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Chapter 21
Two weeks after her talk with Sanders, Clarke sat in Bellamy's apartment with a cup of coffee and a notebook. The meeting had gone off without a hitch, and she now had control all of the garages except for Lynx's.
The only thing she needed to figure out now was how to get to Cage and Finn. Wick was back on surveillance duty, and he'd told her that they'd met again two nights ago. If she was going to get them both, one of their meetings would be the perfect opportunity.
However, Clarke knew that she would have to take care of Lynx first. Which was why she was up at six in the morning downing her second cup of coffee. She had a meeting at seven with the DA.
She looked down at her black business suit, and then at the bracelet adorning her wrist. She smiled when she saw the swirl of silver.
Clarke sat on the couch, her eyes glued to the history channel special. Bellamy sat beside her, a bowl of popcorn in his lap and one arm thrown across the back of the sofa. His hand absently ran through her curls, but she pretended not to notice.
A commercial came on, and she got up to make a kitchen run but not before he quickly slipped something on her wrist. She stared down at their joined hands, the silver bracelet shining against her skin.
She sat down, one of her fingers tracing the flowers and fines engraved in the beautiful piece of jewelry. Then her gaze met his, brown eyes filled with uncertainty.
"I didn't know what to…"
"Thanks, Bell, I love it", Clarke said placing a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Her birthday was the following day, but she'd begged that they not do anything extravagant. She smiled when a grin curved his lips.
"I know you said not to get you anything, but I couldn't let your birthday pass without giving you something."
Clarke felt tears prick her eyes. This was what she adored about her best friend- he always made her feel loved.
"Thanks Bell, have I ever told you how marvelous you are?"
"Well…"
Clarke wrapped her arms around his neck, inhaling his scent, her fingers brushing through his dark hair. She felt his arms come around her, and for the first time since her dad died she felt content.
She pulled back, "It was awfully thoughtful of you to give it to me while O wasn't here."
"She got you something too, but I've had this thing sitting in my nightstand for two weeks and I couldn't wait any longer", Bellamy said with a smirk.
"You always were impatient", Clarke said, her voice soft.
"I'm patient when I need to be, Princess."
If Clarke lived to be one hundred she would never forget the look in his eyes as he'd said it. They had loved each other even then. Her fingers caressed the metal band around her wrist, a smile still playing across her lips.
Forty-five minutes later, Clarke found herself in the DA's office. The room was masculine, all dark wood and leather. She sat in silence, waiting. Then the door opened, and a well-dressed man walked in.
She stood, hand extended in greeting.
"District Attorney Kane, my name is Clarke Griffin."
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Griffin. What can I do for you?"
"I have a proposal. I can give you Lynx Ferrerra in exchange for the garages he operates", Clarke said, assessing the DA's expression as her words sank in.
"Many people have tried, Ms. Griffin. What makes you think you'll succeed?"
"I have control of seven out of the eight garages", she said, watching as his eyes widened in surprise, "I have spoken to the men, and they will testify as long as my demands are met."
"And what are your demands", Kane asked, leaning back in his leather chair.
"The men on this list will be pardoned, and the garages are placed in my custody. It's a small price to pay for a man like Ferrerra", Clarke said handing over her list.
She watched as the man looked over the names, nodding slowly.
"I think this can be arranged, Ms. Griffin. What do you plan to do with these garages?"
"I plan to make them into a legitimate business. I want to give these men honest work, and a chance to go straight", Clarke replied.
"If you can bring me Lynx Ferrerra, then I will agree to your terms."
"Thank you, District Attorney Kane. If you'll put your signature at the bottom of that list, I'd be grateful", the blonde said coolly.
Kane chuckled, "Nothing get's past you, does it?"
"In my business, a girl can't be to careful", Clarke said taking back her list.
Clarke drove to the shop, a smile on her face. The time had finally come.
She parked the truck, and made her way to her office.
"Miller", she shouted as she walked through.
The man ran to catch up with her, taking one of the seats across from her desk.
"Well?"
"He agreed. We get him Lynx and the shops are ours", Clarke smiled, "Any news from Wick?"
"He called a while ago, and he thinks Cage and Finn are going to meet again tonight", Miller answered.
"Perfect! We move tonight", Clarke said, a hint of victory in her voice.
"Are you sure that's wise?"
