Chapter 10 Callie
Oh no, he didn’t.
Hawk slept with every one of these women. I could sense their amusement as he cleared his throat, desperate for them to keep his secret. The thing was, women weren’t stupid. We had intuition. Not to mention, we weren’t blind either.
He was an idiot to think otherwise.
Flustered, I pulled my hand from his, gripping the strap of my purse. I wanted to be angry that he stuck his dick in every woman in this clubhouse, but it occurred to me that he had the right to do whatever he wanted. We weren’t a couple. We just met. Why did I react like this after one night?
Because he’s sexy and flirtatious, and he’s the sweetest guy you’ve ever met.
I had been so focused on college and my career, then my sister’s disappearance, that I hadn’t dated anyone new since my freshman year. That was a hell of a dry spell.
The vibrator in my nightstand had gotten more action than I cared to admit.
I didn’t expect Hawk to press his sensuous lips to mine in front of everyone. Or his mouth to linger, deepening that kiss until a soft growl worked its way up his throat. He took his time, savoring every second until we finally parted.
My cheeks heated, and my core clenched.
I called him crazy, and he didn’t skip a beat, replying he was crazy only for me. Had we really only met a day ago? It seemed like I had known him for years.
How could my heart already begin to recognize him? Or long for his cocky smile and endless jokes?
Did I develop some whacked-out version of a nightingale effect? Had I fallen for my rescuer, the man who saved me and my sister? And he promised to keep protecting me without asking for anything in return. So selfless. Who would have thought the playboy biker was all heart?
“Callie!”
I jolted when I heard my name, searching the room until I found Bree. “Oh my God!” I squealed, rushing to my best friend. I wasn’t kidding when I referred to her that way. We formed a bond over Sadie’s disappearance, and I missed her over the last few weeks. “Where have you been?”
“It’s a long story,” she sighed, staring up at the handsome older biker who slid an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “This is Raven. He’s, my uh,” she faltered.
“I’m hers. That’s the easiest way to say it,” he laughed. His deep, sensual voice must drop panties all over this club. Not to mention his bald head, bulging muscles, and a salt-and-pepper beard. The definition of silver fox.
“I’m Callie.” I reached out, shaking his hand. “You hurt her, and I’ll find a way to make your life miserable.”
A dark chuckle left Raven’s lips. “Fiesty. You’ll fit right in.” He pressed a kiss to Bree’s temple. “I’d never hurt my love.”
Wow. I could tell he meant that. I wondered what happened to bring the two of them together.
Bree noticed my curiosity. “He was there for me in my lowest, darkest hour. Raven saved me.”
“Well, he’s a keeper then.” Someday I’d ask her about it, but I could tell she seemed a little anxious. I didn’t want to pry.
“Have you found Sadie yet?”
“No. That’s why I’m here. Hawk is talking to Crow.”
Raven lowered his head, landing a scorching kiss on Bree’s lips. “I’ll let you two catch up. Text if you need me, babygirl. I won’t go far.”
“I will.”
Bree stuck her arm through mine and led me out of the bar, stopping in front of a door in the same hall where Crow and Hawk were having their meeting. She used a key to open it, gesturing for me to join her.
“I like this room because it’s private. No one else can access it except for the officers. Raven made a copy of his key for me.”
I noticed similar décor to the bar, including black leather furniture, dark wood, a giant 4k television mounted on the wall, a minibar, and a coffee table in the middle of the room with scuff marks, probably from multiple pairs of boots.
“It’s comfy.”
She walked to the bar. “Thirsty? I’ve got frozen margaritas.”
“Yes, please.” After all the stress I’d been under lately, a drink sounded perfect.
Bree joined me, handing over the margarita as I sipped from the salted rim. Delicious.
“So, have you learned anything new about Sadie?”
“Not really. Hawk seems sure Undertaker has my sister, and I’m inclined to believe him. I bet he’s involved with all the missing girls. He probably blackmailed the mayor.”
“That theory fits,” she agreed. “Add in all the stuff we found in Elliot’s safe, and I’d say he was trying to find a way to save his own ass.”
“That sounds about right.” I sighed, setting down my drink. “I hate not knowing if she’s okay. That’s the hardest part. I wish she could text me or find a way to get me a message.”
