by Quinn, Vera
“Chief I tried to tell him this might be a good thing, but he won’t listen. He is too damn hot headed. just like you were at his age.” Driller may have figured it out just like I have. My brother does think like me.
“Ty I understand your point. I hope your sister understands her actions and the consequences. From what she has said about the ol’ lady part, I’m thinking she does. She’s playing it close to the vest though. Mason has really fucked her head up. I can’t change her mind, but don’t press the ol’ lady issue anymore. Marriage is a legal thing. Ol’ lady is forever or until Devil gets shut of her. We can get rid of legal without bloodshed. Are you following me? Trust your sister but keep a watchful eye and keep your ears open.” I see Zman has joined us and he is shaking his head yes in agreement. Driller I know understands, but Ty is hot headed and I know he comes by it honestly, still, he needs to watch himself.
“Ok dad, but he better not hurt Callie. I am going to watch him. I will try to talk to her and see if I can get a feel for where her head is,” If anyone can get anything out of Callie, it is Ty. At one time they were more like twins and shared everything. I hope she will open up to him.
“This is going to be how it is. We watch. We listen and we keep an eye on the Steel’s while they are here. Zman, put some feelers out and see if you come up with anything. I want to know if there has been any kind of trouble for the Feral Steel MC lately. I want financials and everything. Ask who they’ve been talking to. See if we can get something on Devil’s phone or Steel’s. I don’t care how small it is, I want to know it, down to the kind of toilet paper they wipe their ass’s with. Reach out to everyone we can. We have less than a week to stop this wedding, if we can. If there’s nothing, then so be it. Get everyone on it.” I won’t leave a rock unturned if it will help my baby girl.
“Ty, I want to know if and when Mason is back in the states. He and I will be having a serious talk. I warned him not to hurt Callie. Now he will learn what happens when you hurt one of ours.” I always liked that boy but now he can take his ass whipping like a man.
“Yes, sir. I will get in touch with everyone I know. I know Cru London was home. I will reach out to him to see if he knows when Mason will be home.”
“Do you think he has something else going on Chief?” Driller asked but they all want to know my suspicions.
“I really don’t know but it seems kind of funny that all of sudden Steel’s boy wants Callie as a wife. He never showed any interest before and I’ve known Steel over twenty years. I don’t believe in coincidence. Get your ears to the ground. Enough talk and let’s get a drink.” I damn sure need one.
As soon as I get to the bar I see Cutter and Hammer making their way over to me. They haven’t said much since we have been on lockdown. Keeping quiet isn’t their usual, so I know something is up. “Where have you two been? I haven’t seen much of you since we went on lockdown. Everyone else has been up my ass, what’s up?”
They look at each other and then Cutter finally speaks up, “I heard through a contact of mine that those shooters the other night were part of the Rebellions 4 Blood MC. They are from South Texas close to the border, but have been trying to move in this direction. Their President is Diamondback and he is one mean son of a bitch. No one has anything good to say about him.” Then Cutter looks at Hammer and looks like he has more to say, but doesn’t.
“Damn Cutter, Chief, the word is that it was about Callie. Diamondback’s real,” I know what he is going to say and I cut him off.
“Church now!” I get up and make my way to Zman. “Put someone on Callie now. Be sure her windows are secure and get anything away from them. I want blackout curtains on her windows. She leaves here for nothing. Put a patched member outside her door because I want you in church, then you and Ty will be on her until Devil is back. Tell whoever goes up there to let her, never mind. I’ll be in church in a minute. Get someone up there.” I have to keep my baby girl safe. She thinks she has had to deal with the Devil the last few days, but Devil is nowhere near like Diamondback. Hopefully she will never know that. She can never know that, or she will know what I have hidden from her. What I was sworn to hide from her. What Tommy hid from Callie.
Chapter 30
Callie
I hear a knock on my door. I figured it was Devil returning, but I was thinking that was fast. Then the knocking was more persistent and I knew it was dad. I open the door, but dad was not here to see me by the look on his face. Chief, President of the BlackPath MC was here to talk to me, and it was serious.
“I have not done anything after I helped with lunch, but come to my room. Do they need my help with something?” I asked trying to head off anything he thinks I might have done. He looks pissed but also worried.
“Some guys are going to come up and put blackout curtains up in your room. They will also be taking anything away from your window. So if you hear any noise that will be what it is. Stay out of the window. You will be going nowhere unless Zman, Ty, or I am with you. Are we clear? Stay in your room as much as possible, or the front room by the bar. Someone knows where you are at all times. Are you clear with my orders? Callie Cheyenne Monroe Black, I mean to the letter orders?” I’ve never seen my dad this way before. It has put me on high alert. He’s almost frantic.
“Yes sir. Stay away from window, someone with me constantly, someone knows where I am at all times, stay in my room or front room and follow these orders to the letter. Did I get it all?” I try to pay attention to detail. I’m curious what has gotten him so worked up but I don’t want to make him worry more. “What about Devil?” I have to ask.
