He says his number one job is to make sure the women and children of Heartlands are safe. I mean, how could you not respect that?”
I swallow, thinking of how I made so many assumptions about Conley. How my instinct was to trust him but my fear got in the way.
I can’t lose him because my past is making me lose sight of what my future could hold.
“Thanks Ruby, but I need to go,” I say, leaving the bathroom and walking quickly to the bar, where the men are meeting.
They are debating how to take action against the Outlaws, what sort of force to use. And now I understand their caution — they are nothing like the Outlaws. The Outlaws would’ve already come with guns blazing. But these men are different. They aren’t driven by money or greed — they are driven by love.
Tears fight to fall, but I push them back. Right now, I want to be strong.
“I have an idea,” I say, my voice small in the midst of so many men. Thy don’t hear me. “I can help,” I say louder, walking closer to Conley. Still, they don’t see me. Finally, I raise my voice. “I know how we can take out the Outlaws,” I shout.
They all turn to me, Conley watching me closely.
“And how is that?” a man with a gruff voice and long beard asks skeptically.
“Their president, Grill? He’s my ex. And I have something he wants.”
Chapter 9
Conley
“What are you talking about?” I ask Calico as she stands before a bunch of my men. I had an idea that she had some secrets — but this? River’s father is my enemy?
She shakes her head, wringing out her hands. I see Ranger’s girl, Ruby, has walked over to the bar, listening, and some other women are here too with their men — Roxanne, Kristina, and Stella. They all have worry written in their eyes, and probably on their hearts. They are scared of losing the men they love.
I’m scared of losing the girl I love.
Love.
There. I fucking said it. And it’s the truth. One day with Calico is all it took. This woman is mine.
And damn, she truly has been through hell.
“My ex is Grill. And I stole a bunch of his guns yesterday — they are in my trunk. And I could convince him that I messed up, that I was being a fool. I could explain that I’m sorry and lure him to a spot to come pick them up.”
“You think guns alone will convince him to come?” Killian asks.
“Maybe. He hates me. Really hates me. Maybe he will think he can get back at me somehow, get revenge.”
“It’s a long shot,” Gage says, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure guns are gonna be enough of a reason for him. He is gonna come anyways.”
“But this would be on our terms — not his,” Ranger says. “It can work in our favor. On our turf.”
River and Bulldog enter the bar and I look at Calico, trying to read her thoughts on this development. But she stands tall, head held high. She is strong and God, I love that about her.
River clears his throat. “I can help,” he offers. “They’re right, Mom. The guns alone aren’t enough. But you’ve been battling in court with him for years, he wants me.”
Calico shakes her head. “No. You can’t be involved, River. You’re just a boy.”
“I’m fourteen,” he says proudly, standing straight. “And I know this will get him to come. I can call him and say you kidnapped me, that you took his guns. That I want to live with him.”
Calico bites her bottom lip. “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” she says. She looks up at me. “Conley, what do you think?”
“I think your boy is nearly a man, and he makes a good fucking point. The guns aren’t enough. This will work.”
“And then what? He arrives with the Outlaws and you guys shoot him in cold blood?”
“No,” I say. “We tell him our terms, our territory. We give him the stolen guns and tell him not to come into Heartlands territory or we stop playing nice.” Calico is near tears, and I step toward her. Taking her hand. “It’s gonna be okay, Cali. I promise.”
I hear a collective murmur as I hold onto Calico’s hand, but I don’t pay it any mind. “You sure this is going to work?” she asks.
I nod. “I know it will.”
She exhales, nodding her blessing.