Chapter 23
Cage
“Are you doing okay, Cage?”
Been asked that question a dozen times tonight. Don’t think I’ve ever been worse.
“Hand me that bottle, doll.” I point to the Macallan. The expensive one. The one worthy of this pain.
Shayna pulls it down from the top shelf and slides it in front of me along with a glass.
I forgo the glass and open it, bringing it to my mouth, welcoming the burn.
I’m ready to not feel this pain inside my chest. I’m ready to be blind to her pretty eyes and her smile.
By the time I get to the bottom of the bottle, I’ll hopefully have forgotten Payton’s name.
But there ain’t nothin’ strong enough to forget her name. It’s inscribed in my every thought. Into all my future plans. The vows on my tongue and in my heart. She’s everywhere. And she’s fucking married.
I take another swig of the booze, a longer one this time.
“If you need a sounding board, Cage, you know I’m here.”
I tip my head, and Shayna moves on down to serve the others. Thankfully the place is somewhat quiet tonight. Don’t think I could handle the rowdiness with all the noise in my head.
“Yo! Someone get the fucking door.” I hear Dagger bark in the background. Don’t know why he doesn’t get off his ass and get it. Though, I probably do. He’s probably got that stepsister of his curled up in his lap. Honest, loyal Wynter. Lucky son of a bitch.
“Cage, it’s for you!” Raid calls. For me? No fucking way. I’m not interested in seeing that girl. Don’t need to hear some bullshit excuse for why she failed to mention the fact that she was a claimed woman.
“Tell her to fuck off,” I state, bringing the bottle back up to my lips.
I’m suddenly jerked back by the back of my hair. “What the fuck?!” I sputter, placing the bottle down and wiping the bit dribbling down my chin.
“Don’t you dare speak to her like that. Now, turn around and fucking talk to the girl.”
It’s Scar growling at me and glaring me down like a madman. He looks like he wants to slit my throat. The scar across his face looking angrier than usual as it heats under the tension.
“Go ahead, angel.” His head turns and he softens his voice. “Tell him what you need to say.”
I look to his right, but it’s not Payton standing by his side, it’s her sister. The one who never speaks. Yet, she’s here wanting to speak to me.
I shift on my seat to face her, noticing the sheer fear in her eyes. The nervousness creeping into all of her features. She swallows hard, looking like she’s struggling to get the words out. After me yelling at her, I can understand why.
“I apologize for barking at you. I’m sorry. Go ahead. I’m listening.”
I know she’s here about her sister. But what’s going on between me and Payton doesn’t need to be taken out on her.
“She was afraid.” Her voice is a faint whisper.
I’ve never heard it before. She actually has a pretty voice.
“She didn’t want to lose you.” Had that been the case, she should’ve been up front with me about what was going on.
“He won’t let her go. She’s been trying to get him to sign the papers for over a year, but he won’t do it. And my dad doesn’t want him to.”
Makes me feel a little bit better that the sheets of her bed weren’t still warm while I was in them. But still. The fact that you’re a married isn’t something you leave out of the conversation. Maybe for the first few dates. But two months? We were together nearly every day.
“She loves you. You were her choice. Payton has always done what was expected of her. What my parents wanted. She’s always worked so hard to be perfect.
But I could see it. She was never happy.
With you…” She swallows nervously, like she’s still trying to get used to using her vocal cords.
Scar pulls her into his side, as if he’s protecting her, and then she speaks again.
“I’ve never seen her so alive. You make her happy.
And I know that’s why she was waiting until the papers were signed to tell you.
She wasn’t trying to hurt you. She just didn’t want to get hurt. ”
Then why couldn’t she come and tell me this herself? Why is her sister here pleading her case and not her?
“Did she put you up to this? Did she ask you to come?”
She shakes her head. “She was crying so hard. Chassie finally had to give her something and now she’s asleep.”
The look that crosses her face sends a shooting pain in the left side of my chest. I don’t like hearing that my girl was suffering like that. Her friend had to give her something to calm her down. Fuck. That shit don’t sit right with me.
“What was he doing there today?”
“He told her he wouldn’t sign the papers unless she met with him.”
“Do you know why she left him?” These are all questions I should be asking my girl. These are things she should’ve shared with me. Now, I’m having to drill her baby sister for the information.
“He cheated on her.”
Motherfucker. A stupid shit is what he is. He had the most incredible woman, and he fucked that up.
“So, why is he refusing to give her the divorce?” If he found someone else, why the hell doesn’t he just move on?
“Because it’s Callum. Nobody walks away from that man. He locked her out of all their bank accounts and that’s why she hasn’t taken him to court. She can’t afford the legal fees. She’s not even asking for anything. All she wants is out.”
Ahh, so the motherfucker was trying to strangle her financially, so she’d be forced to take him back.
It’s better than the shit that was brewing inside my head earlier.
I was thinking she may have still had feelings for him and was on the fence about reconciling.
I figured that was the reason she withheld the truth from me.
But fear is what held her back. Still don’t make it right that she kept it from me, but I get it.
“Sounds like he needs to be paid a visit,” I state, looking toward Scar. He tips his chin in agreement. “Do you know where he is?”
