Chapter Twenty-Eight
Cleo glanced around the motel room. It was basic but clean.
It was only one level with ten rooms. She wasn’t exactly sure of the deal Ace and the club had made with the owners, Minnie and Ralph, but they’d been welcoming when she and Jane arrived.
Minnie especially. They’d given her the room closest to the main lobby.
Their apartment was connected in the back.
Cleo wasn’t sure how much help they’d be in protecting her, though it wouldn’t come to that.
The motel was under the protection and security of the club.
Jane was safer now than she might ever be.
Cleo had no doubt, one of the members would be watching her at all times.
Cleo grabbed the bag from the floor and carried it over to the bed. She had picked through most of her clothes that she thought would fit her.
“There’s um, a few shirts, a sweatshirt, some shorts, and a pair of jeans. We can order you underwear, bras, and socks.” She grabbed her phone and held it up, smiling. “Whatever you need. I was going to do it, but it seemed weird picking that kind of stuff out for someone else.”
Jane glanced down at the bag then slowly lifted her gaze to Cleo.
“What if I leave in the middle of the night? Steal all your clothes and take off.” There was an edge in her tone, though not fully committed.
Cleo sensed she was testing her attitude with the weakest of them all.
It was fair, and Cleo wasn’t offended. It was important she learned to stand up for herself and on her own.
Cleo knitted her brows and cocked her head. “I’m giving you the clothes, so they’re yours. Can’t steal something that you own, right?”
Her shoulders slouched, and she muttered, “Yeah, I guess.”
She looked so beaten down. Even after three days at the clubhouse, it hadn’t eased her tension or settled her enough to show many signs of life. It would take time. Cleo knew that from experience.
“Are you hungry?”
She seemed to perk up. “I can eat.”
Cleo smiled and grabbed her pocketbook from the small table in the corner. “We don’t have any restaurants around here, but Burke’s has a bunch of sandwiches, and they’re pretty good.” She pointed to the mini-fridge. “We can get you stocked up with drinks and snacks.”
“I don’t have any money.”
“My treat.”
Cleo was sure that something was worked out between the club and Inez. But until she knew the details, she’d cover her tab. Cleo started to the door waving for Jane to follow. And she did.
The gas station and convenience store was half a mile away. Cleo took the opportunity to point out a few places on their walk. It was a short tour. There wasn’t much to Killcreek.
She held open the door, ushering Jane inside. Burke poked his head around the corner of the aisle when the bell rang.
“Hi, Burke.”
He furrowed his brows and straightened. He looked past Cleo with his sharp glare aimed at Jane. “Who the hell is that?”
“My friend.” Cleo wrapped her hand around Jane’s wrist and pulled her down the second aisle, leading her to the back coolers.
Cleo leaned closer, lowering her voice. “For now, don’t tell anyone your name. If they ask, just say you’re with Killcreek.”
“Why?”
Cleo wasn’t exactly sure how to answer. She herself had never been given a definitive answer from Knox when he gave her the rules.
“Because it’s none of their business?” That was the best she could come up with, but it seemed to pacify her.
“Okay.”
They shopped for the next thirty minutes, picking up snacks, drinks, sandwiches, and a few frozen boxed foods that could be microwaved.
By the time they dumped everything on the counter, Jane had a decent haul that would last a few days.
Cleo had already planned on meal prepping when she was able to get back into her house. She’d make her some homemade meals.
“You got the money for all this?” Burke snapped, staring at the stranger.
His gruff and suspicious attitude was something Cleo was accustomed to. She’d never taken it offensively. But hearing it directed at Jane left her slightly annoyed.
“I’m paying for it.”
Burke turned his scowl on Cleo. “Ace know?”
“It’s my money. I don’t have to clear it with Ace on how I spend it.”
What’s gotten into you? Even for Burke this seemed over the top and overly aggressive. Not to mention rude. He turned back to Jane.
“What’s your name?”
She slyly glanced over at Cleo, then said, “I’m with Killcreek.”
His face turned a dark shade of red. “The fuck you are.”
Burke glanced between the women and reached for his phone. Was he going to call Ace? This was absurd. She was just about to tell him that when the bell rang over the door. All three of them watched Gent walk in, smiling.
