Calix (Areion Fury MC, #6)

by Esther E. Schmidt

  But Dane, though? He’s on the floor, groaning like he’s all spaced out. Calix is standing over him as if he’s in a trance. Like a puppet that’s waiting for someone to pull the ropes that’s tied to his limbs. Because he knows the match is momentarily frozen since Dane is on the floor...he’s waiting for Dane to get up so he can pounce some more.

  Okay, the puppet thing was a weird comparison due to the fact that there’s no one on this damn planet who would be powerful enough to have any hold on this man. He’s the epitome of power. Confined strength that’s ultimately dosed in the most elegant of ways. Even within this moment he’s in full control while I’m standing on the sidelines, fuming on the inside, ready to rip everything and everyone apart who had anything to do with shooting a gun to rig this fight.

  A horn blows indicating it’s the end of round one. I try to climb up on the ropes to gain height and let everyone know how wrong this setup was. We need to nail Dane to a wall, show everyone what we do with traitors. Because, for real...who in their right mind doesn’t fight the honest way when facing a brother? Dane knew he had to have help to take on Calix...firing a damn bullet to pull Calix out of his element. Fucking asshole.

  Except, I’m being pulled back by Dams. “Cool it, VP. Now is not the time. Let it play out. They might have pulled this once, but he’s focused now. There’s no damn way he would let his gaze stray from Dane. Even if the world would end outside this ring...your ol’man wouldn’t stop fighting. Let him be.”

  Dammit. I know Dams is right and even more...Calix told me before he got inside the ring that I was his only weakness. Oh, how I hate Dane even more in this moment, trying to gain something yet again over my damn back.

  The horn blows again, time for round two. Dane barely had time to drag himself to his feet and gulp down some water that Hank is now pouring over his head. In an effort to cool him down? Or hell, make him slippery? I don’t know, but the grins Beck and Bo are shooting at me from behind Dane make me even more furious than I already was. Yet all my anger fades when Calix strides toward Dane and hammers him down to the floor with one punch to the face.

  Cheers erupt all around. All brothers are chanting Calix’s name. Well, all except for six people. The five brothers, Ryke, Steel, Beck, Hank, and Bo, who backed Dane up. And Dane himself of course, who still hasn’t regained consciousness after Calix knocked him out cold.

  The horn blows three more times and right after that, my dad bellows that the fight is over. Calix won by knockout. I don’t have time to go to Calix because so many men are jumping into the ring, dragging Calix out while they cheer and congratulate him. I guess he’s won everyone over with kicking Dane’s ass.

  Well, all except for those five who are trying to drag Dane up while throwing dark looks at Calix from over their shoulders. My anger is still simmering when I step up to my father. I need to ask him what he’s going to do about Dane and his buddies.

  “He needs to be stripped of his patch. A brother always steps into that ring with equal value of respect. Dane needed a distraction of a fucking bullet to gain a chance of winning. He’s a disgrace, he betrayed and disrespected the brotherhood. Demote that scumbag’s ass,” I seethe while I point at Dane who’s now shaking his head in an effort to clear it. Good timing fucker, wake up because I’m going to do everything to have your ass thrown out of this club once and for all. And with this he clearly dug his own grave.

  Everyone goes quiet, waiting for our Prez to answer to what I just stated. I can tell by the look on his face that he wants to agree with me, but that’s just it...the reason he’s Prez is because my father is the kind of man that doesn’t act on impulse. He considers every angle, takes a breath and fully grasps the intention of facts, consequences, and what it all entails for the club.

  “She’s right,” Feargal bellows. “Lack of fucking trust and that fucker pulled a knife on him too.”

  “Yeah,” someone shouts after that and more follow, voicing their agreement.

  We all know what went down but Dane’s supporters are on their feet, throwing hateful glares around until Beck puts two fingers in his mouth and gives a hard whistle to quiet down the crowd.

  “Let’s all take a damn breath. Take it to the table for all I care but not right now. Dane is allowed to have his say but not when he just got out of this fight,” Steel says in anger, trying to buy Dane time.

