Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(40)

I’ve looked into her past and can’t find much about Annabella Williams prior to four years ago. And again, it’s not much. It’s like she doesn’t really exist. I know she works at the coffee shop Josie owns and the strip club. That she lives with Gail, but other than that I have nothing else.

Even Jase couldn’t find anything about her, which made us think that she’s using a fake name. But how can someone go under the radar for so long without getting busted? Surely she’s been pulled over and asked for her papers or has been sick and had to go to a doctor. It’s all messed up how she doesn’t seem to exist.

It makes me wonder who I’ve been sleeping with and developing feelings for. Not that I’m willing to admit it to anyone and for good reasons now. Who is Annabella? Why is she here? Is she working with the Satan’s Inferno and trying to get us, or at least me, to lower my guard to attack? I don’t want to doubt her, but I can’t help the way this all appears to be.





Annabella

Work has been really slow today. It’s only eleven in the morning, and I’m bored already. It happens for things to be slow, especially mid-morning just before the lunch rush. But it doesn’t make it any easier on us. That’s usually when we sit down and have our coffee with one of the delicious goodness that Josie prepares in the kitchen.

Gail and I are usually her guinea pigs. Whatever she comes up with that day for a future release, we try it. So far, only the gingerbread one has been a fail because it got hard inside the donut so it was a bit weird, but I know she’s working hard on the recipe.

Today, we’re trying a s’mores donut, and I can’t wait. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had s’mores. It goes back to probably ten years ago, if not more. I’m ready to take a bite out of mine when Josie looks up and smiles wide at someone. I turn around mid-bite only to see Callum walking in the coffee shop, looking amazing as always in his jeans, shirt, and leather jacket.

“Josie, Gail, Bella,” he says in his low voice, the one that does funny things to me.

“Hello, handsome,” Gail exclaims, grinning like a fool.

“Hey, sweetheart. It’s been a while.” Josie gets up and hugs him.

“I know, been rather busy.” He hugs her back and looks at me.

“I can imagine.” Josie has a smug look on her face as she looks at me, too. Mind you, I’m still mid-bite and I’m frozen in place for some reason.

“Are you alright, babe?” Callum asks me, not caring about calling me babe in front of them. I nod with the donut in my mouth, finally taking a bite and I moan as I chew.

“I take it it’s got your approval?” Josie chuckles and I nod.

“Don’t moan like that,” Callum says in his rough voice.

“Or?” I raise an eyebrow at him, licking the chocolate off my lips.

“I’ll show you tonight.” He smirks.

“This is really awkward to watch,” Gail says.

“Why is that?” Callum asks her.

“I don’t know if I should be embarrassed that you two are almost going at each other here or if I should be turned on.” She laughs.

“I don’t like a crowd.” He chuckles and sits next to me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, turning to him.

“Can’t I come see you at work?” he asks, confused.

“Sure, but usually it’s at night that you come over.”

“I know, I just wanted to see you.” He leans over and kisses me.

“Are you stalking me?”

“Maybe.” He chuckles. “Got any more notes?” he whispers sobering up, and I nod. “Son of a bitch,” he mumbles.

“What’s going on?” Josie asks, bringing him coffee.

“This little one has been getting threats and didn’t think it would be good mentioning it.” And that’s how Callum landed himself in the doghouse for the day.

“What?” Josie exclaims loudly.

“Thanks for that.” I glare at Callum.

“What? She deserves to know, you work here. If someone is going to target you, they could do it here. If she knows, it’s better.” Callum shrugs as if his explanation makes it better.

“You don’t get it.” I groan and get up, needing a coffee refill.

“What don’t I get?” He follows me behind the counter.

“Nothing.” I blow out a breath.

“Bella, don’t do this. I’m not doing this to annoy you. I want to protect you and make sure you’re staying safe and them, too. Josie is like a mother to me. Her husband is part of the MC. She’s bound to know something is going down. The sooner she knows, the sooner she can prepare herself for it.”

“I’m just bringing drama with me wherever I go.” It’s the first time I break down about it all. I don’t know why, but something about his talking about it to Josie and Gail made me just lose it and realize that it’s not just me who could be targeted but the shop, too.

“You’re not.” He wraps his arms around me and comforts me.

“I am!” I whine through my tears.

“What are you going on about?” he asks, sounding confused.

“Just know that wherever I go something bad happens.” I sniff, wiping my tears.