Page 14 of Claymore
I walked to the back where the refrigerators were, listening closely to their little conversation, hoping someone might know something about where Ray was. Bikers liked to talk and even though the Kings were scrambling to find him, I had to believe that someone had seen him since. I had a gut feeling he was right under my nose, so close yet so far, and I wasn’t gonna let that go until I knew more.
I stared at the four hulking bikers with their dark brown leather jackets and their scruffy beards.
“Lemme get a pack. Marlboro reds.”
“We gotta leave now if we’re gonna meet Reaper. He’s got big talks, and I wanna know where his goddamn Kingmaker is. We ain’t joining shit until we see him again,” one of them said, lighting up a fresh cigarette in the store.
The cashier behind the counter shot him a look, but he kept to himself, scratching his graying beard while they got ready to clear out. One of their cell phones rang and he pulled it out of his pocket to answer it.
“Yeah, we’re on our way. Pines Road, right? We’ll be there.”
I waited until they were on the backs of their bikes, taking off down the busy streets. I furrowed my brow as I dialed Tank’s number.
“Claymore. Everything good?”
“Yeah. Look, I just got word that Reaper’s lining up new prospects. That either means he’s stalling to keep the Kings happy or he’s planning on taking over. They’re meeting at Pines Road. Think you can get some of the guys down here to check it out?” I asked.
“I’ll send Crow and Ink. Everyone else is hunting down Kings on our turf.”
“Thanks, Tank.”
***
I stood outside Ella’s apartment, bracing on the side of my bike as the Sedona heat beat down on me. I glanced down at my phone screen to see that she was late and I was halfway up the stairs when the lobby door finally opened.
“We skipping that pretty little uniform today?”
“I actually have a day off today so you’re relieved of your babysitting duties for now,” she said, patting me on the shoulder.
I glanced down at her pretty fingers lingering on me for a little too long and I smirked, relishing in how electric her touch was.
“No can do, darlin’. Yeah, the Kings have been keeping tabs on where you work and where you live, but they also smoked you out at a grocery store. Who’s to say they won’t do that on your little day out?”
“Maybe they’re finally backing off?” she asked.
“Or that’s what they want you to think. Look, enjoy your day. I’ll be right behind you. You won’t even know I’m there.”
“Just please don’t get too close. You’re gonna scare off my best friend.”
“No promises,” I said with a wink.
Chapter Four
Ella
I smoothed the ends of my sweater, letting my blonde curls down as I sat in the back of a taxi staring out the window. I tried to stay calm, to find some normalcy in the one day I had to relax, but I couldn’t. I felt it in the air, in my gut that something terrible was about to happen. I knew my brother. I knew what he was capable of, and I was worried I’d get caught up in the middle of it all.I already am.I glanced behind me to see Claymore on his bike, his helmet covering those deep brown eyes.
Every time I felt like I had a moment to breathe, he was there, reminding me that I was constantly in danger. I would give just about anything to return to a place where I didn’t wake up every day riddled with fear, but this was my life now.
I arrived outside the quaint little bookstore. I paid my cab fare, stepping out as a gust of wind rushed through my hair. I stared in through the beautiful bay window, taking in the glint of the fairy lights against the glass and the tufted pillows near the reading nook. From the time I stepped inside, I was instantly reminded of home.
This was a place Hallie and I used to visit when we were kids. We’d gush about new books, play games in the aisles while we waited for our parents, and now this was her little corner of the world. I spotted my beautiful red-headed friend behind the register, tying some ribbon around a paper package filled with books. She smiled warmly at her customer, stuffing the remaining change in the register.
“Hallie!”
“Ella. I’m sorry, I know I should’ve been done by now. Let me just put up my lunch break sign and we can go,” she said.
I smiled. “Take your time.”
