Page 31 of Claymore
“Why?”
“That ain’t none of your damn business. I don’t know if you can be trusted anymore, Bud. You’ll be taking this up with Tank, but for now, I need information.”
“Fine.”
***
I fished my cell phone out of my pocket, dialing Tank’s number, listening to it ring.
“Claymore. I thought you’d be back by now. Everything okay?”
“No. It’s not. I got your weapons, but ol’ Bud’s been shacking up with some new clients. They’ve got a name. The Highway Lions.”
“The same fuckers that you saw at the bar?”
“That’d be correct. Look, I don’t know what you’re gonna do about Bud, but just know from the looks of it, this club’s here to stay. If Ray’s mixed up in all of this—”
“Then we could be in for one hell of a fight. Drop the weapons off here and head home. I’ll take care of Buddy,” Tank grumbled.
“Yeah, I’ll be there soon.”
I turned the key in the ignition, hearing the engine revving loudly as I sped down the long stretch of street, riding right out of downtown. I was back at the clubhouse twenty minutes later with a heavy duffle and some serious distress coursing through me. It felt like things were heating up now, like we were on the verge of another war, and usually I’d be on the ready, but this time, I had more to worry about.Ella.
I opened up the clubhouse door to find Archer and Ripper standing there with their beers in hand, chatting. I dropped the duffle bag at their feet and they both furrowed their brows at me.
“Tell Tank I dropped these off. I need to head home.”
“Give Ella our best,” Ripper teased, and I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. Can’t imagine those words ever leaving Tank or Wrench’s mouths. They’re pretty damn convinced that she’s dirty just because she’s got a psychopath for a brother.”
“Shit is never that simple,” he said.
“I know. Ripper?”
“Yeah?”
“If it were Ronnie, what the hell would you do?”
“Ronnie’s been on Tank’s bad side before. Sometimes, you just gotta keep pushing. Tank will see Ella’s not involved with this, but until he does, nothing’s gonna change his mind,” he said.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Take care of her. She’s probably the best thing that’s happened to you in a long time. Trust me, I know how that feels.”
“Anything to protect our ladies.”
“Even if it means not giving two fucks about what anyone else has to say about it. If you think she’s clean, I believe you. Everyone else will come around eventually.”
“Thanks, man.”
He patted me on the back before heading off into the living room.
I returned home later that night, riding through the rain as the streetlights glistened on the wet streets. The wrought-iron light over the garage door shone down on me as I shut my engine off, heading straight for the porch stairs. I shook the water off on the landing before I entered, feeling the droplets drip down the back of my neck.
There was a subtle scent of lavender in the air, drowning out the delicious aroma of the food that grew cold on the dining room table. I turned to see Ella fast asleep on the couch with her wet hair bleeding into the oversized T-shirt she’d been wearing. The blanket over her body was starting to slip and I rushed to fix it, pulling it all the way up to her chest. I softly removed a strand of wet hair from her face, gazing down at how beautiful she was even as she slept.
I walked over to the dining table to see the spread she’d left covered for me. There were candles in holders I didn’t even know I had, a table runner filled with ceramic dishes of food she must’ve taken hours to make. I sighed, wishing I would’ve come back earlier. I spotted a little note stuck to one of the plates she set out for us.Have some food when you get home. I chose steak. I hope you like it.
