Fury

Chapter Nineteen

Clara

NO NO NO NO!
He wasn't supposed to find out like this. I could feel the bile rising up my throat as my heart threatened to rip out of my chest. Desperately trying to sit up, pain ripped through my body but all I could think about was getting to Alex.

The minute the words had left Charles' mouth, Alex had backed away from me, his eyes desperately flitting between the two of us. 

"Alex, please listen to me, I—"
"Is it true?" He eyes pierced into my soul. 
I will never forget the moment that Alex's heart shattered in front of mine, the look on his face. He snatched his hand away from mine and his eyes bore no emotion, even though I could see the tears threatening to escape.

"Alex, you weren't meant to find out like this!"
"ANSWER ME!"
I had never seen him so angry, even eleven years ago when he left me on the side of the road.
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the tears streaming down my face.
"Yes. It's true" I whispered.
"This whole time, you've been someone's wife? Did you know about this? Was this all some elaborate plan to extort me for money? Did you even feel anything?" He slammed his fist into the wall.

Charles' cackle bought me out of my daze.
"Well, as much as this is thoroughly entertaining, do you think we could move this along a little bit?"

"What makes you so sure I'd pay for her now? She's used goods. Your problem, not mine."
My heart seized. 
"Oh Alex, you can't switch your emotions off that easily, you're not a robot. I knew you two would always find your way back to each other one way or another, the stupid bitch didn't think I'd noticed how she never fully committed to our marriage. I'm not too bothered, she only really appealed to me because of her father. I knew it from day one, from the minute you stormed into my house and humiliated me all those years ago that you would do anything for her! But, if you're not too bothered..." He sidled up beside me, slowly moving his hand between my thighs, I cringed, desperately trying to close them.
"If you're not too bothered then, maybe Nix can have a go, I mean I already know what she has to offer. I've had her many, many nights before."

Alex lunged for Charles but Nix stepped in the way. His hands wrapped around Alex's neck, he pinned him up against the wall. 
"Prez, you need to stop, you're no where near strong enough with a bullet in you."
"I'm not your Prez, you piece of shit. I'm going to kill you, you rat." Alex was seething.
"I haven't touched her."
"You think that makes up for anything? You betrayed the club! You think the boys will let this slide?" He laughed.
"You don't understand." Nix growled.

"Right, lets break up this mother's meeting. Can you get the money to me or not? I'm getting impatient." Charles tapped his fingers on the wooden slab.

Alex reluctantly looked towards him.
"I need to make a call. I have a guy that should be able to wire it."
"Fabulous! Now we're talking."

I watched Alex tap into his phone and speak for a few minutes with someone. I couldn't quite make out what was said but when Alex hung up he just looked at Charles and said
"It's done. It'll be in your account soon."
"I knew you wouldn't let me down."
He nodded towards me.
"Let her go then."
"Oh of course." Charles walked towards me and then spun around.
"Just one more thing." Before I knew what was happening, Charles had reached around and pulled a gun out from behind him.
"Alex!" I screamed.
Everything happened so quick and complete chaos exhumed. Nix ran at Charles and collided with him with incredible force. They both fell to the ground with Nix punching him several times in the face. I watched on in horror, unable to do anything.
Alex grabbed the discarded gun on the floor and pistol whipped Charles. He then came towards me, yanking on the ties on my arms and legs. He was so military, barely looking at me, like I was just a job he had to finish. My eyes drifted towards Nix and Charles when I saw Nix rear up and snap Charles' neck. The sound was horrific and then Charles' body flopped to the floor with a thud. What the hell just happened? Nix just killed Charles. They were cousins. Nix was in on this. The shock hit me with full force and it was making it hard to breathe. I was completely unaware I had entered into a full blown panic attack until Alex started shaking me.
"Clara, breathe. Calm down and breathe. This isn't the time to panic. Look at me."
He was so calm and ruthless. There was a dead body behind him and he was just talking to me so casually. Was this the norm for him? It hit me suddenly that we knew nothing about each other. We knew the old versions of ourselves, but not these new messed up ones.

Taking a deep breathes I tried to clear my mind. Alex helped me sit up, rubbing at my hands to try and get the blood flowing again. He took off his jacket and put it round my shoulders, probably to try to maintain some of my dignity.

I had completely forgot Nix was in the room, until I saw him come up behind Alex.
Alex spun around and smacked him straight in the face. He must have broken his nose because I could hear the bones cracking against his fist, blood spewing everywhere.
"What the fuck?!"
"Prez, you need to let me explain" Nix held his hands up.
"Explain how you betrayed me? You're lucky you're still breathing!"
"I saved your life, I know it means nothing anymore. But I can explain!"

The door flew open and Garrett and few others ran in, confusion filled their faces at the sight in the room.
"Prez, are you ok?" One asked.
"Yeah, someone dispose of the body. Torch the place if you have to, I don't give a fuck. Tie up Nix, bring him back to the clubhouse, he needs to be dealt with."
"What the fuck happened here?" Garrett murmured.
"I'll explain back at the club. I need to get the fuck out of here. Did the money go through?"
"I froze the payment. I didn't trust it, I took a gamble that something might happen."
"Good job it worked out then."

"What about her?" They all turned to look at me.
"Take her to the hospital in your car. Make sure she gets checked out. She can figure out the rest from there." Without a backwards glance he walked out of the room.
He didn't want me anymore. It was over. This was the second time my heart was crushed into a million pieces and it hurt even more than the first time.
Tears streamed down my face as I felt the wounds reopening. The scars on my heart would be the only reminder left of him, memories haunting me.

Garrett lifted me up and took me outside without saying a word. Placing me in his truck, I looked around at the destruction. I should be in shock, but the only thing I noticed was that Alex was nowhere to be seen.

I closed my eyes and let the pain consume me.