Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(19)

Sadly, my time away has come to an end as my brothers called me back to take care of some club business. I don’t really have my mind into it, but once I’m back in town, it’ll be quick, especially if anyone is trying to hurt my family and friends. They are dead.

I swing my bag over my back after locking up the cabin and get on my bike. There’s no point in rushing back ‘home’. I don’t feel like I have a home anymore. It’s wherever life takes me, and it’s usually just a roof over my head.

I take the long road around the lake, watching the people enjoying summer and the fresh water of the lake when I spot her. A beautiful redhead with a banging body, playing in the water with a guy.

She’s too young and too good for me. She wouldn’t even give me a chance even just for one night, but it doesn’t hurt to look. There’s something about her that intrigues me. I don’t know what it is as it’s the first time I’ve seen her, but I feel this weird need to take her away from that guy and to protect her.

“I’m f*cking losing it,” I mumble to myself and drive away, the low rumble of my bike resonating in the silence of the forest as I make my way back to civilization.





Annabella

July 26, 2016

Five in the morning, and I can’t sleep.

I never really struggled to sleep, but lately it’s been bad.

I came back last night from spending the day with a guy I met at the coffee shop a while back, and while it was fun, it lacked something. I didn’t feel anything toward him. We spent some time by the lake and then came home. He could tell I wasn’t into him. I thought we’d get along, but turns out we would be better off as just friends.

I’ve tried to sleep tonight, but my mind just won’t shut off. I came into the living room and turned the TV on. I’ve had a show on but haven’t paid much attention to it. However, reflecting on my life, that my mind can do, and it’s been doing it for the past five hours. I’m driving myself crazy.

It’s been a little over four years since Elijah came into my life and I’ve never been happier. I thought I would struggle and feel lost, want to leave again, but it seems like it has grounded me more than ever.

I feel at home here. It could have to do with Gail, Suzie, and Danny always being around and giving me a hand if I need it with Elijah, or just in general. They accepted me as part of their family pretty much instantly, and nothing has changed in these past four years with them, besides the fact that we are all closer than ever.

Gail is the sister I never had. She’s understanding, fun, smart, and always makes sure Elijah and I get enough time on our own but spend time all together as a family as well. If I ever need a babysitter, she’s there to help me, and if she’s at work, Suzie takes care of Elijah. I’m so lucky to have them.

Suzie is the mother I haven’t had in sixteen years. She took me in and welcomed me as if I were her own child. She’s as loving and caring toward me as she is with her own kids, which made me feel quite uneasy in the beginning. I didn’t know why she was the way she was, but one day we sat down and she explained it all to me.

“I know you’ve been wondering why I’m treating you like one of my kids and love you as one of mine.” She smiled, seeing the surprised expression on my face.

“Yes, I’m not used to motherly love. I haven’t had it in so long, it’s weird, and the fact that you care for me as much as you care for your own children is strange to me,” I said truthfully.

“Just after giving birth to Gail, I fell pregnant again quickly. I was ecstatic about it. I loved kids and wanted more than one. Gail’s father wasn’t as into it as I was. He already wasn’t thrilled to have a baby girl, then the prospect of having another kid made him turn on me. He beat me up before leaving me for good. I lost the baby, and I felt empty. Something was missing from my life, and it wasn’t my partner.

“My mother, bless her soul, helped me take care of Gail and get over my depression after losing the baby I wanted. It took me a while, but I grew from it every day. That’s when I met Danny’s father. We dated for a couple of months before I fell pregnant again the first time we made love. It was beautiful and perfect, and the news of being pregnant delighted me. I kept it a secret from him for four months because I didn’t know how he would react. I even thought of leaving him for good in fear he would turn out like Gail’s father.

“He noticed I was getting a bit of a tummy when he decided on an impromptu trip to the lake. It was hot, and I couldn’t not wear a bathing suit. He asked me if I was pregnant, and I said yes. He was a bit miffed that I didn’t tell him sooner, but he was beyond happy. He always wanted kids but didn’t want to scare me away with that talk straightaway. I explained to him why I was afraid of telling him, and he understood.

“He did disappear for a weekend and came back with bruised knuckles. I have a pretty good idea that he went to beat up Gail’s father, but I didn’t say anything. If that’s what he did, it was to protect us and make sure we wouldn’t be bothered or hurt by him ever again, and that’s incredibly hot.”

“Wow, I was not expecting that!” I was dumbfounded by what she just told me. I knew things weren’t always perfect in their past, but I wasn’t expecting that.

“I know. Not a lot of people know. You’re the daughter I didn’t get to have and raise. I know I’ll never replace your mom, but I’m happy that you are part of the family and I do think of you as my daughter.”