Family Matters

Chapter 2

"So, who is the mark?"

Reluctantly, Ellie allowed Happy and the others into her apartment. She was normally obsessive about organization and keeping Poe's things hidden but, even still, she was terrified she'd forgotten something.

"Club business," Happy barked.

She shut her laptop. "Okay, the club can handle it alone then."

"Come on," Happy groaned.

"Jesus," Tig complained. "Rat went to the cops about another charter. Nothing crazy."

"Thank you, Tiggy," she smiled sweetly. "Let me call my guy."

"You got a guy?" Happy grunted.

"I got lots of guys, big brother." Ellie winked. "He owes me a favor. You have the case number?"

"We do," Juice pulled the scribbled paper from his pocket. "We just need to know where he is."

"And probably directions," Tig snorted as he snooped around her place.

"Let me call." She grabbed the paper and her cell phone, disappearing into her bedroom.

"Find anything?" Happy immediately joined Tig as they looked around. "She's way too sneaky."

"Being private isn't sneaky," Juice mumbled.

Tig nodded with a little laugh. "You think Hap is gonna let her live her life without snooping and suffocating her freedom in the name of safety?"

"Not really," Juice laughed.

"Hey," she reappeared. "Got it."

"Give it to me," Happy reached toward her.

"No," she scurried away from him. "I'm going with you guys."

"Like hell you are," Happy snapped.

Ellie shoved the paper into her bra. "I'm going or no one is going."

"I'll get it," Tig said eagerly. "You want me to get it, brother?"

"Touch her and I'll break your goddamn fingers." Happy growled.

--

Later that night the four of them stealthy moved about, looking for their best entrance, with a smug Ellie leading the way. No one doubted she'd join them, except for Happy, but she still loved getting her way with her brother.

"So, they didn't offer him protection." She whispered. "That's really weird."

"Not a federal case," Happy explained. "Guy was already locked up when the witness came forward, didn't think it was necessary."

"Or it's a trap," she said ominously. Seeing their expressions change she laughed. "Kidding."

"I hate you," Happy said jokingly.

Ellie winked and plainly knocked on the door. "Hello?" It was a quiet block right on the edge of the city, an elderly relative's home, which provided comfort for the witness and privacy for his murderers. "I need some help. I'm really lost and my phone is dead. Can I just get some directions?"

The door opened and the man smiled. "Where you going?"

"No where," Happy grunted as he forced the man into the house.

Following the rest of the guys in she shit the door and locked it. There wasn't much fight, the man knew he was outnumbered and outmatched.

"Hi," Juice said awkwardly as Happy and Tig forces the man to his knees.