“We got a problem, folks?”
Cleo stepped out from behind Jane. “What are you doing here?”
“Well,” —Gent smirked— “I was given the glorious task of checking in on you ladies. So, imagine my fucking surprise when I show up at the motel and neither of your asses are there.” He arched his brow tauntingly. “You were told not to leave, darlin’.”
Shit!
“Did you tell Wraith?”
Gent smirked. “I probably should’ve, but I like the idea of you owing me, so we’ll keep this our little secret.”
Cleo nibbled on her lip. She wasn’t sure what was worse, Wraith finding out or owing Gent a favor. He stalked up to the counter, stopping a foot away from Jane, and she immediately stiffened. Gent leaned closer but didn’t touch her.
“Now darlin’, please don’t pick up Cleo’s bad habits. She’s all the trouble the club can handle.”
“S-sorry.”
Cleo balled her fists. She was used to Gent and his ways.
He was the same with everyone. However, knowing Jane’s ordeal and what she’d been through had Cleo incensed.
She reached out, punching his arm. The move clearly caught him off guard, and he jerked his eyes to Cleo.
A flash of anger crossed his features. As quick as it came, it was gone.
“You’re with Wraith now, and all of a sudden you choose violence?”
Cleo squinted. “Be nice to her.”
Gent smirked, inching closer to Jane. “I thought I was being nice. Gave her some advice.” He cocked his head. “Was I being mean, darlin’?”
“N-no, sir.”
His smile widened, and he hummed. “I like the sir part.”
“Gent!” Cleo snapped, and he slowly straightened, keeping his eyes on Jane. For her part, she hadn’t moved.
“So, Burke?” Gent arched his brow. “We got a fucking problem?”
Burke pointed to Cleo. “She wants to cover this one’s bill. Asked her name, and she won’t give it up.”
Gent glanced back at Jane.
“Good girl,” he whispered, and Cleo clenched her teeth.
He was purposely toying with her. It was Gent’s MO, but given her current situation it wasn’t appropriate.
“Want a name, Burke?”
“If she’s gonna be coming in, I got a right to know.”
Gent circled Jane’s back, bracing his arms around her and placing them on the counter, caging her in. She shrunk slightly. But he never touched her.
“Well, then let me do the introductions. Burke here is the owner of this store you’ll be acquainted with if you enjoy the finer things, like eating.
And Burke? Meet” —Gent paused and his face hardened to the point of menacing— “Jane fucking Doe, newest inductee to the club protection program. Same as Cleo, which means anything she wants? She gets. You put it on the club’s tab. Understand?”
“Yeah.”
Gent smiled. “And when she walks in that door, you’re gonna say, “Hi Jane.” Every time, so you better start practicing. ’Cause if I hear that you miss even one fucking time? I’m gonna come in and cut your fucking tongue out.”
Cleo gasped.
“Not a problem, Gent.”
“Didn’t think there would be one.” Gent stepped back and waved to the counter. “Let’s go, man, don’t got all day.”
Burke tallied up the bill and bagged everything. Cleo grabbed half of them, and they started to walk to the door. Just as they passed Gent, Jane whispered. “Thank you.”
Gent grinned, eyeing the woman who refused to look at him.
“It’s my pleasure, darlin’.”
They walked out, and Cleo heard her inhale a deep breath.
“You okay?” Cleo asked.
“I’m fine, I just…”
“Gent can be a jerk sometimes.” A lot of times. “But he won’t hurt you.” I don’t think.
Cleo trusted all the brothers, but there was always something about Gent.
He was unpredictable, and she could never fully gauge if he was teasing or meant what he said.
Jane glanced over her shoulder, looking through the glass of the store.
Gent was walking toward the back. She stared until he disappeared from sight.
It was strange. Gent had been extremely intimidating, and she seemed nervous around him. But now? She wasn’t showing any signs of fear.
Weird.
****
“How’s domestic life?”
Wraith sighed. “Pink fucking towels all over the place, more throw pillows on the couch than I can count, and it smells like vanilla ’cause of all the candles she burns.”
