Page 23 of Claymore
“No, it was worse. Eat. You can’t live off beer and Thai food forever.”
“Oh, yes I can. You should try it sometime,” he teased.
I rolled my eyes at him, watching as he took a bite of the fluffy chocolate chip pancake, staring up at me in awe.
“You are gonna spoil me, Ella. This is too damn good.”
“It’s the least I can do. After all, you’re looking out for me.”
“You’re damn right I am, and I always will be. Don’t you ever forget it.”
I felt my cheeks blush hot, and I just knew my face was bright red and entirely flushed. I snapped out of it quickly, reminding myself that I needed to focus, that I couldn’t allow myself to get wrapped up in Claymore when both of our lives were possibly in danger.Keep it together. Now’s not the time.
I headed back to the kitchen to wash the dishes when Claymore stole them right out of my hands to do them for me. I smiled, watching his strong hands dip into the soapy water while he cleaned.
“I need to go get ready. I told Hallie I was down in Mascid for a while and she’s coming to meet me.”
Claymore glared at me, shaking his head.
“Ella, you know how dangerous things are for you right now. I don’t know if inviting your best friend from Sedona is the best idea. I think it’s best if you stay here,” he said firmly.
“I know you just want to protect me, Claymore, but I can’t sit around here every day hoping my life is just going to go back to normal. I can’t live like that. I’m sure as hell not letting you keep me under lock and key.”
I was waiting for another quip, but there was none. He washed the last dish, setting it aside to dry before he turned to me, his eyes dark.
“You may be in Mascid now, Ella, but we still don’t know what we’re dealing with. Things could go south real quick,” he reminded me.
“Or they couldn’t. That’s the deal, right? I either choose to wait around worried that my life is going to go up in flames or I decide to live it. I promise I’ll stay out of trouble and if I see anything out of the ordinary, I’ll call.”
“You better. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you,” he blurted.
He inched closer to me, caressing my cheek, and I shut my eyes for a moment to relish in it. His hands were still warm from the water, and part of me wished I could stay right here, locked away with him, but I knew I couldn’t. I’d go crazy spending every minute of every day staring at the four walls of his home. No matter how safe it made me feel, I wasn’t going to let my brother take away the rest of what made life worth living.
“Be careful and check in, okay? If I don’t hear from you, I’m gonna send a goddamn search party.”
“Trust me, I won’t be getting into any trouble without you. That’s for sure,” I said, watching his lips curl up into a smile.
“That’s right, darlin’. You leave the trouble to me. Give Hallie my best.”
“She doesn’t even know you.”
“She will soon because I’m taking you there and I’m picking you back up. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Fine,” I said, fighting the urge to smile.
“Atta girl.”
***
Claymore dropped me off outside the quaint little restaurant with its black paneled walls and outdoor bistro seating. He revved his engine, waving me off before he sped away, and I smiled. The Mascid air was hot on my skin, the sun beating down on me, as I fanned myself, making my way to the hostess’s station.
“Hello, do you have a reservation?” she asked.
Her dark black hair was pulled back into a low bun and the light wash of pink on her lips made them look full. She smiled at me, flipping through the reservations tab on her screen.
“No. Uh, yes. I’m here to meet a friend. Hallie Grant.”
She grabbed a menu and a fresh set of cutlery, nodding for me to follow her.
