Saving Dallas 2 Making the Cut (5 page)

DALLAS

Four drinks later, I was half sprawled out on
the lounge chair and giving thanks to the vodka gods. I would never
have made it through this conversation without them. Red didn’t
fuck around. When I told her I was ready, she gave it to me. Not
once did she stop to elaborate about anything, not that she really
needed to. She explained everything in enough detail that I never
had to ask questions. She held nothing back and didn’t seem to care
if something hurt my feelings or made me cry. She was exactly what
I needed, and although she would never know it, I was scared enough
of her not to cuss her out or chew her ass like I would have if
Luke had told me. I leaned back in my chair and watched as Red
gracefully floated around the pool. I closed my eyes and let my
mind wander back to the new found knowledge that had just destroyed
my life, yet might have saved it.

“Okay, I’m gonna give this shit to you
straight. I don’t want to be interrupted and I don’t want you
telling me to shut-up. That shit gets on my nerves,” Red said,
sitting up in her chair and turning to face me. She took her
glasses off so I could see directly into her eyes and placed her
elbows on her knees. She looked totally in control of the situation
and I was happy to let her have it. I nodded my head in agreement,
afraid that if I tried to speak, I would vomit.

“Mayor Kirkley, as you call him, has been
around MCs his whole life. I call him Paul. Mayor Kirkley takes too
long to say.” She stared at me and I assumed she wanted a form of
acknowledgment, so I nodded my head and she continued, “Luke told
you the story of his grandfather, Pops, and his buddy Gill forming
the Devil’s Renegades. Paul was Gill’s son.” I couldn’t help it. An
audible gasp escaped my lips and Red paused, smiling a little at my
reaction. “I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Not many
people know that though. Paul was much like William, Luke’s father.
He hated his dad and everything he stood for. He hated the club
even more and made it his life’s mission to take it down. Paul also
hated William. When Paul and William were in college, William
managed to sweep Karen, Luke’s mom, off her feet, which would have
been romantic if she weren’t already engaged to Paul. You still
with me?” What the fuck? Of course I didn’t say that, instead I
just nodded my head. At this rate, I would have whiplash by the
time this conversation was finished. “Good,” Red said, taking
another long swallow from her glass, and then continuing. “Paul
decided that the best way for him to vent his frustration was by
lifting weights, which was good considering William was doing the
same thing, except he was doing it with Paul’s ex-fiancée.” Red
laughed at her own joke and I smiled, thinking it was the
appropriate thing to do, although my mind was spinning and I felt
like I needed to hold onto the chair to keep from falling off.
“Shit, I’m funny. Anywho, Paul went on to be a body-builder while
William settled down with Karen and started his own timber
business. Business was booming and William was doing better than
ever when Paul returned in hopes of showing Karen how successful he
was and stealing her back. The problem was, William was successful
too and Paul didn’t stand a chance against him. Karen is one lucky
bitch, by the way. Paul and William were both fine as hell, rich as
hell, and hopelessly devoted to her. Paul soon learned, that if he
wanted to be a Mayoral candidate, the last thing he needed was for
everyone to know that he was envious of William. So, what does he
do? He marries a beautiful woman, has a beautiful daughter and
becomes the doting husband when his wife is diagnosed with cancer.
Of course she died, and Paul was left with a daughter to raise. The
people ate it up. A single father raising a little girl? Priceless.
The papers wrote endless columns about the struggles he went
through while his wife was on her death bed. Nothing stood in the
way of him being elected as mayor, except for your father.”

Now it was my turn to sit up and gulp down my
drink. This was where I would find out the things I feared. I held
my hand up and ran inside, fixing Red and I another drink and
returned in record time. “Continue,” I told Red, putting my elbows
on my knees just as she had done and giving her my full attention.
She smiled.

“This shit is good, ain’t it? It’s like a
fucking soap-opera!”

“Red.”

“Okay, okay, I’m going. So anyways, your
father had a lot of property in Hattiesburg. He also did a lot of
business with William. He-”

“Wait, wait, wait, my dad knew Luke’s dad?” I
interrupted.

“Hey, what did I say about interrupting? Yes,
they knew each other, now would you shut the hell up and let me
finish?”

