Saving Dallas 2 Making the Cut (28 page)

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my
eyes landing on the diamond motorcycle charm that dangled from the
gold chain around my neck. I brought it to my lips and kissed it,
closing my eyes, wishing Luke had something of mine to remember me
by. I was sure that he would find something when he went to my
house, but it would have meant so much more to him if I had given
it to him, personally. Luke would find happiness again one day. I
was certain that in time, I would become a memory. My heart
clenched at the thought of him spending the rest of his life with
another woman. All I could hope for was that she was good to him. I
knew Red wouldn’t let him settle for just anyone. I could trust her
in that department. If anyone wanted into Luke’s heart, they would
have to go through her. I shook my head, trying to clear my
thoughts. I couldn’t believe I was actually standing here, thinking
about him with someone else. It was me that he belonged with. At
least he wouldn’t have to worry about Charlie anymore. I would make
sure that everyone knew it was me that took his life so that the
club wouldn’t suffer. I didn’t know who would take over Charlie’s
place when he died, but I was sure a man with an empire like his,
had to have a ranking army behind him. I gave the charm a final
kiss and tucked it inside my dress; I would take a little piece of
Luke with me everywhere I went.

“You look absolutely radiant this morning,
Dallas. Please, join me.” I smiled at Charlie as he pulled my chair
out for me at the dining room table. “What would you like to eat
this morning? I have a little of everything.”

Without meaning to, my mind drifted back to
the time when Regg had ordered room service for me and Lindsey
after a drunken night in a bar. He and a PROSPECT had taken us to a
nearby hotel on their motorcycles. He had gone all out and ordered
everything on the menu for us. That was another time that I had
pushed Luke away. I had been so stupid.

“Dallas?”

Charlie had been talking to me, and I wasn’t
even listening. Shit. I did not want to piss him off this early in
the day. I would be working for months trying to make up for my
actions from last night.

“I’m sorry. My mind is just a little fuzzy.
This is all very new to me.” I smiled apologetically and that
seemed to be enough to satisfy him.

“It’s fine. You will become accustomed. I can
assure you of that.” His comment made me wonder how many other
people he had done this to. I took a deep breath in an attempt to
clear my head of thoughts of Luke. I had done a pretty good job so
far at keeping thoughts of him at bay. It hurt too much, and right
now, I had something I needed to do.

“I would like some oatmeal, please. If you
have it.”

He passed me a white ceramic bowl filled with
oatmeal, apples and walnuts. My favorite.

“I took the liberty of asking Luke about
things that you liked and enjoyed.” The mention of Luke’s name out
of his mouth almost made me drop the bowl that I was holding. “I
thought I could prevent another outburst from you, if you knew that
Luke was aware of your well-being. It also helps to ensure him that
I have kept my word, once again. He was more than willing to tell
me your clothing size, the type of makeup you wore, and even what
you preferred for breakfast.”

I was speechless. He had talked to Luke.
When? How was he? I knew these were questions that I could not ask,
but I needed to know that he was okay. I also didn’t like the way
that he said Luke’s name. I didn’t feel like he was worthy to
breathe it.

“Please don’t talk about him in front of me,”
I said, looking at him, pleading with my eyes. I couldn’t handle
it. Knowing he had heard Luke’s beautiful voice and was torturing
him with thoughts of me, made me want to rip my own heart out of my
chest. My choice of words seemed to surprise Charlie.

“You love him? Even after what he did?” he
asked, dubiously. He just didn’t get it.

“Yes,” I whispered, tears welling in my eyes.
“I love him very much.”

“He didn’t choose you, Dallas.” His eyes
penetrated me, trying to understand how I could love him.

“I told him to choose Maddie.”

“Why?”

“She has a child,” I replied, noncommittally.
That wasn’t a complete lie.

“You are lying to me,” he said, matter of
fact.

“About her having a child?” I asked, now
confused at the turn this conversation had taken.