  I want to spit some more fury their way when an arm goes around my waist, pulling me against a hard body. Calix. “Rein it in, firecracker. Let the Prez deal with it, you’ve said enough.”

  “Besides,” Beck gloats before he adds, “we all know how women get when it concerns their ex.”

  I’m about to flip my shit when Calix covers my mouth with his hand, quickly whispering out his words right next to my ear. “Your ass will be sore for weeks if you don’t shut up right now. Don’t give them any fuel to twist this shit around.”

  I lean down against Calix in surrender, hating the fact that he’s right. Dammit, why don’t I have the kind of reason and calm in these moments like Calix and my father have? Calix’s chuckle rumbles through his chest, making it vibrate through my back. He slides his hand down to my jaw and tilts my head back.

  “So fucking feisty and absolutely gorgeous,” he murmurs before he gives me a kiss that’s over way too damn soon.

  I’m still looking up, caught in a damn lust filled dream when I hear sounds of agreement ring out all around us. What the hell? I step away from Calix and punch him in the gut.

  “Fucker. You did that on purpose,” I snarl, angry more at myself for letting Calix turn me to mush while my father handled the issue.

  “Yeah, I’m not going to apologize for that one, sweetness,” Calix says on a wink. “You needed it on two grounds and you know it. Now, this issue is handled. I’m going to need a shower and a first aid kit to sew up this cut.”

  Shit. I step closer and grab his forearm, inspecting the cut that still has blood dripping from it. It’s superficial but long enough that it needs some stitches for it to heal properly.

  “Why the hell did he bring a knife into a fist fight?” I mutter to myself.

  Yet another thing that’s not allowed...they have to turn in any weapons because the ring is meant to hash things out with your bare hands. Seems Dane wasn’t going to play fair either way. Stupid fucker because all brothers were standing around to see what he did. He might get off for the gunshot because it wasn’t him that pulled the trigger, but the knife? Yeah, a nail to his own coffin.

  “Come on, let’s go to my room. I’ve got everything we need there.” I grab his hand and lead him through the crowd.

  Along the way, Calix gets backslaps from all the brothers, praising him for the good fight. Some even mentioned that it was long overdue that Dane got his ass handed to him. I can’t help the smile that’s pinned on my face. I’m actually damn proud right now.

  My father was right about Calix. He might just be the one who can turn this club around and deal with Dane once and for all. I only hope he doesn’t expect me to step down. Be his ol’lady instead of a VP. Or hell, maybe he wants that title for himself...or shit...wants to take my father’s place. I overheard him talking to Zack, about how he would grab the Prez patch and sow it on his pecs. Is he playing me? Playing all of us?

  Dammit, why is everything complicated as fuck in life? Why can’t it ever be roses and fucking sunshine, grab a bottle of wine, a book, throw your feet up and soak in the sun without worrying about anyone screwing up and putting you in the shade so dark you wonder if another sunny day will ever brighten your life?

  I take a deep sigh and decide I need to think of me, my dad, this club. I can’t let this man in front of me swoop me off my feet. I might have gotten carried away, he might have claimed me, and wants to see how this thing between us plays out...but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost all my brain function. I need to be on my toes and think.

  “Sit,” I snap and stalk toward the bathroom.

  That’s abo
ut three steps. My room in the clubhouse is a tiny one. All it really has is a big bed, a desk, a TV, and a small closet where I keep some of my clothes. It’s also got a tiny bathroom where my dad installed a bath. It’s not much but I love it. It’s a place where I can hide when I need my own space. Though I live with my father in a big house that’s just five minutes away from here, it’s nice to have a room all to myself too when I need it.

  Not to mention we’re sometimes on lockdown or have some issues we need to deal with that take up half the night and I’m too drained to get on my bike and get home. So yeah, this is a great solution.

  “You’re angry,” Calix states.

  Making me look at him as I place the first aid kid on the bed right next to him. “I’m not anything,” I say and grab some gloves to snap on before getting some wipes to clean up his wound.