“As soon as he gets back I will send him up. Everything is fine, I’m just taking extra precautions. I want you to listen to me carefully Callie. Give me your word.” My dad is on edge and I won’t put any more on him.
“I give you my word dad. If Devil wants me to go somewhere I will tell him to talk to you, but he won’t like it.” Devil is too much like my dad. I know this won’t set well with him.
“I’ll tell him before he ever gets to you and he will understand so don’t worry. What do you want for dinner and I’ll have one of the guys go out and get it? I’ll get enough for you and Devil both.” I think and then I knew, it’s what most men like.
“Steak and potatoes. Mine medium rare, please. You’ll have to guess his or text him. I want a baked potato loaded, please, and a roll. Salad too, ranch on the side. Is that too picky?” my dad gives me a funny look.
“You are never too picky. You hardly ever ask for anything. You know what you like and that is good. Baby girl, you are the least complicated female I have ever known, and that includes my mom. You know how I loved your grandma. Someone will be outside your door. You’re safe, I am just taking extra security steps. Relax.” He comes over beside me and gives me an extra tight hug. “Are you sure about everything that happened today? You can talk to me.” My dad wants me to tell him things I can’t tell him. Things I don’t know myself.
“Dad, I am sure. I will be fine. I can handle this, and we will finally put this to rest. Maybe Tommy can rest in peace. I know you’re worried about something. You repeated yourself. You only repeat yourself when you are worried to the max. I will not give you anything else to worry about. I promise you this.” Dad knows when I give my word I would rather cut my arm off than go back on it.
“Ok. I have church. You stay put.” With that he turns to leave. That man is going to have a heart attack from worry. I think he is going out the door, but he comes back to me in a rush and gathers me in his arms like he used to when I was little. “I love you baby girl. You are my world. You, Ty, and my club. Please listen to me.” With that he kisses me on top of my head.
He’s breaking my heart. “Daddy I love you and I promise I will follow your instructions. You have my word.” I don’t know what is bothering my dad, but it is big and it is bad.
Chapter 31
Devil
We made it to the motel and I decide to take a
quick shower and get cleaned up. As I am getting out of the shower, I hear my phone ringing. I grab a towel and step out to answer it but as soon as I hear the voice on the other end, I wished I had missed the call. This man’s voice grated on my last nerve and if I could get my hands on his neck I would end him. I would put him to ground and no one would ever be able to identify his body.
“What the hell do you want? I told you I would contact you when everything was set. I can’t work miracles.” I am tired of this man yanking my chain.
“Listen to me and listen good, you are not working fast enough. Get it done and get it done now. You got my message Friday night. If that isn’t clear enough, I can make it closer, or maybe you had rather me send one of her fingers for every day you drag your feet. Or maybe I can have a little bit of fun with her. Then she’ll know what it is like to have a real man.” I can tell the man is baiting me but I can’t take that chance. I have to make sure she is ok.
“I am going to be back in Oklahoma the day after tomorrow to take care of business. I have everything taken care of here and I will leave tomorrow. I will see you then. Can I talk to her?” I know I am pressing my luck, but I have to try. This man is pure evil and I would like nothing more than to be done with him, but he still has something I need.
“Good try. When our deal is done. Devil don’t fuck with me or I will keep my word. Don’t doubt me for a second.” Then the line goes dead. I check the caller ID and it is a blocked call. I need to get this done here and get back home to take care of business. I don’t know how this man ever found me, but if I ever find out, it will not be good for whoever sent him my way. I need to get back to the BlackPath clubhouse. I don’t like staying in someone else’s house but Callie is safer there and that is important with everything I have going on. No need to put my new fiancée in unneeded danger. If anything happened to her I would never forgive myself.
I pack away my stuff in my bag and head out to dad’s room to update him on my call. Then I can get back to Callie.
Chapter 32
Callie
Things have been busy in my room since dad left. Some of the guys came in and put some of the heavy blackout curtains up, then I heard them trimming the tree outside my window. Looks kinda funny now. They should have just cut it down, but they cut all the limbs down instead. Nothing touches the outside of my window now. I didn’t look out like dad asked, Ty told me. Zman is outside my door and Ty came in talking to me earlier. I had nothing to tell him. They just don’t get my decision. They would do the same thing, but don’t think I should.
I finally turned my phone back on and my voice mail was full. Hanna, Sarah, and Fe had all checked in with me. Worried. Mason had left messages. I didn’t listen to them. I erased them. Cru London and Jeb both left messages, too. Erased those, as well. I had endless texst and deleted them all without reading them. I deleted all my social media accounts. I didn’t even check them. I’ll redo them later. They are too tempting to look at right now.
I hear a knock at the door and I feel the nervousness in my stomach. I know it has to be Devil. I open the door and there stands Zman and Devil glaring at each other. I open the door wider so Devil can get in. Ty is coming up the stairs with our dinner bags. I hold the door open for them both. Devil goes in and drops his bag at the end of my bed and Ty puts the food on my night stand.
