Stripping Callum (Last Hangman MC Book 6)(78)

“How are you coping with it?”

“I’m still wondering what would have happened had I not killed him, or if he hadn’t been taken back then. Then I realize that it’s pointless because then I never would have met Nancy. Who knows what could have happened then since her parents’ didn’t care about her and were in trouble with that MC, too. I tortured myself with it for months, but it’s pointless. If I ever slip, Nancy is there to bring me right out of it.”

“How is she doing?”

“She’s good as ever. Our women are a lot stronger than us.” He snorts and we laugh. He’s got that right. They really are and it’s frightening in a way that we are the ones supposed to protect them, yet they are the ones making sure we don’t get killed.

“I’m glad she finally is good.”

“She was before I could cope with all of it. Thank you for taking care of her over the years. Even though you didn’t get her out and don’t start, I know she didn’t want you risking your life, I’m grateful for the moments you two had together. It made it better for her.” He smiles at me.

“I do wish I went against her will to let her do her thing and got her out sooner.”

“She’s good at making us do whatever she wants.” We both laugh because it’s so true. All our women are like that. Hell, I’m a sucker for all of them. They could ask me the stupidest thing ever and I’d do it. “I won’t tell Anna. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks, brother.”

“If you ever mention such a thing, I’ll put a bullet through your head,” he says in a serious tone, and I know he f*cking means it. I’d do it too if it were him.

“I was doubting myself, not her. I know you wouldn’t hesitate.”

“I would because that’d mean breaking her heart and Elijah’s, but you can’t keep thinking the worst out of everybody.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Good.” He claps my shoulder, and we get up.

Walking back to the compound and feeling the pain in my jaw, I realize how stupid it was of me to actually think that Bella was a gold digger. I disgust myself sometimes.





Annabella

Elijah is having his afternoon snack while watching cartoons on TV as I’m getting dinner ready. Today was a good day. Josie made a peach cobbler donut. Let me tell you, that shit is f*cking amazing! That has to be the best donut I’ve ever tasted to date, besides the red velvet. Nothing will beat that. Elijah got student of the week, and we finally finished getting all our preparation lists for the Christmas party. I’m excited to have a massive party with all of them. They even sent an invitation to Gail and her family.

Nothing can kill my buzz.

As I put the pasta bake in the oven, someone rings the doorbell. I make sure it’s set to the right temperature and I go to open the door.

“Can I help you?” I ask the man standing there. I’ve never seen him so I have no idea of who he is or what he wants.

“You’re Annabella, right?” he asks.

“Yes, you are?”

“Someone who wants to tell you the truth about Callum Richardson,” he says, smirking.

“I know all I need to know about him.” I go to close the door, but he pushes it back open. He stays in the doorway and pulls out a small recorder from his pocket.

“Just listen to this. I won’t bother you any further. I just need you to hear the truth,” he says and presses the play button.

‘What Shane told me about Alina has made me think that she was looking for a sugar daddy, someone to provide her with money and whatever she needed for protection against her past. And I’ve been thinking that maybe Bella was the same with the lack of concern she has about my nightmares.’ Callum’s voice resonates through my heart. My heart breaks. How could he think that? Surely that’s just a setup. The quality isn’t the best, but it’s Callum’s voice.

“Where did you get that recording?” I ask getting annoyed.

“Just know that I’m only doing what’s best for you. Callum isn’t a good man, and you deserve better,” the man says looking saddened by what he just played to me.

“You are his father,” I say through gritted teeth.

“I am. I had to warn you about him.”

“No, you just wanted to f*ck things up even more for the both of us! I know what you and Shane did.”

“We didn’t do anything. Alina did it all. We just set it all up.” He shrugs.

“If you as much as come into our lives again or try to hurt any of us, I swear to God I’ll kill you myself. I do not care about what happened between you and Callum in the past. It has nothing to do with me. You’ve got your revenge on ruining his life for many years. Leave him and us alone. I mean it.”

“You won’t hear from me again. I just wanted to show you what he really thought of you. Have a good night.” He smiles at me and leaves.

What in the actual f*ck?

I can’t believe the nerve of this man, nor the fact that Callum spoke those words about me. Does he really feel that way about me? Does he really think I just want someone with money and who can offer protection? I’ve never given him any inkling that I was looking for that. Hell, I’ve been earning my own money for years and making it through moving from state to state on my own and making it out alive.