Page 12 of Claimed By The Club
Both men jerk around, startled. The shorter one’s hand dives into his jacket. I step forward, gripping his wrist before he can draw a weapon. He snarls, tries to yank free, but I squeeze until he freezes.
“Wrong territory,” I say, glaring at the taller man. “Explain yourselves.”
“None of your business, pal,” the tall one sneers, but there’s fear in his eyes. He’s not sure how many more of us might be lurking.
“It becomes my business when you’re snooping around my property.” I twist the short guy’s arm just enough to make him whimper, then shove him back into the taller man. “You have three seconds to talk.”
The shorter man rubs his wrist. “We just want to have a word with this chick, Sierra. She owes a lot of money. Figured we could persuade her to pay up.”
My pulse pounds, but I keep my features cold. “She’s under Renegade Cross protection now. That means you walk away.”
The tall man’s nostrils flare. “We’ll leave, but our boss wants her found. This doesn’t end here.”
I step closer, letting menace creep into my voice. “If you come back without an invite, you won’t be walking out.”
Both men shuffle backwards, muttering curses. They slip around the fence, disappearing into the thickening dusk. My gaze lingers on the spot where they vanished. I’d bet everything those creeps report to bigger fish. Possibly the Iron Reapers, maybe another group. Doesn’t matter. They know Sierra’s here, which means we’re all targets now.
Grimacing, I pivot toward the safe house. A light glows through the window, and I catch a glimpse of Sierra’s silhouette. She appears to be pacing, phone at her ear. I stomp up the steps to knock on the door. My knuckles rap once, firm.
Her voice cuts off inside. Then the door opens a crack, the chain still latched. She sees me and relaxes, but that guarded expression remains. Her phone is clutched in one hand, nails digging into the case. “Ghost?”
I tilt my head at the chain. “Let me in.”
She hesitates, then closes the door briefly to undo the latch. When she opens it fully, I step inside, scanning the small living room. Boxes line the walls, and a folded set of clothes rests on the couch. The place smells faintly of air freshener and coffee.
Sierra sets her phone aside. “Is something wrong?”
I arch an eyebrow. “Two men were prowling around outside, looking for you. I made them leave.”
Her face pales, eyes wide. “They were here?”
I nod, crossing my arms. “Yeah. Claimed you owe them money. Said they’d be back.”
She closes her eyes, exhaling shakily. “Great. So much for hiding.”
A surge of protective anger courses through me. “Next time, they’ll meet the rest of our crew. We don’t take kindly to trespassers.”
She steps back, collapsing onto the couch. “They must be local muscle working for the Reapers or some affiliated group. I’ve been ignoring phone calls, but I guess they decided to track me down in person.”
I rub a hand over the base of my skull. “We’re dealing with it. But if they have your location, there’s a good chance bigger threats are on the way.”
Her gaze meets mine, determination overriding the fear. “I can’t run forever. If the MC is still willing to protect me, I promise I’ll make it worthwhile. I was on the phone with one of my old industry contacts, trying to line up a possible investment. If it pans out, I’ll repay the debt faster. That should take heat off all of us.”
I study her expression. There’s real resolve in her eyes. She doesn’t seem like a liar, though I can’t be sure. “You better hope it comes through.”
She nods. “I do. I’m not here to drag you guys into more danger. I want a solution that helps everyone.”
Despite my mistrust, I find myself believing her sincerity. My arms stay folded, a protective reflex, but my stance relaxes a fraction. “Keep your phone on. If you get any more threatening calls or texts, let me know immediately.”
Her lips press together, forming a tight line. “I will.”
A heavy pause fills the room. The single overhead light casts shadows across her face, accentuating the fatigue in her features. She looks worn down, yet not broken. A flicker of admiration stirs inside me, though I shove it aside. Keeping emotional distance is a lesson I learned the hard way.
“How did you scare them off?” she asks, voice subdued.
“I gave them a choice between leaving on their own or being carried out.”
Her mouth quivers in what might be a faint smile. “That does sound persuasive.”
