

  “What have you two got your heads together about? Have you got me a way home yet?” Dad has a right to be pissed at me. I fucked this up every which way. I thought I could stay detached and not grow to love Callie, but she has a way about her. I thought it was my responsibility to bring Bri home.

  “Tito may have something, but it has to be kept quiet. We can’t let it get out.” I direct my focus on dad but my mind is constantly thinking of the mistakes I’ve made. Stone comes through the front door. We haven’t seen much of him lately. He feels like a fool for being played by Kizzy. He makes his way back to our table and sits down beside Tito.

  “Ok. Give it to us, Tito. This better be good. I’m missing my home and this shit has to be settled.” Dad is holding a small box I had not noticed before. He must have taken it out of his pocket. “These came from Cross today. Your mom had them sent to me. They’re the family rings you gave Callie. He also sent annulment papers. The ones you signed before the wedding. I talked to our law guy and he said by Texas law, it can’t happen until after the baby is born. So you have a little time. That baby is a Steel, and you had better get Callie back here. What the hell were we thinking?” Dad sounds disgusted with not only my situation, but the whole cluster fuck.

  “I’m having a sit down with Chief. We are going to rectify this. I hope he will see reason, but I can tell you, if it was Kimberly, I would not be in a negotiating mood, either. I just hope Chief will put the baby first.”

  “I agree with you, dad. Callie is my woman and if Chief don’t agree with that, I will go through him. I won’t take any shit on this. I will have her back.” I let dad know just how determined I am to get Callie back.

  “Well that is the attitude you should have, but we may find her and you may get her back here, but keeping her here is another story. Have you thought about that one? Now Tito, give it to us.” Dad is right. Callie is not going to trust me easily. I won’t take no for an answer, if I have to tie her down and fuck her into submission.

  “Boss we know Chief just bought Callie’s car back and he’s planning a run soon. My snitch is watching and as soon as there is motion I will get a call. I think we need to be in Texas so we will be ready to follow. My gut tells me this is it. This is our only lead, because Callie has disappeared. She’s a ghost.” Tito is right. We need to move, now.

  “Ok. Stone you are in charge of your mom and Kimberly. You and Ax hold things down here. Hacksaw and Buzz will be going with us. We need to take muscle in case of a fight. That far from home we are better safe than sorry. Tito grab one of my cages to drive in. We may need to transport Callie home and that car you have is too flashy. Draws too much attention. Be ready to ride in two hours. I’m going home to hash things out with Kat and then I’ll be ready. Damn woman is going to learn her place.” Dad is going home to try to get back in her good graces. He’s not fooling me for a second. He may be the king of his castle, but mom is the queen and she’s treated as such. Still wouldn’t want to be a fly on that wall though. They will fight fierce so they can love fierce. It is what family does.

  Needing to get my stuff squared away, I take the ring box and stuff it in my pocket. She will be putting them back on, soon.

  Chapter 6

  Callie

  I’m taking dinner rolls out of the oven when I hear the bikes pull into the drive. After an afternoon of pondering my situation, cooking was a good distraction. I hope everyone is really hungry, because I fixed enough for a small army. Got a little carried away. Even made dessert.

  “Damn, something smells good. Betsy what have you got cooking that smells so great? Could smell it all the way outside.” I turn and watch Hawser, Dra, and Krill walk in the door. Hawser stops talking when he sees me with the pan of dinner rolls in my mitted hand.

  “That would be what Callie has cooking. She gave me the night off. Smells delicious doesn’t it? I can’t wait to try it. She even made a homemade peach cobbler. We may have to keep her around.” Gram Betsy lets them know. She already tried the cobbler when it was hot out of the oven.

  “Beauty, and she can cook. Do you have any more talents we need to know about?” Krill is flirting again, but I have already figured out he is harmless.

  “You’ll have to wait and find out on your own handsome.” I give it right back to him and give him a wink.