“Aw, babe.” Bree set her glass next to mine. “You need a hug.”
“I really do,” I blubbered.
She wrapped her arms around me as I sniffled.
She hugged me as tight as my sister, and I fought back tears.
When we separated, she picked up her drink, slinging half of it down.
I noted it seemed different than mine. Non-alcoholic.
I wondered if she skipped the liquor because of medical reasons.
She said she wasn’t feeling well when we spoke last.
“You know, I have to ask, what’s going on with you and Hawk? He’s never been so openly attached to one girl. I saw how he looked at you.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“Literal hearts were pulsing from his eyeballs,” she joked.
“You’re silly,” I laughed.
“Really. He was completely caught up in you. Didn’t even like the club girls around. I could tell.”
“That’s probably because he’s slept with all of them,” I deadpanned, hating the jealousy in my voice. It was a ridiculous emotion, but I still felt it’s sting.
She made a face. “Yeah. I believe so. I won’t lie to you. But I think he’s embarrassed by it. I’ve never seen him so uncomfortable.”
Huh. That was interesting. “I don’t see why they had to be all over his dick when we walked in.”
“To stake a claim. That lifestyle is cutthroat. Many of them want to be an ol’ lady. They’re hoping one of the guys grows attached.” Bree shrugged. “I’ve seen it.”
“I don’t like it,” I admitted. “It’s weird to say that.”
“Why? Because you haven’t known each other long?”
“Well, yes.”
“I thought the same thing about Raven, but the heart never lies. If you feel that connection, go for it. Why not? Even if it doesn’t work out, you had fun in the process.”
“Is this the same Bree from work? Did you head swap with someone else?” I joked.
“I know. I’ve been a bit stuffy in the past.” She shrugged. “I’m learning to embrace my body and what I want. Raven is helping me through the process.”
“I bet he is.” I couldn’t help laughing. “Good for you, Bree.”
“Are you attracted to Hawk?”
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“No, it’s not. Do you want to stay friends or see if there’s more?”
“It really is a little more complicated.” I told her about Hawk and how he went to prison for beating up Jed, saving my sister’s life.
“He saved me yesterday too. Took a bullet in his side because we were being chased by the Dirty Death MC. He might be a playboy, but he’s also one of the best men I’ve ever met. ”
“It sounds like you already made your choice. You’re just afraid to act on it.”
Was that true? “Maybe.”
“Listen. Let me tell you something that’s going to be hard to hear. Stick with me, okay?”
I could never have imagined the horror that Bree experienced in the time we’d been apart. Kidnapped. Raped. My hand flew over my mouth, and I shook my head, tears spilling over as I listened, crying with her as she revealed what she had endured.
“So you see why I’m no longer living life by the rules. I want to be happy, Callie. And Raven makes me happy.”
I reached for her hand, holding it in mine. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“It’s hard. Sometimes I fight depression and nightmares, but I’m not alone. Raven would die for me. He almost did. I’ve never known a love like the one we feel for each other.”
I swiped the tears from my cheeks. “I want to experience that too.”
“Do you think Hawk is worth the risk?”
“You know, I do,” I replied firmly. “I hate that he’s slept with so many women, but that’s not the man I see when I look into his eyes. I see a good man, outlaw or not.”
She smiled, rising to her feet. “Then let’s get you ready.”
“For what?”
“Operation Seduce Hawk.”
I giggled. Couldn’t help it. The idea kind of excited me. Who would have thought I’d be here, at The Roost, talking to Bree, working with a biker to find my sister?
Fate sure was strange. If this was fate. Why worry about it?
“Alright. Give me a makeover and help me choose an outfit.”
Her green eyes lit up like emeralds. “Yes!”
I let her drag me from the room, scooping up my margarita before we rushed into the hall, laughing at her enthusiasm.
“WHAT DOES THIS GIRL mean to you, Hawk? Tell me why the fuck I would risk the lives of the men in this club.”
From the minute I walked inside Crow’s office, I couldn’t sit still. I kept pacing, smoking my fourth cigarette during our discussion. My finger shook a little from the nicotine, but it didn’t matter. Only Callie and Sadie did.
Well, fuck, the club did too. I wasn’t choosing between the girls or the guys that had become family.
