Chapter Six

Calista

No one was more startled than me when I called Dominic "Dad." It was really only a matter of time before I slipped up anyway. My mother always referred to him as my dad, so I'd always thought of him that way. I'd tried not to let that little girl who desperately wanted a father figure to protect and love her out for anyone to see. Even my mother when she'd been alive. The last thing I'd ever wanted to do was make her feel like she'd failed at giving me something I needed. It was because we were in such a desperate situation that she'd taken up with Borris in the first place. He was much older than my mother and told her he needed a caregiver in his elder days and that in exchange for her being his wife, he'd make sure I had everything I needed. I was beginning to think the reality was something far different, but I wasn't about to say so. If these men found confirmation of what I suspected, then I'd believe them. But I wasn't throwing it out there.

Now, Dom was on his knees in front of me, sobbing like his heart was breaking. I wasn't sure what to do. I threaded one hand through his hair and held him to me, while patting his shoulder with the other and just… let him get it all out. Truth be told, I was close to tears my own damn self.

It took a couple of minutes, but Dom cleared his throat and stood. Picking me up in his arms, he carried me to the chair next to the couch where Ringo still sat, cradling me in his lap. I wasn't as comfortable with him as I was with Ringo, but I knew I could get there. I didn't know this man. Had never even seen a picture of him. Mom had said it was for safety reasons. The thought that there was a picture of him and Mom in that compass and I hadn't known -- that my mom might not have known -- was the thing I clung to. Dom had given her that compass never intending to come back to her, but not wanting her to forget him. Maybe? There were so many questions I had, and I wasn't sure I was brave enough to ask them.

"This compound is full of men some people in the U.S. government would love to be rid of. Everyone here had done some things that might not have been sanctioned by the government at the time but ordered done just the same."

"Are you talking about something like… I don't know. Black Ops?"

"That's exactly what I'm talking about."

"I thought that was only in the movies. Like for real ."

Dom grinned down at his daughter. "No, honey. It's not as glamorous as it is in the movies, but one thing they got right is that, if something goes wrong or they decide what they ordered you to do was wrong, you're a liability. Not all of us'd be in trouble if anyone knew we were still alive and kickin', but there are several who'd be hunted down and shot on sight."

"And by telling me this, do I have to stay here now?"

Again, Dom grinned. "Nope. I'm tellin' you this because I want you in my life. However I can have you. That means I have to give you my trust to earn yours. So there it is. I just gave you the key to bring us all down."

I sucked in a breath, shaking my head. "I don't want that."

"I know, honey. I did it anyway. Because I'm all in with you. The way I should have been with your mother."

"But you left her to keep her safe." I could feel tears pricking my eyes. Only fitting since he'd cried in front of me when I'd have bet my life he wasn't a man who ever cried in front of others. Hell, he probably didn't let himself feel emotion strongly enough to have the need to cry.

"Yeah, but I should have known no one could keep her as safe as I could. It's not a mistake I'm makin' again. Not with you, Calista." He glanced up at me, raising an eyebrow. "Which is why, if you stay, I want my enforcer here, Ringo, to claim you."

I started, pushing away from him slightly. Dom didn't try to hold me, but kept his arms loosely around me, as if reluctant to let me up. Shaking my head, I gasped out, "You can't be serious."

Dom looked from me to Ringo and back. "You tellin' me you don't want it to be him? You want to check out some of the other guys here? See if one fits?"

"I don't need to be claimed by anyone." It was a token protest at best, and I was woman enough to admit it. At least to myself. The thought of being thrown together with Ringo was more of a turn on than I wanted to admit. I already felt safe with him. Hell, I wanted to have him near more than I wanted Dom. Dom was my father, but the fact was, I'd known Ringo longer. Maybe only a couple minutes longer, but still!

Dom grinned at me. "Well, it's the only way I'm lettin' you be near him. He's interested in you and I'm keeping him honest."

"Huh?" I looked back at Ringo, who had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face I'd ever seen. "Are the two of you making fun of me?" Because if they were, I'd never forgive them. Or myself for such poor judgment.

"Not at all, honey," Dom said, giving me a kind look. "I just want you safe." He shot me a wry look. "Much as I hate to admit it, the smug bastard would be the best protection for you. He's ruthless and deadly, but he's got a good heart."

"Wow, bro," Ringo drawled as he put his arms across the back of the couch, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee. "Didn't know you cared."

"I don't," Dom snapped, looking as disgruntled as a man could. "And I'll never repeat what I said to anyone outside this room. You're still a dumbass, and I'll still give you hell every chance I get."

