Hell's Claim (Hellfire MC Book 13), page 5
Sunny wasn’t feeling the party either and, for some inexplicable reason, wandered over to her. He placed a bottle in front of her, and Callie looked up, startled.
“What’s wrong, little flower?” he asked.
“Little flower?” Callie repeated, amused.
“Yup. Babe, darling, sweetness… the usual ones get boring. Little flower is unique,” Sunny said, sitting down.
“I guess I’m one of many in your garden!” Callie quipped.
Sunny chuckled. “Nope, just you so far. What’s up? You seem sad.”
“Not really, more overwhelmed.”
“Apprehensive?” Sunny asked.
“Yeah, that’s a good word for it. I don’t like crowds, and while everyone tries to reassure that nobody here will hurt me, it’s hard to trust.”
“I get that, Callie. After my betrayal by the club… I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to step foot in here,” Sunny agreed.
“How did you? I mean, you were clear, fifteen years free, but you came back. Why?” Callie asked.
“Because I had unfinished business.”
Sunny felt like squirming under her steady gaze. He was shocked when she whispered a moment later.
“You think there’s dirt here still. It’s in your eyes. You don’t fully trust those around you,” she murmured.
Sunny was stunned. “What makes you say that?”
“I’m quiet, shy, but not a fool. I was shipped from home to home, some good, some bad. But I learned lessons. One of which was when people were on edge and said things they didn’t feel. You do not feel easy here. The question, then, is why? If the MC was as clean as everyone says, you’d be relaxed. But you’re not. You are constantly alert and on guard.
“Your daughter hasn’t been seen since you moved here. Which means you’re keeping your family separate from the club. If you were comfortable, there’d be no need. Your actions belie your words,” Callie stated, and Sunny began to smile.
“Pretty direct.”
“No point in beating around the bush.”
“And I thought you were the quiet one,” Sunny teased.
Callie flipped the lid off the bottle of beer he’d given her.
“I am. But that doesn’t mean I’m a pushover. I may not be as confident as my sisters and brother, but nobody walks over me anymore. I don’t like lies, deception, or bullshit.”
“Good to know. So, tell me, why are you here in a corner and not with your family?”
“Because I don’t fit in. For years, I yearned for a family, and now I have one, I am being ungrateful. But I’m used to being alone, and even in a crowd, I feel lonely. Honestly, I’d hoped for bonding experiences. Yeah, I got them, but while my siblings bonded, I didn’t. Not even with my twin. Shit, my paranormal team is more my family than them,” Callie said, and Sunny was surprised.
“They know you feel like that?”
“Hell no. Sunny, I don’t like or enjoy hurting people, which means my sisters won’t know how I feel.”
“Anything I can do to help?” Sunny offered.
“No. Thank you, but I guess it’s just time. When you’ve been by yourself most of your life, you tend to be wary of those who come into your life.”
“That’s hard for me to understand. My childhood was surrounded by some of those present, and I basically grew up in the club. When I left here and joined the army, I found a new family. You must have felt so alone, yet had siblings you knew nothing about. That had to be gutting to discover,” Sunny said.
Callie looked at him in surprise. “It was. Nobody has considered that.”
“I’m a deep thinker. What you see isn’t always what you get,” Sunny quipped, and Callie nodded.
“That’s true.”
“What else is bothering you?” Sunny questioned, and Callie shook her head.
“You don’t want all my problems. Why aren’t you partying with your brothers?”
“Maybe because, like you, I feel like an outsider looking in.”
“Do you regret leaving the army?” Callie asked.
Sunny thought about it for a few moments. “I regret losing being part of something huge. I miss my brothers in arms, but I don’t miss the danger.”
“Not even with this rumoured war between clubs?” Callie inquired softly.
“I’ve no doubt of the danger from the Venomous Fangs, but compared to fighting abroad, they’re easy to handle.”
“Do you think people will die?”
