Saving Dallas 2 Making the Cut(13)

“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.”