Page 22 of Outlawed Treat
Chapter Twelve
Reckless
AFTER LAYING IN mybed for a few hours, I get up and make my way down to the common room.The only people sitting around inside are the members, Prospects, and Feral girls.They’re all talking and laughing with a drink in hand while the Prospects work.My movements are slow as all the aches and pains from my time in the ring with Tank come out.The pain medicine I took doesn’t even touch it.But, I’m not taking the shit Doc left me because it knocks me out and that’s the last thing I want right now.My eyes scan the room for my family, but I don’t see them anywhere.I know they didn’t leave because they all just got here.Besides, my mom wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye and making sure Kreed and I have everything we need.I also don’t see Kreed anywhere in the room and I know he’s not with one of the girls.My best friend doesn’t fuck with the Feral girls because he wants to find his ol’ lady and refuses to let them come into a clubhouse full of women he’s fucked with.I honestly respect him more for that.
“Where’s my family, Cali, the kids, and Kreed?”I ask the room when I finally make it down the steps and lean against the wall for a minute trying to catch my breath from the movements.
“They went out to Kreed’s house.I think I overheard them talkin’ about movin’ Cali and the kids into his house,” Master answers me as he lifts his beer and takes a long pull from the bottle.“Thought they were stayin’ at your house, but Kreed asked me to update the security for his place.”
“They’re supposed to be stayin’ at my place.What the fuck is goin’ on around here?”I wonder aloud as Luca, one of the Prospects, stops in front of me.He looks like he wants to say something but isn’t sure if he should.
Luca just turned eighteen and had a shitty start to his life.When I found him, he was being beaten to hell by his stepfather out in the middle of the road.If I hadn’t been paying attention, I would have run them over.I immediately stopped my bike where I sat and beat the hell out of his stepfather before bringing Luca back to the clubhouse with me.Apparently, his mom had just ran off with some asshole and left her son behind with an abusive asshole without a second thought.Not that she was any better than the stepfather.She used Luca any way she could for money and anything else she wanted.I’ve never seen parents treat a child so vicious in my life.Including the parents of Darren and Cali.They certainly didn’t win the parent jackpot, but had it better than Luca did for sure.Now, he’s Prospecting for the club and is still trying to figure out who he is without the abuse as he regains his confidence.
“Feel free to speak, Luca.You don’t have to hold back when it’s just us in here,” I tell him, my tone softening just a bit to let him know I’m not mad at him.
Luca does still have times where someone moves too fast or speaks with anger in his voice causing him to flinch and cower.I hate seeing anyone like that and it hurts to know this kid should have been shown love and kindness but never was.
“When you guys were in the gym, three of the Feral girls confronted your family and Cali.It was Carly, Abigail, and Natalia.Carly and Natalia are no longer in the clubhouse.Kreed kicked them out bad.From what I could tell, Natalia showed up at your house earlier and told Cali she was your fiancée.Also told Cali she was movin’ into your house this weekend.Carly was just bein’ a bitch to them.They were basically callin’ all of them used-up sluts who didn’t belong in the clubhouse because none of the guys here would touch them.It wasn’t good.Your mom and aunt beat the hell out of them while your grandma went to get Kreed durin’ the fight.Cali didn’t get involved and stayed with the kids.Bryce stood next to his mom like a little soldier ready to protect her at the drop of a hat,” Luca informs me as his eyes dart all over the room like he's the one I’m gonna yell at because he did something wrong.I know if it came down to it, he would have stepped up and gotten involved, but he doesn’t put his hands on females for any reason.
“Thank you, Luca.Why don’t you take the rest of the night off?Get some rest.You look exhausted,” I tell him as the rest of the men in the common room start talking about the situation and sharing how angry they are while the one who was all over Abigail essentially drops her and leaves her alone.
“I can’t do that, Reckless.I’ve got a lot of work to do still and in a few hours I have to go out to the gate to switch out with Evan.I’ll be okay.Just gettin’ over a cold,” he tells me, practically running away to finish whatever tasks he’s been assigned for the night.
