Chapter 10
Callie
T he day I've been dreading is finally here. My father sent someone down to grab me from the basement this morning so I could start getting ready. Here I am, staring out of my bedroom window, wishing I could be anywhere but here.
My fingers brush along the spot on my thigh where Barrett carved his initials. Part of me wonders if this was all worth it. Was I always destined to end up here? If I had just gone through with the wedding all those years ago, Kyler wouldn't have gotten shot. The guys would be living their lives without worrying about me, my father, or any of the bullshit this society stands for. Maybe Sebastian would have met his half-brother, Maxton, before my father killed him. There are so many ‘what ifs’, yet here I am, right back where it left off.
My wedding day was never going to be a happy occasion for me. Panic gnaws at my very core, but I have to try to keep it together.
I watch the members of Rogue pouring into the compound and gathering around the main building in the center. The last time Rogue had a gathering of this grandeur was the funeral that was held for the Stone family .
Parents, children, and families that I've never seen before are all here to celebrate the marriage of their leader's daughter. Everyone looks happy, even excited. They're dressed in fancy dresses and ready to have the time of their lives. Everyone is happy except me. This feels more like a funeral than a wedding. The end of life as I know it.
Soren and the guys were supposed to get me out of here before the ceremony, but it inches closer and closer, and I’m still here. I'm all dolled up, ready to play the part my father has been longing for me to play for years. If they don’t get me out, I won't make it through the wedding night. Damien getting me alone with no restrictions is the worst possible outcome for me. He will try his best to break me in every way imaginable just for his own amusement.
The door opens, pulling me from my thoughts, and I look over my shoulder to see my mom step inside. She looks beautiful in a lilac ankle-length dress. The top has a sweetheart neckline with a mesh lace fabric over the top of it, covering her chest and shoulders. The sheer sleeves come down just above her elbow and are covered in a beautiful floral pattern. I smile over at her before I see my father trail in behind her. Instantly, my face falls at the sight of him.
"Don't be so dramatic, Callie. This is the best day of your life. Happy wedding day, daughter." A smug grin spreads across his face as he makes his way over to the chair in the corner and sits in it .
It takes everything in me to keep up the act so he doesn't suspect anything. The guys can still make it in time. I have to keep reminding myself not to show any hint of me having hope. I won't risk the guys' lives like that.
"Thank you, Father," I say to appease him.
My mother looks over at my father, silently asking for permission to speak with me, and I see a subtle nod from him. She walks over, stopping right in front of me to reach out and take my hands in hers. Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the pain in them. She hates that I'm in this situation. She doesn't know the Monroe brothers are coming for me, us. I won't leave her behind this time.
"You look so beautiful, LeeLee"
Tears well up in my eyes. She hasn't called me that in a long time, but all the feelings come rushing right back. It's her own special name for me. One that has always been only for her. When I was younger, she tried to teach me how to say my name, and all I managed to say was LeeLee.
"Thank you, Momma." I smile, and she leans down to place a kiss on each of my cheeks before I pull her into a hug.
She is about six inches taller than me, so she is able to whisper in my ear. "Be brave today. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you."
I want to tell her that we will both be getting out of here soon, but that rotten bastard is still sitting over in the corner. I can't risk him hearing. I simply squeeze her tighter so she knows I heard her .
When she lets go, we cross the room, hand in hand, to where my dress is hanging in the corner. It's nothing I would have picked for myself if I had the choice, but Damien took that from me, too. He said, "You will be my wife, so you will wear what I want you to wear.”
Damien chose a mermaid-style gown that is tight and hugs the entire top half of my body, putting everything on display for the whole society. It has a plunging neckline with sheer mesh holding the two sides together. The straps are each about one inch thick and sit on my shoulders, with the back fully open down to the base of my spine. There is a leafy design across the mesh overlay with beads here and there and a small train. It’s beautiful, but it's definitely not my style.
My father clears his throat from his chair and looks at my mom. "You have five minutes to get her dressed and downstairs. If she isn't ready, I'll come up to drag her out myself, and she will get married in whatever she's wearing."
My mother nods at him. "Of course, sir. I will have her to you on time."
"We all know what happened the last time the two of you were alone. Don't make me regret stepping out."
Neither of us says anything. We just stand there, watching as he gives us one last glance before walking out of the room.
"Come on, LeeLee, let's get you dressed."
My mother grabs the dress from the hanger and holds it out in front of her. "Mom, I'm so sorry I left you here with him." I say as I take off my robe and step into the dress.
"You didn' t know. Besides, if you stayed, you would have never gotten a chance at a life outside of this. It was the life that you were supposed to have." She shakes her head, and I don't understand what she means by that. "I never wanted this for you. You were the miracle I could never have, and look where it all ended up." She pulls up the zipper in the back to secure the dress in place.
"You're not making any sense right now." My brow creases as I try to piece together whatever she's trying to tell me.
"I know. When we have more time, I promise I'll tell you everything."
"Momma, we're getting out. The men I was with before Damien brought me back here are hitmen. I kind of fell for them. Soren told me they're coming for me today, and I'm not leaving you behind. I need you to be ready when they come."
