Page 11 of Clover

He will find me; I know he will. I just have to hold out till then.

Chapter 4

Phoenix

We’ve been in my father’s office for hours now going over everything that’s happened with Clover, Braxton, and me. The sun crept up on us and is now burning through the sky. Too much time has passed. We should be out there looking for her, not in here talking. The bastard knows we’re on to him. We have to follow him. All this talking and sitting is fucking infuriating. My father won’t allow me to do anything until he has all the facts and information to make an “educated well thought out plan.” Fuck his plan. I’m a take-action kind of guy.

Griffon joined us about half an hour after we arrived, only prolonging thismeeting.The fucker’s not helping either. He’s even more calm and reserved than Pop. They’ve finally arrived at the important part, Clover’s abduction. We also, of course, had to tell them about my little encounter with Braxton at the strip club. Which only extended the already long fucking story. When can we get to actually doing something? I’m about to flip a table when I tune back into their conversation.

Pop is sitting at his desk again, the large imposing dark oak desk a physical representation of his authority. In his perfectly pressed suit and tie, Griffon has positioned himself behind our father just to the left and back one step. Also, a physical representation of his authority. He is my older brother, my superior in every way. At least he thinks so and makes sure to remind me of it every chance he gets. The arrogant bastard.

We get along well enough. As well as we can, which really isn’t much. Not many people ‘get along’ with Griffon. He doesn’t have friends or come out with us to the bar or clubs. At least not anymore, he used to when we were younger. Now all he does is work in his fancy high-rise office next to our fathers and possibly strangle puppies and kittens in his spare time. That’s how unfeeling he is. Okay, fine, I’ve never seen him strangle a puppy, but I wouldn’t put it past him if one of his rich new clients paid him to. He probably would. I guess it’s a good thing he’s the eldest and being groomed to take over CCS and the next position on the council for the Colton family. All that responsibility and lack of fun would drive me nuts.

He stands tall, almost as tall as me, with his hands clasped at his front with that ever-present flat and yet disapproving scowl on his face. How does he manage to make that face all the fucking time? His eyes are the same hazel color as mine and our mothers. We got her eyes, but our fathers build.

“And you’re sure it was Braxton who took her? She didn’t leave of her own accord?” I almost growl at my own father for suggesting such an offensive thing.

“No, she didn’t just leave. I know Braxton took her. He all but told me he was going to.” Another silent pause from my father as he ponders this. “So, what are we going to do to get her back?”

“You know we can’t do anything until we know for sure it was Braxton. At least nothing officially. I like Clover too, Nix. But I’m not starting a war with the Shaw’s if it turns out she left on her own.” Griffon nods a silent agreement with my father, signifying his position on the matter. He’s not going to be any help to me. All I have is Rosie and Beau, Zander, Arrow, and maybe Magnus. Once I tell Magnus. I haven’t called him yet, but as soon as we get out of this meeting from hell, I’m going to. He can help andwillhelp. Especially if it means going after a Shaw. He may be more responsible and more logical than me, but he craves the violence just as much as I do.

“She wouldn’t do that. Not without talking to me. I spoke to her right before I left, and she was getting ready for work. Not to run away without a word.” I’m now standing, tired of sitting and letting them decide everything. My nerves are frayed, I haven’t slept, or eaten and the urge to break something is growing again.

“I know you’reinvolvedwith her Phoenix, but she is a woman living withyou.Perhaps she just needed some space.” Griffon states flatly from behind our father.

“Look…” I swivel on my heels and give my all-knowing brother a death glare that would cause most people to wet themselves. Griff just shifts his eyes under an uninterested glare.

“She’s not the type to just leave without a word Griffon. I had just spoken to her on the phone, and she was getting ready to drive to the bar for her shift. We’re friends, and even if Nix was driving her nuts, she would have let me know if she were leaving.” Rosie stands from her leather chair as she speaks and makes her way directly up to Pop’s desk. Her eyes were like daggers trying to pierce the thick unfeeling skin of my brother.

“And she left her phone and purse behind. If she were just getting some space, why would she do that? And how would she get very far on foot without any money or ID?” Beau, my n0w best friend again, steps in and speaks up. Standing across the room from my father’s imposing desk. Keeping his distance, no doubt for the same reason I am. Because we may accidentally let our inner nature take over and lash out if Griffon says something we don’t particularly like.

I have begun pacing again. Circling the corner office my father spends most of his working hours in. It’s neat, clean, and organized, just like him and Griffon. They’re both always so put together. Makes me wonder if they ever have any fun. All they do is work in these offices, making phone calls, having meetings. I don’t think either of them has gotten their hands dirty in years. I know they can. They were the ones who taught me, after all.

There’s a tufted coffee brown leather couch against one wall where my mother sits. Her strong but delicate tattooed hands resting on her crossed legs. She hasn’t said much, keeping quiet while we all ramble on and argue. I know she likes Clover, so it surprises me that she hasn’t spoken up yet. We could really use her right about now. Pop will always listen to her.

I pass by a shelf filled with meaningless books and statues. Put there to look good and nothing else. No family photos or awards. Nothing personal or connected to anyone. We like it that way. The clients he brings into this room don’t need to know who we are or our families.

Stopping near a globe that doubles as a minibar, I fill a glass with whatever he has in his decanter. I don’t even care what it is. I fill my cup to the rim and down it all.

“She wouldn’t just leave. I know it was Braxton.” My voice is calmer and steadier than I thought it could be. The tightening pain in my chest dropping to my gut.

“The only way to prove that -- is to find her.” My mother’s voice is soft and commanding as she stands and makes her way to my side. Placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, squeezing briefly before stepping away. Placing herself directly in front of my father, who remains sitting behind his desk. “So let’s go find her.”

She speaks to my father calmly and seriously. He watches her for the briefest moment. No anger or irritation and being told what to do. Just contemplation and then acceptance, nodding once as to say, very well dear. Like I said before, he listens to her when she speaks. They have a partnership not only in marriage but in life and business. Looking to one another and listening to the other.

We’ve all been told the stories of their torrid love affair and the blood bath that spawned their relationship. It’s a respect that was earned, not given. The love part that happened whether they wanted it to or not. Sometimes you can’t fight it. I can’t fight it with Clover. Our story seems to be turning into one born from blood as well.

After my father gives his approval to move forward, Griffon does as he always does. Steps forward and takes control. Speaking to the rest of us, me more specifically.

“You are going to look for her,nothunt down Braxton. You will search every location you think she might be held at, including all buildings and clubs owned by the Syndicate. I will inform the others so you will not be obstructed in your search. Do not torture or interrogate anyone protected by the accords. Am I understood?” his demanding voice booms out in the quiet office. I’ve already made my way to the door. Poised with my hand on the knob.

“Fine.” I grit out. “Can I go now?”

“Not yet.” What the fuck else could he have to say? He’s said everything he needs to. I know not to kill any of the Shaw’s and have been given the green light to search Syndicate property for her. “You’ll need a few more people to effectively search everywhere in a timely manner. At least three more. Who shall I call?”

Shit. I didn’t think he would care that much to want to help.

“Magnus and Arrow.” I offer. Before I can think of the third, Rosie interjects.

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