Never Forever (BlackPath MC Book 1) (15 page)

I
opened the door and stepped back out by the bar and summoned the people who
have been waiting on my answer into the room. They enter one by one. Mr. Cross
has moved over to a chair by the window. He is only there to answer any legal
questions, and to take the papers we are about to sign.

Dad
takes his seat behind his desk. Steel, Uncle Trent, and Ty sit on the long sofa,
and I have Devil sit beside me in the two other chairs in front of dad. I try
to relax but I am full of tension. I don’t know how these people are going to
react so I know I just have to spit it out.

“Thank
you all for being here. I know this is all under strained circumstances, but I
am just going to put this out there. I will agree to marry Devil under a few
conditions.” I look between dad and Devil and they have opposite expressions.

Dad
looks like I just broke his heart and Devil looks like he just has gotten his
way. He is soon to find out, only at a price. “Dad, I am doing this of my own
free will. No one is coercing me. I do not feel pressured. I want the
information and I want revenge for Tommy. This is my choice, and I hope I am
not disappointing you.”

I
look at my dad’s eyes and they are full of anguish and regret, but they also
have love for me and understanding. That I can accept. Please hear me all the
way out before anyone interrupts.” I see Ty and Uncle Trent chomping at the bit
wanting to say something. “These conditions are exact and I have had Mr. Cross
draw up a pre-nuptial agreement laying them out, so they are legal and
binding.”

Steel
and Devil both look like they just got their favorite toy taken away from them.
They thought they were going to get everything they wanted, but it’s not
happening. “The conditions are, first if you in any way misrepresent anything
to me our marriage will be annulled or I will go to court and air your dirty
laundry to get away from you. Annulled not divorce, on the grounds of fraud and
misrepresentation. Second, I keep everything I go into our marriage with. All
my funds and personal property. They remain mine solely. Third, we are married
here within a week. Texas is a community property state.  Fourth, if you put my
life in jeopardy or I am harmed, my dad and Ty get everything of mine, plus your
third of Steel Enterprises, Inc., whatever that might be worth. I understand it
is sizeable.

Last
but certainly not least, you will support me, provide for me and not be
unreasonable with me while we are married. I know some are not as important as
others, but I have my reasons. Ok gentlemen, you have the floor.” I know my
demands are outrageous but I will see how much Devil is willing to bend.

“That
is outrageous! You know the life we lead. Your life can be put in jeopardy any
day.” Steel stands up with his hand on his hips looking completely pissed.

“Do
you really expect me to agree to all of those demands?” Devil asks with
contempt in his voice.

“Baby
girl I am proud of you. You know how to cut a man off at his knees.” Uncle
Trent says while trying to keep from laughing.

“This
is a negotiation and I have given you my demands. Give me your counter offer,
but Devil, this will be finished within the hour, or I walk out that door and I
don’t look back. Mr. Cross will draw up any amendments and get them back this
evening. You are paying him very nicely for working on a Sunday. He will file
everything and keep copies, dad will get copies, as will you, and I. So it’s
your floor and make it good.” I knew what their reaction would be, that’s the
reason I didn’t let them know what I am most concerned with. They will find out
soon enough.

“Baby
girl, I think you have found your niche as a negotiator. I am proud of you.”
Dad puts in. I learned this from him so he should feel proud.

“Ok,
to save us some time what is it exactly you want. I won’t give you part of the
family business. It is not that you are going to be harmed on my watch, but I
won’t do that to my dad and brother. You are going to be my wife. Tell me. Be
reasonable.” Devil is not used to having to bargain to get his women and it
shows. He isn’t happy with this little meeting, but I am not going to be
falling at his feet.

“Fair
enough. I keep the annulment option, keeping my property, you support me, and
we get married within a week. I’ll drop the company deal, but if you cheat on
me during our marriage, you will pay me fifty thousand dollars and give me a
non-contested divorce. Regardless. My last offer.”

I
know Devil is going to take it. He is too anxious. From what Mr. Cross found
out about his finances, fifty thousand is a third of his worth, besides the
family company.

“And
if you cheat on me?” he asks and then looks at the clock.

“Do
you want to continue to negotiate?” I know he is running out of time so I don’t
think he will take the chance.

Devil
looks into my eyes as if he’s trying to read my mind but I try to keep my face
expressionless.

“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.”

“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 comfortable 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.