As I turn onto the road where the abandoned house Darren’s been staying in is, I slow down the slightest bit.Cali was outside and I know she started walking, I’m just not sure how far she got.I let everyone know to keep an eye out for her because she could be anywhere.Using the light from my headlight, I search frantically for Cali.When I get about a mile down the road, I finally spot something on the side of the road.Slowing down even more, I pull over a few feet in front of what I suspect is Cali.Everyone else pulls over behind me as I barely put the kickstand on my bike down and jump off.I race to Cali and drop down on the rough pavement next to her.She’s facedown as I gently roll her over and get my first look at the woman I’ve loved forever.
“No!Cali!”I yell into the rain as so many men rush up to my side but only a few drop down with me.“What the fuck did Darren do to you?How could he hurt you this way, Reina?”
“Caleb, we gotta get her outta here,” my dad says as I keep my eyes locked on Cali while everything else fades into nothing.
My eyes slide over her body, cataloging every single injury she has.The rain has washed the blood from her skin, but there are still traces coloring her pale skin.Bruises have already started to form and I can no longer see the freckles that cover her body as a few guys shine flashlights on her body.
“Someone get the SUV up here.Now!”Kreed orders as I remain silent with tears forming in my eyes once again at the thought of the damage that’s been done to Cali’s body.
Grabbing one of her hands in mine, I take in the damaged nails that are broken down to nothing.A few have been broken so short, her fingertips are bleeding.My girl fought back against Darren.She remembered everything my family taught her over the years and managed to save herself before any of us could get to her.I barely hear the SUV pull up next to us and my dad starting to order the rest of the guys to go get my bike back to the clubhouse, find Darren to take him back to the clubhouse and toss him into one of the cells, and everything else he gets done while I remain on the pavement with Cali.
“The SUV is here, Reckless,” Manic informs me.“Luca’s drivin’ and waitin’ for you to load Cali up in the backseat.Gotta get her to the hospital.We’ve got things here covered.I’ll see ya soon.”
As gently as I can, I lift Cali in my arms and stand with the help of Tank and my papa.The back door of the SUV is open as I slide in without jostling Cali around too much.She doesn’t stir the entire time.My dad jumps in the front passenger seat next to Luca as he starts to turn the SUV around.I still don’t take my eyes off of Cali.The need to be the first one she sees when she wakes up so she knows I have her is overwhelming.I don’t want her waking up and thinking she’s still with that fucker Darren.He hurt her too badly and I know she won’t know what’s going on when she wakes up otherwise.
“She’s gonna be okay, Caleb.Caliana’s always been a fighter and she’ll pull through this,” my dad says, turning in his seat based on the sound filling the SUV.“We’ll all be there for her as she recovers and heals from the hell Darren put her through tonight.Darren will get what’s coming to him as well.Luca, step on it and get to the hospital.I’m lettin’ them know we’re on our way so they’re ready for her.”
The entire trip to the hospital, I keep Cali in my arms and my eyes locked on her body.She doesn’t move an inch the short ride as Luca races through town.I know he’s scared and wants to ensure the safety of Cali since he adores her, but he keeps his attention on the road in front of him as he drives faster and faster through town without a care in the world.If we get pulled over, Luca will take whatever punishment comes his way because he’s doing this for Cali.
By the time Luca pulls up to the hospital, there’s a team of doctors and nurses standing there with a gurney.Luca pulls right up to them and my dad jumps out to open the backdoor.As carefully as I can, I slide out of the backseat and race Cali over to the gurney where I lay her down as the medical team surrounds her and gets her inside the hospital.Knowing I won’t be allowed to go in the back with her, I don’t even try to fight because it will only delay my girl getting treated so we know how much damage has been done to her.
We’ve been at the hospitaland Cali has been taken into surgery.Most of the wounds are superficial and will heal with time.The surgery is for her elbow.When Darren took that pipe to her arm, he broke her elbow and the only way the doctors can fix it is with surgery and putting pins in there to hold the bones in place where they belong.I’ve been pacing the waiting room the entire time as everyone stays away from me.I’m like a caged tiger waiting to pounce and get this pent-up energy out.
“Go to the clubhouse, Caleb,” my dad says, walking up to me and resting a hand on my shoulder as he pulls me out of my head.
“I can’t leave her until I know she’s okay,” I state, shaking his hand off to resume my pacing once more.
“Caleb, she’s gonna be in surgery for a few hours still.They aren’t sure about internal bleedin’ and need to ensure they get everythin’ fixed and taken care of while she’s out so she doesn’t need another surgery,” my dad states rationally.“Right now, you’re no good to her and you need to get this shit with Darren taken care of.If you can tell her when she wakes up that he’s no longer a problem, Cali will be able to heal in peace.”