  “Are those homemade rolls? I think I just fell in love.” Krill is laying it on thick. Dra pushes Krill in the back.

  “We need to get cleaned up so we can eat. You have somewhere to be soon. No time for flirting, Krill.” Dra walks past Krill down the hall to the wash room. Krill bends down and kisses his Gram.

  “Well, it smells good Callie. Can’t wait to try it.” Krill says as he follows Dra down the hall.

  “Damn boys act like they’ve never met a woman who could cook. Don’t mind them Callie. Smells great. Betsy works too hard for us. I’m sure she appreciates the night off. Thank you. You’re a good girl. I’ll get out of your way while you get the food on the table.” Hawser has a deep affection for Gram Betsy and it shows.

  I go about putting food on the table and fixing glasses for drinks. By the time I am done the men have all cleaned up and are waiting in the living room for me to finish. I let Gram Betsy know everything is set out and she gets the men to the table. Everyone sets about fixing their plates. By the time it is time to eat, I’m not much hungry any more. I’m watching everyone and Gram Betsy takes my hand and Dra takes my other hand and Hawser says a small prayer before our meal. This is not something we did in our house, but it seems right. Giving thanks.

  “We never eat our dinner without giving our thanks for another day given. It’s something always done in my house.” Gram Betsy lets me know. Seems right to me.

  After the prayer it was quiet while everyone ate. There was plenty of grunts and what I thought had been a lot of food really wasn’t. By the time everyone was full there was very little left.

  “Callie you did a great job with dinner, it was delicious. That cobbler was melt in your mouth good and those rolls, never had better.” Dra was being nice. I took it he liked the food, he even ate seconds.

  “Wait until I tell the brothers you know how to cook. They’ll be volunteering to stick around here.” Krill lets me know.

  “Thanks to both of you. Glad you enjoyed it. My Grandma taught me to cook. I’ve been feeding my dad and brother a long time, along with the strays from the clubhouse. Our table was always full.” I miss being at home. ZMan and Woody always liked my cobblers.

  “You missing home girlie? I’m sure your family is missing you, too. Talked to Chief this afternoon. As soon as he knows it’s clear he will be here. He is just being cautious. He wants you to call him tonight.” Hawser is a kind man, but I could see where some might think he is scary.

  “Yes, sir. I will call before I go to sleep. Thank you again for letting me stay.” I know to treat Hawser with the same respect I show my dad.

  “Krill, let’s get going, we have rounds to make tonight. Dra stay and keep an eye on everything here for a while. The prospect should be here in a couple of hours. That should give you plenty of time before your run tonight.” Hawser is barking out orders to Dra and Krill. “Betsy you and Callie have a good evening. See you tomorrow.” Then just like that they are gone.

  “Well young lady, why don’t you go and rest some and I will clean up. You have to be tired after all that cooking.” Gram Betsy is trying to get me out of the kitchen, but I was brought up better than that.

  “No ma’am. I will clean. You are off for the night.
Didn’t your friend call and ask you to play canasta tonight? You go have fun. I have this.” I want to feel useful while I’m here. I don’t want Gram Betsy to think she has to give up her life to babysit me.

  “I can play cards anytime. I don’t want to leave you alone.” Gram Betsy has a concerned look on her face.

  “Dra is here. Besides, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. It won’t take me twenty minutes to put away the rest of the food and load the dish washer. I’m tired anyway. I may sit outside for a little while and then call my dad and turn in early. Remember, doc said to rest.” I am just as determined as she is.

  “Now you remember to rest! Where was that when you were on your feet cooking?” Gram Betsy is definitely the worrier. “Ok, I will go, but if you need me, I will put the number to Caro’s beside the phone. If you need me, call.” Then she turns to Dra. “You going to watch out for her while I’m gone?”

  “Of course. I’ll be here. Go on Gram. You do this every week. I’ll make sure Callie takes it easy.” Dra walks over to his Gram and kisses her forehead and then walks into the other room.

