Chapter Sixteen
Cleo stared at the apartment number. Unlike the others on the floor, there wasn’t a welcome mat or décor of any kind on the door. She lifted her head, hesitated briefly, and knocked. She stepped back a few feet and twisted her fingers. Waiting.
“Who the hell is it?”
Cleo leaned forward. “Hi Inez, it’s Cleo.”
The locks immediately sounded, and the door flew open.
The older woman angled her head, looking down the hallway then turned her confused scowl on Cleo.
“Where the hell are the boys?”
Cleo waved her hand. “They had a meeting. They left me at Olson’s.”
She cocked her brow. “Then why the hell aren’t you at Olson’s?”
Cleo dug her nails into her hands and shrugged. “I left.”
Inez’s lips twisted. “He let you just walk out?”
Cleo rocked on her heels, hesitating.
“Cleo.”
This was not off to a great start.
“Not exactly.”
“Girl, I swear.” Inez grabbed her arm, pulling her into the apartment. “Sometimes I think you ain’t worth the trouble.”
Cleo clamped her lips. Inez may’ve been old enough to be her grandmother, but she wasn’t giving off the vibes of that role.
Cleo had seen her dozens of times since she’d been with Killcreek.
They didn’t have any type of relationship outside of an acquaintance.
Inez barely acknowledged her when they did see each other.
Inez stalked down the hall, and Cleo kept on her heels.
“You got a preference who I call ’cause I know you don’t want me calling Wraith on your crazy ass.”
Call the club? Cleo rushed forward, coming dangerously close to bumping into Inez’s back. She knew that would eventually be the outcome, but she was hoping for more time to plead her case about moving. She halted at the last second, grabbing the edge of the counter for support.
“You don’t have to call anyone. I’ll go back to Olson’s before they get back.”
“That old man is probably shitting his pants trying to find your ass. Probably slit his own throat before having to tell Killcreek he fucking lost you.”
“But I’m not lost.”
“For fucks sake, fruit cake.” She grabbed the lit cigarette from the ashtray and took a deep drag, eyeing Cleo. “Why the hell did you come here?”
Stick to the plan.
“I wanted to talk with you about an apartment here?”
She furrowed her brows but remained silent.
“You have a lot of vacancies. I was wondering if I could move into one.” Cleo held up her hands rushing through her next statement.
More like a plea. “I’m not asking for a discount on rent.
I can get a job and pay full price. And I’m a really good tenant.
I’m quiet and clean and I won’t be a problem. ”
Inez snorted. “Baby girl, you been a problem since you got to Killcreek.”
What? That wasn’t accurate. But Inez was the last person she’d argue with.
“I got enough crazies living here, I don’t need to add to my collection.” Inez chuckled, shaking her head. “And even if I did get some wild hair and took you in? My boys wouldn’t let you leave.”
“But they’d listen to you and…”
There must’ve been a desperate plea in her tone. Inez’s demeanor shifted, and her face hardened.
“My boys do something to you?”
“No.”
Inez squinted, scanning her face and leaned closer. “You lying to me?”
She shook her head.
Inez straightened and took a drag of her cigarette. “Why do you wanna live in the city?”
This would take some effort to be convincing. Because I don’t want to live here.
Cleo swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, um…”
“Don’t give me that bright lights and big city bullshit ’cause I know that ain’t you. Fucking little country mouse got no place here.”
It seemed Inez knew Cleo better than she thought.
“It wouldn’t be my first choice, but I don’t see any other options.” She sighed, resting her hip on the stool of the breakfast bar. “I wanted to clean up Grizz’s small house on his property and stay there, but he said Ace had to approve it, and obviously he said no.”
“Hold up,” Inez scoffed. “That old fuck is still alive?”
“Yeah, he lives a few miles down from the clubhouse on a large piece of land. Not sure how many acres it is but it’s a lot. He doesn’t work the fields anymore, but he lives there. And there’s a small house that used to be…”
“Did I ask for the asshole’s history?”
“No. Sorry,” Cleo mumbled.
Inez pressed her hands against the counter, eyeing Cleo with suspicion.
“You got it good at Killcreek. Why do you want to leave?”
