5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Torrent walked beside her and then held the door open to their meeting room.
She stepped inside, her eyes landing on a large wooden table stained dark oak.
Carved into its center was the same logo the guys wore on the back of their cuts—but it was the large men in those cuts seated around it that gave her pause.
She’d appreciated it when Torrent said Sally and Harley—who she’d met yesterday and learned was Dragon and Sally’s son—were going to hang out with Calliope while she talked to the club, but now, she was wishing Calliope was here with her sunny personality to break the ice.
Cecilia could normally see the sunny side of any situation and laugh off what others became angry about, but today, she was scared.
“Breathe,” Torrent said softly at her back.
Dragon motioned to two open chairs. She walked over. Before she could pull the chair out, Torrent had done it for her and waited until she sat to help slide it back in. Torrent dropped into the seat beside her.
She glanced to the side to see if she could tell from his face what type of debt she’d owe.
His face wasn’t giving anything away. His short hair and closely trimmed beard didn’t make him look any less lethal.
Although most of the men had tried to make her feel safe, their rough demeanor reminded her about the rumors she’d heard over the years: how they disposed of their enemies in the crematorium and how no one crossed them without retribution.
But when she was out of options, she wanted the scariest men around to go up against the Chief.
“Cecilia, how are you?” Dragon asked.
She thought about all the smart-ass comebacks she might usually make when she was asked a stupid question, but she didn’t think the President of the MC would appreciate her humor.
“All that mattered yesterday was getting my sister safe. She’s safe, so I’m good—a little battered and bruised, but I’ll survive,” Cecilia replied.
Dragon rubbed his beard, staring at her. Cecilia didn’t mind the silence. She’d wait until they asked a question. She could learn a lot about people that way.
“I’m going to need something from you to protect my brother,” Dragon stated flatly.
“Are we really just going to move on without asking her any questions?” Cauldron challenged. His cut said Road Captain, and if his mean look was anything to go by, she guessed it should read Alphahole instead.
“Cauldron, is there a reason you’re speaking up now, but chose not to say anything yesterday?” Dragon countered.
“I thought we were all supposed to think things through, and I did. Getting a blowjob gives me some time to think. I got three last night—so I think she’s a plant. She’s going to get us to do something illegal and then call the Feds in,” Cauldron shot back.
“Did she also make the marks on her neck all by herself?” Bravo asked, rolling his eyes.
Cauldron was sitting down and across from Dragon. Cecilia felt like she was watching a tennis match, her head snapping back and forth, listening to the men clash.
“We’d have to be the type of club that did illegal stuff for her to consider that, and I’m deeply offended that you believe that about your club brothers,” Maverick deadpanned.
Chuckles around the table broke the tension.
“Darlin’, I’m glad your dad had you call Torrent. I wouldn’t want any woman or child to have to endure what you did. That being said, we’ve got some issues to work through,” Dragon said.
Issues? She’d known they’d need something, but she wasn’t sure what the issues were. She would not let Calliope suffer, no matter what she had to do. Nothing was too great an ask.
“You’re a cool one. Good head on your shoulders,” Dragon noted, his tone pragmatic.
“You knew your chances went down if he got you where he wanted, and you struck before he could have the upper hand again. Now, that smart, analytical brain is the one I need to talk to. I wish that I could allow you time to process yesterday, but we have a short window to figure this out.”
She wasn’t sure what he was asking but he seemed to be waiting on her.
“I know that your help wasn’t free. I’m prepared to do what you require of me. All I ask is that no matter what, you keep Calliope safe and well,” Cecilia stated, her voice steady despite the room.
“I’m glad to hear that. Torrent will do anything for a kid, and I have to admit it’s admirable, but he’ll also put himself in danger. My loyalty is to the club and my brothers. I need to know that you have a stake in the club and in protecting him,” Dragon said.
“What do you need me to do to keep the club and him safe?” she pressed.
“Well, getting grumpy ass to maybe crack a smile might help when we’re on runs together,” Cauldron muttered.
“Cauldron,” Ashe warned, shaking his head.
“Darlin’, although the state could still ask you to testify against him, they can’t compel you to,” Dragon dropped the bomb, his gaze narrowing. “It would give me peace of mind if you married Torrent. It explains you here at the clubhouse and ties you to us to protect the club.”
Cecilia stared at Dragon. When she’d envisioned what the club might ask of her, she’d never even considered marriage. She’d wondered if they’d want her to be a club girl for the use of all the members, and she’d told herself that if it kept Calliope safe, she’d endure what was needed.
She wasn’t sure what all was required of the marriage, but she also didn’t think it was fair for Torrent to be pushed into it. She turned to him, touching his arm.
“Are you okay with this?” Cecilia asked.
He nodded. “It’ll keep you safe,” he muttered.
Well, if Torrent could give up his freedom all to keep her safe, how could she say no?
She had to admit the thought of going back to her parents’ house and trying to sleep, knowing it was where she was attacked, scared her.
Staying here would mean she’d have a huge wall and Torrent between her and the Police Chief.
She had no doubt that he’d come eventually when he couldn’t find his brother.
She turned back to Dragon. “Yes, I’ll marry Torrent.”
“Woowee, I am so glad you said yes. Grumpy would have had to convince you and, honestly, I’m not sure he has the dating skills to convince anyone of anything,” Maverick chuckled.
“Flappy lips, Mav, flappy lips,” Torrent grumbled, scowling at Mav.
She smiled despite the situation, her cheek and lip pulling a little. In the short amount of time she’d been at the clubhouse, she could already see the comradery of the brotherhood.
“Okay, we’ll get the minister here and have you married this afternoon.
We’ll nail down the little details, but we think you need a backstory of meeting in St. Louis.
