Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
“No. I told you everything I knew. Like I said, they fought a lot, but I wasn’t a part of that.” My heart was pounding, and my knees were weak. I wasn’t sure I could get up and walk anywhere in that moment.
Carnage knelt in front of me where I sat on the bed. He took my hands in his, kissing my knuckles. “Trust me, Calliope. Just… trust me. I’ll take care of all of you.”
“I know,” I said, finding I actually meant it. I did trust him. With everything. “I’m just scared.” I sniffed, closing my eyes and taking a deep, calming breath. When I opened them, I looked directly at him. “I know. I trust you.”
“Good,” he said, standing and framing my face as he kissed me gently. “Let’s go. The sooner this is over the better you’ll feel.”
My hand firmly in his, Carnage walked me to their meeting room. Church, as he called it. Chase was there, quietly talking to Data, the club’s computer guy. I’d met him several times along with his wife, Zora. I really liked them both, but would they be with me or against me on this? Cain sat in the middle of a curved table, talking quietly with Bohannon, the enforcer of the club. I tried to keep my head up, but it was fucking hard. I was scared out of my mind. The only thing that kept me on my feet when I saw Chase was Carnage’s firm grip on my hand.
“Take a breath, baby. You’re fine.”
All I could do was nod. My eyes were on Chase while he continued to talk to Data. A couple of times he shook his head or said something short. He looked hard, but not angry. Then he glanced over and caught my gaze. He did a double take, then gave me a cordial nod, lifting one side of his mouth in a half grin. He didn’t look like a man who was out to get me or take my boys. Looks could be deceiving, though.
“Carnage,” Cain called out. He didn’t raise his voice, but everyone in the room stopped talking. Carnage nodded at Cain and tugged me with him to stand in front of a chair in front of the table. My heart sank
“Am I on trial?” My voice wavered as I looked up at Carnage.
“No, honey.”
“We just have some questions for both you and Chase,” Cain said. I remembered how horrible he was the first time I’d met him. He was the president of this club. There was no way he was going to take my side if Chase wanted his kids. It took everything in me to not panic.
“It’s OK, Calliope,” Carnage murmured, his hand on my shoulder. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not lettin’ anyone take your children. Keep that foremost in your mind.” All I could do was nod and breathe.
Cain turned to Chase. “How was your flight, brother?” It was everything I could do not to sob openly. I clenched my fists and tried to stay sane, because it was obvious who the outsider was here. And it wasn’t Chase.
“Long. Why’d you call me back early? What’s going on?” He glanced at me, but still addressed Cain. “Is Calliope OK?”
Cain lifted an eyebrow at me. As instructed, I looked at Carnage for instructions. When he nodded, I answered softly, “I’m fine.”
“Where’s Cherry?” Chase asked. “You guys were always together.”
I swallowed and glanced at Carnage again. He squeezed my shoulder and nodded again. Taking a deep breath, I said, “She’s dead.”
Chase looked like I’d punched him. He actually took a step backward, shaking his head. He cleared his throat. “How?”
“Cancer,” I answered. “Didn’t you hear from her lawyer?”
Carnage squeezed my shoulder until I looked at him, then shook his head. Ease up. I got it.
“I -- No. Like I told Carnage earlier, I haven’t heard from Cherry since the day I left. What the fuck is going on, Cain?” Chase was losing his patience. “You called me in early and no one” -- he whirled around to pin Carnage with a hard stare -- “not my brothers or my friends, will tell me fuckin’ why. This is my life, and I won’t be kept in the fuckin’ dark any longer!”
Carnage sighed. “Chase, Calliope adopted and raised Cherry’s twin boys. She had them less than a year after you left, and Calliope says Cherry told her you were their father.”
I clenched my fists, holding myself as still as I could. If possible, Chase looked even more agitated. “I’m the father?”
“That’s what she told me,” I said softly before I remembered I wasn’t supposed to say anything.
Chase pinned me with his gaze, and I dropped my head, very much intimidated. “Calliope, I’m not sure what exactly Cherry told you, but I can assure you I’m not the father of any of her children.”