Claiming Clara Read Online Free Page B

had made a mistake threatening her. He clearly thought she was the weak link and an easy access to her brother. But he was mistaken.
    She’d been raised just the same as her brother, stood by him when he’d challenged Christophe for the alpha role, and watched her brother’s back since the takeover.
    Not a woman who stood around waiting for the baddie to come get her, she was the type to go looking for the man making threats and teach him that not all women are dainty little flowers.
    Some women, like her, could gut someone like a fish and then have their nails done afterward.
    That was the type of woman she’d been raised to be.
    Clara made it to her car. She heard Wall’s yell as she turned the key in the ignition.
    Without thought, she threw the car into gear and sped out of the drive. She glanced in the rearview mirror and caught sight of Heath and Jones holding Wall back as he tried to come after her. She hoped she had enough time to do what needed to be done before they caught up with her.
    The previous evening she’d told Duke everything. They’d stayed up chatting about her options into the small hours of the morning. That was why Duke was still there when Wall and Heath had seen him. Now she was heading toward the St. Clair garage. She needed Duke’s help.
    He was sitting in the office when she arrived. Without bothering to knock, she walked in and plopped down into the chair opposite him.
    “They know,” she said without preamble.
    The large man put down his pen and stared at her. “How did they find out?”
    “I told Wall.” She shrugged.
    Duke raised an eye at her. “I thought you wanted to handle this on your own.”
    “Yeah well, let’s just say Wall knows me too well. Are you going to help me or
    not?”
    Duke laughed. “I knew that boy had you pegged. Yeah, I am going to help. Of course I am. But just so we are clear, that puppy turns up here—and make no mistake he will—I won’t stand in his way when he comes to claim you,” he warned.
    Clara’s eyes narrowed. “No one is claiming me, St. Clair, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
    “Sure.” He grinned.
    Clara had an urge to punch him in the face, but she needed his help so she restrained herself.
    “I asked a buddy of mine to do a little searching. It’s been hard considering Alberto was never in your pack so you don’t know what he looks like, but we have found three possibilities. My friend’s running some backgrounds, and when he has any information, I will let you know.”
    “Any of them live close?” She wanted this over sooner rather than later.
    “No, no one closer than six hours away,” Duke told her.
    “Okay, thanks for the assist, Duke.” She stood and walked around the desk to hug him. He hadn’t needed to help her. She was grateful.
    Duke stood and enveloped her in a bear hug. It was at that second that Clara should have seen it coming. She should have known what would happen. Part of her brain had expected Wall to come bursting through the door, but she hadn’t expected the loud crack and the smashing sound of the office window breaking, nor had she expected the burning in her shoulder.
    Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Duke moved, twisting with her still in his arms. Clara felt herself falling as he took her down and lay across her. She could hear him yelling to his twin brothers out in the shop, but the ringing in her ears was too loud. She couldn’t hear a word he said. Then she caught the scent: blood.
    Dear Lord, someone was bleeding. She needed to help them. She tried to push Duke off her, but the man wouldn’t move. Oh no, was he hurt? Clara started to run her hands over him wherever she could reach, looking for damage. With every move, the burning in her shoulder intensified. What was that?
    The door to the office flew open. Wayne and John entered, both in a low crouch.
    “What the hell?” John growled. Clara saw his eyes go wide as he looked down at her under his brother.
    “Get