by Quinn, Vera
“Deal.” He looks at Chief for his acceptance.
“Callie are you sure? If you marry him, you are his according to our by-laws. Do you understand that?” Dad is trying to give me one last chance to change my mind. But my mind is made up. It has been since I went to Tommy’s grave yesterday. No one could talk me out of this. I just hope I can live with it, but I’m not finished yet.
“Mr. Cross, I believe you have the papers for us to sign.” I wait for our lawyer to get the papers from his briefcase.
“How does he already have the papers set up? You didn’t get everything you were asking for,” Steel asks me.
“Mr. Steel, a wise man always told me to never ask for what I really want the first time. Patience and the right bait is all you need. Just like fishing.” I look at him and he breaks out in a huge smile, but Ty is cracking up behind him because dad taught us that and it usually always works.
“Steel, I am telling you and Devil both, if anything happens to my daughter, if she even calls me crying, I will hold you all responsible.” Dad has to put that in to put fear in Devil, but by his face I don’t think he is fearing much. “And if your information doesn’t pan out she will be coming home.”
“Chief when my son puts a ring on her finger she will be part of my family and she will be taken care of just like Kimberly. I give you my word.” Steel lets dad know.
“I will protect my woman with my life. No one will harm her without killing me first. I give you my word on that, and our information is solid.” Devil tells my dad and then sticks his hand out to shake. They shake hands and I know war has been averted one more day.
“Here let’s sign the papers to make this a done deal. Maybe we should sign in blood.” I joke but no one looks like it is a joke. I am just trying to lighten the mood.
“Why so fast? I am not complaining, because I want this done yesterday, but most women would want at least a couple of weeks to plan their wedding, some longer.” Devil looks at me for my reaction, I see everyone in the room is curiously looking at me.
“Do you want a sugar coated answer that won’t sound too harsh, or do you want the hard cold facts?” I ask him. I know dad is watching for me to change my mind or even to hesitate in my resolve.
“Always the truth. Hard cold facts between us. We don’t need to filter.” Devil waits for me to tell him, but I’m not sure if he will like it, yet really I don’t care. I know what I have to do and I will do it. I don’t care what anyone thinks about it.
“Like you said, we are going into this with our eyes wide open. This isn’t love. It’s an arranged marriage. I have never been the girl who dreamed of the white dress and walking down the aisle. I haven’t dreamed of a huge wedding. I want a good life. That’s the important part. Our wedding will be whoever you bring with you and I will have dad, Ty, Uncle Trent, and Aunt Laurie. Oh and Fe and Hanna. We can go to the JP or have him come to our house if that is ok with dad.” I take a breath and give the rest of it, “I am agreeing to give you me, not my heart. Mason shattered my heart, even though he still owns it, and may always own it. I can’t change that, nor will I lie about it. But after I marry you, I will be faithful. So you better put a ring on it, because if I know Mason the way I think, he will be getting leave as soon as possible, and he will be here to confront me.” I know the last part is true and I don’t look forward to it.
“Callie if your still in love with Mason, why marry Devil?” dad asks me and he has moved in front of me and has taken my hand in his.
“Because dad, I can’t trust Mason. I put all my trust in him before. He made me want things I know don’t exist, but he made me want them anyway. Then he took them all away for something he says that meant nothing and he wants me to accept that. I can’t. I know that about myself. I can’t turn the feelings off overnight, but I will make a new life for myself where there is no place for him. That’s what is right for me. Devil isn’t proposing love. He is promising truth, loyalty, and commitment. Those things I can deal with, and we can finally put Tommy to rest. Completely. Please, support me in this. Dad, I need your support.” I give everyone the whole truth so no one can say I lied about anything. I am being completely up front.
“Ok baby girl, I can do that. I can give you that.” Dad pulls me in for one of his big hugs that gives me so much comfort.
“It sounds good to me, too. As long as you will be true to your word, then we can do this.” Devil puts in. “Are there any other boyfriends out there, I need to know about?”
“No, Devil. Mason is the only man or boy I ever dated. Just so you can’t say I didn’t warn you, I’m a virgin.” I know I’m blushing. I hate that but considering my family is in the room I guess it is unavoidable.
Everything got quiet all of a sudden. All eyes are on me. I can feel dad’s tension rising. He has gone completely stiff. Uncle Trent has turned white and I think Ty is speechless. Mr. Cross is trying to busy himself with paperwork, undoubtedly shocked by my declaration. I won’t even look at Devil or Mr. Steel for their reaction.
“Well at least I know to shake Mason’s hand next time I see him, before I kick his ass for breaking my sister’s heart.” Ty puts in. At least Ty broke the ice and dad is breathing again and Uncle Trent is getting some color back in his face. Poor Mr. Cross still don’t know what to do.
“My mom will be here and maybe Keifer, my brother and his ol’ lady. My sister Kimberly probably not.” Devil lets me know.