  He says nothing and lets me. I feel his eyes on me the whole time I’m taking care of him but I manage to focus on the task at hand. Like I said...this man is in control of himself, every situation, and if he’s not he will make it so with a twist of his hands. I’m not a fool, I see a lesson in life when there is one. And right now, I need to control my emotions. I need to get myself under control. Meaning I also have to keep Calix at arm’s length.

  I’ve just finished putting some stitches in and bandaging up the cut when Calix puts a hand over mine. “Hey,” he says in a warm and gentle tone. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Standing up, I grab the kit, ready to put it back into the bathroom cabinet when I hear a low growl rumble in his chest. Yeah. I should dash out of here.

  “Look at me, Ten,” he snaps.

  I’m absolutely going to ignore that, though I keep my voice soft and steady as I tell him. “Go and head over to my father, I’m sure most of the brothers would like to talk to you.”

  From the corner of my eyes I see him rising from the bed. “Look. At. Me. Tenley.”

  The way he says my name makes a shiver run through my body and I have no way of stopping my head that turns automatically toward him to connect with his intense gaze.

  “That’s better. Now give me the truth, what’s bothering you? We will talk about it and then we’ll deal with everything outside of this room. But right now, you’re the one who’s most important. Share, Ten. That’s all I ask; open and honesty between us. That’s the strength of any relationship. You’re my ol’lady and a fucking VP, so we don’t have the normal ol’lady shit to deal with because you will know every damn detail about club business there is to know.” He crosses his inked-up arms in front of his chest but hisses when he realizes he can’t due to the cut on his forearm.

  His upper lip rises up in a twitching movement, frustration now plain on his face. I remember when he pulled me to him with that arm as I was about to spew more words to everyone right after Calix won. He didn’t seem hurt then...yet here, in front of me, he lets me see him. All of him. Not the warrior front he throws out for everyone else. Aw shit. Here I go again, turning to mush.

  “I’m frustrated, okay? You’re frustrating. All of this is frustrating. Besides, I’m not used to having someone on my case asking me to talk about stuff. That’s also very frustrating.”

  “Got it.” The corner of his mouth twitches. “You’re frustrated.”

  “If you’re going to make fun of me, there’s the damn door, asshole. I’ve had enough condescending bikers around me to fill me a lifetime already,” I snap and instantly regret it because the look that washes over his face tells me he’s about to tell me that my ass won’t ever be capable of using it for sitting due to the spanking I will have to endure for mouthing off. The sad thing is...I know I’m being unreasonable. Yet I can’t help myself.

  “Just go and leave me alone,” I sigh in a thin voice that doesn’t even remotely sound like me.

  Chapter 07

  ***Calix***

  There are a lot of options going through my mind right now. One of those is the need to pull down her pants and smack that tight ass. My handprint licking her beautiful skin to a fiery red that will make my cock throb with the ache to have her. But that’s not what she needs right now. I can clearly see every damn emotion that is running through her.

  It’s laced with a track record of history that’s all wrapped in the events that happened in the last few hours. It’s draining her. Add the mixture of me claiming her...hell, I’m dealing with the same damn speed she managed to collide into my life...and yet I will gladly surrender.

  Except that is what’s different between me and her. My life was absolute shit before she stepped into it. I had no clue what I wanted or where I was heading. Now I do because she ripped up the veil that slipped in front of my eyes. I see a future and possibilities, a damn challenge where everything is open and there to grab it with both hands. But this strong woman tip toeing in a biker world where every angle is scrutinized? Fuck.

  Stepping forward, I take her into my arms, ignoring both the sting on my forearm from the cut and the way she struggles against me. I don’t fucking care if she wants to be left alone, because deep down we both know that’s not what she wants, what she needs.

  After she realizes I’m not going to let her go, she gives up and sags against me. We stand there for a peaceful moment in time before I realize she’s slightly shaking. Aw, fuck. She’s crying and it’s the kind of crying where she doesn’t want to and would be ashamed if I knew she was...the kind she has no control over but needs so very much right now to take some of the pressure of the turmoil of feelings that’s coursing inside her.

