Hammer Read Online Free PDF Page B

more days. Let me relax while I can. The less you know, the better.”
    Frustration builds inside me and hurt consumes me. How can she shut me out? Me! Her flesh and blood. I feel like there is a gulf between us that is slowly getting wider and wider with every panicked breath she breathes and every denial she gives me. However, we have never had secrets between us, and I’m not about to start now.
    “Suzie Sunshine,” I try using her childhood pet name to reconnect. “Don’t—”
    “Don’t you!” she cries out, making her way to the guest room. “Drop it, Des. For your safety and mine, please drop it.”
    Before I can follow her, she shuts the door, and I hear the click of the lock.
    I’m left at yet another loss with her. What do I do now?
    My mind races with unanswered questions. Is she in danger? She mentioned safety. Did someone follow her here? Does she understand that the Hellions would help her, protect her if I asked? What has baby girl gotten herself into?
    I dress quickly after sending a quick text message to Tank, asking to meet with him. Then, double-checking the alarm, I leave my house with unease.
    Pulling into the Hellions’ compound, I don’t hesitate to get inside the clubhouse and to the table Tank is occupying.
    “Beer?” he asks as I sit beside him.
    My eyes are as big as saucers at his question. “It’s not even ten yet; don’t ya think it’s a little early to drink?”
    “Well, I’m not the one texting in such a panic I misspell words. I’ve seen a lot of shit over the years, Des. In all this time, you’ve never once asked to see me out of our scheduled training time. I figured you might need a drink; that’s all.”
    I laugh, but it is not genuine. “I think my sister’s in trouble, Tank.”
    He leans back in his chair as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. With his arms crossed over his chest, his tattoos seem to jump out at me.
    Trepidation fills me. What if he won’t help me find out what is wrong with Suzie?
    “Trouble, huh?”
    I nod at him and bite my lip, silently praying he will step in for me.
    “What information do ya have?”
    Hell, how do I answer this?
    “Umm … I have a hunch, a feeling.”
    He throws back his head, laughing. “You called me out here over women’s intuition?” He leans forward, putting his elbows on the table and staring at me intently now.
    “Well, you make it sound kinda stupid, but yes, it’s mostly a feeling I have.”
    With a glare that would make some men cower, he says, “Tell me every detail. Leave nothing out, including your hunch and all those feelings you women have about everything.”
    He is serious. He is going to help me. Whew!
    Relief washes over me.
    He looks at me intently. “Des, don’t ever doubt me or the Hellions. We’ve got your back … always.”
    With a sigh, I begin. “I don’t have much, Tank. Suzie came here unannounced. She’s been on edge. Then, this morning, when I said I was spending the day with her, she freaked out. When I questioned her, she told me to drop it for my safety and hers. I think my baby sister is in some kind of trouble. I don’t have the first clue what kind, though.”
    He raises his pierced eyebrow at me. “She got a reason to run from something? From someone? Bastard ex? Motherfucker at work?”
    I shake my head. “Not that I know of.”
    “But your gut says she’s runnin’?”
    I nod as tears fill my eyes.
    “My woman, she learned the hard way that you women gotta trust your gut. Listen to that intuition y’all got. Don’t ever hesitate about anything involvin’ your family. Des, you helped me heal. You’re family. Let me handle this, yeah?”
    “Thank you, Tank,” I whisper as my heart beats loudly in my ears.
    “I need her full name, social security number if you have it, and her address in Chi-town. Keep her close and keep a low profile. I’ll get some boys on it.”
    Pulling out my phone, I forward her contact information with her address to him. “I