Page 36 of Claymore
He took my hand, his fingers entangling around mine as we walked toward the front door. I caught glimpses of the broken glass, the blood that stained the outside of the booths, and my stomach turned. It was no miracle that everyone walked away unscathed. If Ray wanted to kill them, he would’ve. This was a message and this time, I had no choice but to listen.
***
My mind was reeling, my hands shaking, and I couldn’t process the thoughts that flitted around inside my mind. I didn’t know how to wait around for a few days, hoping that the Lions would lay low, hoping that all the people I cared about would stay safe. I worried about all of them so much that I felt the tension creep up in my neck, making my head pound furiously.
Claymore probably sensed the tension because he slowed his speed, not taking steep turns, and running yellow lights like he normally did. I was surprised to find that we were back in downtown Mascid, because it felt like I’d blinked and missed the entire journey. He pulled up on the side of the road near the thick trees and plant boxes, removing his helmet to look back at me.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“A part of town I usually don’t visit much anymore. I just thought that being locked up at home was the last thing you wanted to do right now.”
“You’d be right about that.”
“Things are rough right now. You’re worried, you’re scared, I know. I’ve got all of the guys searching for the Lions, anyone that could tell us what they’re really planning. Take it from me, this shit doesn’t get easier, Ella, but it can be a lot harder if you don’t stop andbreathe.Come on. In and out,” he instructed, but I rolled my eyes at him.
“I don’t think—”
“In and out. Breathe. That’s it.”
I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart and anxious mind. When I opened them, I saw him staring back at me with that gorgeous smile plastered on his face.
“Now what?” I asked, curiously.
“Now we get a little reckless and blow off some steam. At least until we find some Lions to torture,” he quipped, and I followed his lead.
He led me down the bright, nearly empty sidewalks. There were a few people carrying brown paper shopping bags, cars whizzing past us in a hurry, but something about it all felt comforting. It felt familiar, reminding me of the area near Crystal’s and the bookshop, as if despite all the trouble I found myself in, it always served as a place of solace.
I glanced over at Claymore, seeing the soft squint of his brown eyes when he looked up at the sun or the way he moved so swiftly, carefully, making sure that nothing would harm me out here. His blond hair danced in the wind as we strolled, and I realized then just how much I was starting to fall for him. He took care of me, he looked out for me, and he never made me feel guilty about it. Everything he did, he did for me. That was the kind of selflessness I’d truly never seen before.
“It’s real hot out, ain’t it?”
“Too hot. I’m starting to miss the rain over the last few days,” I said.
“Well, how about we get ourselves a sweet treat. Here’s—oh my God, it’s closed?”
I stared up at the building we stopped at. The purple wired neon sign was off, the inside of the shop itself was dark, and every ounce of the place was clean. I took in the ice cream-shaped chairs, the tables built to resemble sundaes, and I turned to Claymore, smiling warmly at him.
“You remembered how much I love ice cream,” I said.
“Almost as much as pancakes.”
“You brought me all the way here just for ice cream?”
“It’s the best in town. It would put Sedona’s best to shame,” he said.
“I guess we’re just going to have to come back another time.”
I stared at the littleSorry for the Inconveniencesign like the place had been shut in a hurry. Claymore wrapped his hand around mine, brushing his fingertips against my skin lightly. He led me around back to the service door and I raised my eyebrow at him.
“You’re breaking into an ice cream shop? Claymore we can’t just—”
“Oh, but we can. Besides, I wasn’t planning on stealing any. I’ll leave some cash. I’m not going anywhere until you get a little taste of heaven. Especially after the day you had,” he said.
I bit my lip, peeking around the corner to make sure no one was coming and soon, Claymore got the backdoor to give way. The adrenaline coursed through me, the thrill of possibly being caught, and I felt like a kid again. I giggled when he led me back toward the freezer and I stared in awe at all of the perfectly labeled ice cream containers.
“Still think we should be at a bar waiting for the cops to wrap things up? Bars get old. Drowning your sorrows, it gets old. All of your friends down atCrystal’sare gonna pull through. I think that’s something to celebrate,” he said.
“But Gina—”
