Chapter Two #4
“We gotta count it tonight?” Cue asked mid-yawn. It had been a grueling run for all of them. It was customary for all cash being brought in to be accounted for. Wraith made the executive decision to have someone else do it. He and his brothers were in dire need of rest.
“I’ll bring it down and have Cross or Ace do the count. You guys head inside.”
Neither brother argued. Cue held open the door for Wraith as they entered the back door. It led to the warehouse style back end of the clubhouse. It housed some pool tables, a large bar, dartboards, and the main attraction, the fighting cage.
“Night,” Cue said, walking through the empty room with Oak.
Wraith made an immediate right and pulled out his keys, unlocking the door.
He walked down the steps to the underground bunker.
There were two separate rooms. One kept as storage for cash and product.
It was like a vault, and not everyone had access.
Ace was careful with who he chose. It wasn’t to say he didn’t trust the brothers, but in Killcreek, the members were expected to put in the time and forever having to prove themselves. It’s what built the club.
When he came upstairs, Ace, Cross, Cypher, and Gent were waiting.
“How’d it go?” Cross asked.
Wraith narrowed his gaze. “Before or after I kicked the shit out of his second?”
It wasn’t the first time an associate wanted to renegotiate the terms of their agreement before handing over the payment. It never ended well.
Ace smirked. “That’s one way to get the deal closed.”
“It’s done. We got the location for the transfer. It’ll happen the day after tomorrow. Gonna take us all day riding out, so if you don’t fucking mind, do the counts for the cash. I’m only gonna get a few hours of sleep before I have to head back out.”
“I’m sensing some bitterness,” Gent said, and Wraith clenched his jaw, turning his glare on his brother.
“Yeah, well, if I wasn’t the only one who could handle getting these fuckers in line, there wouldn’t be any.”
“Brother” —Gent spread out his arms— “I offered to set the motherfucker on fire. Ace wouldn’t let me.”
Wraith sighed, shaking his head. He started across the room, but apparently his president wasn’t done with him.
“Got a problem,” Ace said.
Wraith stopped and turned, facing them.
“Got a call from Burke. A few days ago, he had a couple guys come in. Outsiders. He hadn’t seen them before.”
Strangers were rare in Killcreek but not unheard of. “What did they want?”
Ace folded his arms over his chest. “According to Burke, they came in, bought some shit, got gas, and left.”
That sounds like a fucking customer. Why the hell was Ace bringing this to him?
“What’s the problem?”
Ace grasped the back of his neck. “Burke thought they were just passing through, but when he was closing up last night, he saw the same truck leaving Killcreek, which would mean they were here for a few days.”
What the fuck?
“It looks like we had visitors,” Cross said. “We got Burke to pull the security footage and send it to Cypher.”
Wraith looked over at Cypher. “What did you get?”
“Clear view of their faces and a pickup truck hauling a camper. No license plate. It was out of the frame. We need to upgrade the system at Burke’s. But it was something.” Cypher shared a look with Cross. “Also got tape of them talking with Cleo.”
His muscles immediately tightened, and he walked closer to the group, shifting his gaze to Ace. Cleo was always protected with either a member or prospect. Except in Killcreek. It was the only place he’d allow her to roam freely.
“When?”
“The other day when she picked up the ice. She was loading it into her trunk. The two guys came out and stopped a few feet away from her.”
“When did they approach her?”
“They didn’t.” Cypher sighed. “Cleo approached them.”
Fuck! He balled his fists, fighting against his rising anger. Losing his temper wouldn’t bode well for anyone. When the fuck will she learn? It was the first thing kids were taught by their parents—don’t talk to strangers. Cleo’s mom seemed to have failed her once again.
“Without sound, we got no idea what they said, but she looked at their phone screen then pointed down the road going north. From what I got from it, she was giving them directions.”
Wraith drew in a long deep breath, battling with his control in an effort not to lose his shit. “In Killcreek?”
Cypher raised his brows and nodded. “Ace said to wait until you got back to talk to her.”
It was an unspoken rule that everything involving Cleo involved Wraith. He dragged his hand down his beard. He was tired, agitated and in no headspace to deal with this. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a choice.
“Get her!” Wraith snapped.
