Chapter Twenty-One #2
Grain shared a look with Regina. If Cleo had to guess, they were having a silent argument with her as the main topic. This was disastrous. Today was supposed to be fun, not the catalyst for a marital dispute.
“I’m sorry.” Cleo blurted and pulled out of Regina’s hold, backing up toward the door. “I’ll just go.”
Grain sighed, shaking his head. “Get your ass over here!” He pointed to the stool next to him. “We got a birthday to celebrate and you ain’t going anywhere until you get a proper fucking drink.”
Cleo stilled, peeking over at Regina. She smiled at Grain, then turned to Cleo, raising her brows. “You heard him. Get your ass on that stool!”
Cleo slowly turned, walking toward the bar. Grain pulled out the stool and she sat while Regina rounded the counter.
“What do you want to drink?” Regina asked and her lips twitched. “For you? I’ll even make one of those fruity bullshit drinks. Anything you want, Cleo.”
Anything? Usually, she’d ask for a beer or seltzer but with Grain here, she only had one drink in mind. She glanced over at him and smiled.
“Can I have your pink drink? I never got to finish the last one.”
The corner of his mouth curled and he slapped his hand on the bar. “Fuck yeah, you can, sweetheart!” He shot up from his stool and rounded the bar, nudging Regina out of his way. She laughed, shaking her head.
“You just made his fucking day.”
Regina bent down resting her arms on the counter in front of Cleo.
“I appreciate you making time for me.” Cleo glanced around the room. “I know you’re working.”
“Not anymore.” Regina winked and straightened, addressing the customers. “Bar’s closed, pay your tab, and get the fuck out.”
“Gee.” The man at the end of the bar spread his arms, clearly unhappy with the abrupt closing.
“Don’t ‘Gee’ me. We got a private party happening, and none of you assholes are invited.” She clapped her hands. “Let’s go, get your asses outta those seats.”
Let the party begin…
****
Wraith stared up at the red light and rolled his neck. He’d been gone since five-thirty this morning and it was closing in on seven. With over two hours left on the trip, he’d be exhausted when he got back. But doing this pick up allowed him to bow out of the next two day run. No overnights.
They were just about to get on the highway and head back to Killcreek when the message from Ace came in.
Ace: Get to Starr’s.
What the fuck?
Starr’s in Lawry? They were about thirty minutes outside of the city and it was in the opposite direction of Killcreek.
Wraith stared down at his phone waiting on more information.
He didn’t get any. He glanced over at Gent, who was staring at his phone.
They must’ve gotten the same message from Ace.
When the light turned green, he made a U-turn, heading back into the city.
He expected further details from his president, but nothing more came through.
They rounded the side street, pulling into the parking lot behind the building.
At best, Starr’s was a dive bar catering to the locals.
He’d seen in in passing but never ventured inside.
Why would he? This was Ghosttown East and Underground territory.
There were several motorcycles lining the back entrance to the bar. They parked at the end of the row, shut down their engines and got off their bikes.
“What the fuck is this?” Ghost muttered.
Wraith eyed the Ghosttown East brothers standing near the building. It felt like an ambush but Wraith knew better. If Ace was sending them there, it was with good reason. Still, he was cautious.
“Stay close.” Wraith lowered his voice as they approached.
As far as Wraith knew, they had no issues with East. At least, not anymore. There was no love lost between the two clubs, but they could coexist. So what the fuck is going on?
“Brothers.” Gent’s voice showed zero sign of concern. “Who’s buying?”
Gunner, the president of East, hardened his stare. “Considering we’re doing the favor, I’d say you.”
Gent snorted. “Don’t recall ever needing a favor from East.”
“First time for everything.” Blade smirked. “This could be a claim of finders keepers, but Gun doesn’t think that would go over well.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Wraith snapped.
Gunner moved forward, gesturing to the back of the lot. “We got a real problem when Inez’s security shows up at an East property.”