“I’m headin’ to Kreed’s house to find out exactly what happened.Abigail, I know you were involved because you can’t ever keep your fuckin’ nose out of shit.Especially when it involves Cali.You’re on probation as of now.Men, you know that means no one touches her and she’s to do more cleanin’ than the rest of the Feral girls.I suggest you get busy because if I hear one word you’re not pullin’ your weight, you’re out.And I won’t give you another chance.You’ve wasted more of my time than I should have given you over the years,” I say, my voice loud and clear so everyone hears me and understands I mean business.
Turning around, I head toward the back door of the clubhouse.Every step causes me more pain and I feel as if my entire body is going to shatter.
“Wait up, Prez,” Master calls out.“I gotta head over to Kreed’s house to check somethin’ out.Let me give you a ride so you’re not walkin’ all that way after the beatin’ you took from Tank.Never seen a man his size move the way he did around that ring.I’m in awe of him.”
“Tank has always moved like that.He’s a fuckin’ beast and I deserve every hit he landed.Been treatin’ Cali like shit for no reason.It’s not her fault I’m feelin’ the way I do.I can’t believe the anniversary of Darren’s death is almost here,” I say as Master leads me to one of the club’s SUVs so we can go to Kreed’s house.
“Told you then and I’m gonna fuckin’ say it again.That day wasn’t your fault, Reckless.We all knew what we were gettin’ involved in when we signed up for the military.Darren knew better than most as he watched his dad throughout his life.We walked into that fight knowin’ we might not make it out alive.You told us all to take cover and Darren made the decision to not listen to those orders.He is the one that chose to take a risk and he paid the ultimate price for it.I know your family has talked to you about this shit and you’ve tried to keep your thoughts and feelings from Link.I was there with you all.I heard what happened that day and know how Darren was.That wasn’t the first time he ignored an order from you, Reckless.Durin’ every single mission we went on, he ignored you at least once and went rogue.I’m surprised he didn’t get injured more often, honestly,” Master tells me as he starts the SUV and pulls out of the parking space to head around behind the clubhouse.
“Rationally, I understand everythin’ you and my family are tellin’ me.I do know Darren made the decision to go after Link that day.We couldn’t see because of the sandstorm and he still took that risk.I was takin’ that risk.It doesn’t mean that I don’t get to feel guilty for what happened to him and the rest of the team.You know, we all think of Darren about this situation, but he’s not the only one we lost that day.Two others gave their life for that mission and we really don’t talk or think about them.I know they were new to the team, but it doesn’t mean their loss should hit any differently than Darren’s does.They were fathers, sons, brothers, and loved by so many outside of our small team.The only one I think of is Darren.Maybe it’s because he was one of my best friends and we joined the service together.I really don’t know.I do know I chose to lead you all on that mission and it was my responsibility to bring you all home.I failed,” I say as we pull up to Kreed’s house and I take in the lights shining bright from his windows.
Very carefully, I get out of the SUV and head to the front door with Master at my side.Walking in the house because Kreed and I don’t knock at one another’s homes, I listen as Bryce tells everyone a story.I can see them sitting around the dining room table Kreed thought he’d never use until he brought his ol’ lady home.This house sits empty unless he needs some time alone and Cali is the only female besides our family who has ever stepped foot inside.Though, Kreed considers Cali his family the same way I do.Well, the same way I try to see her.
“How ya feelin’, Caleb?”Papa asks me, causing everyone to turn and face me as I stand with Master at my back.
“Like I was hit by a fuckin’ truck,” I answer him honestly as my eyes land on Cali and I watch as she takes in every detail of my injured body.Worry and hurt fill her eyes with every bruise her gaze moves over.Especially when she takes in the cut over my eye and the small bandage that’s surrounded by a bruise.“Cali, need to talk to ya.Mind goin’ outside with me for a few minutes?”