Cypher rounded the men, heading toward the door leading to the main part of the clubhouse.
Wraith grabbed his hips, shaking his head. He needed to settle.
“Fucking liability since the day she got here,” Cross muttered under his breath.
Usually, Wraith wouldn’t stand for anyone calling her out, but he couldn’t argue with his VP. He spoke the truth, and Cleo didn’t do herself any favors putting herself in these positions.
A few minutes later, Cypher was back with Cleo trailing behind him.
Her hair was tousled, and she was wearing a loose oversized T-shirt and sweatpants.
Clearly, she’d been in bed, sleeping. She walked toward them, covering her yawn and her eyes not quite fully awake.
She scanned the men, and when her eyes landed on him, she perked up and smiled.
“Welcome home. How was your trip?”
Wraith ignored her greeting and question.
“Two guys from Burke’s. You talk to them?”
Her eyes widened, looking up at the ceiling and clearly stalling. “Um well…”
“Don’t fucking lie ’cause we got you on the security cameras.”
“I wasn’t going to lie to you, Wraith.” Her lips pulled down in a frown and guilt immediately set in. For the most part, Cleo followed the rules. When she didn’t, she took accountability and profusely apologized. And she never lied, especially to him.
He drew in a breath. “Tell me what happened.”
“They were in the store when I was picking up my snacks for the week. And when I was loading the ice, they came out. They were trying to find something on a map and having a hard time.”
Ace cocked his head. “They asked you for directions?”
“Well, no.” She darted her gaze between Ace and him. “I kind of offered to help.”
Jesus fucking Christ!
“Why?” Wraith shouted, and she flinched and stepped back.
“They seemed lost, so…”
Wraith ground his teeth. It was taking everything in him to batten down his anger. Cleo didn’t know these men, and more importantly, the club didn’t know them, which made them a safety risk.
“What did they say?” Ace asked, taking over the conversation.
“Just that they were camping, and they couldn’t find the location, so I told them how to get there. It’s the flatlands a few miles from the creek. I told them there weren’t any houses out there, but they said that was fine.”
Gent laughed. “Well, aren’t you helpful. Surprised you didn’t offer them a place to stay here, darlin’.”
“I was just…”
“How many were there?” Cross asked.
“The two guys in the store, and two girls and another guy who stayed in the truck. I thought they were a couple of friends just camping. Was I wrong?”
“We don’t know ’cause they’re not here anymore. In fact, we don’t know shit because you didn’t fucking tell us.” Cross’s fierce tone set her back a step. Cleo knew she’d fucked up.
Her face paled and her hand rested on her chest. “I…”
Ace cut her off, pointing to the door. “Go.”
Cleo dropped her chin to her chest and passed Wraith. He heard a soft murmur, knowing it was meant for him. “I’m sorry.” Seconds later, she was gone.
“It could be as innocent as kids camping,” Cypher said. “Just like she thought.”
Maybe it was. Or maybe it isn’t.
“We’ll head over and check things out. See if they left anything behind. Cypher, go over the security again. See if there’s anything you missed the first time,” Ace said then turned to Wraith. “You try and get some sleep. We got this.”
Wraith left still fuming. He grabbed a beer from the bar and ignored the brothers who were at the table.
The last thing he wanted was to talk to anyone.
His night had completely gone to shit. He stalked down the hall, pulled out his keys, and threw his bedroom door open with enough force for it to slam against the wall.
He flicked on the light, and a folded piece of paper caught his attention next to his feet.
Wraith bent down, picking it up. It could only be from one person. He flicked it open.
Dear Wraith,
I’m so sorry. I messed up again. I should’ve told you when it happened. I won’t make that mistake again, I promise. I hope you have a good run tomorrow. Be safe.
Your friend, Cleo
Your friend? He scoffed. Possession, obsession or future, yes.
But just a friend? No. He drew in a breath, staring up at the ceiling.
In a different world, Cleo did the right thing, offering help to someone in need.
But in their world? Fuck! Wraith stared down at the note, reading it again.
The hardest part about Cleo was knowing her intention was good.
She thought she was helping. Unfortunately, a heart as pure and kind as hers had no place in Killcreek.
Wraith walked over to the closet and put the slip of paper on the top shelf in the farthest corner.
With the rest of them.