Hammer's Pride by E.C. Land (brene brown rising strong TXT) 📕

I don’t want to give myself over to them. I don’t want to know what they have in store for me.

Sighing, I nod to Leanna and excuse myself from the kitchen, not feeling like doing anything else all of a sudden. Before Hammer came into the kitchen, she and I had been talking about things between Hammer and me. She’d informed me that I needed to start taking better care of myself because I’d been wearing myself out with running the coffee shop, taking care of things around the clubhouse, pretty much being who I am. When Leanna offered to come work with Willow, Quinn, and me, I couldn’t say no.

I’ve become close with this woman over the last month. She’s like the mother I wish I had. Sure she doesn’t look her age one bit, but regardless of that, she’s very motherly. So I agreed to give her the job without any argument on the matter. Leanna also used the excuse that this would give me more time with Hammer.

That was when Hammer came in to find us laughing.

Now I don’t feel like laughing. Not in the slightest.

I decide instead of going to Hammer’s room where I could be alone, I head outside. He might have said I couldn’t leave the clubhouse, but the insufferable man never said I couldn’t do this.

Opening the door to the back of the clubhouse, I’m momentarily blinded by the brightness of the sun. I hold a hand over my eyes to allow my sight a chance to take in the sunlight as I make my way toward the swing set that’s set up back here. I’d found it odd to have something like this here, but I learned quickly that two of the guys have kids that they get on weekends.

Having the swing set worked out for when Quinn’s daughter is here. Right now, with her being at school and no one else around, I take a seat on one of the swings and start slowly moving my feet back and forth. My thoughts start to wander to a dark, sad place in my mind while I lean my head against one of the chain links holding the swing to the top.

“You know what they want,” Andrea snaps.

“I fuckin’ know what they want, Andy. Don’t be gettin’ in my fuckin’ face, bitch. You three need to back the fuck off Adam and me. Our crew has nothing to do with you. You listen to us when it comes down to everything. Avery will go to them as we’ve planned, and when she does, we’ll make a mint,” Aidan sneers, backhanding Andrea across the cheek.

Neither of them sees me from where I’m hidden around the corner, peeking out to witness the scene playing out in front of me. What does he mean I’ll make him a mint?

“But, Aidan, those men want her a certain way, and she’s not . . .” The crack of Aidan’s hand landing once again against the side of Andrea’s face causes me to cringe.

“Don’t make me call your man and have him discipline you, Andy. You know I have no problem with getting his ass involved. You three seem to keep forgetting your motherfuckin’ place. Let me remind you, you do as you’re fuckin’ told and keep your damn traps shut. Shit, as much as Avery irritates the hell out of me with the way she thinks her shit don’t stink, she’s at least fuckin’ smart enough not to backtalk or argue with Adam and me. Now get the hell away from me. I’ve got to call Avery’s owner and tell him when the pick-up will be. Then I’ve gotta get Avery ready to go,” Aidan raves with an icy tone in his voice that I’ve never heard before.

Aidan might hate me, but surely, he wouldn’t sell me, would he?

My breathing becomes rapid due to the panic attack starting to take hold of me. I can’t do this right now. I have to hear what my brother says and then get out of here. I won’t allow myself to belong to someone as if I were a possession.

Shaking my head, I try to stop my thoughts from going any further. I left that very night after everyone was either busy or passed out.

“What the fuck are you doing out here?” Hammer growls, startling me and in the process causing me to jerk on the swing. Of course, this movement and my being somewhat clumsy causes me to fall backward. If it weren’t for Hammer, I’d have hit the ground.

Without a word, Hammer helps me up, still glowering down at me.

Feeling unsure of myself and of the anger rolling off him, I don’t meet his gaze.

“Answer me, Avery, why are you out here alone?” he demands.

“I couldn’t go with Leanna, so I came out here,” I mutter, doing my best to keep the tremble out of my voice. I don’t need him to realize I’m upset.

“So you came out here where you wouldn’t be protected. The fuckin’ prospects thought you were in our fuckin’ room, and here you are sitting out here like a pretty little target for anyone to get to. The club might be fenced in all the way around with the gate at the front being opened by remote or code, but fuck, that wouldn’t stop a sniper from putting a bullet in your head,” he snarls.

“I’m sorry. You didn’t say I couldn’t come outside, Hammer,” I whisper while bowing my head to look down at the ground.

“Don’t twist what I said, babe, I told you I needed you to stay at the clubhouse. That didn’t mean go outside without using your head first and not let someone motherfuckin’ know.” I flinch at the ruthless tone.

“I’m sorry,” I utter as the first tear slips down my cheek.

“Fuck, baby, you don’t understand this shit. I get it, but you gotta get I’m only trying to protect you because you mean everything to me. If something happens to you,