Page 55 of Claymore
“Hard? Hard, Tank? Try catastrophic. The difference between what I’ve been through and what you all are going through now is that you have each other. You can go out there and know that you have someone watching your back. For a very long time, I’ve been the only one looking out for me. Now, I have Claymore. I’m not asking you all to like me, but you need to know that I am not aiding my brother in anything,” I said forcefully.
The anger rushed through me like a tidal wave, filling me with adrenaline, and the urge to take Ray down for what he had put me through only grew stronger.
“Ella…”
I glanced at every face before me, every Rebel that had slowly begun to understand just how bad I had it. Their fixed gazes and their hesitation made it clear to me that they were finally ready to hear the truth.
“Ray has tried to tear you guys down, he has done everything imaginable to get rid of you so that he can take your place, but at the end of the day, you still have your family. My family?Ourfamily. He stole that from me. He killed my mother and my father in cold blood after an argument, an argument for money so he could buy more drugs. That is the kind of man he is and I amnothinglike him.”
Everyone’s jaws dropped, their lips parting like they wanted to say something, but there was nothing they could say that would make this any better. I turned to look at Claymore who had such sadness in his eyes and it warmed my heart to know that at the very least, he understood me.
“Ella. I’m so sorry,” Tank murmured.
“It’s all right. You just needed to hear it from me. I want to take my brother down just as much as you do. Whatever you need from me, let me know.”
He nodded, and I turned to head back upstairs, hearing footsteps trailing behind me. Once I made it back to my room, I glanced over my shoulder to see Claymore standing in my doorway. He approached, wrapping his arms around me, holding me close.
“Ella… I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that you’ve been through so much, that he’s taken so much from you,” he muttered, kissing the top of my head.
“It’s okay, Claymore. He has taken so much from me, but ever since you’ve come into my life, you’ve given me so much back. Thank you.”
I looked up at him, taking in that soft gaze while he leaned in to kiss me. It was different than it had been before. That conversation and being right there in his arms restored the hope that had been dwindling ever since the Lions’ first attack. It was the first time in a while that I believed we might actually get this done.
Chapter Thirteen
Claymore
The Tavern was bustling with drunks and local bar crawlers when Tank and I took the back booth, ordering us up the nicest whiskey they had. It definitely wasn’t a beer night, not after the shit we’d been through. The nice waitress arrived with our order, shooting us a bright smile before she headed to the other tables in her section.
“What a goddamn night. To think we nearly blew up that entire fucking liquor store looking for your damn friend. I knew being president meant you had friends in high places, Tank, but God, do any of them actually know anything?” I asked.
“Back when Ray was the one calling the shots all by himself, it was much easier to track his ass down. He was sloppy, a washed-up druggie with a superiority complex. He wanted power and he wanted to be the only one owning the streets.”
“And now?”
“Now, we’re dealing with someone a whole lot smarter than him. She covered her tracks. She evaded us well when we rolled up on the warehouse she stole. That kind of woman knows how to work the underground market and find the shit she needs to keep her men strapped. That friend of mine, his name is Don. He’s a tracker. He’s better than a damn bloodhound,” Tank explained.
“You think he can find her? Find out what these fuckers are planning?”
“I know he can. Thing is, we’re gonna have to find his ass first,” he responded, taking a long sip of his dark, thick liquor.
“Why the hell wasn’t he at the liquor store? Didn’t you say that’s where he always is?”
“Apparently not. He’s got a few other safe houses across town. We’ll check a few of ’em out. He’s gotta be staying in one of ’em.”
“That’s a shot in the fucking dark, Tank.”
“Yeah, well it’s something. It’s a goddamn start. If these two really get their shit going, we’re gonna be out of weapons, money, and our lives if we’re not careful. I’ve dedicated so much of my life to this club, and I’m not gonna see it go up in flames. Not like this.”
“Well, then. We better find your friend.”
“Yeah, we better.”
I downed my entire glass, clearing my throat as it coated the inside. Tank stared at me with soft eyes, like there was something on his mind, but he wasn’t about to let it out without a fight.
“Tank, I gotta ask you something.”
“What?”