“Do you remember Sadie Withers?”
Crow sat back, pulling a smoke from the pack in his hand. He paused, tilting his head to the side. “The woman you went to prison for five years ago.”
“The same one.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with this?”
“Callie’s last name is Withers.”
Crow narrowed his eyes. “You sure?”
“Yeah. She’s her sister. Bree and Callie worked together in the mayor’s office. You know the shit they’ve been putting together about his corruption and criminal activity.”
“Fuck,” Crow cursed. “I didn’t put it together until now.”
“I didn’t either at first. Not until Callie told me her sister’s name.
Then it all clicked.” I already told Crow about being chased and laying low at the Powder Keg.
Falcon filled him in about the gunshot wound to my side and how Marcus stepped up, providing a place for me to crash.
We owed him. “I didn’t intend to get involved again, but this shit is fucking happening. I have to help Sadie and Callie.”
“You’re not telling me everything. I can sense your crow.”
“You’re never going to believe me.”
“Stop fucking around and say it, Hawk.”
“Christ. Okay, Pres.” I crushed the butt of my cigarette in the ashtray. “I think Callie is my, uh, mate.”
“No shit?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Yeah. I can’t stop thinking about her, and I don’t want to fuck any of the club girls.
Isn’t that goddamn insane? I can’t seem to walk around without a fucking hard-on, and it’s all for Callie.
I feel this overwhelming need to protect her, and I want to fucking rip those Dirty Death assholes apart for messing with her family. Fuck, Pres, I—”
Crow held up a hand. “Yeah. You found your mate.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because that’s how I felt with Bella. I would fucking kill to keep her safe. Just knowing she’s in danger because of Undertaker and his bullshit is pissing me off. I’m agitated. I want to go home, fuck her, and keep her in my lap until this is all over. It’s fucking anarchy in my brain.”
I dropped into the chair in front of his desk. Having this confirmed, and hearing he experienced the same intense feelings, actually calmed me a little. “Wow. I guess the crow knows, huh?”
“Yeah, he fucking does.” He smirked and shook his head. “We can’t sit on this. I’m calling church for noon. We’ll figure out a plan and take it to vote.”
“Appreciate that, Pres.”
“I need my ol’ lady,” he groaned.
Enough said. “I’ll be claiming Callie now.”
Crow ticked his chin with a laugh. “Don’t be late to church.”
“I won’t,” I promised, exiting the office, anxious to find Callie.
My head was full of all the shit I wanted to say to her, but it flew right out, wiped clean, as I stared at the goddess sitting on a stool at the bar.
Long bare legs, silky smooth under the dim lights, beckoned from across the room.
I blocked out every noise, every other person in the vicinity.
My hungry gaze swept over her trim waist, flared hips, deep cleavage, and bare shoulders.
The tiny black dress on her body seemed painted on, revealing every creamy inch of her skin.
Fuck. Me.
Some sort of sound left my throat, and I couldn’t say if I growled or ordered everyone from the room, or just declared my undying devotion. Maybe all three.
Callie sipped on a glass of wine, turning my way. “Hawk.”
That sensual husky tone of voice sent ripples of lust straight to my cock. “My treasure,” I whispered as I reached her, unable to keep my hands from her body. I didn’t even want to kiss her yet, just stare at the sensual, gorgeous woman I wanted to be mine.
Before my lips had a chance to meet hers, I slid her closer, wrapping my hands around the back of her thighs. In one swift movement, I had her legs around my waist, growling when she crossed her ankles behind my back.
Two small hands slid across my stomach, gliding up my chest, and slowly began to stroke the back of my head and neck.
A needy, feral noise escaped my mouth. I had her ass in my palms, gripping the thick, juicy globes as I realized she only wore a thong.
Nothing prevented me from slipping it aside and driving deep inside her, right here, right now.
I was so fucking tempted.
But fucking her in front of the club wasn’t what I wanted. Not with Callie. I didn’t want any of my brothers to see the pussy I was claiming for myself. For once, I wanted something pure, untainted by dozens of other men. Instinctually, I knew Callie hadn’t been with many partners. That excited me.
“Do you have any idea how fucking sexy and beautiful you are? How much I can’t wait to make you mine?”