I gave her a nod and she started in again,
“Now, where was I? Oh, okay, he needed William because at the time,
William was the best in the timber business and as you know, there
was not an acre around that wasn’t covered in pines. William is
still the best around, in my opinion, but that’s irrelevant.
Anyway, your dad, I’m gonna call him Herman, cause that’s his name
and I hate saying “your dad”, didn’t want the pipeline coming
through the city. The reason why was because he owned all the land
and he knew that he could make twice as much if he cut the timber,
then
sold the land. So, Herman being the genius that he was,
by the way, not everyone would say that, but that dude was fucking
smart, had some signs made that said, “William Carmical for Mayor.”
Now, Paul is a very intelligent man, but at the time instead of
investigating what was going on, he simply saw red and went ape
shit. Of course, he knew your father too, not personally or
anything, but just through his real estate. He finds out through
hearsay that Herman is backing William and he gives him a call.
Herman tells Paul to keep an eye on you and make sure you are safe
and he will give him all the land on ninety-eight and William will
lose his sponsorship for Mayor. Paul agreed. Paul hated the club,
but hands down, they were the best security force in the state. He
had no problems with Luke and he knew Luke had just been named
Sergeant at Arms, and was the biggest badass around. He also knew,
Luke was trying to prove himself to the club. So, he paid him to
watch over and protect you. Luke had no choice but to take the job
because Paul threatened to take down the club if he didn’t, and the
club really needed the money. So, the club voted and Luke became
your protector. He finally met you, fell in love, and the rest is
history. I need a drink.” With that, Red took our glasses and went
inside, leaving me to process everything she said. I seriously
hoped this next drink was a double.

“Red, when you get finished I would like to
ask a few questions.” I said, sitting up straighter in the chair. I
had had enough time to re-cap all the events and now I had a few
things I needed to clarify.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m coming,” Red said,
climbing out of the pool. She stumbled up the steps and flopped
down in the lounge chair next to me.

“Do you think Luke loves me?” I blurted out.
Whoa. That was not what I was expecting to come out of my mouth.
Damn vodka. Red’s answer was immediate.

“Absolutely. I have never seen him as happy
as he is when he is with you.”

I thought about this. Red was telling the
truth. I really didn’t have to ask. I knew Luke loved me. Did I
think he was an ass for lying to me all this time? Of course. But,
I never doubted his love for me. How could I after everything he
had done? But I didn’t need him in my life. I was getting along
fine without him. Just like in my favorite Merle Haggard song, he
would be my favorite memory of all, but that was all he would ever
be to me.

“Where is Frankie now?” I asked her.

“Don’t know. Not my place to know, but I do
know that he can’t get to you and if he could, he couldn’t hurt
you.”

“What does that mean?” I asked confused.

“They cut off his hands,” she replied
matter-of-fact. My blood ran cold and I thought I would vomit.
“Just kidding. Sounded good though, didn’t it?” Red asked
laughing.

“You are fucking sick,” I replied, but I
couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ve been called worse,” she said with a
shrug.

“How did they know he was here?” I asked, all
the questions that were unanswered were starting to surface again.
Red’s face paled when I asked this.

“Luke had Marty and War follow you. They ran
Marty off the road. Fucked him up pretty bad. He is at Forrest
General now. War is still missing.” My heart seemed to take a nose
dive.

“Missing?” I couldn’t believe this. Someone
was hurt and someone else was missing all because of me.

“Yeah. Luke is trying to get answers from
Frankie but he ain’t talking.” I couldn’t help it. The tears
started flowing down my face. What had I done? “Hey,” Red said
coming to sit next to me and putting her arm around my shoulders.
“This is not your fault. This is what they do. They were hired to
do this. I don’t want you to hold this against Luke, but this is
what they are getting paid for. If you want to make it up to them,
then show them you are worthy.” My head that I had been holding in
my hands snapped up at her response.

“What do you mean show them I am worthy?”
What the fuck was she getting at?

