Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(45)

A hand placed on my shoulder makes me stop mid-way.

“He’s gone, brother,” Ant says.

“I know,” I say coldly.

“Come on.” He taps my shoulder, and I reluctantly get up. I wasn’t done with him, but he’s right, even if he were still alive, there’s nothing he could ever do.

We walk out of the place, going back to our bikes. I’m glad we got this done, but Jordan’s last words are going to f*ck me up for the rest of my life. I’m only glad that Bennett wasn’t here with us. He didn’t mind as much to be put on the backburner now that Nancy is pregnant. He was gutted he couldn’t be there to end them but knew better than to come. Either one of us would have kicked his ass, and hearing what Jordan had to say would have messed him up more than it has with me.

“Ride it off before you go back to your woman,” Ant says, and I just nod. By now, they all know that I’m with her, and I’m done hiding it. The f*ckers messing with her are gone so now we can finally breathe and forget about this ordeal.

Ray brings a van around and talks to the women, convincing them to get in so they can be returned back to their families. A few hesitate, but they comply with their newfound friends. These women will be scarred for a portion of their lives because some little shit thought he had balls to follow in the footsteps of who he thought of as a God. They are possibly going to push their men away and it’ll ruin relationships, all because some guy thought he knew better.

I’m glad he never got to one of our women.

I’m glad I was the one to end this f*cker’s life.

I’m glad he could never hurt Bella.





Annabella

A Week Later

As much as Callum can be overprotective and a bit annoying with his overprotectiveness, I do miss him. He always has to be in control of everything, and he proved it once again when he asked Ryan, one of his club brothers, to lady sit me as he calls it. It could be worse, he’s around my age, funny, easy on the eyes and always has something to say. While Callum is a man of few words at times, Ryan makes it up for it.

Having Ryan around at all times was an adjustment for sure. I never expected Callum to actually have someone watch over my every move. I guess it’s better than to have notes left randomly to threaten me. Thinking of it, they stopped a week ago, and Callum has been gone for two weeks. I don’t know if it has anything to do with it but it’s good.

Gail was delighted to have Ryan around and so was Josie. They know each other so it made it easier to explain to Josie what was going on. Gail found it hilarious that someone was actually lady sitting me. I think she has a thing for Ryan, but he’s apparently taken with the number of times he’s talked about the nurse he’s been seeing.

I’m still surprised that Callum asked Ryan to stay with me. He’s hot and around my age. Despite the fact that Ryan wouldn’t betray his brother or his ‘woman’, I could fall madly in love with him. I’m not, but I could. Besides, I’m not really Callum’s woman, and as much as I wanted to avoid a relationship for the past couple of years, now it sounds more and more appealing, but Callum isn’t into defining things between us.

The worst part of Callum not being here is when I go to the strip club. I was so used to having him there, watching me when I danced on stage and giving him a lap dance after, even now that we’re closer. He was what I was focusing on while on stage and with him not being here, I had to find something else. It’s been hard, but not as hard as when I have to give lap dances.

Those gross men, trying to cop a feel as you’re grinding on them disgust me. With just having Callum for so long, I didn’t realize how much I despise this job. It really has lost its appeal big time, and I don’t know what to do. Lawrence said I could quit anytime and he wouldn’t try to f*ck me over, but it’s easy money, especially the tips. They are getting bigger every time. I could also work full time at the coffee shop, but it wouldn’t be nearly as much money as what I’m getting in just tips here. I really don’t know what to do.

“Ruby, you’re up in five,” Carlos, the emcee, tells me poking his head through the door.

“Thanks.” I half smile at him and put the finishing touches on my makeup. My ruby red lipstick.

“Cheer up, buttercup.” He chuckles.

“I’m alright.”

“You don’t look or sound it. You okay?” he asks, sounding concerned.

“Yes, I’m alright, just tired.”

“I don’t buy it. Your performances have been a bit less spectacular than they’ve been.” He sits next to me.

“I know, I’m sorry.” I blow out a breath.

“It’s that guy, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle softly feeling ridiculous.

“Don’t let him mess with you. You’ll be okay. Go get them.” He pats my shoulder and walks out. I hear him announce my name, and I walk on stage to do my thing.

Stepping on stage, I feel eyes on me. Not everybody’s eyes, but someone special. Whenever he looks at me, I know it and right now is no exception. He’s not in his usual spot, but I spot him instantly, sitting at the bar. He looks at me with his dashing smile and lifts his beer bottle at me.

My smile wide and my confidence comes back for me to do my thing on stage. While he was gone, my confidence had gone with him. I hate admitting it, but it’s true. He’s my security blanket, and without him around I was lost. I was still making more than good tips, but with him back, it’s like I’m a new person and the tips just show that. Money is raining on the stage and men are cheering me on.