Chapter Fourteen #3
Fix what? What the hell was she talking about? From Ace’s stare, he knew what she was referring to. He rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands.
Ace glanced up, staring at Wraith. He knew what his president was waiting on.
Approval from Wraith. He wasn’t going to get it.
While Grizz’s place was only a few miles down the road in Killcreek, it wasn’t secure.
Grizz was up in the years and not capable of protecting Cleo if they were under attack.
Wraith slowly shook his head. That should’ve been the end of it. Wraith got final say with everything when it came to Cleo. But Ace hesitated, staring back at him. If he thought he’d change his mind, or take some time to roll it over, his president was wrong.
Wraith shook his head, hardening his stare. Cleo isn’t going anywhere.
Ace drew in a breath, dropping his gaze to Cleo.
“No.”
“B-but it would be…”
“I said no.” His tone was stern, leaving no room for negotiation. Cleo knew how it worked. Ace always got the final word when it came to anything with the club. And he’d just given it.
“Okay,” she muttered. She grabbed the arms of the chair and slowly stood, keeping her chin lowered to her chest. She didn’t look at anyone. She walked out the door and never looked back.
Completely defeated.
Joker grabbed the door handle from the hallway and closed it. The room was silent, and Wraith felt some stares from his brothers.
“Let’s discuss this a little more.”
Wraith slowly turned his scowl on Gent. His brother shrugged, eyeing the others.
“She made a few good points. It opens up a room for a brother. She’ll still stay in Killcreek and work. Just won’t live here. It’s a win for everyone.”
“Shut the fuck up, Gent!” Wraith’s voice echoed off the walls.
He snorted, shaking his head. “Don’t come at me, brother. This is on you. This wouldn’t even be a problem had you just taken the blow job.”
You, motherfucker!
“Shit.”
Wraith couldn’t be sure who said it, but they all knew him well.
He was closer to his brothers than anyone.
Unfortunately, they were a little too late.
Gent should’ve seen it coming, but his reaction was too slow.
Wraith charged forward, reached across the table, grasping Gent’s neck and pulling him across until his back lay flat.
Chaos erupted, chairs screeching across the wood floor.
It did nothing to stop him. Wraith planted one hand on the table, doubling down on the pressure of his hand wrapped around Gent’s throat, turning his face a dark shade of red.
His eyes welled, but he never lost his smirk, nor did he fight back. Crazy motherfucker.
Some brothers grappled Wraith’s arms trying to pull him away, but it would take another few.
He was working solely on adrenaline. She was probably his only weak spot, which Gent took full advantage of.
Wraith never saw Gent’s fist coming until it slammed against his cheek.
It was enough for him to ease up on his hold and be pulled back.
Gent rolled to his side, coughing, which turned into a maniacal laugh. “All this for a fucking blow job?”
The argument between him and Cleo had made the rounds through the clubhouse. But only the initial issue. Most of the brothers were under the impression it all stemmed from a blow job. Fuck, I wish it did.
Cross rounded the table, glaring at Gent. Wraith had been provoked, which meant Gent wasn’t getting any sympathy. He grasped the back of Gent’s neck.
“One of these days, I’m gonna fucking let him kill you.” Cross pushed him toward the door, and Oak sidled up beside him. They’d always been close.
“Maybe.” Gent dragged his hand down his throat, smiling. “But how would Cleo feel about that? To her, I’m an extended part of Knox. You end me? She’s not gonna like that.”
He had a point. But even Cleo aside, Wraith wouldn’t kill his brother. But I’m not opposed to kicking the shit out of him.
Most of the brothers left the room, but he noticed Cypher and Ghost stay back. When Cue walked out, Ghost closed the door, leaning against it. Wraith was so amped up, his heart was threatening to beat out of his chest. He paced the room like a caged animal. She wasn’t going anywhere.
“Hear me out,” Cross said.
Wraith knew where this was going, and he wouldn’t stand for it.
“No. We made a fucking promise to Knox.”
“And no one is breaking it.” Cross pointed across the room. “This is her coming to us. It’s what Cleo wants. You ever think of what it must be like for her here? ’Cause I sure as fuck have. Nothing here is hers, Wraith. Knox took her from one prison and put her in another.”
What?
“You’re comparing her living with her mom to us? Have you lost your fucking mind, Cross?”
“Look, that’s not what I mean,” he held up his hands. “I’m just saying she doesn’t have any kind of freedom here, Wraith. We tell her where she can go, who she can talk to and what she can say. We have all the control.”
