The figure didn’t move, but my scream quickly got Clutch’s attention. He shot to his feet and barked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
I pointed toward the window and shrieked, “Someone’s out there!” I’d only looked away for a second, but the man was already gone.
“Call Guardrail,” Clutch ordered as he raced over to the window, quickly releasing the lock before he raised it. Before he stepped out on the ledge, he drew his gun and said, “Lock this behind me and stay put till they get here. I mean it, Cass. Don’t open that door unless it’s one of the brothers!”
I nodded and watched as Clutch disappeared into the darkness. I heard his boots stomp up the metal steps as he went after the stranger. When I couldn’t hear him any longer, I called Guardrail’s number, and by the time he answered, I was a complete and total wreck. My voice crackled with nerves as I said, “Someone’s here, Guardrail. A man is outside on my fire escape, and Clutch just went after him!”
“Stay where you are. We are on our way. Lock your doors and windows. Don’t let anyone in until we get there,” he ordered.
“Okay,” I answered, but the line was already dead. Seconds later, my phone started ringing. When I looked down, Smokey’s name was flashing on the screen. I quickly answered, “Hello?”
With his voice sounding a little panicked, he asked, “Hey, doll. You okay?”
“Yeah, Smokey. I’m fine… but Clutch just went after this guy and …,” I started.
“Don’t you go worrying about Clutch. He’ll be alright. You just try to relax…. I’m close. I’ll be there in two minutes. Just hold tight until I get there.”
I tried to hold back my tears as I asked, “Smokey?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you stay on the phone with me until you get here?” I pleaded. I knew it was silly, but just hearing his voice was settling my nerves.
“Yeah, I can do that,” he answered. I was just about to go sit on the sofa when I heard two gunshots fired off in the apartment above me. Seconds later, there was a loud thud that echoed against the ceiling.
“Shit,” I screeched. My heart started pounding wildly against my chest as I said, “Smokey… gunshots. Two of them in the apartment above me.”
“Did you lock all the windows and doors?” he asked.
I stared at the window, too scared to move from the spot where I was standing, and said, “No.”
“Cass, I know you’re scared, but you gotta go lock that window, doll,” he ordered.
Knowing he was right, I forced myself to move forward, and despite my trembling hands, I managed to secure the lock. Once it was done, I told him, “Okay. I did it.”
“That a girl. You did good, Cass. I’m about to pull in. You doing okay?”
“No, Smokey. I’m not. I hate myself for it, but I’m freaking out. I’m worried about Clutch. What if someone shot him?” I cried.
“Don’t. Clutch will be fine,” he assured me.
My heart started to race when I heard the sound of footsteps walking across the floor above me. My heart was racing as I said, “I’m scared, Smokey. What do you think is going on upstairs?”
I heard his keys jingle as he turned off his truck. He closed his door before he said, “I have no fucking idea, but we’re about to find out. The boys will be here any minute. I’m on my way up. Stay on the phone, and I’ll tell you when I get there.”
“Okay,” I answered. A few moments later, I heard someone pounding on my door. “Smokey, is that you?”
“It’s me. Open up.” I quickly released the deadbolt and opened the door. The second I saw him, I rushed over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
I was still holding on to him when I heard a commotion upstairs. I immediately released my hold on him and said, “You’ve got to go see about him. Please.”
From the look on his face, it was clear he was struggling with what he should do. “I’m not leaving you alone.”
There was more ruckus above us, making me plead with him even more. “Smokey, if he’s in trouble…”
He finally agreed and said, “You don’t leave this apartment. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay,” I promised.
He reached in his back pocket for his second handgun and gave it to me. “Just in case.”
I nodded, and as soon as he walked out of the apartment, I shut the door and locked it behind him. Feeling a nervous wreck, I paced back and forth in the kitchen, trying my best to hear what was going on in the apartment above me. It felt like an eternity, but it’d only been a few minutes when I heard a knock at my door. “It’s me, Cass.”
I rushed over to unlock the door, and when I opened it, I found Clutch standing there. When I noticed his blood-soaked shirt, I almost lost it.
“Don’t look at me like that, Cass. I’m fine,” he assured me.
“There’s so much blood,” I cried.
“It’s not mine. Go grab your stuff. We’re going to the clubhouse,” he ordered. His tone was forceful, which only made me worry more. It wasn’t like him to be so short with me.