by Sam Crescent
“Yes, could you have everything arranged for a week from now?” Caleb asked.
“You’re really sure about this?”
“Yes. I don’t want to leave anything else to chance.”
Just the thought of being away from everything, cutting logs for the fire, checking out the cabin for repairs, time away, space away, and he felt blissful.
“Okay, I’ll have everything organized for you so you don’t have to worry about that. Are you going to tell Kitty?”
“I don’t know, why?”
“She’ll be worried about you.”
Caleb smiled. “You can tell her where I am if you want. I don’t mind her knowing. I just got to take this time.” He pointed to his head. “Deal with all of this.”
“You’re making yourself sound crazy,” James said.
“Right now, that’s how I’m feeling.”
“Great. Let’s get down to business again.”
For the next hour they worked through their expenses. James didn’t want that money to go to waste, so they were looking about investing it. Some would be put away to dabble in more of the stock market trade, and the other they were looking at property. Either real estate, becoming landlords, or perhaps setting up their own business but one that turned a healthy profit. James was known for not acting rashly, and for making sure everything worked out just right.
Caleb imagined that was why their settling down in Greater Falls turned out so smoothly.
James had planned every step of the way, including his brother. Nothing got past James, which was why they had all said he was Prez of the club, even though he’d not originally wanted the title.
Everything had been planned by him, and they were all loyal to him.
“What are you going to do about Dane?” Caleb asked, knowing it was a constantly sticky subject.
Dane was the club’s … mess.
He’d turned his back on the club and his kids, and run. Going off to God knows where, to do whatever the hell he wanted while Lucy and the children struggled. If it hadn’t been for the club, Dane’s family would be in an awful situation. Ryan, the eldest, had been struggling at school, and Lucy hadn’t been coping well.
The club had stepped in, taken Ryan under their wing, helped Lucy out, and she’d even found a man who was stable and good, a ranch hand. Caleb liked Lewis a lot. Ryan also got along well with him, which was always a bonus as far as he was concerned.
“I kick him out of the club, he takes his investment.”
“So, we can afford it,” Caleb said.
“What about Ryan? His kids? That guy at the Chaos Bleeds, Dick, he’s known for causing trouble. He riled up Dane, and instead of our guy walking away, he didn’t. He snapped.”
“You think this Dick had some information on Dane? Knew what to say to get to him.”
“It’s the Chaos Bleeds, Caleb. Of course they had everything at their disposal. They all did. No one is fucking stupid. Even we had info on all of them, and that came at a cost.” James stood, pacing near the window. “I don’t want to push Dane away, especially not with Ryan so close to trusting him.”
“It’s not your place to worry about their relationship, James. You’re a club man.”
“We’re more than just a club, and you know it. We’re all a family.”
“Dane’s weak.”
“Dane thought he had what it took to settle down. We now know differently. He’s lost everything though. The least he can have is his son.”
Caleb rubbed at his chin, thinking about it.
Dane was a pain in the ass. When he’d been part of the club though, he’d been a fierce fighter, loyal as fuck, and no one could ever slide anything past him. He imagined it was why Dane had been gone for so long without anyone finding him. He’d left the club and Greater Falls one day and hadn’t shown up again until he was ready. It didn’t mean the club didn’t stop looking for him.
They’d never stopped looking for him.
“You think he’s a good model for Ryan? Kid is at that impressionable stage. He’ll want to follow his father.”
“Right now, Ryan doesn’t want to be anything like his father, but he wants to get to know the man that could just turn his back on his family. There’s a lot of hate there, and I want it focused on Dane. I don’t want that kid to blow up, and if we don’t give him that anger point, it could be dangerous.”
Caleb laughed. “Does Dane know you’re using him as a time bomb?”
“It doesn’t matter. He left his kid, and now he has to help us deal with it, no matter what. If he doesn’t like it, tough. I don’t see anyone else coming up with any answers. I’ve been talking with Lewis, and even though he and Ryan get along, he’s seen the attitude building. It’s why we’ve got Ryan working at the diner.”
“Near Teri. The woman who cheated with Dane? You think that’s wise?”
“Ryan’s aware of what happened. He needs to learn to control his temper. I’m not worried, and if something does happen, Teri can take care of herself, but also, I’ll deal with Ryan.”
“Seems a risk to me.”
“To make sure Ryan’s dealt with, I’m willing to do whatever I have to. Even keep Dane as part of the club to keep him around. He had these kids, and was determined to change his life, and then he walked away. I’m not having that. I want him to stick around, to make sure that he does his part.”
Caleb nodded. They got back to work in dealing with their accounts, and Caleb knew if it had been him and Kitty, if he’d gotten her pregnant and was finally able to lay claim to her, he’d never walk away. Dane didn’t know what he had until it was gone.
He hoped Lucy didn’t fall for him again. If she did, he imagined it would be only a matter of time before the fallout would occur.