Again, I studied both men. "I'm not sure about this. I don't want to be a burden or forced on anyone. And I most certainly don't want to run from one monster straight to another." I shook my head, though, in my heart, I knew what Dom proposed wasn't anything like what Borris had.

"Calista," Dom whispered, brokenly. "No. No one would ever force you into something like that. Least of all me. I only want you protected. You like Ringo. He likes you." He shrugged, shaking his head. "It's just our way. Our men know almost at first sight when they find the woman they want. I don't think Ringo's any different."

"What about you?" I couldn't help the question. It felt like a low blow, but I had to know. "Did you want my mom for something more than a passing fling?"

Dom lowered his head, then leaned back to stare at the ceiling, his head resting on the back of the chair. "Yeah, honey. I did. I intended to marry her, then my life went all to shit and back. The last time I met up with her was when I made her memorize the map to this place from Riviera Beach. I spent the entire night with her. Makin' sure she never forgot the directions. Or me." A small smile parted his lips as he continued to look at the ceiling. "God, I loved her…" His voice was nearly a whisper now. "I had to keep her safe and the only way to do that was to leave her alone. I admit, I was hurt she gave in as easily as she did. Looking back, she probably knew she was pregnant, was afraid to be near me, and used my lesson as the excuse she needed to forget I existed. Lord knew I scared her half to death to make an impression on her. I wanted her with me more than anything other than wanting to keep her safe. So I didn't push her. Thinkin' now that was the exact wrong thing to do."

"You were just trying to do what you thought was right." I found myself believing my words. They weren't just something I was saying to make him -- and myself -- feel better. Dom was exactly the type of man to sacrifice himself to keep his family safe. I sighed. "What if we hate each other?"

"Then I kick his ass and he changes his attitude." I thought he was only half joking.

I turned to study Ringo. He was still draped lazily on the couch. The smirk on his face was sexy as fuck, and I wanted to know what those lips felt like on mine.

"Even if it looks like Dom's just selling you to the highest bidder, you know this is different." Ringo's expression was deceptive. On the one hand, he looked relaxed and arrogant. But, underneath the surface, there was a vulnerability he tried to bury deep. I had to really study him to see even a glimmer. It was there, though. The expectation that I'd reject him.

‘Course, I didn't know the guy. Maybe I was reading way more into it than I should.

Lord knew refusing this would be the smart thing to do. Unfortunately, I'd never been accused of being smart.

"Maybe," I conceded. "I still think I should have the choice to not be claimed by anyone."

"Sorry, honey," Dom said with a grin. "I want you safe. To ensure that, I want my best man on you. That's Ringo. Sure, he could still do the job and not make any kind of claim on you. But he and I both know that you'll end up sleeping with him." He held up a hand to stave off an argument. "No reflection on either of you. Just saying I can see he's got it for you, and you're certainly interested in him. He wouldn't want other men around you and would turn into a grouch when some of our brothers made a play for you, because he'd still be responsible for your safety and would have to be with you. It would all turn into a ghastly mess. People might even end up dying." Dom looked smug. Like he knew there was no way I'd refuse him. We both knew I'd protest but I'd give in eventually.

Mainly because he was right. If I spent much time in Ringo's presence, if he showed the least bit of interest in me, I'd end up in his bed. I might be a virgin, but I knew that about myself. Besides, I'd rather give myself to a man I wanted -- no matter what happened later -- than have it sold or taken from me.

"If I agree to this, you're not going to kill Ringo. Right?"

Dom barked out a laugh. "No, honey."

"I mean, you threatened to before. And that if his dick touched me you'd cut it off and feed it to him." I pointed an accusing finger at Dom. "I distinctly remember that."

"As long as he treats you right, his dick'll be safe."

"So what does all this mean? Him claiming me?"

"It means you'll be my old lady. In the eyes of the club, we'd be married. Also means you'll not only have my and Dom's protection, but that of the entire club." He shrugged. "Probably would anyway, but there are a few stubborn old goats who'd resist." He shrugged. "Not that it would matter. Lemon would quash that shit the second it left someone's mouth. But havin' someone claim you makes it all simple."

I leveled a hard gaze on Ringo. "I want one thing perfectly clear before we go any further."

"What's that?" Ringo raised an eyebrow as if to tell me to do my worst.

"If being your old lady is the same as being married, I will accept nothing less than fidelity. I absolutely will not tolerate being cheated on."

"That's part of it, baby girl." Ringo gave me a nod of acknowledgment. "You're mine. I'm yours."

"You break that rule, Ringo, Dom won't have to cut off your dick and feed it to you. I'll shove it up your ass."