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“And if I can’t give you me, then what?” I asked.
“Then we’ll share a son and be friendly towards each other.”
“Jesse will not be easy to win over, you know. As balanced a life as we could give him, Jesse harbours anger that he was denied a sibling. Jesse thinks life wouldn’t have been so empty if he’d had a brother or sister. And no, Jesse wasn’t lonely. We always had someone with him, but Jesse was a child surrounded by adults. Jesse isn’t full of piss and vinegar, as you might think, but he grieves his lost twin, and he hates you for that.”
“Yeah, and I deserve that hate. I want to build something with you. But if you’re resistant to that shit, then I ask is you won’t stand in my way with Jesse.” I stared at Celt as he uttered those words and realised the power I held over him. Celt had tried fighting me, bringing big guns to the meeting, and it failed spectacularly. He’d then attempted to punish me, and it backfired when I played Celt at his own game. Celt had finally woken up and recognised I wasn’t the eighteen-year-old girl he could push around anymore.
When he looked at me, respect was in Celt’s eyes now, and I felt I deserved that. Celt wanted the truth, and I’d given it to him. I wouldn’t stand between him and Jesse. But I didn’t know what I wished from Celt. He needed to understand at least one thing.
“I’ll not quit travelling. Whatever happens, I will stay with The Wild Wind, and Jesse will come with me, but if Jesse wishes to spend the odd week or two with you, fine. But the band and I will continue making music and restart touring after a year. That is non-negotiable,” I said, and Celt nodded.
“Already figured that out. Chey and I agree. The Wild Wind has too much talent to quit. After fifteen years, you’re at the top of the music scene and want to keep that crown.”
“We put a lot of effort into being the leading country/folk band. We made sacrifices to get to number one, and we won’t just retire into the background. Celt, we’ve recorded songs to be released this year, so we aren’t forgotten by our fans and the public. The Wild Wind has several prime-time interviews lined up, although I can imagine the agendas will change. What with Kye’s cancer and my accident, the Wild Wind will be in demand.” I sighed because that was the truth.
“Yeah, I can only assume what Ken is dealing with now. Kye’s sickness was big news. The twat who leaked your paralysation made The Wild Wind an even bigger story,” Celt agreed.
“And that’s something else, Celt. I am paralysed; possibly for life, five percent isn’t much of a chance, but it’s one I’m working with. I refuse to believe I’ll never walk again. So, I have a hard path in front of me, and I will work my ass off for it. But if it doesn’t happen, can you deal with a wheelchair-bound girlfriend? Consider the adjustments you’d have to make before you say yes.
“Like what?” Celt asked curiously.
“Well, I can’t ride behind you; you’d need a trike or something. I know for a fact you love your Roadster, but I couldn’t be your old lady on that. Any house we buy would require major adaptions. The clubhouse would require adapting, or I couldn’t visit you there. You’d have to help with actions that people take for granted like if we go somewhere without an elevator, you’d carry me. I cannot dance in your arms or leap across the room in greeting. So many things would be different, Celt.” I saw Celt’s denial as he considered my words.
“But you’ll still be you. And that is all that matters,” Celt roughly admitted. But I could see thoughts flashing through Celt’s mind on what adjustments would be needed, and it was a fuckload.
“Celt, you say that. Can you imagine how difficult life would be with a cripple?” Celt whipped his head around, and I was surprised by the determination on his face.
“None of that matters, Chey, don’t you get me? All I want is you and Jesse. I don’t give a fuck if we have to pull the clubhouse down and rebuild it to make life easier for you. Chance wouldn’t either. You know that Chey, whatever is needed Hellfire, will do. Or maybe you don’t realise that because you only saw the two sides,” Celt said thoughtfully. I nodded.
“Celt, you’re correct; I only saw the two factions. Zeus was pure evil and greedy. Chance’s was subdued, and under the thumb, so I didn’t recognise what you became. But Chance and Clio’s reactions have somewhat assured me things are far safer now.”
“How so?” Celt asked curiously. He wracked his brain to think about when Chey might have met Clio.
“Because they sent you out with Louisa Mae. If Chance believed for a moment you were dangerous, Chance wouldn’t have shoved Louisa Mae at you. For everything I remember and the tons I’ve forgotten, Chance would never risk a child of his. That man was all about family. You’re here with the most precious thing in Chance’s life, and he’s counting on you to keep Louisa safe. So, I don’t believe you are a threat to Jesse or myself.”
“Either that or Clio is truly murderous towards Chance, and he wants back in her good books.”
“No, don’t do that, Celt. Please don’t write this off as something unimportant because it is serious. Chance has trusted you with Louisa Mae. Now I saw Chance with Drake. I know how deep Chance’s feelings run for his blood. If you were untrustworthy, then you wouldn’t have his daughter. It wouldn’t matter how tired they were; you wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Louisa Mae if Chance thought you were dangerous. Which means you’re no threat to Jesse or me,” I summed up. Celt nodded.
“Chey, I would rather cut my throat than be a danger to either of you.”
“And we’ve come full circle to what I want. I wasn’t lying when I said there’d been no other man, Celt. It was always you and only you. But now, I can’t move. Making love to me isn’t as easy as you might wish.”
“Jesus Chey, I ain’t bothered about that and resent the fact you think I’m that shallow. I can and will make sex fantastic for both of us, ego aside. We’ll be creative if we have to. But I won’t make a move until you say so. This decision is on you. I won’t force you or emotionally blackmail you into being with me.” That was a fair enough comment. I turned my head away and gazed at the horizon, the blue sky with white fluffy clouds. It was a typical picturesque skyline, and yet it felt sinister. Like the clouds were just waiting to turn to grey and strike at those below. My neck tingled, and I looked around, worried.
“Celt, take me in. I feel wrong out here, exposed. I don’t like it,” I said, turning my head to him. Celt frowned and then rose to his feet. Without a word, Celt pushed me away from the scene that had worried me so.
“Wanna tell me what that was about?” Celt rumbled as he pushed me towards the rear of the house.
“I don’t know. It’s not like me to be so dramatic despite my job. I sensed danger like someone was waiting to pounce.” Celt craned his neck around as he motioned to a guard.
“Can you check the grounds? Chey thought something was watching us, someone with bad intentions,” Celt asked as the man came closer. The guy got on his radio and called an alert in and jogged off in the direction Celt had pointed to. My shoulders relaxed; Celt had understood what I was trying to say. I hadn’t been able to see anyone, but I had felt a presence of malice, of threat against me.
“Where’s Jesse?” I asked.
“I’ll get you inside and find him. Jesse can take care of himself. You, for once, Chey, are the vulnerable one,” Celt replied as he pushed me over a doorframe. We came face to face with Saint and Bridge.
“Find Jesse; something is wrong,” I urged before Celt could say anything. They disappeared through the door without asking a question. Celt pushed me to the lounge, where the innocuous sight of Levi giving Louisa a bottle surprised me.