Ryan was exactly like his father, and Dane was a ticking clock.
Fortunately, the club knew how to deal with that, and they would handle Ryan when the time came.
Chapter Three
It had been a few days since Kitty had seen Caleb, and he’d not been by the diner either, which was strange. She’d seen most of the club boys, but Caleb hadn’t been there. She wanted to see him. After their last encounter, she was hopeful.
Since she’d kissed him, a simple peck on the cheek, she’d been having dreams. Not nightmares, but actual dreams, and excitement at the possibilities filled her with happiness. It was a late Saturday night, and the diner was busy. Not a surprise considering the heat.
This weekend was forecast to be a hot one.
“You seem a little different,” Teri said.
“I do.” She put the used plates in the sink and smiled as she turned to Teri. “I feel a little … different. I can’t really explain it.”
“You should smile more often, Kitty Cat. It looks good on you.”
Leaving the back of the kitchen, she made her way out. Notebook in hand, she moved her way around the tables, chatting with a couple of the locals, and filling up their coffees. As she was serving, the doors opened, and she smiled as she saw Cora, James, Pixie, and Suzy. They were just a small group, but maybe she could ask them about Caleb. She missed him and hated that she didn’t at least get to see him.
Making her way toward their table, she kept her smile in place, waiting for them to be settled.
“What’ll it be?” Kitty asked, pen and paper poised to write whatever they wanted down.
“The service here is impeccable,” Pixie said.
She rolled her eyes. “It can’t stay that way unless you order.”
Suzy chuckled and ordered the Mexican chicken salad that Teri had included on the menu. The chicken was marinated in Mexican flavors, and then there was a dressing with chipotle, lime, and other deliciousness. Kitty’s mouth watered for a taste. She made a note to ask Teri to make one for her before she left for the evening. That would be her nighttime meal.
She’d not gotten lunch or dinner, and she was starving.
“Make sure Teri doesn’t spit in my food,”
Cora said.
“Cora?” James asked, shaking his head.
“What? I can’t help it. I don’t deal with cheaters.”
The tension at the table intensified.
After taking the rest of their orders, Kitty lingered even though she wanted to run in the opposite direction. Cora could be scary, and since Teri’s cheating had come out, she wouldn’t give the other woman the time of day.
“What’s up?” Cora asked with a sweet smile on her face. Again, this was a complete personality change from what she was used to.
“I was wondering where Caleb is? I haven’t seen him around. Is he away on business?” Kitty asked, biting her lip at how needy she sounded.
She of all people shouldn’t be asking about him, not now. Caleb deserved someone better than her.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t ask,” she said, about to turn away.
“He’s taken some time out, Kitty. He’s gone up to the cabin. Left yesterday.”
This made her pause. She knew what the cabin was, and he’d offered to take her there several times so that it was just the two of them.
“Oh.”
“He’ll be back. He just needs to clear his head,” James said.
“I’ll go and get you your food.”
She turned away but still heard Cora whisper to James. “You took her smile away.”
Kitty felt gutted, but at the same time, she understood.
Caleb needed his space, and she accepted that. Putting the order through, she glanced over at Teri, not sure if she should give the message.
“Cora’s here?” Teri asked.
“How did you know?”
“You look scared. Let me guess, she doesn’t want me to spit in her food.”
“How did you know?”
“She’s been saying that for a long time now.”
Kitty looked toward Ryan, who didn’t seem to care.
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“It did once, but now I’m used to it. She’s back to eating at my diner, and even if her words are sometimes biting, I accept them. I like Cora. She’s a good woman, and I know she’s not a woman to cross.”
“You didn’t … cross her.”
“No, but she’s setting up her boundaries. I accept that.” Teri smiled, but it didn’t last long. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re not smiling, and you have been all evening. Who took that away?”
“No one has taken it away. Don’t be silly.”
Holding her pad and pen, she slipped them into the pocket and grabbed one of the orders for a family of five.
“I’ll be back.”
Teri looked like she wanted to say something, but right now, Kitty wasn’t in the mood to speak. She just wanted to get the food out and ready and try not to think about Caleb alone in that cabin.
She just wanted to retreat, but she couldn’t do that. Her mind was on him, and as she finished serving the family, a bunch of rowdy men entered the diner.
Acting on auto-pilot, she made her way over to their table, pen and paper poised. She liked to keep everything in order, to not leave a person to long waiting for their food.
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“That pretty mouth wrapped around my dick would be a damn good start.”
She paused, looking up at the man who’d spoken. At one time she’d have been quaking at such an order.
“I’m going to give you some time to order,” she said.
It all happened in slow motion, at least to Kitty.
The one nearest her who hadn’t spoken, grabbed her wrist as she turned away, pulling her back toward him. She yelped as he tugged her down into his lap. She struggled, and screamed, feeling every single memory burst through her like a dam.