"LeeLee, it's too dangerous."
"No, I don't want to hear it. You're coming with me this time. I saw some of the shit he put you through. You're getting out with me, and I will make it my life’s mission to make sure he never lays a finger on you again."
Her hand reaches down to stroke the side of my face, and I lean into it. "You have the purest heart, Callie, but I’m sure you know that sometimes you can't escape the darkness of the world."
She doesn't believe me. She doesn't think that we can both get out of here, but I'll prove her wrong .
"Come on, sweetie, let's get this over with." Her hand reaches out to grab mine to lead me toward the door where my heels are waiting for me.
"Be ready, Momma. I mean it," I say as I slip the heels onto my feet.
We take one last glance at one another, letting silence fill the air around us. She nods before grabbing the door and leading me down the stairs. My father stands by the front door and casually looks down at his watch to ensure we didn't go over his allotted five minutes. Fucking asshole. When he’s satisfied, he opens the door, and we walk across the compound to the main building.
Everyone is inside waiting for us to enter. The wedding is set to start in a few minutes, and I can feel the panic welling up. I’m going to have to go through with this. My limbs feel numb. A static-like sensation courses through my entire body as anxiety tries to take over, and a lump forms in my throat. Keep your shit together, I remind myself.
My father waves his hand at my mother, shooing her away. She turns to enter the building, leaving my father and me alone.
He chuckles to himself. "Look at you, exactly where you were always meant to end up. Do us both a favor, and do not embarrass me today. Smile and enjoy yourself. This is a joyous day, after all."
"Congratulations. You got what you wanted. I'm here. I'm marrying Damien."
"Had you just cooperated all those years ago, you could have had a family by now."
"And what if I don't want a family?" I can't control the sharpness in my tone.
"Don't be stupid, Callie. You will have children. That is your duty to this society, to your husband, and to me. You will have a son. I didn't spend all those years raising you for nothing."
The truth of my entire life hits me. "It'll never be enough. I will never do enough for you, and I don't understand why. You always put Rogue ahead of me. I spent my whole life trying to live up to your standards. I survived your beatings and your mental conditioning, or lessons, whatever the fuck you want to call them, but it will never be enough."
"Even now, you're still weak,” he chides. “Clearly, I didn't work hard enough. I tried so hard to mold you into the perfect legacy, but you’ll always be weak."
He won't grant me any kindness. His heart is as cold as stone. I wipe the tears from my eyes and place a blank look on my face as I turn to face the door. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing any more of my vulnerabilities.
"Let’s go," I say coldly.
He grips my arm and steps forward, knocking on the door twice. I hear the music start and take a deep breath, centering myself before I walk down the aisle to face my future.
One step at a time, we make our way down the aisle. The room is decorated in the finest white roses. Half of the big hall has been converted into a ceremony space that leads up to a small stage in the middle. A large curtain hangs down behind it to close off the rest of the room. I'm sure the other side of the room is prepared as the reception space, and it will be just as grand.
My eyes roam over the vases filled with flowers and the candles sprinkled across the entirety of the room, giving it a romantic feel. A white runner goes the length of the aisle from the door to where Damien stands. My own personal path to hell.
White and green bows accent the seats. Whoever chose the decor made sure to not waste a dime. The room looks like it should be filled with the presence of royalty. To those in the room watching me walk down the aisle, I suppose that's exactly what I am. The daughter and future leader of Rogue, a legacy I am expected to expand.
I take another step. All around me, people are smiling and clapping. I hear their gasps as they look to the person next to them to say how beautiful I look or how stunning my dress is.
"She's like a real-life princess," I hear a little girl tell her mother as I walk past. I'm a princess living in a nightmare.
"Smile," my father grits out low enough that only I can hear him.
A tear slides down my cheek as I look up to see Damien standing there waiting for me. To anyone looking at me, they would think the tear is for the joy of the occasion, but with each step, another piece of me dies.
One step. Maxton. I'm focused on Maxton's face. It was all for nothing. He died for nothing. I'm still marrying Damien. "I love you, Callie," I hear him say before his face slowly slips from my memory, and I'm brought back to the current nightmare.
Another step. Avery. Another step. Kyler. Another step Barrett. Another step. Sebastian. Another step. My mother. Every step has a purpose, a focus that keeps me here in this moment, holding myself together. The guys will get me out. They said they would come for me. I just have to get through every moment until it happens.
"Mommy, I want to be like her when I get big," another little girl says as we walk by. I smile over at her. She doesn't want to be like me. I don't even want to be me.
I spot my mother and lock eyes with her. She gives me a slight nod, telling me to be brave. This is the longest walk of my life. We finally stop in front of Damien and the pastor, who stands there waiting to marry us. I don't even know his name because I had no part in planning any of this.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" Pastor no-name says.
"I do, her father," he says back to him with the biggest smile on his face. I think this is a rare moment where he is truly happy. He places my hand in Damien’s before turning to find his seat next to my mother.
"Please be seated," Pastor no-name says as everyone in the room takes their seats.