Now, my question is when you called Torrent, besides what you said to him about your dad, did you discuss anything else with Calliope that might contradict meeting in St. Louis? ” Dragon asked.
Cecilia thought through the time before and after calling Torrent. “No, I didn’t say anything besides I was calling someone to help us and then what I said to him over the phone.”
“I think the cover story could work then. Get a move on and get that minister set,” Dragon ordered, banging a gavel on the table.
Cecilia waited until the men stood and Torrent held out his hand to her. She waited a second then placed her hand in his. If he was willing to marry her to keep her safe and give the protection of the club, then she’d do what was needed.
She couldn’t imagine, with the club girls they had available, that Torrent would want her.
Heck, Cauldron had said he’d had three blowjobs last night.
She hoped it was more than one club girl because she couldn’t imagine how sore one woman’s mouth might be.
He was a big guy—as tall as Torrent and a little heavier around the gut.
She guessed he could be one of those big guys who had a micro penis.
As a nurse, she’d seen all sizes and she could definitely say some men got shortchanged in the girth and length department.
A couple she’d seen during her job, she’d wondered how they could even break a hymen with those little Vienna sausage-size appendages.
Calliope was sitting at a table across from Sally along the wall near the kitchen. Calliope had her butterfly with her and was eating a snack. Harley was sitting there with them.
“We need to tell her,” Torrent said softly.
She nodded. She needed to explain this in a way that Calliope could understand but also to protect Calliope from knowing all the details.
For some reason, as they walked, she realized Maverick and Dragon were coming along.
Were they making sure she told Calliope or that she didn’t run screaming from the clubhouse?
“Hey, Calliope, Torrent and I want to talk to you,” Cecilia coaxed gently.
“What about? Do we have to leave?” Calliope chirped, her voice tinged with worry.
Cecilia sat in the empty chair by Calliope. Torrent grabbed a chair and sat on the end, so he was facing Calliope but beside Cecilia. She appreciated the feeling of safety he exuded beside her.
“No, we don’t have to leave, but I think I was a little in shock when I called Torrent. I didn’t explain that it wasn’t the first time I’d met or spent time with Torrent,” Cecilia reassured her, pausing to give Calliope time to absorb it.
“Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?” she gasped, her eyes lighting up as big as her smile.
Cecilia grinned, turning to pat Torrent’s arm he’d rested on the table.
“We met in St. Louis and have spent time together, but I knew I lived in St. Louis so I’d kind of held my heart back, fighting against myself,” Cecilia said.
Calliope’s eyes popped wide. “Does that mean it’s changed now?”
“It has. When I had to fight to keep us safe, everything just became clear. I knew my feelings were there,” Cecilia explained.
She was hoping that by giving Calliope bits and pieces, she would fill in the rest.
“Why didn’t he hug you when he got to the cabin then?” she prodded.
“Well, he knew I’d gone through something traumatic. We’ve talked about my job some in our visits. He knew that hugging someone immediately after they’ve been hurt could make them upset. He was watching out for me,” Cecilia softened.
Calliope grinned at Cecilia and Torrent. “So what’s the news?” Calliope asked, leaning toward Cecilia.
“Torrent has asked me to marry him and I said yes. He’s going to keep us safe, and he said he wants to make me happy for the rest of my life. It’s like a dream come true,” Cecilia said.
Calliope had loved the movies where the prince rescued a princess. Cecilia hoped that by using it, Calliope would focus on the romance and not any inconsistencies that might come up. Calliope frowned as she looked at Torrent. Cecilia wondered what could possibly be upsetting her.
“Are you going to be my new dad?” Calliope wondered.
“No,” Torrent stated.
“Torrent, of course—” Mav said before Torrent held up the palm of his hand to Maverick’s face.
“Your dad was a very special man, helping everyone and taking care of you, your mom, and Cecilia. I could never hope to take his place, but I will be the best big brother you could ever ask for. I’ll even keep those stinky fifth-grade boys away if they’re bothering you,” Torrent said, reaching to hold Calliope’s hand.
She nodded, a smile replacing the frown. “I think I’d like a big brother. They buy gifts for their little sisters, right? Like more Squishmallows?”
Torrent’s mouth quirked up at the side. Not quite a smile but Cecilia could tell he was amused by Calliope.
“They do,” he confirmed. “Are there some special ones you want?”
“Let me make a list. Do I get to be a flower girl?” she asked.
Cecilia wasn’t sure how to answer that. A minister was coming, but that’s all she knew.
“You know, biker weddings are different. Everyone will be in jeans, but how about I get some flowers? You and I could make a bouquet for Cecilia and a smaller one for you,” Sally suggested.
Cecilia appreciated her input because she’d been stumped how to answer.
“Okay, can I have more fruit?” Calliope asked.
“Sure, let’s go get it,” Sally smiled, leading Calliope out of the room.
Dragon and Maverick joined them at the table. “You did well, darlin’,” Dragon praised.
“I almost had a tear slide down my cheek because it was so sweet of Torrent to do all that,” Maverick teased, grinning at Torrent.
“Thank you, I want her to feel comfortable here and not worry,” Cecilia replied softly.
Dragon nodded. “I agree. Torrent has some things that need to be done before the wedding. You have the run of the clubhouse, but you and Calliope need to stay inside for now to be safe,” he said, standing and motioning to the guys to come along.
Cecilia breathed deep, trying to calm her nerves, and plastered a smile on her face when Calliope and Sally returned with snacks.
They were safe. The club was going to protect them, and she was marrying the sexy, grumpy man.
She took the questions regarding what he’d expect after they were married and tucked them into that little box in her brain to deal with later.
She had to get through the wedding first.