“Okay.Who’s gonna stay here with her?”I ask, looking around the waiting room to find every seat taken by a club member.With the three clubs together, there are guys standing against the walls and lining the beginning of the hallway leading to the entrance.We’ve taken over the waiting room.
“My club will stay here while I go to the clubhouse with you,” Papa says as I turn my attention to him.“They’ll call the second the doctor comes out with any news about Cali.Let’s go take care of this piece of shit so you can get back here.You need answers and Darren’s the only one who can give them to you.”
With a nod of my head, my papa heads over to the members of his club and fills them in on what’s going on.Vault and Dylan walk over to me with Kreed and Luca.No one has given Luca any shit for being here with us.Most of the guys understand why I’m letting Luca in on everything about this situation.He deserves to be there for Cali and get his hands dirty on her behalf.
After a few minutes of my papa giving out orders to his club, we all head out as one.The rain has finally stopped when we exit the hospital.Luca points to where the SUV is now parked as my dad, Luca, and I make our way over there.Climbing back in the backseat while Luca and my dad get in front, I try to think of everything I’m about to do to Darren.This fucker not only took Cali from me, but he put his hands on her and caused her immense pain.Because of Darren, my girl is now in surgery to repair the damage done to her.He’s gonna feel every fucking ounce of pain he made her suffer through.
Luca pulls up to the clubhouse in a matter of minutes while I zoned out the entire time.I don’t wait for him to come to a complete stop before jumping out and heading for the door of the clubhouse.My dad, Luca, Kreed, and my brother Dylan are right by my side.We don’t speak to anyone in the common room as I storm through and head for the door leading down to the basement.Stomping down the stairs, I want Darren to know we’re coming for him.He's about to be sent to hell and I’m the one who’s gonna send him there.
Our basement has been set up with four cells in this section and nothing else.This is really the first time we’re using them.With every step toward the last cell in the room, I slide my cut from my shoulders and hang it on a hook right outside the door of the cell Darren’s in.Luca opens the door and steps back for me to enter the room first.The sight that greets me has me smiling and wanting to laugh my ass off.I barely manage to refrain from laughing in Darren’s face as I take in the damage that’s already been done to him.
Darren’s face and torso are covered in cuts and bruises.Blood coats his skin.My girl did a number on him and I couldn’t be prouder than I am in this moment.Cali took every lesson she was ever taught and put it to good use.She didn’t let Darren get away with putting his hands on her.Cali took the first step in taking back her life from him and getting past everything he’s put her through over the years.
“I see Cali handed your ass to ya,” I finally say as more guys fill the cell and lean against the wall while I remain just in front of Darren where he’s bound to a chair with his head hanging low so I can’t truly see how much damage has been done to his face.
“Fuck you, Caleb.Cali’s a skank who spreads her legs for every man in this clubhouse.Never thought my wife would turn out to be such a fuckin’ whore,” Darren spits out, venom filling his voice as Luca steps forward and punches him in the nose.
“Don’t you fuckin’ talk about Miss Cali like that.She’s the best woman I’ve ever met and deserves nothin’ but respect and love.Not a piece of shit for a husband like you,” Luca yells in Darren’s face as he lets loose and beats the hell out of the bitch in front of him.
Luca doesn’t pick up a single one of the tools we have waiting to use on Darren’s body.This is personal for him and he’s not going to use anything but his fists.I stand back and fold my arms over my chest while watching Luca.He’s been training with Tank and it shows in his form.
“Gonna let him kill Darren before you get any answers?”my brother asks me as we watch Luca continue to beat the fuck out of Darren without breaking a sweat.
“Nope.He’s not done yet.Luca will step back when he’s done and won’t take things too far.He knows we need answers and will give us the chance to get them,” I tell my brother as Luca finally steps back and spits at Darren’s feet.
“You’re a vile piece of shit who never deserved to have a woman like Cali in your life.The fact that she married you says so much about the kind of woman she is and not much about you.Cali loved you for eight fuckin’ years and you took that love and threw it back in her face.You treated her like shit and didn’t do any better with your kids.I hope you spend the rest of your pathetic life regrettin’ the way you treated her and those precious kids of yours,” Luca spits out, his voice full of hatred as he glares at Darren while stepping back next to Tank.
Luca’s hands are covered in Darren’s blood and he does nothing to remove it from his skin.He doesn’t take his eyes off of Darren as if he has a chance of escaping and Luca plans on being the one to stop him.This kid proves daily what a great addition to the club he’s about to make because we’re not waiting a year to patch him in.Not after everything he’s done to help Cali.