Everything that had been wrong with her life came flooding forward. The pain, the fear, the anger, the betrayal, and then she felt the love for Caleb, the hurt that she’d taken everything away from him. The fact he was alone in that damn cabin and she missed him, even though she had absolutely no right to.
Everything snapped, collided, and spiraled out of control. Instead of screaming in pain, a rage unlike anything she’d ever known in her entire life burst forward. She couldn’t get a good range on him, so she grabbed his nipples as he had an arm banded around her, and twisted them until he howled in pain, releasing her. She didn’t stop there. Grabbing the water jug, she slammed it against the side of his head, smashing the glass.
The man who’d said that nasty stuff to her went to grab her, but she was suddenly hauled away. Strong arms wrapped around her waist, and James was there, along with members of the club.
She noticed they had formed a barrier between these men and the other customers.
Her chest was tight, and she couldn’t breathe. Pixie had her, and she wasn’t panicking over his touch, but she had the need to get away, to get out in the open.
He seemed to understand what was wrong and took her outside.
She quickly ran toward the back of the building, bent over, and threw up her lunch that she’d not long eaten.
Pixie grabbed her hair and rubbed her back.
“You’re okay, Kitty. You’re okay. You’re home. You’re here.”
She knew she was fucking home, but right now, she didn’t care.
Throwing up the last of her food, she used her apron to wipe her mouth.
She didn’t know how long she was standing there before James was there.
“Kitty, you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
Her head was pounding. Her hands were shaking, and it wasn’t because of what had happened. They had pulled her away, and she’d wanted to impale that shard of glass inside the neck of that filthy man.
“They’re gone. They can’t hurt you anymore.”
“I know.”
She pressed a hand to her shaking chest, trying to get her focus back.
When she could think straight, she stood up and Pixie released her hair, taking a step back.
Spinning around, she saw most of the club there, even Dane, which surprised her.
“Why are you all here?” she asked, confused.
“You’re a Dirty Fucker,” Damon said. “We’ll come every single time.”
“Cora called them. She knows the drill.” The clubhouse wasn’t far from the Diner, and had a direct path between the two.
She nodded. “What happened?”
“You remember going all batshit crazy, right?” Pixie asked.
She winced. “Yeah, I didn’t black out. I meant, where are they?”
“They’re gone. They know not to step foot in the diner or in Greater Falls again. They were just passing through.”
She released a breath. “Good.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I feel okay. A little shaky.” She clenched her hands, hoping to gain some control of her rioting emotions, but right now, nothing seemed to be happening.
Teri came out and held out a bag to her. “I saw that hungry look in your eye. Go home. I’ll be there later, okay?”
“I can still work,” Kitty said.
“No, you can’t. Not after that.”
“I’ll take her home,” Pixie said. “Will you tell Suzy?”
“Of course,” James said.
She watched as the men nodded at her, and she forced a smile, touched that they’d come to her aid even though she hadn’t called for it.
James and Pixie were the last two there. “You’re sure you’re okay?” James asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“What is it?” James asked.
“I feel like I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone right now. You guys seem to know what I’m thinking and feeling even before I do.”
“It’s Caleb,” Pixie said.
“Is it?” James asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t … I didn’t know he’d gone.” She felt that overwhelming sadness envelop her at the thought. She
had no right to be upset though, and that annoyed her as well. Once again, Caleb deserved much better than her.
“You can go to him,” James said.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” Pixie asked. “You think if you’d called cabin time, Caleb would have ignored you?”
She didn’t think he would, and that made her smile. “It’s beside the point though, right? He needs time. I can’t give him what he wants.”
“He wants you, Kitty. We all know this.” James looked sad.
“But I’m not ready,” she said. “But I don’t want to lose him.”
“If you want to go to the cabin, either Pixie or I will take you, Kitty. That decision is up to you.”
She didn’t know what to do.
What if she completely ruined his time away? What if being alone with him was exactly what they needed?
****
“Are you okay?” Dane asked, looking into the kitchen.
Teri and Ryan were there. He’d already been making his way over when he’d seen the boys rushing down to the diner, and he’d known something was wrong.
“I’m perfectly fine,” Teri said. “You shouldn’t be back here, Dane. Why are you here?” She shook her head. “You know what? I don’t want to know, but you shouldn’t be back here.”
There was a time he considered himself partly in love with this woman. In fact, he’d thought he was in love with two women, but with time and clarity, he realized that it was a fucking mistake. He didn’t love Teri, never had.
She’d been a rush to him.
“I was talking to Ryan,” Dane said. “That was pretty intense, and he’s my son.”
Teri’s cheeks heated.
He was an awful father. He’d abandoned his family, and even to him, there was no excuse good enough. He had missed years of his kids’ lives, lost his wife, the respect of the club.
Dane knew that James wanted a reason to get rid of him, and he didn’t even blame the Prez. The only thing holding him back was his relationship with Ryan. He had no intention of leaving.
James or the club may not believe him, but it was the fucking truth, no matter what anyone said.