  Leaning down, I place a kiss on the top of her head while I shamelessly inhale her sweet scent. I have no clue what kind of shampoo she’s using but it smells like some tropical cocktail of mango and pineapple. It reminds me of vacation, sipping smoothies down at the beach. Fuck, it’s been a while since I was able to do that.

  “You and me, Ten. When it’s just you and me in close proximity we can totally be ourselves, okay? I would be damn grateful if you would give me your tears because I know for a fact you can’t show them to anyone around here. That’s gotta be tough having to deal with shit on your own, sweetness. Even if you just met me, I’m right here. I’m not a selfish bastard. I would feel grateful to share some of your burdens with you. And yeah, I damn well know I won’t understand fuck about some of those issues you might have in the future but that’s a guy thing, I apologize ahead of time about that stuff. Can’t blame me for being a dude, you know.” Oh, thank fuck. She snorts and chuckles but when she looks up I’m hit with a punch to the gut that hurts me more than the ones I endured from Dane.

  “Aw, dammit, beautiful. You’re breaking my heart, you know that?” I brush my lips against hers and taste the salt of her tears. Pulling back, I clear my throat, because, “Shit. See how deep you’re in my system already? I adore your feistiness, the strong brat who’s not taking shit from anyone, and yet you accept me where you’ve pushed others away. I own more damn money that I can ever spend in a lifetime, but my gut is telling me that what I’m holding in my hands might just be the most valuable thing that will ever enlighten my life.”

  Her eyebrows scrunch up adorably when she grumbles, “Did you just call me a brat?”

  “I just mentioned I’m worth millions and you only question me calling you a brat?” I bark out a laugh and shake my head. “You’re something alright.” I pull her tight against me again, needing to hug her close. “Now, do you mind sharing what’s gotten you so upset?”

  “Everything. It’s like I can’t trust anyone or anything. Then there’s you. My dad telling me you’re the solution to our Dane problem but then you go and say shit like wanting the Prez patch and,”

  “I don’t want the fucking Prez patch,” I interrupt her and dammit, I should let her rant because she pokes me in the side with a finger, making me grunt but shit...I’m already sore from taking punches.

  “Says you, I barely know you but you have this ‘I’m serene and always in control and can totally handle
myself and everything else in the process’ vibe that makes me think how real you truly are. Then you go on and say other stuff and wince when you’re hurting in front of me and not out there...you also swear a lot more since you met me because back in the club you were all polite and shit. You’re frustrating...this is frustrating. I’m frustrated.” The repeated versions of ‘frustration’ are thrown out on sobs so I’m back to holding her tight and letting her cry against my chest.

  All of a sudden she pulls back, rubs her eyes with the back of her hand and stomps her foot. “I’m never emotional. You’re killing me. Ugh. You know...sometimes I even wonder if it’s all worth it. I mean, why suffer through it all? First waking up in Dane’s bed months ago when I don’t even have any recollection how I ended up there. Then the next morning he went out and told everyone we were together, stating he earned the VP status. Because...you know, you get that when you fuck the Prez’s daughter. Getting what he wanted behind my back...then trying to get it again just now with taking you on so he’s back in the running. See? Why? Why do I even care? My dad wanted a better future for the club, a VP who cared enough to turn shit around. Anyone who had a solid plan and was a part of the club had a chance to prove it. When I took on the challenge and brought a plan to the table, they allowed me to start and if I obtained a huge profit within a month, I had the VP patch. They fucking laughed in my face when they said that. But I damn well smiled with pride when I earned that VP patch within two damn weeks. My plan was solid. None of the rest had an idea or even made an effort. I made a plan, I put it together, I made it happen, I earned that fucking VP patch with creating the car wash they all love. That earned me respect from most because I put the club first, one that I started to drag out of the gutter financially. But as long as Dane and those buddies of his are here then I’ll always be just a cunt who needs to look over her shoulder. I might as well become a fuck hole because he’s just waiting for me to shove me in that category once my father dies. And he will soon because my father is dying. Did you know? Did he tell you? Oh, don’t look at me that way because I can see it on your face. I know more than any of these dickheads walking around the clubhouse but most will never see me as one of them. All because I have tits and a damn cunt.”