Chapter 15 #2
“What about you?” I say, meeting his gaze. “You’re already on everyone’s radar for what you did to get Ruger out...”
He leans down, his lips brushing mine, so lightly I almost wonder if I imagined it. “Trust me, baby. All is good. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“You talked the law, that doesn’t come without consequences. Even I know that.”
“Club’s got my back, and unless someone squeals, I’m good. You gotta trust me.”
I hold my breath, then let it go slowly. “Okay.”
“Come on, let’s get this done.”
I follow him inside and join the rest of them.
I take inventory with a list Zane gave me, Mera and Nia string cable along the rafters, Sable and Kael mixing up a batch of something so caustic my eyes burn from twenty feet away.
Wolfe is sitting on an overturned bucket with a clipboard, scowling at his own handwriting.
Knox is having a deep conversation with Talon.
It’s all happening.
After a couple of hours, I have to make the call to Ralston.
Everything is ready now, and I have to play my part.
Knox is by my side as I pull out my phone and dial Ralston’s number.
I have to be cool, calm, and collected, because he can’t sense a single difference in me or this will blow up before it, well, actually blows up.
The phone rings twice before Ralston picks up. “Well, this is a surprise.” He sounds amused.
“I need to talk to you. Can you meet me?”
My voice is clipped, but considering that is how I always talk to Ralston, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“What a cold reception,” he tuts. “I thought we were friends.”
“Do you want to meet me and hear what I have to talk to you about, or not?” I grind out.
I hear a long, deliberate inhale. “Tell me when and where.”
“Alley beside the thrift store in town. Twenty minutes.”
He chuckles. “I do need a new coat.”
I want to punch him.
“Twenty minutes.” I snap, hanging up.
I shove the phone into my pocket and turn towards Knox. He doesn’t say anything—doesn’t have to. He just wraps a hand around the back of my neck and tugs me in, his mouth finding mine in two seconds flat. It’s a fast, angry kiss.
“You got this,” he murmurs when he pulls away.
Yeah, I do.
I get myself cleaned up, and then with one last glance at the club, I get in my car and drive into town. I have to make sure I am my usual sassy, pissed-off self so he doesn’t suspect anything.
When I arrive, I see him right away, leaning against the brick wall with his arms crossed. He’s wearing a suit, like he’s stopping off after work, like he isn’t a walking felony waiting to happen. His smile is too white, too practiced.
I approach him, and his grin only gets bigger. “You look tense, Callie. Loosen up.”
“I’m not in the mood for your bullshit tonight, Ralston,” I mutter. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Why so moody, Callie? I thought we were friends.”
“I want out,” I say, not bothering with this conversation a second longer. “I don’t want to work for you anymore, and I need to know what it will take for that to happen.”
His smile wavers, just a smidge. “I thought you knew better than anyone there is not getting out just because you want it.”
“Listen, buddy,” I say, stepping closer. “I know you were behind Harper’s death. I may never be able to prove it, but I’m not stupid. I also know it’s because she wanted to get away from you. I am asking you what it is you require for me to get out alive. A simple question, let’s not play games.”
He stares at me, and I want to swipe that smug expression right off his face.
“What if you’re what I want?”
“Don’t play with me, Ralston,” I hiss. “Just tell me what you want.”
He chuckles, unbothered by my mood. “The farm.”
I blink, shocked. I thought he would say money, maybe something with the club, but I didn’t expect him to say the farm.
“Excuse me?”
“If you want out, I want the farm, the land, and everything that comes with it.”
“Why? It’s a rundown old bucket of shit.”
“The house might be, my dear, but the land and the cattle your uncle bred are worth a lot. That line, it’s one I wouldn’t mind keeping.”
I make a mental note to do a little more research on the farm and the cattle because obviously, it is worth a little more than I first anticipated.
“What’s in it for me?”
He looks taken aback, and I realize that he was throwing out something he was certain I wouldn’t accept.
“Freedom.”
I shake my head, like I have done a million different deals in my life. “How stupid do you think I am? You want me to sign everything over and walk away with nothing other than the promise you will leave me the fuck alone?”
“You have your uncle’s money, what more do you want?”
“That’s his home,” I point out. “And so far, it has cost me those I love the most.”
“I’ll sell most of the cattle, keeping only the breeders to continue the line. You can take that money, plus what your uncle left you, and start again with my assurances that I will never contact you again.”
I pretend to ponder it because, in the end, he isn’t getting anything but dead.
“Not just never contact me again, never ever even look up my name again, or my family’s name, and any dealings you and your little boss have with the club, all end. Everyone walks free, not just me.”
His eyes narrow. “That’s a big ask.”
“Take the cows, I don’t want them. All I want is freedom, for everyone I love. That means the club, whether you like it or not.”
“The club has ties that run deep, surely you know that.”
“Then you’ll cut them, and everyone walks away.”
Knox has already told me the club doesn’t want any kind of dealings with any members of the cartel, and that includes Ralston and his business dealings. I don’t know how far up in the food chain he is, but I know it’s enough that he can spin a deal and get them removed completely.
“Does your little club know you’re making these kinds of deals?”
“I’m quite certain they’ll throw a party when they don’t have to deal with any of you again. Now, are we done talking, do we have a deal or not?”
“If I say no?”
“Then it is business as usual, except this time, you don’t get your name on the title.”
Ralston wants the farm, the business, the cattle, all of it. I know he does, and because of that, I am quite confident in my words. I cross my arms and don’t break eye contact, even though my heart is pounding in my chest.
“Very well, you sign it all over to me, cattle included, and I will ensure your freedom, your family, your club, all of it. You will all be completely cut free of all ties.”
I nod, sharply, extending my hand. He takes it, curling his fingers around mine and squeezing.
I want to jerk away and spit on him, but instead, I offer a cold smile.
“Tomorrow,” I say. “Six p.m., bring your trucks to load the cattle, you’re going to need to move them until the fences are fixed, they keep escaping.”
Not entirely a lie, they do keep busting through. It’s a good enough reason for him to show up with a good portion of the men who work for him.
“I will have the paperwork there.”
He releases my hand. “I’ll be there, and if your club shows up, or tries anything, Callie, you will wish they hadn’t.”
“Nobody will be there, just me.”
“I hope so.”
With that, he turns and leaves.
And just like that, it’s done.
Well... nearly.