Sunny gazed at Callie for several long moments. “In war, there is always death.”
“That’s not answering my question, Sunny.”
“Callie, I can’t promise you everyone will walk away unharmed. As much as I’d love to, I can’t, I’m not God. But I can assure that we’ll fight and protect each other. We’ll watch everyone’s backs and ensure that we bring as many home as possible.”
“That sounds like a speech to deliver to families of soldiers before you left on tour,” Callie replied.
“Who’d have thought bikers would end up defending their country?” Sunny mused.
“Is that what this is? Or just a war over territory?” Callie probed.
“Do you really think that? You’ve been around a couple of years, do Hellfire push for land? Or are they happy being here and building their own world?” Sunny challenged.
Callie regarded him shrewdly, and Sunny felt he’d given something away.
“You said they. Don’t you consider yourself one of them? Are you not part of Hellfire?”
“I am wearing their colours, of course, I’m part of the club,” Sunny defended himself.
“Keep telling yourself that, bud,” Callie retorted and took a sip of her beer.
Sunny watched her as she placed the bottle on the table.
“Thanks, Sunny. I’m going to head back to my hotel, I’ll see you around.” Callie got up and walked towards the car park
Sunny stared after her and then gazed across to where her siblings were standing, laughing and chatting. Damn, Sunny felt that for Callie. Her sisters hadn’t included her in their group, nor had they even realised she’d left. How lonely was Callie Dixon, and how distant was she from those who were meant to care about her? Sunny downed his own bottle and headed out after her.
And he realised exactly how Callie would have felt because not one of his brothers noticed him go.
Callie - Christmas 2022
“Sorry, I’m working.”
“Callie, really? You need to come home,” Polly exclaimed, exasperated.
“And as I said, I’ve got work. The team has been booked from the eighteenth until the second of January to investigate someone’s house,” I replied.
“Beg off, for God’s sake,” Polly demanded.
“And when are you quitting work?” I snapped.
“I’ll be off from the twenty-third until the twenty-sixth,” Polly answered.
“Ah, so it’s okay for you to work up until Christmas, but I am meant to drop what I’m doing and jump to your every whim!” I spat as my anger rose.
“Mine’s a proper…” Polly cut off as Thalia whacked her.
“Say it,” I hissed.
“Callie, what Polly is saying…” Clio began.
“Shut up. Go on, Polly.”
I stared at Polly through the laptop camera and knew she was swallowing her own heated words.
“Mine’s a proper job,” Polly said and lifted her chin in stubbornness.
“Unfortunately, mine is a proper job too, but you won’t acknowledge that because you’re a judgemental, raging asshole. I employ several people, I have shooting deadlines, and as much as you loathe it, I’m a household name. And you fucking hate that, it kills you I’m more famous than you.”
“I did something worthwhile; I represented my country at the Olympics. You run around faking footage for the camera and audiences.”
Thalia and Clio hissed at Polly.
“Yeah, we’re done. I am so sick of your petty jealousy. All you ever do is take digs. I earn my money honesty and don’t live on the coattails of my former fame. Say what you will, but I’m so tired of you all. Judge this, make fun of that, demand and order. God, I was better off alone. Fuck you, Polly and your snooty claim to fame, and screw Christmas,” I said loudly and cut the call.
Silence reigned.
Had I been too harsh? Who cared? I was sick of the sneers and everything that came along with having those three around. Okay, Thalia and Clio weren’t as bad, but I knew they regarded my job as a joke. And that made me tired. I worked damn hard. We’d made something special and were household names.
The team, called Ghost Seekers, were known for our no-nonsense approach to hauntings. We didn’t make things up nor play to the camera. Sure, the network had tried issuing demands and making us like other paranormal teams, but the viewers responded to our honesty.
They especially liked our screw-ups or when we began laughing at something. But if they experienced fear, it was because we were afraid. I rubbed my temples in distress; this confrontation had been coming a while. Polly had got more and more derisive over time as my fame grew. There’d been sly digs and quips, and she’d even outright poked fun at me.
