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She leans in to kiss my cheek. “How are you doing?” she asks, her eyes on mine, softening.
“Better now,” I say as I kiss her softly.
She kisses me and then looks around and back at me. “I know it was Thad. He pretty much admitted to it.”
I nod. “Dad identified him, too.”
“I confronted him.”
“What? Callie!” Pulling her down the hall, I duck into a supply closet and pull the door closed behind us so no one hears us. “Why would you do that? Alone? This motherfucker is dangerous.”
She winces where my hands hold her, and I gently pull back her scrub top and see red marks turning to purple bruises. “This is what he did to me.”
“Where is he right now?” I take a few deep breaths, trying to compose myself. I’m almost past the point of feeling livid and entering murderous. Thad marked my woman in violence. My jaw is clenched, my entire body riddled with tension. My fist clenches so hard, and I’m rethinking of just exactly how I’m going to handle him now.
“I called Axel. He says the club is handling it.” She shrugs. “I didn’t want to bother you. I also don’t want you doing anything that will jeopardize your coaching position.”
I stare at the ceiling in frustration. Jesus. “He put his hands on you. And you calledAxel? Not me?”
She tilts her head. “I thought about calling the cops. I want to trust the cops in this town, but let’s be honest. Thad probably golfs with them, not to mention my dad. I figured the club should have first dibs.”
“Callie.” I let out a deep breath in frustration.
“What?” She shrugs.
“Be careful, okay? The club isn’t anything to mess around with. You have to stay out of the club stuff.” I set my cup down and look at her and shake my head. “Stay away from this guy.”
She nods. “Oh, I know what I did. You think I wasn’t raised around the club just like you were? I’m sick and tired of people bullying and manipulating this town. It stops now. And if the club has to make an example out of my dad and Thad, then so be it. It’s time we take it back.”
“I am over it, too, believe me. But you have to know that when you put the club on something, it won’t be handled above board.”
“I don’t care how it gets handled.” She tilts her chin up in defiance. Her face is so innocent and beautiful yet so determined.
“Callie.” I exhale a deep breath and stare up at the ceiling. “Stay away from club business.” She may not see it, but I’m trying to protect her. Plus, I’ve already got plans for Dr. Douche.
“Okay,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me close to kiss me, her lips soft and sweet on mine. And this is exactly why I don’t want her near the club when they handle club business. She needs to stay sweet. Let the club take out the trash. That’s what they’ve done for decades here in this town. Not many people realize how much the club does to look out for people. They don’t need to be on anyone’s radar or for this town to see what they do. Hamilton McGraw had a pass for a long time, I think from my dad protecting Callie, but now his pass has expired, and I think the club will be handling him, too.
“Dinner later? I can pick up something.” She lays her hand on my chest.
Relieved that she’s changed the subject, I let out a deep breath. Despite her frustrating me, I love that we get to do life together now. Everyday stuff. She’s mine, and nothing will get in the way.
“That would be good. I mean it, though. Stay out of it. Promise me.”
She nods. “Okay, fine.”
“I love you, Callie.”
“Love you, too,” she says, kissing me. “I better get back to work and finish up so I can come home.”
Home.I love hearing her call our place that.
* * *
It’s dark, and I’m at home with Harley on the porch. I hear a car and a door slam and look over, and it’s Callie. I stand and make my way to her, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close until her breasts press into my chest, her hair tickling my cheek. “How was the rest of your shift?”
“I might not have a job anymore,” she murmurs as her arms band around me, holding me tight.
“What happened?” I pull her over to the outdoor sectional, the shadow from the fire in the firepit flickering across her face.
