Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(71)

“He is.” Bennett smirks.

We shoot the shit about what’s been going on—if they’ve found anything else about what happened or if there have been any more threats. Things have been quiet, but I know my father is still lurking in the background. The two guys Jase and Bennett killed were just two people Shane paid to finish the job.

Deep inside, I think I knew my father was behind all of it. He’s always blamed me for everything and me almost killing him probably only made things worse. I have to find him before he finds Bella and Elijah. I won’t be able to forgive myself it anything were to happen to them.

I still can’t wrap my head around all the mess that’s been going on without my knowledge about Alina. She might have fallen in love with me, or so she said, but she was paid to seduce me. Everything was a lie. Maybe she just wanted a sugar daddy or someone to take care of her and pull her out of the mess she found herself in. I’m not sure, but this is heartbreaking. I loved her, or I thought I did. Maybe Gabe was right. Your first love isn’t always your real love, and you get to meet her when you least expect it.

Meeting Bella has been a blessing. She’s brought so much into my life. So many things I didn’t know I missed. Now that I have them, I can’t imagine myself living without them. Love, care, laughter, happiness.

Despite her being half my age, she’s a lot stronger than I gave her credit for, maybe stronger than I am. She didn’t back down to Shane and ended him. I’m still shocked by that. I didn’t see it go down, but I’m glad she took power in her own hand to do the right thing. It seems to be a tradition that whenever one of us gets with our woman, they end up killing someone. Maybe it’s a rite of passage or just shows that we have strong women by our sides.

Bella has been in every day since it happened. Never with Elijah, she didn’t want to scare him with the state my face was in, but I miss my little man. We share a special bond I didn’t even have with my own kid back then. It makes me wonder if he was even my kid since she f*cked my father and Shane. Either way, I miss being able to spend time with Bella and Elijah. Visits are restricted to a minimum because ‘I have to rest’, which is bullshit.

High pitched squeals wake me up. I look around, and Bennett is gone. I try to locate where the noise comes from and the top of a little blond head peeks from the side of the bed, and I ruffle the hair. Elijah.

“Hey, little man.” I chuckle sleepily as he tries to climb up. I can’t help him, and it frustrates me.

“Don’t wake him up, baby,” Bella whispers loudly.

“Too late, Bella.” I smile at her.

“Hey, you. Sorry about that. I told him not to wake you up.” She nibbles her lip.

“It’s alright. How are you?” I ask as she helps Elijah on the bed.

“Be careful with his sides, don’t hurt him. I’m good and you?” She pecks my lips as Elijah cuddles into me carefully.

“Getting there.” I smile against her lips and wrap my arms around Elijah. “I missed you both.”

“We missed you, too,” Elijah says, melting my heart.

“Did you, now?”

“Yes, mommy doesn’t like SpongeBob.” He frowns looking totally outraged by that.

“How dare she?” I try to sound as outraged as he is.

“I know!” he exclaims.

“Sorry.” Bella shrugs and chuckles. “When can you come home?”

“Next week.” I sigh.

“Why are they keeping you here for so long?” She frowns.

“Because they think I’m just going to be reckless and not listen to their advice and go crazy the minute I get out of here.”

“They would be right.”

“Don’t side with them!”

“I’m not, but I know you.” She laces our fingers. I look at our hands, and her tiny hands fit perfectly in my big ones.

“You should move in with me when I get out of here.” I look up at her, trying to gauge her reaction. She seems stunned for a minute.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I don’t want us to keep going back and forth between my place and Suzie’s. It would be easier on everybody.”

“What do you say, Elijah?” she asks him.

“Duh! Yes!” he exclaims making us laugh and me wince on top of it.

“Be careful. Looks like it’s settled.” She smiles wide at me, squeezing my hand.

“I know, it’s the f*cking stitches. They are pulling on the skin every time I make the smallest move.” I frown.

“Don’t say bad words,” Elijah scolds me.

“Gotcha, little man.” I kiss the top of his head. “I’m happy you’re moving in with me.”

“Us, too.” She kisses my knuckles.

“Feel free to move in while I’m still in here. Ask Jase and Gabe for some help.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to think I’m overtaking your house.” She chuckles.

“I’m sure. There’s enough space for all of our stuff.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?” I ask, confused.

“For making me the happiest woman ever.” She beams at me.

“You make it sound like I asked you to marry me.” I chuckle.