This is my shot!
“I want a place of my own. Somewhere quiet. I don’t belong there. They put up with me because they feel an obligation to Knox. Like it’s their duty to take care of me because I’m his sister.” Was, Cleo. Past tense. She dropped her chin and picked at the hem of her shirt.
“You think that’s the reason they keep you?”
Cleo peeked up. There was something off in her tone.
“Yes.”
Inez stared back at her but she was impossible to read. Queen of the poker face. When Inez’s phone rang, Cleo jumped. Dammit! She knew exactly who was calling. I need more time.
Inez walked past Cleo into the living room, grabbing her phone from the end table. “You all are gonna put me into an early fucking grave with your bullshit.”
Inez shook her head and tapped the screen before lifting it to her ear.
“Yeah?”
Inez squinted, taking a drag from her cigarette, eyeing Cleo. “Why the fuck would I loan you my security?”
Uh-oh.
“Really? Just disappeared, huh? That girl loves a Houdini act, doesn’t she?” Inez narrowed her gaze. “Surprised you boys don’t have a tracker on her phone.”
This is bad.
The corner of Inez’s mouth curled into what looked like a half smile. It was the first semblance of humor Cleo had ever seen directed at her. Cleo forced a smile, and Inez shook her head.
“Turned off her location, huh? Well, it’s your lucky fucking day, Ace. She’s sitting at my kitchen counter. I take it, I’ll be seeing you soon.” Inez ended the call and tossed the phone on the counter. “You do love keeping my boys on their toes, don’t you?”
This was disastrous. Not only was the club on the way, but she’d made no headway with Inez for letting her move to Grizz’s house.
Dammit!
****
Wraith’s heavy steps could’ve been heard from the first floor. Livid would’ve been an understatement.
Usually there was a protocol of procession with the club. Ace always led the MC with Cross at his side and Wraith following a few steps behind. Not today. He didn’t even bother knocking. He threw open Inez’s door and stormed down the small hallway.
Inez was stationed in the kitchen, clutching a glass of vodka in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Surprisingly, she didn’t say a word about his entrance.
He scanned the room, finding Cleo in the corner sitting on a chair. She slowly stood, and waved.
“Hi.” Her voice was shaky, and her smile was forced.
Wraith stalked toward her, trying to settle his anger. It always took great effort when Cleo put herself in dangerous positions. Her lack of self-preservation was his trigger.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
Cleo raised her brows, shrugging innocently. “I went for a walk and ended up here?”
Bullshit!
Inez snorted, shaking her head. Obviously, there had been an ulterior motive on Cleo’s end, and Inez knew about it.
“Cleo.” Ace’s voice came from behind. “Why did you leave Olson’s?”
Her eyes darted around the room, clearly avoiding Wraith’s stare.
“I, um…” She looked over at Inez as a lifeline. They’d never been close, and Inez had never taken much of an interest in Cleo as she had with other women in their realm.
When Knox had brought Cleo to the clubhouse to live, Inez had given major pushback. Usually, she won all arguments but Knox, along with Wraith and a few others had stood firm.
“Answer the question.” Wraith growled, and she peeked up through her lashes.
“I wanted to talk to Inez.” Her voice was so low, he couldn’t be sure the others had heard her.
“Why?” Ace asked. It was better he took over the question portion of this clusterfuck. Wraith was still teetering on containing his anger and losing his shit.
Her shoulders hunched, and she grasped her hands, twisting her fingers.
“Tell em’ why,” Inez said with a hint of humor in her tone.
That alone told Wraith everything he needed to know. He was not going to like her answer.
“I was wondering if there were any vacancies in the building. I thought maybe I could rent one.”
If they wouldn’t allow her to move a few miles down the road, did she really think they’d let her move to the city?
“No,” Wraith snapped, and she widened her eyes. He saw a glimmer of something he couldn’t quite place. This was the longest she’d looked at him in days.
“Well.” She kept eye contact but pointed across the room. “It’s her building. I don’t think you can tell her who can or cannot live here.”
Wraith hardened his gaze but to her credit, Cleo never looked away.