"I've waited nearly two months for this, Miller, and I'm not about to let it slip through my fingers. Get the men ready, but be quiet about it."
Miller left the office, dread spiraling in his middle. He walked out of the shop, moving quickly to his car. He got in and pulled his phone from his pocket. He dialed the number, and waited. Finally the dark voice sounded on the other end.
"She's moving tonight. If we're going to do this, we'll have to do it tonight."
Clarke was standing in the office alone, adjusting the straps before holstering the pistol. She pulled the leather jacket on to conceal it, and then grabbed her expandable baton.
She heard a knock, and turned to see Sanders come in.
"Are you ready", he asked.
"Yes, does your spy know his part in this?"
"Yes, he's already been briefed."
"Good", Clarke said quietly.
She turned when she heard another person enter, Murphy coming to stand before her.
"We're ready whenever you are, Boss."
"Alright, let's go", Clarke said.
They made it to the meeting place just in time to see Finn climb into the backseat of the limo. Clarke knelt in the shadows of the alley, her eyes glittering with ill suppressed rage.
A moment after the door slammed shut, she got up and made her way to the dark limo. She opened the door, gun drawn, and leaned inside. The two men stared at her, faces registering their surprise.
"Hello, gentlemen. Let's go for a ride", she said climbing inside.
The limo began to move, and Clarke settled back against the plush leather seat.
"What are you doing here, Clarke", Finn asked, mock concern coloring his words.
"Shut it, Collins. When I want you to speak I'll tell you", she said, her voice cold.
"Cage, I presume", she said, turning to the other man.
"Guilty", he said, his voice smooth.
"Yes, you are", Clarke purred, sending a shiver up of fear up the man's spine.
When the limo stopped, the door opened and the two men were pulled from the car. They were brought into the shop, Lynx already kneeling on the cold concrete.
Clarke came to stand before the three men, unfurling her baton with clack. She paced back and forth, her eyes cold and unyielding.
"Which of you killed Bellamy Blake", she asked, rage dripping from each syllable.
"Clarke, what are you talking about", Finn said.
She came to stand in front of him, using the tip of her baton to tilt his gaze up to hers. She could tell the moment he realized his mistake.
"I thought I told you to be quiet", she said icily, the brought the baton down across his jaw.
He spat bright blood onto the cement, his lip split and oozing.
"Now, I don't want to hear anything unless it's a confession", Clarke said, resuming her pacing.
"I promise it wasn't me", Lynx whined, "Why would I murder one of my best men?"
"I don't know Ferrerra- fear, jealousy, the list goes on and on."
Just then a noise sounded at the shop entrance, and Dax came strolling in gun drawn.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Rebel's Princess."
Clarke turned to face him, her chin held high. No fear shone in her eyes, and her head was tilted in challenge.
"Dax, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I hear your looking for Blake's killer", Dax said with a sneer.
"You heard right."
"Well, you're looking at him Princess."
Clarke stood in silence for a moment, unmoving. Her eyes never wavered from his face, and her expression remained one of cold resolve. Then she was moving forward, but something stopped her.
"Wait just one minute, Princess", Finn spat.
She turned to find him standing before her, gun pointed at her chest.
"You killed him, didn't you", she asked quietly.
"Guilty", he leered.
Clarke could see Miller and Murphy where they stood frozen. Everything was about to go south in a big hurry, but making Finn pay for what he'd done was at the forefront of her mind.
She began to walk slowly towards him, a cold smile playing across her lips.
"You going to pull the trigger, Collins? You've already taken the man I love, what more can you do to me?"
Clarke stood before him, ignoring Miller's pleading gaze. She thought of the various ways this could end, none of them pretty for her. However, if this got Cage and Lynx put away it would be worth it.
She took another step closer, and then another. She could see his hand shaking, and the sweat beading on his brow. Then the gun went off, sending a searing pain through her shoulder.
She looked down, blood seeping through the material of her shirt and running down her fingers. Then she went into action.
Clarke brought her baton down on Finn's arm, knocking the gun out of reach. He'd expected her to crumble, but what he didn't know was that she felt no pain. Every emotion, every ounce of empathy had died with HIM.
She reached into her coat with blood soaked fingers and pulled out HIS pistol. She aimed it at the traitor's heart, the cold once again enveloping her like a welcome friend.
Clarke was just about to pull the trigger when a voice called out.
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