  “Well, ok. You two get to know each other while I’m gone.” Gram Betsy raises her voice so Dra can hear what she says even in the other room.

  “Yes Gram, now go. Don’t want Caro and the girls coming over here for you.” Dra says from the living room.

  Gram Betsy leaves and I clean the kitchen spotless and start the dishwasher. I put the food away and I get a bottle of cold water and go outside to the same spot I spent the afternoon. It’s beautiful out here in the early evening. Not too hot, like Texas. I can only imagine what the weather is like there now. The end of July, even at seven thirty at night, it is probably close to ninety- plus degrees. I still miss it.

  I miss Texas, my family, and my friends. This is the first time I have been separated from any of them for any length of time. Out of all my friends, I think I miss Fe the most. I will be glad to get back to it all.

  My mind keeps going back over everything that has happened. I just don’t see how I could have done any different. If I changed one thing I wouldn’t be pregnant and I want my baby. That’s one good thing. I love my child. I will be the mom to this child that I never had.

  “A penny for your thoughts. You look like you are in such deep thought.” Dra is standing beside me. I didn’t even hear him approach. I must be losing it.

  Chapter 7

  Dra

  “A penny for your thoughts. You look like you are in such deep thought.” Callie looks beautiful sitting out in the dimming light.

  “You don’t want my thoughts. They are scattered and running in circles. I keep trying to figure out my mistakes. How I got here? The only thing I know is, I miss my family and friends. My home. But most of all, I love that I am pregnant, so I guess I wouldn’t change most of it. Does that make any sense at all?” Callie looks thoughtful after that statement. “See what I mean. Scattered thoughts. I hate what Devil did to me, but if I changed that, I wouldn’t be pregnant, and that I wouldn’t change.”

  “Well maybe you just wanted a child. Do you think if Devil told you the truth you would have still married him? You got the second shooter of your brother. That was your purpose of being with Devil, right?” I know she is trying to rethink her actions. She thinks she is responsible for Devil’s deceit.

  “I wanted my brother’s shooter, but I asked for honesty. That’s what Devil promised me. Honesty, commitment, and loyalty. I kept up my end of the deal, but he didn’t keep his, just like Mase. At least with Devil I have a signed contract. How did my life get so complicated?” Callie is speaking from her heart. I feel so much when I am near her, but I know she has been through too much already.

  “Callie can I be honest with you? I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I feel I need to say this.” Since when do I care about hurting someone’s feelings?

  “Go ahead Dra. Give it to me like you see it. Maybe it will help.” Callie is willing to listen to me, so I will give it to her straight.

  “I’m not going to sugar coat this for you. You need to quit feeling sorry for yourself and take control of the situation. What happened to the fierce independent woman that took off from Texas by herself? You took control and you were thinking on your feet. You have it in you, so just do it. Figure out what you want and make it happen, because the woman that came into our restaurant looking for a job is not the woman I am sitting here with tonight.” That’s about as clear as I can make it.

  Callie looks at me and starts laughing. I began to think she was losing it but she stopped and stood up and came closer to me and gave me a hug. Nothing sexual, just a friendly hug, but I wanted to keep her in my arms because it seemed so right and it felt amazing.

  “Thank you, Dra. That is exactly what I needed. No, ‘it’ll be ok’ or ‘it’ll work out’. Just a plain ole kick in the pants. Thank you. You’re right. I have this.” She goes back to the chair and sits down. I want to yank her back in my arms, but I know it is too soon for that.

  “Callie, I know you do. I never doubted it for a minute. Can I ask you a question?” She nods her head yes, but she looks like she’s not so sure. “Do you love Devil or your ex that cheated on you? Could you ever really go back to one of them?”