Wraith glanced over his shoulder noticing the black SUVs. They definitely belonged to Inez’s crew. He turned back, steeling his features.
“You got a problem with Inez?” Gent smiled. “You all are welcome to share your grievances with her.”
“Problem isn’t with Inez. This is your problem, and now it’s become ours.” Gunner’s jaw squared. “Cleo.”
Ghost sidled up next to Wraith. “What about her?”
Gunner looked over at Wraith, then shifted his gaze to the door. “I’ll give you one guess where she is.”
No. Fucking. Way!
Wraith stalked to the door, and East had the smarts to step away.
He would’ve plowed through them. He ripped open the door.
He was halfway down the hall when he heard the roaring feminine laughter.
It was a mixture, but he made out Cleo’s immediately.
He didn’t hear it often, but he’d memorized the sound. It was a comfort most days.
Not today.
As he entered the main bar area, he recognized the East old lady, Taryn sitting next to Cleo and Regina was behind the bar.
Cleo’s back was to him but she turned her head and he zoned in on her profile.
She was smiling and her body shook as she tried to regain control from laughing.
It wasn’t often he’d seen her this way. She was obviously having fun and she looked… happy. It settled him slightly.
Taryn swiveled in her seat and glanced past Cleo meeting his stare. Her eyes widened, and she dropped her glass to the counter.
“Oh shit.” Taryn muttered and looked across the bar. The older woman jerked her head and released a heavy, annoyed sigh.
“Well, fuck.” It was just the greeting he’d expect from Regina, Grain’s old lady.
Cleo glanced over her shoulder. Unlike the other women, she didn’t seem as concerned. She lifted her hand, waving. “Hi.”
Hi? Did she just say fucking hi?
Wraith stalked toward her, and she swiveled on her stool, drink in hand.
“What are you doing here?”
Wraith drew in a deep breath, clenching his jaw. “What are you doing here?”
She lifted her glass. “Having a drink.”
“Cleo.” He growled, fighting against the anger rising.
“You said yourself, I didn’t have to check in all the time. I could have more freedom. Remember?”
Oh, I fucking remember.
He leaned closer. “You know this isn’t what I meant.”
“Well, um.” Her cheeks pinkened and her throat bobbed. “You didn’t specifically say I couldn’t come to Lawry.”
“Valid point,” Ghost said as he passed by.
Shut the fuck up, Ghost. He glared at his brother, who merely shrugged and walked to the opposite end of the room.
“Wraith?”
He glanced down at her.
“You said I just needed to be safe, right? Well, I am.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “You know Taryn and Regina.” She looked across the room and her face softened, smiling. “And Grain and Brew are here, and you know them. If something were to happen, I’m sure they’d help me.”
“Damn right, sweetheart.” Grain said.
He shifted his glare to the older biker. Grain folded his arms and stared back at Wraith.
“And,” Cleo pointed over his shoulder. “Gunner and Blade are here now.” She waved, “Hi.”
Blade chuckled and lowered his chin. “Cleo.”
Gunner didn’t say a word, shaking his head as they moved across the room.
Cleo rested her hand on his forearm, and he felt the heat through his body. That’s the effect this woman had on him. “It’s for my birthday.”
“Your birthday is over.” He growled.
“I didn’t get a proper celebration.” She inched closer, lowering her voice. “Please don’t make me leave yet.”
Wraith grasped his jaw, sliding his hand over his beard. Had she asked to come to the bar, he would’ve never allowed it. And she would’ve missed out on this. Navigating this relationship was exhausting. But worth it. He glanced down at her and she was waiting on him.
He held up a finger. “One fucking hour. That’s all you get.”
“Thank you.” She lifted on her toes, kissing him quickly before climbing back up on the stool.
He slowly turned, noticing every man in the room staring at him. They may have suspected something between him and Cleo, but it had never been made official. Until now.
Wraith scowled when Blade smirked. “Welcome to the world of old ladies. It’s a wild fucking ride, brother.”
So I’m learning.