Thalia and Clio weren’t as bad, but they had had their own moments asking how we faked some of the footage. Despite me insisting it was all genuine, they’d just winked and said for me to keep my secrets. Well, screw them, I wouldn’t be sat playing happy families with them. I’d be with my real family.
“You okay?” Freddie asked.
“Hey, didn’t see you there.”
“Couldn’t help overhearing, Callie. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. That’s been a long time coming, and I’m relieved it’s over and done with. They’ll do as they wish, but I’m going to keep on. This is going to be a huge investigation, two weeks, and we need to concentrate on it. This, I reckon, will go three or four episodes,” I replied, pushing my supposed family from my mind.
“Do you want to run over the plan again?” Freddie inquired as she tapped her nails on the table.
“No. I know it inside out. Has Phil managed to get the extra cameras and everything?”
“Yeah, and I have got that creepy music box. But I’ve added a twist.” Freddie grinned.
“Please tell me you didn’t…” I broke off and laughed.
“I sure as hell did,” Freddie smirked.
“Jack will shit himself.”
“I know, serves him right for that damn clown,” Freddie replied, looking angelic.
“Okay. Twenty-four hours till we head out. This one will be great!” I said, clapping my hands together.
The place we were heading to was an old plantation house with numerous sightings of ghosts. It was infamous for its hauntings, but paranormal investigators hadn’t been allowed in. Until now. Ghost Seekers were the first going in, and we’d been offered a two-week stay, which was unheard of. But the hauntings were so rife we would need the extra time to pin each legend down.
It was going to be a huge special, and the network was already dropping hints and drumming up interest for it. We were so excited at having the opportunity and promised to be as professional as possible, even if we had a few laughs along the way.
◆◆◆
A week later our fame increased when Jack had freaked the hell out when a spirit triggered the music box… to the theme tune of Psycho. The clip went viral and made us superstars, not just stars. Callie Dixon and the Ghost Seekers were on everyone’s lips.
I wondered how dear Polly took that!
Sunny
He was laughing hard as Jack nearly jumped out of his skin as the creepy music triggered. He’d watched the clip three times and loved the look of sheer glee on Callie’s face as Jack freaked out. Through their laughter and Jack’s terror, Callie and Phil had continued investigating. Sunny was amazed at how brilliant the show was and how honest the guys were. They debunked a lot of the rumours about the plantation, but there was activity they couldn’t explain.
Sunny paused the video at the look of happiness on Callie’s face. She truly loved this. He was happy she was in her element and making a name for herself. It seemed Callie had found her place and family. He’d heard of the big fight between her and her siblings and was glad Callie had stood her ground.
Lessons were being learnt as Callie ploughed ahead with her programme, and her team had conducted several TV interviews. Her sisters were bemused until they began realising that Callie was very serious about her career. Experts sought Callie out for her opinion.
Much to Polly’s disgust, Callie Dixon was a household name and famous the world over. Everyone knew she was a paranormal investigator, which galled Polly when the news leaked about Callie being a quintuplet. Polly got her five minutes of fame again, and then the focus shifted back to Callie. Which secretly made Sunny smile.
Chapter Five.
Sunny – September 2023
Sunny rolled over and groaned. The sun hit his face in a harsh wake-up call, and he growled at it. He slung an arm over his eyes and sat up.
He frowned as he looked down. What the fuck? Sunny lifted his duvet and peered underneath. He was freaking naked.
Had he slept with someone? Blinking, Sunny picked up his pillow and smelt to see if there was perfume on it.
Sunny winced when he smelt it. It wasn’t a scent he recognised. Sunny gazed around his room, where was she? There was no sign of a woman being present. The war was over. A fortnight had passed since the Fangs hit Rapid City.
