Page 60 of Hell's Claim

“Callie…” Cherry looked horrified.

“Please, let me finish. I survived but became used to being unwanted. That’s a feeling that haunts me. Cherry, I was truly not wanted, nobody cared if I lived or died, if I needed hugs and comfort. Desolation is a terrible emotion. Then my sisters found me, and we went on to find Rain.

“Sunny and I were friends before we became anything else. Our friendship is important to me. We had a blip, something happened, and I cut him out of my life for a bit. But when Sunny makes his mind up, he can be rather determined. Our beginning was messy, but I’m hoping the future won’t be.” I took a deep breath and hoped Cherry wasn’t judging me.

Cherry stared at me for several long, drawn-out moments. “Foster care was rough. I was also unwanted. And I understand… even all these years later, I hold physical, mental, and emotional scars. It’s how Primal was able to abuse me and leave me pregnant with Sunny. It was how I recognised real love when Bullet offered me it. Sunny is much like Bullet, he feels deep and loves hard.”

“Sunny has spoken a little about Bullet.”

“He loved that man as much as I did. Sunny did not know Primal as a father at all. Primal showed no interest in Sunny and didn’t even care when Bullet and I got together. The only thing Primal said when Bullet stated his claim was not to go to him for child support. Not that he’d paid it, anyway.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. Bullet loved me, I’ve never had another relationship after him. Nobody could love me as much as him. Do not let fear take away your chance at happiness, Callie. Sunny, despite his ornery ways, is a good man. My son will worship you if you allow him,” Cherry said.

“I already care for Sunny a great deal.” And I did. Sunny was wriggling his way into my locked-up heart. It wasn’t just the gifts; it was the way he spoke to me and how he treated me. Little things like spending time with me and simple picnics meant more than a fancy meal at a restaurant.

A knock at the door startled me, and I excused myself, glad to have a few moments to compose my thoughts. I heard Sunny coming from the kitchen as I opened the door and stared at the stranger on it.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“I need to speak to Sunny and Cherry,” he announced as Sunny approached.

“You!” Sunny hissed in pure hate, and I spun in fear. Whoever this was, Sunny hated them, which meant they were a danger.

“I gotta talk to you,” the guy demanded, looking pleadingly at Sunny.

“The fuck you do,” Sunny spat as Cherry called out.

“Stay there, Mom. It’s just a piece of trash that needs taking out,” Sunny replied.

“I have information… son.”

Chapter Thirteen.

Callie

“I’m not your son!” Sunny spat.

For a brief moment, I was confused as Sunny pulled me gently away from the door and placed himself between us.

“That’s okay. I don’t deserve to call you that. But I have information the club needs,” the guy pressed.

I studied him. Was this the guy we’d just been speaking about? Primal? He was about six feet, but his shoulders were stooped, and he seemed to have a frailty about him. Once, he would have been a big man; his frame showed that. Instead, his skin was wrinkled and his face worn. There were pock marks on his cheeks, but his eyes were clear.

“Get the fuck away from this house now,” Sunny growled out.

“Sunny, you need this information I have,” Primal repeated.

Sunny placed a hand on the man’s chest and shoved him back.

“This is my girl’s home. How dare you?” he demanded. I heard the fury rising in Sunny’s voice.

“Callie, come here,” Cherry called, and I turned and saw her in the doorway. She had Liv behind her, and her eyes were focused on the stranger. But he wasn’t so much a stranger, after all.

“I’ve seen you watching me a few times,” I exclaimed. That was the wrong thing to say. Sunny’s whole body went tense.

“What?” he asked, not taking his eyes off Primal.

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