“Zman will be here most of the night and I will be here the rest of the night. Right outside your door. Callie if you need anything at all say so. We will hear anything going on in here.” Ty really doesn’t like Devil and he is letting it be known.
“Everything will be fine Ty. Thank you for the food. Don’t come back in. We need time. Please, Ty.” He nods his head and leaves out the door reluctantly. I know this is hard for him too, but everyone is going to have to get used to it.
“Your brother is protective of you. So you’re close? My brother and I are close, but my sister is not as close as she used to be to the family. She let a boyfriend get in the way of family. Keifer is my older brother, and Kimberly our younger sister. In fact, she is only twenty-one. My mom and Keifer will be here tomorrow to meet you. Keifer will be bringing his wife, Kizzy.” Devil is giving me information and I don’t know what to think of it. The men I know play everything close to the vest and only give information that has to be given. Maybe he really wants us to get to know each other. I won’t let my guard down yet.
“Are you and your mom close? People say you can tell how a man treats women he cares about by the way they treat their mom,” don’t know why that came out of my mouth. Just popped into my head. That’s not me. Devil is having a weird effect on me. Get it together Callie or he is going to think you are an empty headed bimbo. “I hope it’s not too much trouble for them.”
Devil is looking at me like he is trying to figure me out. Guess my offhand comment threw him, too. “Dad sent out for a steak and the fixings. I hope you like it. Did dad text you to see how you like your steak?” I know dad probably didn’t but at least it keeps me talking.
“Callie am I making you nervous? Don’t be. We are just talking. Your dad didn’t text but I like any kind of steak and I am starving. Where do you want to sit? Bed or floor? I want you comfortable.”
For some reason I feel relief, but I have to watch myself around this man. I find him very attractive and that is distracting. I need all my senses when I am dealing with him. I need to remember everything he says to see if he slips up and gives me any hints what he is really after. Dad thinks I am blinded by my need for revenge, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The only way to get the information I want though is to go along and pay attention.
I move across the room and get out silverware I keep in my room for when I eat in here.
“What would you like to drink? I have a soft drink, water, and I brought up a six pack of beer up for you.” I figured he would be ready for a drink when he got back, so I asked dad if I could bring some up.
“Beer will be fine. That was nice of you.” Devil acts like I wouldn’t be nice to him. We really need to break the ice and get everything straight. I would do this for anyone.
I get the beer and then grab some napkins, “The bed is fine. The floor would be uncomfortable. I haven’t thought to find me a table for in here. Really, I’ve never needed one. I usually eat downstairs and we haven’t had too many lockdowns lately.”
Devil takes the beer I hand him and I give him his food. Then I set mine on the nightstand and cut my steak into bite size pieces. I look at Devil and he is having a heck of a time trying to cut his steak and hold the food tray. So I reach over to get it and our hands touch for a single second. I have to look at him because for some reason it felt like something more than a casual touch. I glanced at him but then shoot my eyes to his food. “Would you like me to cut that up over here? It will be easier or I can move if you want me to and you can do it. I’m just used to being in here with my friends and I do everything for them.”
I don’t know why I am explaining something so innocent and bumbling through it. This man unnerves me. I’ve been around a lot of handsome men, going through my dad’s club, and others I’ve met, but never has one made me so nervous to where I can’t even talk correctly. Stop Callie, in less than a week you are going to be married to this man. I keep telling myself this, but it doesn’t seem real.
“You can do it. I don’t mind.” Devil tells me. I hope I didn’t spaz out for too long. I cut his steak and hand it back to him. “Thank you Callie.” He talks softly when we are alone. It’s strange hearing a big strong biker talk so softly.
“I hope you like steak. Dad asked what I wanted to eat and I figured I couldn’t go wrong with steak and potatoes. Is yours cooked ok? I didn’t know what you liked.” I guess I need to know what he likes to eat and how he likes it. I will have to cook for him someday. Maybe I shouldn’t let on I can cook. See how long it takes him to ask. I guess that would be kinda mean.
“Steak and potatoes are my favorite, but I
like a little of everything as long as you don’t include liver. That’s one thing I won’t eat. Medium rare is the way I like mine cooked, as I can see you do, too. We could have eaten what you like. What’s your favorite?” He looks like he might be interested but more than likely just asking because I did.
“I was brought up in a house with a lot of males in it so I like steak and potatoes, but my favorite is shrimp scampi. I also like fresh steamed vegetables. I’m not real picky but I have to agree, I can’t even stand the smell of liver.” At least we have one thing in common. Not that a lot of people don’t dislike liver like some people dislike meat all together.
“What are you studying in school? What are your hobbies?” These are easy questions for me to answer. Guess he’ll save the harder ones for later.
“I want to major in business. I have money for college at UT and I have scholarships. My hobbies are swimming, most of my summer is spent in the water at the lake. I also build race cars and I have raced some at the strip. I read a lot. That’s about it. I like any kind of sports. I played basketball, volleyball, and ran track in school. What about you? Do you have any hobbies?”, maybe it will give me some insight into this man.