“Callie we will have a small club gathering for your wedding. I will give you away. You are not going to argue with me. You are my only daughter and I will give that to you. Nothing big and fancy. Laurie and Kelsey can take care of it. You two can just show up.” Dad informs me and I know I need to give that to him for his own peace of mind.
I turn to Devil and I see him just staring at me. I don’t know what he is thinking. His face is a total blank. “Is this ok with you? Do you have any objections?”
“No, no objections at all. Whatever you want.” Devil seems a million miles away. “I have one question for you.”
Chapter 28
Devil
“No, no objections at all. Whatever you want.” That’s all I know to say. She said she is a virgin. I thought she was innocent, but a virgin? I have never in my thirty-two years been with a virgin. She said her heart belongs to that Mason, but I will make her forget him.
“I only have one question, if Mason was here would your answer be any different?” I have to ask. I need to know what I have to overcome with her. She had to have strong feelings for him, they had been together too long, but could this just be the pain talking? She’s so young, does she even know what true love is? That’s why what I offer is so much better.
“Devil, I have made my decision. I keep my word and vows mean everything to me. I would like to believe if Mason showed up before we are married I could turn my back on him, because he not only hurt me but he betrayed the trust I put in him. Honestly I can’t be certain. I’m not in the situation facing him and there are hundreds of miles separating us right now. He has always been my weakness. I know this, I have always known this, and because of that I know how to protect myself from it and this will. Now you can understand, you will not only be getting what you want, but I will be getting what I need.”
She never takes her eyes off my face as she is telling me this. You can tell by looking in her eyes that this Mason guy completely shattered her. I should be feeling guilty for taking advantage of this situation, but I don’t. I just know I am glad it wasn’t me who put that look on her face and I will do what I can to heal her. I also know I will keep this Mason away from Callie.
“We need to get to know each other better. I need you to spend tonight with me. We can have some dinner and talk. You can stay at my motel with me. Less interruptions.” I know a lot about Callie but I would like to hear it from her and see how good our intel was. She needs to be comfortable with me and she needs to learn she can trust me.
I can see Chief is not com
fortable with this, but he really has little to say about it. My claim has been made.
“You two do need to get acquainted but you can do it here. We are still on lockdown and she is still my daughter. You two can stay in her room and talk. No one will bother you.” I can understand Chief’s concern with Callie’s protection. It is safer here at their club rather than a motel.
“Steel, we will set you up a room too, and you can have dinner with us.” Chief seems to accept what his daughter has proposed. I guess he will keep his word to her and let her choose.
“That sounds like a good idea if Devil goes along with it. Your clubhouse will be safer for Callie and that’s what we all want.” Dad agrees with Chief completely. He has things he wants to discuss with Chief that have nothing to do with Callie and this will give him that chance.
“Do you agree Devil?” Chief is waiting for an argument from me but I can give him this. I want Callie safe.
“Yes, that sounds good to me. We can go pick up our stuff from the motel and be back in less than an hour.” That should give us the rest of the afternoon and tonight to get used to each other some.
“Could I get you both to sign these now and I can get home and get everything done for you. I will file everything tomorrow when I go in to the office.” Callie goes over and signs and then I do the same. Chief pulls Callie in for a hug and kisses her on top of the head.
“I hope that you are sure about this baby girl. Life is going to change for you. I can’t believe my baby is grown up.” Chief is struggling with letting her go. She’s mine now and he does not have to like it, but he does have to respect it, and he knows that.
“I understand dad. I thought it through. This is what I can live with.” She tells Chief to reassure him. Then she turns to me, “Devil, we can get to know each other tonight, but I won’t be having sex with you until there is a wedding ring on my finger, just so you know.” She blushes the slightest bit. Probably more because her family can hear right along with me. “I’m not a prude, I don’t believe you have to be married to enjoy sex, but this is a business agreement for right now and to make sure all sides keep the agreement, these are the rules. I understand club rules. You have not made me your ol’ lady. You asked me to marry you, and I agreed but without the ol’ lady claim, you have no right to push anything until that ring is on my finger. Correct?”
I knew this was coming but I thought it would be from Chief. I am going to have to watch this woman, she’s way too smart. I don’t want to discuss this so I do the only thing I can.
“Understood. I will not push the issue. I’ve never had to force a woman to have sex with me before and when we do have sex Callie, I will own you completely. We are in no rush for anything. We just need to get acquainted.” Callie just keeps surprising me. Who would think an eighteen-year-old would stand up to me and address the one thing all the men are dancing around. No, this woman is a surprise for sure. She’s beautiful and bright and stands up for what she wants, and what she thinks is right.
“Also, so you know I will be staying here at the club until we’re married. This will ease my family’s mind and that’s the least I can do. Do you agree to that?” Callie is way too calm. She is matter of fact, like she is running on auto pilot. I am not a man that shows a lot of emotion, but this just doesn’t seem right. It’s like her light has gone out. When I get her home with me I will change that. I will show her she can be happy.
