Never Forever (BlackPath MC Book 1) (16 page)

 “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.

“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.  

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.  

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.  

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.

“No
hobbies really. I work on cars and bikes, but I do it for work and to keep
things running. I have my club. That keeps me busy.  No hobbies really.”
Nothing I didn’t know. Well I guess if I want to know more about him I will
just have to ask the hard questions.

“Have
you ever been in love? Is there someone you had rather be with and I’m just a
runner-up?”, he looks at me strangely and then starts to answer but stops. He
puts his fork down and turns back to me and he’s looking at my face but not in
my eyes. I know before he ever says anything else that what he is going to tell
me is either a lie or a half lie. He loves someone, I can see it, but he’s not
going to tell me. He thinks I am a naïve girl and don’t understand wanting
something you can’t have. I now have discovered his lie face. Very important to
store in my head.

“I
loved somebody once, but they were taken away from me. That’s how I know our
arrangement is better than love.” He won’t look me in the eye. I would say
half- truth. “Stronger and maybe someday it will be love” that is a full out
lie. I have learned a very important lesson. Don’t trust Devil. I only wished I
could have read Mason this easily. I guess at one time I could but with the
distance between us, it somehow didn’t matter. I just wanted to cling to him
when he was with me. I always felt like I was lucky to have someone as good as
Mason love me, even though I had been tainted since before my birth. The people
I came from were bad, therefore I was the poisoned fruit.

“Hey,
where did you go? You look a million miles away. Something wrong?” He asks if
something is wrong. Well no, you just told me a bold face lie.

“No.
Everything is fine. I guess I’m just tired. Been a long few days. My whole life
has changed in a matter of forty-eight hours. A little overwhelming.” I can lie
with the best of them. I guess mine really isn’t much of a lie. I’m not hungry
anymore so I close my food back up, I notice Devil has finished his. “Are you
still hungry? I have a lot of mine left if you are. I mean Ty finishes mine
sometimes. I’m not trying to be rude or give you my leftovers, but if you want
and your still hungry I don’t mind.” How could I ask him that? I am too used to
being with my dad and Ty. Even Fe finishes my food sometimes.

“I
know what you mean. I have a sister and mom, too. They eat like mice and we
share. Most families do. We are going to share a last name soon. If you’re sure
you’re not going to finish, I could eat it.” He waits for my answer but I am
already handing it to him.

 “Wow,
our first shared meal and you already finish my plate just like at home.” I
smile at him and watch him enjoy the rest of my meal.

“You
got quiet after I answered your question earlier, why?” Guess I can’t avoid
this answer anymore. If I want him to be honest with me, I guess I have to call
him on it. He may not like it but he is asking. He could have let it go.

“Well,
you’re probably not going to like what I have to say, but if you want an answer
I will give you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as they
say in court. Be very sure you can handle it.” This is where I look at him closely.
I am trying to remember his expression.

He
waits for me to begin but I wait for his response. “Are you going to tell me or
make me guess?” He is not liking me not just giving it to him. Apparently Devil
has no patience.

“Answer
first. Can you handle it? Will you give me the honesty you are asking for?” he
looks puzzled.

“I
can handle whatever you throw at me and I will be honest.” He is getting pissed
by my behavior. He’s clenching his jaw and his hairline is creasing and he
can’t quite look me in the eye.

“Ok
then. You’re getting anxious and you haven’t been entirely truthful with me and
we can do this any way you want.” He puts his hand up and starts to interrupt
but I stop him. “Just listen for a minute, please. I know when I asked you about
loving somebody you did not tell me the truth or maybe it wasn’t the whole
truth. I also know when you said this between us may lead to love, it was total
bullshit. And yes, I am calling bullshit. Do I need to buy me a bullshit flag
so every time you lie to me, and I can tell, I throw it? Never mind, anyway…
I’m pretty good at telling when people lie to me. Some anyway. I know I haven’t
known you long, but you have some very distinct tell signs. I’m very good at
poker and I would say you aren’t. I don’t know why you lied or exactly what it
was but you did. All I’m saying is if you don’t want me to lie to you like I
did earlie,r then don’t lie to me. If you do, then I will lie to you and there
goes a third of what you promised me truth, loyalty and commitment. If I can’t
trust you with truth, then why would I trust the other two? You choose if we go
forward or you go home. Ok, I’m done. Your turn.” I finally got it all out and
I finally get the nerve to look at his face and he has a grin on it. Not what I
expected. At least he doesn’t seem too mad, but who can tell with a man?

“I
am not used to being called a liar to my face by anyone. Usually by now they
would find themselves face down in the dirt. I have underestimated you. Our
intel guy did not do you justice. I did not tell you the complete truth, but I
didn’t want to have to explain myself and some of it is painful. I don’t tell
anyone my personal business. I trust very few people. I don’t know where we
will go but I do need to be more honest with you. I will work on that. I want
this arrangement to work. I am very attracted to you, but you’re beautiful so
who wouldn’t be? You are everything I need in a wife. You know club life, you
understand it and you fit in perfectly. I will work on being more honest with
you. You are mine now and no one will stop us from being together and it will
be in your best interest not to lie to me if you want me share with you.” He
looks so confident. I know if I decided not to do this my family would back me,
but I agreed and I won’t go back on my word.