“I love when a kitten discovers her claws.” Inez laughed, slapping her hand on the counter then veering her gaze toward Cleo. “I underestimated you.”
“Inez,” Ace warned.
Wraith squared his jaw, grounding his teeth. His anger only heightened when Inez continued to laugh, holding nothing back.
“You’re damn right, baby girl,” Inez said, and Wraith jerked his head, scowling. “He’s got no fucking say in what I do with this building.” Inez pinned her glare on him, “Or anything else. You need a reminder of your place, son?”
Wraith ground his teeth but remained silent.
He knew the hierarchy of not only the club but Inez’s position.
In his seventeen years with the MC, he’d never gone head-to-head with her.
As she pointed out, Wraith had always known his place.
He respected Inez. Followed and carried out every order given without question or hesitation. Until now.
“She’s not living here.” Over my dead fucking body.
Inez cocked her brow. “Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Ace stopped directly next to him, showcasing a united front on this matter. “She’s got nothing down here, Inez. No job, no connection, no family.”
Inez smirked and looked at Wraith. “And what exactly does she have in Killcreek?”
Fuck!
Ace sighed and gestured to the door. “Go wait in the hallway, Cleo.”
Cleo flinched but didn’t hesitate and walked toward the door.
“Who the fuck are you, barking orders in my house?”
Ah fuck. Wraith clenched his jaw, watching Cleo stop mid-step. She’d created this fucking mess and was now caught in the crosshairs.
“Cleo!” Inez pointed to the counter stool. “Sit your ass back down.”
Cleo darted her gaze between Ace and Inez.
She glanced up at Wraith. He hardened his stare.
Oh now, you want me to save you? He should’ve left her on her own to sink or swim.
Disobeying either Inez and Ace came with consequences, and Cleo knew it.
Fuck! He lifted his chin toward the stool.
Once she was seated, she clasped her hands on her lap.
“Go wait outside!” Inez barked.
Wraith drew in a breath, subtly shaking his head.
Cleo’s brows hiked to her hairline and pressed her hand over her chest. “Me?”
Inez’s temper was already at an all-time high. This wouldn’t serve Cleo well.
Wraith stepped forward, and Cleo looked over. “Yeah.” He pointed to the door. “Go.”
She scurried past him, brushing against his arm in the tight quarters. She was gone within seconds with the door latching in place.
“You wanna tell me why you’re even fucking entertaining this bullshit of her living here?” Ace asked with a venomous hitch in his tone.
“Why don’t you tell me why that girl is so fucking desperate to get outta your house.”
Wraith gripped his hips, and shared a look with Cross, who’d remained silent.
“What the hell happened?”
“Nothing,” Wraith said.
Inez shifted her gaze to him. “Don’t wanna tell me then fucking don’t. I don’t give a shit. But I’m gonna tell you something. You can’t keep that girl locked up in your tower forever, Wraith.”
“Protecting.” He growled.
Inez slowly arched her brow with a small smile playing on her lips. She hummed, drawing her cigarette up to her mouth, eyeing him. She took a long drag.
“Protecting? Or keeping? ’Cause there’s a goddamn difference.” She paused a few seconds and waved her hand. “You really think I need another fucking headache?” She scoffed and shot out her arm, pointing toward the door. “That girl has been trouble since Knox brought her in.”
Gent laughed, leaning against the doorframe to the small hallway off the living room.
“Trouble, Inez? Come on,” Gent taunted, chewing on the toothpick in the corner of his mouth.
“You got this girl randomly disappearing from my apartment and now Olson’s. She’s so damn desperate to be free, and none of you fuckers can see it.”
Inez grabbed her glass, chugging half of it. “Give you boys two choices. Either you keep her close in Killcreek and let her live at Grizz’s. Or I’m having one of the vacant apartments cleaned, and her ass will be moved in by tomorrow. You pick.”
“Inez.” Wraith growled.
“Son.” She narrowed her eyes. “Be thankful I’m giving you a goddamn choice. You want her three miles away or three hours away?”
Wraith had a retort ready, but she shut him down. She held up her finger, silencing him.
“You wanna keep that girl?” Inez pointed at the door to the hallway. “Then loosen that fucking leash.”
Fuck!