“About why you told him to choose her. Don’t
play games with me, Dallas. Why did you tell Luke to choose
her?”

I played with my oatmeal, swirling my spoon
around the bowl. I kept my head down whispering my answer, “She is
my sister.”

“Your sister? Look at me, Dallas.” My head
shot up at his commanding voice and I saw him staring at me, his
head slightly turned to one side. “I don’t quite understand. You
are telling me that this woman, Maddie, the daughter of Frankie the
Cutter is your sister?” His question didn’t really sound like a
question at all. It sounded more like an unbelieving statement.

“Step daughter, and yes. She is my sister,” I
confirmed.

“Will you please tell me the story? I can
find it out with a single phone call, but I would like to hear it
from you.” I stared at him, wondering whether my sharing this story
would benefit me or not. He seemed genuinely interested to hear it,
but I didn’t feel right talking about my family with him.

“Maybe one day, but with all due respect, I’m
really not up for reliving it right now.” He nodded his head in
understanding.

“You are talking about your kidnapping
experience with Frankie.” My eyes widened at his words. How did he
know about that? I took a sip of water and straightened my posture
before answering him.

“Yes. As crazy as it may sound, this
particular situation-me being here with you, is only one of the
many life altering events I have experienced in the past few months
of my life.” My voice was stronger than I expected and in no way
reflected the way I felt on the inside.

“We have time. When you trust me, and are
ready to share your story, I will be here to listen. Let’s just
enjoy breakfast for now.” He smiled reassuringly and my automatic
response was a smile in return and a nod of my head. Crisis
averted, for now.

Chapter16

Dallas

After breakfast, I went back to my room and
curled up in the bed. Charlie had informed me that we would be
spending another night due to the weather. The forecast showed
thunderstorms for the rest of the day and on into the night. We
were under a tornado warning and the power had recently gone out.
Luckily, it was just bright enough outside that we didn’t need any
flashlights or candles. I found some magazines on the night stand
beside my bed and lost myself in them. Keeping up with the latest
celebrity drama was a way to escape my own reality. It made me sick
though, how people could care that much about one person getting a
DUI when there were women, like me, out there that were being held
against their will. At least I wasn’t getting gang raped or beaten.
I was beginning understand that the only way to keep me sane was to
think of the positive things, like having food and water and not
being tied up. This abduction was going much better than my first
one. I thought I was going to die in that barn, but divine
intervention and a group of bikers saved me. Could it happen
again?

Lunch went the same way that breakfast did,
except this time I couldn’t hide my smile when I saw that Charlie
had someone prepare Luke’s “specialty-” ham sandwiches and potato
chips.

“Something funny?” Charlie asked, intrigued
by my smile.

“No, this looks great. Thank you,” I said,
still smiling.

“You are thinking of him again, aren’t you?”
My smile faded, but I nodded my head.

“He once told me he was going to fix me his
specialty. I was anticipating something great, instead he surprised
me with this,” I said, motioning to the plate before me. Why had I
told him that? “He told you this was something I liked?” I asked,
again not knowing why I was still talking. Charlie took a moment to
just stare at me, impassively, before he answered.

“He did. If I had known something as simple
as a sandwich would make you think of him, I would have had
something else prepared.”

It scared me that the majority of our time
together was spent at this table, and each time he found out a
little more about me. I would be taking dinner in my room tonight.
I didn’t care if it pissed him off or not.

“There is not much that does not remind me of
him. I know you want to erase him from my memory, but that is never
going to happen. He is a part of me,” I said, picking my sandwich
up and taking a bite, hoping it would be enough to convince him
that I was tired of talking.

“What would you do to see him again?”

The question was loaded, and I knew that I
had to choose my answer wisely. The word ‘anything’ came to mind,
but a man like Charlie took that word to heart. I didn’t want to
owe him. I didn’t want Luke to owe him. I would rather spend the
rest of my days on Earth with him than know that Luke would
constantly have to look over his shoulder.

