Chapter Twenty-Five
Cleo stood by the bathroom door in the hallway. She consistently looked to the right and left at both exits. Maybe it was her anxiety or adrenaline. Whatever it was, she was in protective mode.
She’d offered up the girl to take a shower, but she vehemently declined.
Who could blame her after the trauma she’d suffered?
Now she was being held in a house full of strangers.
Bikers. Cleo couldn’t imagine the fear she must be feeling.
She had barely managed to get her own under control, and Cleo had the luxury of knowing she was safe.
The door cracked open, and Cleo straightened. The girl had cleaned up and washed her face. There were a few scrapes, but it looked like she’d tended to them. Cleo had set up towels and washcloths, along with some medicine for her cuts. She’d offered to help, but the girl refused.
She widened the door but didn’t make a move to leave the bathroom. She’d changed into the clothes Cleo gave her. They were about the same size.
The girl poked her head out the door, looking in both directions.
“Some of the guys are cleaning up the living room, but I think they’re almost done. I can make them leave if you want.”
She shrugged.
Cleo smiled and held up her finger. “Wait here.” She rushed down the short hallway. There were two prospects scrubbing the floor and another two rolling up her blood stained carpet. I love that rug.
“Can you guys leave for a little bit?”
The new prospects cleaning the floors looked up. One knitted his brows and scowled. “Cross said we had to clean it.”
“I know, but can you finish later?”
“No, Cross gave us an order.”
“Well, my order trumps Cross’s, because this is my house.” She blinked, unsure where her assertiveness came from. “Please.”
When they didn’t move, she sighed.
“Everybody get the fuck out.”
She glanced up to see Joker standing in the doorway. He was glaring at the prospects, and surprisingly, they immediately followed his command.
“Thanks.”
He lowered his chin as the prospects passed. Joker closed the door but remained inside.
Cleo forced a smile. “Can you leave too?”
Joker was shaking his head before she even finished her sentence. “Wraith doesn’t want you alone with her.”
She understood his concerns and they were valid. After all, she had just stabbed a man in her living room. However, Wraith was forgetting that the girl had saved Cleo.
“I know but…”
“Cleo, I made them leave but I gotta stay. It’s a compromise. Take it.”
She knew it was a no-win situation.
When she turned to retrieve the girl, she was standing a few feet behind Cleo.
“Can I make you something to eat? Or would you like more tea?”
She leaned forward, peering into the kitchen. “Do you have coffee?”
“Yes, come on.”
Cleo made the coffee, noticing that the girl seemed to move in sync with her.
If Cleo took a step forward, so did she.
When she walked to the sink to fill up the pot, she was two feet away looking out the window.
Cleo followed her stare. The woods were thick, but she could make out the orange glow in the distance.
It was a signature move in Killcreek.
“What’s that?”
“Um, bonfire.”
The girl slowly glanced over at her. “They’re having a bonfire? Now?”
Cleo flattened her lips and gently grasped her arm, leading her into the living room.
It’s what they do.
****
Wraith made his way down the cellar steps. Aside from some old furniture and storage totes, the basement was an open space. They secured the two men and zip tied their arms behind their backs. The same had been done to Reyna, but she was about thirty feet away in a separate corner.
He stalked through the room. As he got closer, he noticed they hadn’t been touched. No blood, cuts, or lacerations. That was not a signature staple for the club. Brutality and beatings were usually the prelude to every execution. And if torture was warranted for any situation? It was this one.
Ace stepped in front of Wraith with Cross close to his side.
“We need this clean.”
Clean? These motherfuckers were going to suffer, and if he had his way, die by his bare hands.
“No.”
Cross held up his hand. “This isn’t a safe house. It’s Grizz’s. We can’t burn it down if someone suspects something. We need to keep this clean for him and the club.”
“And Cleo.” Ace added.
It was probably the only reason he’d stand down.
“My shot.” Wraith growled, eyeing the men. Their death would be on his hands. Wraith wouldn’t have it any other way. He’d never seen them before. They were still piecing everything together. The girl wasn’t going to be any help. They’d have to rely strictly on the three in the basement.
“They say anything?”
“Surprisingly, a lot.” Cross dragged his hand through his hair. “Got their names from their licenses. Dead guy in the house was obviously the muscle, Lenny Smith. These two,” he gestured to the men. “Joe Turner and Mickey Gibbs. Thinking Turner is the lead on this little operation.”
“They give you a name?”
The club knew that this was bigger than Joe and Mickey. They were doing the grunt work for someone else.