She nods, swallowing nervously. “He’s at my house.” So, he’s still cozying on up with his in-laws in hopes of forcing Payton to stay with him. “He told them about you. He told my dad what she’s been up to, and now my dad is furious. I don’t know what he’ll do to her.”
He’s not gonna do anything to my girl. He’s going to let his daughter live her life and do whatever the fuck she wants. She’s twenty-six years old, capable of making her own choices.
“Can you take me to your house, doll?”
She swallows nervously again. I’m not gonna hurt her dad, but I am going to have a little chat with him.
My main concern is getting those divorce papers signed.
That husband of hers has a choice to make: sign the papers, or lose his dick.
I’m gathering by the fact that he can’t keep the thing in his pants, he’ll choose wisely.
“My dad will shoot you if you step onto his property.”
So, her nervousness is over my safety. The girl has just earned my full respect. And Scar’s too, by the look he’s giving her. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him look anything other than pissed off. But he has a soft spot for the girl.
“He won’t if he knows what’s good for him,” I state. “Besides, I’ll have backup.” I look past her shoulder to Scar and he nods. I’ll also be taking Dozer with me. Three against two. Last man standing will always be a Savage Knight. But it’s not gonna come to that.
“Where’s your sister? Thought I told you to get her ass over here. Stupid girl. You never do as you’re told.”
Scar stiffens next to me. I grab his arm and hold him back. He doesn’t like the way Kota’s being spoken to. Neither do I. But we’re not here to kill the bastard.
“Don’t like you calling her that,” I state, stepping out from behind the wall.
“Better never call her that again,” Scar growls as his huge frame bumps against my back, like a wild animal hitting the door of a cage, wanting out to attack.
I’m blocking his path so he can’t put his hands on the man.
But I think the message has been received from the fear I see in the bastard’s eyes. Dakota looks afraid too.
“Let me guess…” Payton’s father sneers. “You’re the one trying to corrupt my daughter.”
“No, I’m the one who’s going to marry your daughter.”
His jaw clamps tight as he grits his teeth. “Like hell you are. Besides, she’s already a married woman.” It’s then that I see the fucker from earlier standing behind him.
My glare homes right in on him. “You’re going to sign those divorce papers right now and hand them over. Then you’re going to contact your bank and make sure my girl has access to her funds. If you don’t, you won’t have a dick to piss out of.”
“Callum, go get my gun. It’s sitting on my nightstand.”
I place my hand over my piece, making sure he knows that’s not a wise choice.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Your daughters don’t need to be burying their father at their young age.
” His eyes watch me closely then look up as Dozer steps up to my other side.
That’s right. The odds are not in his favor.
“Now…” I look toward the one behind him.
“Why don’t you run along, Callum, and get me those papers I asked for. ”
It takes him a minute to spring into action, but I think he’s finally realized he doesn’t stand a chance. He turns and stalks back into the house, appearing a moment later with a set of papers.
“I’ll be having my attorney review these to make sure everything is fair,” I state. “Want to make sure you don’t shortchange my girl. Now, you need to go and ensure my girl has access to her money. And if we find out you’ve tried to fuck her over, we’ll do the same to you.”
“Is that what this is about?” her dad snaps. “You want my daughter’s money?”
A dry and hard chuckle breaks from my chest. This man is fucking clueless. “You must not be aware of who I am. I don’t need your daughter’s money.”
The only thing I want from that girl is her pretty smile and those arms wrapped around my waist when I wake up in the morning. I want to hear that cute giggle of hers when I say something funny. And man, how I live to get those sexy little moans out of her when I sink my tongue between her legs.
“She’s going to be well taken care of,” I state.
I’m going to provide her with everything she needs.
Anything she wants is hers. “And from this point forward, she’s under our protection.
Which means if any one of you fuck with her, you fuck with all of us.
Now, I hope that things don’t have to come to that.
After all, someday soon, we’re gonna be family. ”
That gets a reaction out of him. I think he’s just grown a few more wrinkles around those shocked eyes of his.
Unfortunately for him, his daughter has fallen in love with a Savage Knight.
So, for as long as he’s in my girl’s life, he’ll have to put up with me.
And I certainly won’t allow any disrespect.
“And as for you…” I slide my eyes to her ex. “You don’t ever contact her again. Once all this is settled, you’re out of her life for good. Now, we’ll be on our way, but our eyes and ears will be open.”
I turn to Dakota. “You ever get spoken to like that again—”
“You will end up looking like me,” Scar cuts in, slicing her old man down with a glare.
The bastard jerks back, looking at the gnarly scar that runs down his face, weary that I won’t be able to hold the beast off. I’m not sure I can if he ever disrespects Kota again. Scar’s formed some kind of attachment to the girl.
“Don’t want to leave her here,” he grits through his teeth.
I turn toward Dakota. “Will you take us to see my girl now?”
She nods slowly, swallowing hard, watching Scar nervously. The girl doesn’t have a damn thing to worry about. Scar won’t hurt one hair on her head.
“We’ll be on our way. But I’ll be seeing you soon, Pops.”
That causes him to bristle. I already gathered from Payton that she wasn’t close with her dad. Now, I know why.
“Let’s ride.” I turn. “Need to go get my girl.”