“I won’t answer that question.”

“Would you kill for him?” he asked,
undeterred by my remark. I threw my napkin onto my uneaten plate of
food.

“Do you care to elaborate?” I asked, in a
bitchy tone. He was getting on my nerves with these mind games.

“It is just a question, Dallas. There is no
reason to get so upset. Would you kill for him?” His repeated
question struck a nerve with me.

“I would give my life for him, which is
exactly what I am doing. That is the ultimate sacrifice,” I
snapped.

“No, it is not. Taking the life of someone is
a greater sacrifice than giving your own for someone you love. You
gave up the life you once had for Maddie, not for Luke.” I stared
at his calm, collected posture. This was some kind of test.

“What are you getting at, Charlie?” I asked,
completely exasperated. He smiled at me, knowing he had struck a
nerve, and enjoying the flicker of hope he saw in my eyes.

“You obviously are not happy here. I think I
could change that. As much as I want you here with me, I am a fair
man and I am willing to give you a chance to get your old life
back. I’m not convinced that Luke deserves you. If there is
something you would like to share with me to prove Luke is worthy,
now is the time.” I knew he was talking about the shit with
Frankie, and Maddie. He might let me go, but there was something in
it for him. Before I got my hopes up, I would find out just what
that something was.

“Why are you doing this for me? I know you
say it is because you are a fair man, but explain to me the bigger
picture. A man of your stature and power doesn’t just give second
chances to people like Luke.” Even in the dim light of the room I
could see his eyes sparkle. He was enjoying this shit.

“I’m not giving a second chance to Luke. I am
giving you a second chance. My issues with Luke have been settled.
He got Frankie in exchange for you.” I felt like there was a piece
of the puzzle missing. I saw Charlie’s smile grow as he watched my
confused expression.

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“Just sitting here, watching you try and
process this does something to me. It is why I do the things that I
do. It is the thrill of knowing that I have you now, and although I
might lose you, a part of you will always belong to me, just as you
said Luke was a part of you.”

I stared at his evil smile, trying to decide
if it was better to end this now or just keep my mouth shut. The
pleasure of him not getting his way was almost as wonderful as the
thought of seeing Luke again. Almost.

“It’s obvious that I don’t follow what you
are saying,” I said, leaning back in my chair and crossing my legs,
mirroring his posture. “You know I would do just about anything to
have Luke in my life. I know that you are offering me a second
chance, and I will be forever grateful, but before we go any
further, I will not hurt anyone I love just to save myself. I don’t
care how easy you make it for me. Tell me what you are offering and
I will tell you if I am interested. If so, you can set it up. If
not, we can leave for Mexico, as you suggested, as soon as the
weather clears.”

Charlie let out a laugh. A big hearty laugh
that was full of joy, or some shit. His laugh was just like his
voice; it drew you in and I had to fight hard not to laugh or at
least smile with him.

“Oh Miss Knox, you really are a shrewd
business woman. What I would have given to have met you in a
different time, under different circumstances. I believe in another
life, we could have been best friends. We are not so different, you
and me. It is the thrill of winning that makes us happy. I’m sure
the club has changed you somewhat, but you still get that feeling
of elation when you know you have won. When you want something, you
said you didn’t use force, you simply wrote a check, but how many
times have you desired something so much that you have stooped to
an inhumane level to acquire it? How many of your six hundred
million dollars’ worth of properties have you obtained by
convincing someone that it was better for you than it was for them?
How many families have you watched walk out of your office after
signing over something that serves as a piece of history for them
and nothing more than another win for you? This world is a corrupt
place, but it is the people like you and me who always come out on
top.”

My posture didn’t falter, my face stayed
impassive, and if it wasn’t for the heavy beating of my heart, I
don’t think he would have noticed how his speech affected me. He
was right. We were the same. The only difference was, I was not a
murderer.

“Jasper, bring Miss Knox and I a bottle of
cognac. We have some business to negotiate.”