“Prove to them that you are more to this club
than just a job. I know you want to be mad at Luke. I know you are
pissed because he didn’t tell you what was going on, but it was for
your own good. Luke needs you right now and I know that sounds
selfish on his part, but that’s what we do as ol’ ladies. We take
care of our family. If you can show them that you can make the cut
then they will avenge the death of your parents, they will make
sure Frankie gets exactly what he deserves and will be proud to do
it. Right now, it’s a job. Make it personal.”

I looked at Red, finally realizing what her
meaning was. Luke was their President. If I played the role as his
ol’ lady, then I became part of the family. And they protected
their family. I didn’t want to be submissive to Luke. I wanted him
to suffer without me. I wanted him to feel betrayed, the way I felt
betrayed, but I wanted Frankie to suffer more than I wanted Luke to
suffer. I wanted to do it for me, but most of all I wanted to do it
for War and for Marty.

“Dallas, I know about you being poisoned.” I
stared at Red in shock. How did she know that? “Dr. Yarborough
frequents the night club that I used to work at. I have a lot of
connections. I knew there was more to your story than what was
being told. I also overheard you asking Luke if it was Stacy who
got that land, if something happened to you. I know you want
revenge, but you can’t do it alone. Be a good ol’ lady. Make the
cut and I promise everyone who has ever wronged you will pay.” I
shook my head in disbelief. This bitch was good.

“Did you tell Luke?” I asked, panicking.

“No, Dallas. Do you think I’m stupid or
something? Luke would flip! Your secrets are safe with me,” she
said with a wink.

But, I knew there was a catch, “Why are you
doing this for me?”

Her answer was simple,“I’m not. I’m doing it
for Luke.”

I nodded my head in understanding, but she
continued, “You love Luke. Luke loves you. You are stubborn and
bull-headed and you are gonna tell yourself that you can fake your
way through this just to get revenge. You can tell yourself
whatever you want, but I know that you are going to fall for Luke
harder than ever and when you do, you won’t be able to let him
go.”

My eyes had dried and my heart was guarded. I
straightened my back and looked at Red directly in her eyes. “I
will do this for my parents, myself, and for Marty and War, but
when I am finished, I will let him go.”

Red stood; grabbing her clothes off the
chaise lounge, then turned to me and patted my shoulder, “Sure you
will.” And with that, she was gone.

After Red left, I must have dozed off in the
chair, because when I woke, I was covered in sweat, slightly burnt
and had a major headache. I went inside and saw that it was after
three o’clock. Damn. I grabbed some headache meds, a bottle of
water and decided that I better call Lindsey to check in at the
office. Of course, she wanted to come over and fill me in because
everything she had to tell me was “too good to say over the phone.”
I told her I was not up for company, but maybe later in the week.
That wasn’t a complete lie. I wasn’t up for company, unless it was
Luke. I didn’t want to admit it, but I missed him. Could I really
guard my heart and pretend to be in love with him? Well, hell no. I
couldn’t pretend because I
was
in love with him. “FUCK!” I
screamed at the ceiling. I was lying on my back in the bed and all
I could think about was myself, and my love life. Marty was in the
hospital and War was missing for crying out loud! I jumped off the
bed and headed to the shower. I had someone to visit.

I changed into a pair of faded, ripped jeans
and a black fitted t-shirt with a lime green pocket on the left
breast. I opted out of any jewelry and threw on a pair of black
flip flops. My outfit was less than casual, but I was hoping it
would draw the least amount of attention possible. I applied thick
makeup to my face, trying to cover the bruises. They were mostly
covered but still visible. I grabbed my purse, phone, and Ray Bans
and was out the door.

Forrest General Hospital was a busy place any
day of the week, but on this particular day, about ten Harley
Davidson Motorcycles added to the parking chaos. Of course, the
Devil’s Renegades made parking their convenience, by pulling their
motorcycles into the “no parking” area by the front door. Great. I
was hoping that I wouldn’t have to see half the damn club, but oh
well. I was here for Marty. I found a parking spot on the second
floor of the parking garage and pulled my sleek, black, Mercedes
CL600 into the vacant space. A crowd of teenagers had gathered
close, giving appreciative stares to the car. So much for not
drawing attention to myself. I smiled at them as I exited and
noticed the shock on their faces. Apparently, they were expecting
someone who wasn’t dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.