Page 13 of Stella
I snort a laugh. “Iwantto do it. I don’t expect you to understand it. And for the record, my dad is against the entire idea and hasn’t supported my decision at all, but thanks for bringing that up.”
He has no freaking clue what I’ve been through to get this far. And? Newsflash, I don’t need Cale Callaghan’s approval.
“Maybe he’s the only one with any sense after all,” he says, slamming all that’s left of my dignity into smithereens.
I think I even gasp a little. “Well, it’s great you stopped by.” I give Calli a tearful look as I try to flounce past, but Cale catches me by the arm.
“Don’t go like this,” he says in a low voice. “I didn’t mean that, or to upset you.”
“Everyone doubts me, can’t you see that? This is a big fucking deal and I need to do it.” I don’t mean my friends, obviously. They might think I’m a little crazy, but they’re supportive regardless.
He stares down at me and it’s unnerving. “But why? Who for? Is there someone in the club…”
Is that his way of asking if I’m doing this for a biker?
I shake my head. “There is no one I’m doing this for, just myself, which is how it should be. One thing you’ll understandabout the Rebels, if you remove the giant stick up your ass, is the way we all band together, like a real family should.”
As if I just jabbed him in the eye with a hot poker, he flinches. A flash of… hurt, or something, blinks away as he takes a step back. Calli whines, feeling the tension no doubt, as she nudges his hand with her head.
“A giant stick, huh?” Something in his eyes tells me that he doesn’t, in fact, get it at all.
“Well, sorry to say, but sometimes you act like a big jerk.”
“For asking why a beautiful, smart, young woman would want to shit-kick for an MC? They won’t make it easy on you just because you’re a girl.”
He thinks I’m beautiful.
He lifts his chin, as if standing to his full height isn’t enough. “They’ll probably be nice about it because you’re Harlem’s daughter, but they’re trying to prove a point.”
I don’t even let his words sting.
He thinks I’m beautiful.
“If you were my?—”
“Your what?” I begin, a little fire in my own voice now. Screw it. He may be the world’s hottest cop, but I’ll be damned if I worked this hard just to be insulted by the likes of him or anyone.
He opens his mouth to speak, but then a booming voice sounds through the small space. “What the fuck is going on in here?”
Tag.
Cale turns, mug in his hand as he moves back. “Just enjoying the free coffee. Stella here was just giving me a rundown on how things work around here.”
I hear it, and I can guarantee that Tag hears it, too. I’m sure Cale doesn’t mean to get me in trouble, but it sounds an awful lot like he means ‘club business.’
Tag barges into the already too-tiny space. “Uh, huh, back here?”
Cale shrugs. Fucking shrugs. “This is where the coffee machine is.”
He points at me. “You been spillin’ club secrets?”
I roll my eyes. “No, T, I haven’t. I wouldn’t do that.”
Cale sighs as if he’s bored. “I’m sure Stella will do a perfect job no matter what she puts her mind to.”
Tag grunts. “Stella needs to learn when to keep that mouth shut.”
“I didn’t do or say anything.” It’s partially true. I’m not going to confess about telling Cale about me prospecting, he saw it for himself when he glanced at my cut. If he wants to act all cut up over nothing, then that’s his problem. He has no right to come in here and start throwing his weight around. So while I want to punch Tag in the throat, Cale isn’t far off, either. He might mean well, but he’s all about bringing the MC down.