“That’s agreeable, but my mom will want to meet you before the wedding. I will bring her or dad will. Be sure to make yourself available.” I let her know this is nonnegotiable. Mom would kill me any other way. I know my mom will love Callie. I’ve only brought one woman around my mom and they did not like each other. My mom does not like the women my brother Keifer and I tend to gravitate towards, but Callie will be different.
“I can do that. We’re on lockdown. I won’t be going anywhere.” she says with little enthusiasm. “If everyone is through with me, I am going to go help in the kitchen with lunch. There is a lot of people to feed. I’m sure there is business for you to discuss that has nothing to do with me, or I won’t be privy to.” Callie looks to her dad and then to me and we nod our heads.
“Callie, I want to welcome you to our family. I know it is not legal yet, but in my eyes it is a done dea,l and I will be proud to have you as my daughter in-law. I know Kat will, too.” Dad let’s his genuine feelings be known. He has been for this from the beginning and he has only grown to admire Callie more since we have been here. He thinks Callie is going to make me a perfect wife. He wants me to make her my ol’ lady now.
“Thank you, sir. I will do my best not disappoint any of you. I look forward to meeting Mrs. Steel.” Callie is very respectful to my dad and that goes a long way in his book. She’s being sincere and you can tell it by her voice, she is not just sucking up.
“Sweetheart are you sure this is what you want and are you sure you can do it?” Trent ask Callie as he gives her a hug before she leaves the room. She’s already answered this question several times. Can’t they just let it be?
“I am just fine Uncle Trent. I know what I can accept and this I can. Now quit worrying about me, and let me get to the kitchen to help with the food, so when everything is done, everyone can eat.” Callie heads for the door but Ty stops and gives her a hug. When he is done she goes out the door and closes it behind her.
Chief watches the door and waits a few minutes as if he is measuring his words, looking at the door as if it may open again. When he directs his look at me I see he is sizing me up. He takes a deep breath and then he sits back in his chair.
“Devil, I am going to tell you this once and only once, if you hurt my daughter I will end you. If you let something happen to her, I will end you. She hit on a very good subject I have been wondering myself, why are you not claiming her as your ol’ lady? Why marriage now?” Chief is waiting for me to slip up and lie so I keep it as close to the truth as I can.
“I don’t like to repeat myself and it seems like that has been all I’ve done since I got here. I will protect Callie with everything I have in my arsenal. I will save her with my life if I have to. The rest of it is my business. Callie is the one that wants it this fast and I will give her that, but the rest is only my business.” That’s the only answer anyone will be getting from me.
“Is she not good enough to make your ol’ lady?” Ty throws in. “This is bullshit!” Ty is pissed and comes rushing at me but Driller steps between us.
“Calm down Ty. Let’s take it outside.” Driller gets him out the door but Zman comes in to take his place.
“Devil I don’t know what you’re up to, but I promise you I am keeping an eye on you.” Chief is not going to press the subject with me. I don’t know why, but I will take it.
“Are we done here? I need a damn drink. Steel, I will have a room set up by the time you get back, and we can eat together tonight and talk.”
“Sounds good to me. We will be gone for a while so I can make some calls. I am going to have Kat brought up tonight if that is ok. That way she can meet Callie. I will have a few guys with her, but I will keep the motel room for them, since you are crowded right now. She will be glad to see you too, Chief.” Dad is trying to distract Chief, I know it is not working but he is not going to ask.
“It will be good to see her, as well. She is good people. I’m going to let Zman walk you out. I need to talk to Ty and Driller.” Chief looks at Zman and he opens the door for us. “Zman would you walk them out and send Ty and Driller back in. When you are done, I need you, too. I will see you two later.” Chief walks over to the cabinet and opens the doors and gets three glasses out and a bottle of Jack. Looks like they will be getting that drink.
Zman leads us through the bar area but stops and whistles to get Driller and Ty’s attention across the room and jerks his thumb back towards the office. The two men down their beers and head that way, as we follow Zman on out. He leaves us at the front doors and returns back the way
we came. We go out and get on our bikes. Dad looks around to make sure no one is around.
“You know son, Chief is no fool. He knows something is up with you not claiming Callie as your ol’ lady. You’ll have to explain one day. Are you ready for that?” I know dad is concerned but this is not a discussion I want to have with anyone. It’s too painful.
“I know dad, but it won’t be today. Are you ready to get this done? I will be glad when we are home again and this is settled.” I feel all my thirty-two years and more. It has been one long ass weekend. “I need to find a jewelry store sometime soon. Women like that sort of thing.” I really hadn’t put any thought into rings. Guess I need to. Guess I need to know what size or kind. Be glad when mom gets here, she’ll help.
I start my motorcycle up and feel the rumble. I need the ride to unwind me. I need a longer ride but I’ll have to make do.
Chapter 29
Chief
“Dad what is that asshole doing? Callie will get no respect from anyone in that club if Devil does not claim her as his ol’ lady. You know it, and I know it. Hell, everyone knows it. He is not ruining my sister that way.” Ty is still outraged and I know how he feels and he is absolutely right.