Sunny was still reeling from the loss of life they’d suffered. Too many had died defending Rapid City, but there’d been no choice. Had Fury gained a foothold there, the other towns would have swiftly followed. The law enforcement had clearly been overwhelmed, and RCPD had been decimated.
Funerals of the fallen were still happening as the deaths continued. The latest was Officer Sally Kenner; she’d died of complications following her surgery. Drake had been discharged, but Calamity remained in hospital. Though Calamity was no longer critical. Grey had been buried, and Willow had fled. Fanatic looked like he had lost his right arm. Sunny wanted to speak to the prospect but didn’t know what to say.
Last night, he’d tied one on with the rest of the club. Sunny wracked his brains. He did not remember much after around eleven o’clock. Callie had been doing shots while he kept to his beers, and Sunny barely remembered anything afterwards. And now he was stark naked in his bed, which smelt of perfume.
Was she in the shower? Sunny glanced towards the bathroom but didn’t hear any noise. Snagging his boxers, Sunny rolled out of bed and just stopped himself being sick. What the hell had he drunk last night? Sunny could handle his booze, so what on earth was wrong with him? He staggered into the bathroom and emptied his stomach, idly noting there wasn’t a woman present.
As he was beginning to believe he was imagining it, Sunny looked in the mirror and winced. There was lipstick on his mouth and a huge hickey on his throat. He’d been marked.
Shit! Sunny wracked his brains but couldn’t think who he had possibly slept with.
As picky as he was, Sunny didn’t put out. And especially not with the women that tried hanging around the club. Despite the no club slut rules, women did end up at the clubhouse. Not often, but it happened. Which Sunny hoped the hell happened last night. Because the other option was unthinkable. He’d either slept with an old lady or a relative of someone belonging to the club.
Sunny’s stomach revolted, and he hit his knees and hung his head over the toilet. Fuck him!
Callie
I scrubbed all traces of last night from my skin. Talk about fucking up big time. I blamed the moonshine that Celt broke out. Wherever he had got that from, needed shutting down. I wasn’t that drunk, but merry enough to throw inhibitions to the wind.
When Sunny kissed me, I had jumped his bones. He’d made me come four times; the man fucked like a dream.
I’d fallen to sleep in his arms, and he’d woken me twice during the night. Sunny had stamina and bragging rights. He had moves I’d read about but never believed possible. This morning, I’d woken before him and had snuck out. I didn’t want anyone knowing what Sunny and I had done.
It was five a.m. when I drove out of the compound.
Fanatic had been on the gates and had nodded at me as he let me out. Somehow, I knew Fanatic would keep his mouth shut. Last night had been amazing, but it couldn’t be repeated. I had a full schedule and wasn’t looking for a relationship.
Later today, I was attending a cookout. I’d speak to Sunny then. In the meantime, I had my sisters to deal with.
Things with Polly were colder than the Antarctic. Since I had literally told her to fuck off, we’d barely spoken. Clio and Thalia had worked hard at gaining my forgiveness. I’d held back, forewarned was forearmed, but we were all meeting this afternoon to discuss our issues. Grandma had threatened to bang all our heads together if we didn’t speak to each other. She said we’d lost enough years.
That may be right, but I still held a huge grudge against the three of them. They might not approve of my choice of career, but that was their issue, not mine. Puffing my cheeks out and resigned to this afternoon’s pending drama, I climbed out of the shower to dress.
◆◆◆
I held Polly’s gaze as I crossed my arms and glowered. Clio winced as Thalia opened her mouth and then closed it again.
“Yeah, I’m a big joke, aren’t I? Because I never got the breaks you did, so that makes my chosen career a farce,” I sneered at Polly.
“Polly never said that,” Thalia interrupted.
“Yes, she did. I quote, ‘You make up shit for people’s entertainment and try to trick people into believing you’. Did she not?”
“Thalia, don’t. I did say that, and I meant it. You are little better than a con artist,” Polly said. “We’re Winchesters. We should be setting examples.”