Even through his anger, Wraith could see his point. It was true. But it was done with purpose to keep her safe. That’s what Knox wanted. What I want!
“She stays.” Wraith said.
Cross shook his head. “Even if you two work through whatever bullshit you got going? Living here isn’t a viable option. I said it from the minute Knox brought her in, Cleo doesn’t belong here.”
This was exactly where she belonged. With him.
“Why’s that? This personal, Cross?”
His stare hardened. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“Is she too much of a reminder of Knox, you’re willing to ditch her ass the first chance you get?”
Cross straightened his back and started toward Wraith. Ace stepped in between them.
“Don’t you ever fucking talk to me about Knox.
” His tone was low and feral. He’d struck a nerve.
Wraith should’ve known better. They were all brothers, but there were certain bonds that were tighter.
Cross and Knox was one of them. The VP had vouched for Knox and taken him under his wing.
Wraith had considered himself closer to Knox than most. But it didn’t compare to his bond with Cross.
“You weren’t the only one who went up against Inez and the rest of the club when Knox wanted to bring her here. I was standing right next to him too.” His lips twisted as he inched closer. “I’ve never fucking broken any promise to Knox.”
Ace rested his hand on Cross’s chest, shoving him back slightly. His VP didn’t fight it and turned, dragging his hand across his jaw. Tensions were high for all of them. Ace stood in front of him, eyeing Wraith. Before he could say it, Wraith shook his head.
“She stays here.”
Ace sharpened his glare. Giving an order to the president wasn’t something that happened often. In fact, Wraith had only done it a few times. All the stands he’d taken against his president had been on behalf of Cleo.
“She’d be a few miles down the road. We’d set up the security and surveillance. Grizz has already got a decent system in place, but the club will upgrade it.”
“No.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Wraith,” Cross snapped. “She doesn’t want to fucking be here, and we can’t keep her.”
“I don’t give a shit what she wants.”
“Yeah,” Cross countered. “Well, what do you think Knox would want? Her happy or held up in the clubhouse?”
Wraith clenched his jaw, feeling the pain shoot up through his molars. They didn’t have the whole story. No one did except for him, Knox, Cypher, Ghost, and Jekyll. Knox had insisted they not tell the club everything in an effort to protect Cleo. They’d all agreed.
“Can’t protect her if she’s not here, and I’m not risking it.”
Cross spread out his arms. “Protect her from what?”
Ace held up his hand, silencing Cross and keeping his eyes on Wraith. “I know she had it rough for a long time.”
Rough? Is that what you just said? Rough?
“Yeah.” Wraith growled. “Being a prisoner, made to serve people who on a daily basis beat the shit out of her…”
“I get it.”
He lunged forward. “No, you fucking don’t get it, Ace.”
“Wraith.” Ghost’s stern warning was muttered under his breath.
But they all heard it. Ace jerked his head to Ghost who folded his arms and lowered his stare to the floor. Cypher had taken the same position, averting his eyes.
“Then, tell me what I’m fucking missing,” Ace snapped. “’Cause it’s pretty fucking clear you three know more than we do.”
Wraith had said too much out of his own anger. Backpedaling wouldn’t be an easy task.
“Wraith,” Ace said.
He stared back at his president then over to his VP.
Cross shifted his gaze between him, Ghost and Cypher, furrowing his brows.
Wraith suspected over the years Knox may have confided in Cross about the night they’d taken Cleo from her house.
It seemed Knox had stayed true to his vow. No one will ever know about this.
Wraith drew in a breath. “She needs to stay here.”
Ace’s jaw squared. “Tell me why!”
Wraith cupped his mouth. There was no getting out of this.
He looked over at Ghost who was now staring back at him.
He subtly shook his head. He was trying to keep Cleo’s secret safe but they were beyond that.
Ace and Cross wouldn’t just let it go. Wraith was at a crossroads.
The club or Cleo? He had to make a choice.
Cypher sidled up next to him. “The night before Knox brought in Cleo, he was going to see her. Been out a month and figured it was a good time to finally get down there since he was settled up with the club. We had a job close to the area, so he was going to swing by on our way back.”
Cross circled the table. “The job up in Allendale. You, Wraith, Jekyll, Ghost, and Knox.”
Cypher nodded.
“Yeah, we know all this. Knox told us he stopped in. Living conditions were shit, and he thought they were beating her. That’s why he brought her here.”
“Or is there more?” Ace asked. “Wraith?”