Cross shook his head. “No, not giving that up which makes me think they work for someone powerful. But they’re talking.”
Wraith gave a curt nod. “Let’s fucking hear it.”
“Here’s what we got.” Ace moved closer, circling the men. “Your transport takes you through Killcreek. Under the guise of some kids camping, you move the girls through our territory. It’s a decent cover. Unsuspecting, most people wouldn’t give a second look. How many times you bring them in?”
Joe sighed. “This was the second.”
“Testing the waters?” Cross asked.
Joe lowered his chin in a sharp nod.
“Why Killcreek?”
“Half way point.” Mickey said and immediately Joe jerked his head, glaring at his partner,
Now, we’re getting somewhere. That piece of information was small but eventually, Cypher would be able to narrow down a location. If they knew where they were coming from and going to, they’d know exactly who was running it.
“And Cleo? Where does she fall in this plan?” Ace asked.
The men didn’t speak up. If Wraith had to guess, they were still holding out hope they’d walk away.
“Leverage.” Her small voice came from the shadows. Up until now, Reyna had remained silent.
“Shut your mouth!” Joe snapped.
Gent walked up to him, slamming the heel of his boot against his chest, sending the man jerking backward and falling on his side. Joe’s groan echoed through the barren basement.
“That was a rude interruption, darlin’. Some men just don’t have manners. Please”— Gent smiled, waving his hand— “Continue.”
Reyna’s eyes scanned the men as her body shook. Her throat bobbed, and she swallowed, but she remained silent.
Gent bent down, and she flinched. He smiled, holding up his hands in front of his chest. “Darlin’, it’s every man and woman for themselves. This ain’t a team sport. I offer your life for theirs? They’re gonna take it.” He softened his voice. “You gotta look out for you right now.”
The many faces of Gent. Diabolical, manipulative, and deadly. He could change his tone and demeanor at any given moment to best suit the situation. Right before he slits your fucking throat.
She sniffled. “They knew Cleo was tight with the club. They planned on using her as a bargaining tool to set up a deal to allow passage through Killcreek.”
“How’d he know that?”
She flattened her lips.
“Now, don’t lie. Honesty goes a long way with Killcreek.” Gent said.
“I told them.” She swallowed and a tear fell down her cheek. “Mickey is a client of mine outside of the motel. He wanted to know the area, the schedules.”
“And Cleo?” Wraith growled. He’d purposely kept his distance from the woman, not wholly trusting his control.
“Mickey needed an angle. I told him about Cleo. I didn’t know the full extent of her connection, but that she was Knox’s sister, and he died, and she lived at the clubhouse.
And that you didn’t have women stay there.
” Reyna shrugged. “The next time he came in, he asked more about her. Said they could use her. He told me to get her to come to the poker house since it was out of town and not run by the club. We were going to meet there and then leave.”
“Where were you going to take Cleo?” Cross asked.
Reyna shook her head. “He didn’t say, except that they’d take her, and I’d leave.”
“’Cause you’d already been paid and cleaned out your room.”
Reyna didn’t respond. She didn’t have to. They already had confirmation.
“You almost got away with that, didn’t you?”
So fucking close.
Reyna remained silent.
“Not gonna lie, I’m impressed. That’s a solid fucking plan.” Gent smiled. “So you’re nice to Cleo, become a friend. Bring her in and gain her trust, and let’s be honest, we all know that ain’t hard to do with Cleo. A little desperate for companionship, that one. Am I right?”
Reyna slowly nodded.
“And it worked.” Gent snickered. “That’s a move I can respect. Actually, it’s something I would do.” Gent smirked, then his jaw squared, his gaze darkened, and he leaned closer, sending Reyna back an inch. “Some might say, it’s something I just did.”
Reyna’s face paled as if it was all coming together. Her fate had just been sealed.
Gent walked back to the group. “Can’t believe we got fucking Rogue to thank for this foiled plan.”
It was true. Unbeknownst to Rogue, clocking Cleo at the poker house possibly saved her life.
“If we don’t show up, they’ll come looking for us.”
Wraith looked over at Mickey.
“Who?”
They had yet to reveal exactly who they worked for. This operation was bigger than these three. Joe looked over at Mickey but both remained silent.
Gent chuckled. “A little fun fact about us? We’re real good at making people disappear. It’s where we shine.”
“Our disappearance will lead them here.”
“Maybe.” Ace smirked. “But you had a lot of green in your car which tells me you need to drop that off to someone because I know you don’t run this operation.”