  “I thought about them this afternoon. I can tell you that conversation in my head gave me a headache and it was one sided. I can’t imagine how it will be when I finally face them, but I think I can handle it now.” She looks like she is contemplating her answer carefully. “Mase was my first love, my first kiss, my first date, and my first crush. So many firsts. When he told me he cheated on me, it broke something inside of me. You see Dra, I never wanted to dream about forever. I had seen so much of cheating men when I was little. Karen used to drag a new married man home every week. Their wives would beat on our door cussing Karen out. We had to hear the horrible names they called out, and would even call me and Tommy. The ones about Karen were true, but for a little girl they hurt. I didn’t believe in a forever love because of it, but Mase convinced me to try for it and I believed him. Then when I thought I had it and I was happy he jerked it away. Now he expects me just to accept it. Well, I can’t. I won’t! Mase will always have that little part of my heart, but that’s all he will ever get.” Callie took a breath and I can see the glaze of tears in her eyes, though she won’t let them fall. She is so damn beautiful and so strong. She doesn’t know her own strength.

  “Then there is Devil. He didn’t promise me a true love. We were a business arrangement or arranged marriage. They would give us Tommy’s other shooter in exchange for me. Devil wanted a wife, supposedly. He did promise truth, loyalty, and commitment. All I got was lies. We did get the shooter, but he got my virginity and the last bit of trust I had left in a relationship. I fell in love with Devil because I thought he was painfully truthful with me, but that was all smoke screens. That man doesn’t know how to tell the truth, and I need the truth above all. I don’t know why Devil would even want me back. He needed me to get Bri back. Then he was supposed to walk away from me and this child. You see he was supposed to just walk away and give up all his rights. I see him walking away from me, but to give up all rights to his child? I never even knew that man. I fell in love with someone I thought he was, not who he is. So the answer is no. I could never accept them back. They are both closed books. I will try to remain friends with Mase. He’s going to be a member of my dad’s club. But that’s as far as it will go. As for Devil, we will have a child to raise, unless he signs his rights away. I have my annulment papers the lawyer needs to take care of, then we will have to figure out a child custody agreement. End of story.” Callie finally stops. She looks like she could cry at any moment, but I know she won’t. To her that would be showing weakness, and that won’t happen. I think I could love this woman. She has so much strength and such a big heart. I want her as mine. I thought I had a passing attraction. Now I know better. How do I want some other man’s woman? She’s pregnant with his child
, but it doesn’t matter. I know now I will do what I have to, and make this woman mine. I will protect her and never let her get hurt again. I will keep a smile on her face and love her child as mine. I know this as well as I know my name. Now I have to find a way to convince her.

  “I believe in you Callie. You’ll do what is best for you and your child. I will help in any way I can. Just name it.” I will do what is needed to make sure she is never hurt again. “Our whole family has taken a liking to you, and we will help. You could consider staying here. I know Gram would love to have you. Just consider it.” I hope she makes that decision on her own, but if not, I will have to persuade her.

  “I’m homesick, but I’ll consider it. I’m tired, so I think I’ll turn in early. Thanks Dra, for the talk. It helped.” Callie gets up to go inside but I can’t let this chance pass me up. If I do, I’ll regret it.

  As she moves to go past me, I pull her in close to give her a hug goodnight, but I don’t stop there. Before she can pull away I bring my mouth to hers and give her a light kiss. I thought that would be all, but she moves closer in my arms instead of away, and I run my tongue across her lips until she opens for me. Our tongues entwine and she is kissing me as much as I’m kissing her. She has a hint of a taste of lemon from her flavored water and our taste together is the most exotic thing I have ever tasted before. I try to get her closer and I hear a moan escape from her that makes my cock go rock hard. I want her, but I know it is too soon. I tear myself away from her and step back before I take her right here in my Gram’s back yard.

  “Where did that come from? Dra, I’m still married. I’m sorry, I should have stopped you.” Callie looks like she is mortified at herself. I can’t let her take the blame for this. I’m the one who just had to taste her.