Page 33 of Chill’s Chance

“She’s coming here?” I ask.

Puma shrugs. “That’s what Trouble thinks. Not sure what’s going on, but we need to be prepared. Let’s go.” As we leave The Pit, Puma calls the guardhouse to tell them to let Trouble and the car they’re escorting into the compound, but to stay alert. He then calls Wildcard to fill him in. When we reach the playground, I see the kids playing while Hunter, Alisa, and Desdemona sit nearby. Puma orders them inside after getting the kids’ attention.

Hunter grabs Slade’s hand and joins me. “What’s going on?” He asks.

“Someone stole a car from 1% and is on her way here. Puma thinks it might be Claudia from the description. We’re not sure why or what’s going on, but the Shadow Borne’s are escorting her in.”

“Claudia?” Hunter says in disbelief. “Claudia Bowen?”

I nod.

“Claudia’s coming here?” Slade asks, his sunny smile in stark contrast to how the rest of us feel.

“Get the kids inside and in the safe room.” Puma tells Alisa, who nods in agreement.

“I want to see Claudia.” Slade pouts.

Hunter kneels to face his son. “You will, but we need to see what’s going on first. Claudia could be in danger, and we need to make sure she’s safe first.”

“But Claudia isn’t bad.” Slade protests.

Elina slips her hand out of Alisa’s and moves next to Hunter.

“No one is saying she is.” Elina assures him. “But Puma always puts our safety first. We have to trust him. He’s the President.”

Slade glances at Puma, then his dad, and then me. When he sees all three of us nod, he gives in.

CHAPTER TWENTY: HUNTER

Alisa and Desdemona corral the kids into the clubhouse while we follow. The five of them move down the hall toward the media room. I glance at Chill in question.

“The panic room is accessible via the media room.” She tells me.

We walk through the clubhouse and back outside to find Claudia driving through the gates in a brand new Porsche Cayenne. Four motorcycles surround her. I share a look with Chill because it seems incongruous that she’s driving this car. My eyebrows raise further when she jolts to a stop several feet away from the clubhouse. We climb down the steps and make our way to her. I can see Claudia sitting inside, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly, I can see her bones.

I move to the driver’s side and carefully open the door. “Claudia, honey, are you alright?” I ask gently as I rest my ass on the running board.

She takes two long breaths before turning to look at me. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.” She says. I sense Chill stiffen and glance at her. Her eyes are scanning the gate as if preparing for an attack.

“How about you come inside and we can talk about it? Ok? Are you hungry? We can get you something to eat or drink.” I ask her as if she’s a child.

She gives me a nod, even as her bottom lip trembles. Fuck, what happened?

“Claudia, are we under attack?” Chill asks her. Now it’s my turn to stiffen, even though I understand her first loyalty will always be to the club.

“No. I don’t think so. I think I lost him.” Claudia says.

Chill and I share a look as I help Claudia out of the car. Chill reaches in and snags the keys to study them. Frowning, she pockets them and follows us inside.

Puma is waiting, and he immediately moves to Claudia to take her hands in his. “Hey, gorgeous. Is everything ok? You look a bit shaken.”

“I made a terrible mistake. I didn’t think anyone would notice an old woman, but I was wrong.” Claudia says and I hear her terror.

“Why don’t you sit down and start at the beginning?” Puma suggests, leading her to an empty table.

Once she’s seated, I put my hand on her shoulder and lean down. “How about something to eat? Or maybe some water? Something stronger?” I suggest, and she gives me a small smile and a nod. I head for the kitchen, only to run into Max on his way out with a cup of coffee and a sandwich on a plate.

“For Claudia.” He tells me. “She likes it black.”

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