The corner of Ace’s mouth quirked. His president could read beyond his harsh tone and mask. It was fucking good. He’d moved out of his room and into her house a few weeks ago.
“And the other one?”
Jane had only stayed a week at Minnie and Ralph’s before being moved to the old brothel.
“Cleo’s got her settled in the motel. She said she likes it, and she got tight with Minnie, so she’s been visiting her and Ralph.” Wraith sighed, folding his arms over his chest. “When she gets a little more comfortable, she can take over for Cleo with the cleaning around here.”
Gent laughed. “Still can’t believe you got the trafficked girl staying at the old whorehouse. Magnificent fucking idea. And everyone thinks I’m the biggest asshole in the club?”
Wraith narrowed his gaze. “Yeah, we do.”
Cue lifted his hand. “I can confirm that.”
“It was Inez’s idea.” Ace arched his brow. “You want me to pass along your thoughts to her?”
Gent rolled his eyes but didn’t say another word.
Cypher snorted, grabbing his phone from the table. “She doesn’t seem to mind the living conditions. Gave her two rooms since we got them vacant. I saw her moving shit from one room to the other yesterday. She’s making herself at home.”
“How are the prospects with her?” Ace asked.
Cypher shrugged. “She ignores them. Hell, she barely talks to me. Keeps to herself. And takes a lot of walks.” He raised his brows. “A lot.”
“Alright.” Ace sighed and scanned the brothers. “Got a run up north. I need four guys. Who wants it?”
Northern runs paid more than in state. Because of that, Ace rotated them between all the brothers. Wraith usually took every one offered to him.
“I’m in,” Cue said.
Cross lifted his hand, taking the second spot.
“I got my eye on a new ride. Fucking mint. So, I want in.”
Ace gestured to Wraith. “One more spot.”
Wraith shook his head. He’d wait for the next one. Being away from Cleo for ten days was too long.
“Alright. Gent, you’re fourth.”
Gent scowled and spread out his arms. “I didn’t fucking volunteer.”
“Every successful run needs an asshole.” Ace smirked.
“Fuck me. Where we staying?”
“Local club. A brand new crop of club whores who don’t know about your psychotic tendencies.”
Gent straightened in his seat, smiling. “Well, now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
Wraith grabbed his cut from the back of the chair, heading toward the front door just as Joker was walking through the room.
“Hey man, you going home?”
Home. The only one he’d ever known was with the club.
Until Cleo. They’d worked everything out with Grizz.
He’d had a will drawn up years ago that left everything, including his property, to the club.
With his permission, Grizz was in the process of changing his heir.
Cleo would inherit it all, unbeknownst to her.
And she wouldn’t know until Grizz was gone.
She would fight it. She’d gotten close to Grizz, and the thought of losing him would be hard. There wasn’t any reason to tell her.
Wraith slipped his arms in his cut and pulled on the collar, stretching his back.
“Yeah.”
Joker handed him an envelope. “Can you give that to Cleo?”
Wraith grabbed it, staring down at the address.
It was handwritten, and the cursive was bubbly as if a woman wrote it.
In all the years Cleo had lived at the clubhouse, he couldn’t remember her ever getting one piece of mail.
He took a longer look at the envelope. It didn’t look like generic junk mail and had a flowered stamp on it. Definitely a female.
“Since when does Cleo get mail?”
Joker raised his brows. “She has since I started prospecting, so at least a year.”
What the fuck? Wraith shared a look with Ace. The club covered all her bills. She was paid in cash, and as far as he knew, she didn’t have a bank account. His president held out his hand, and Wraith handed him the envelope. All the brothers had taken an interest, gathering around the table.
“Like a fucking pen pal?” Gent joked but sobered up when Joker shrugged.
“I guess.” Joker snorted. “She always beats me to the mailbox, sometimes literally chasing after me. Said it was part of her job and what you paid her to do, so I backed off. A couple times though, I was rolling into the driveway when it was getting delivered, so I brought it up. Cleo had mail twice.”
“From who?” Cross asked.
“I don’t think there was a name. Just an address in Idaho.”
Who did she know in Idaho? As far as Wraith knew, she and Knox had no family. Ace scanned the return address then opened it. He pulled out a sheet of pink paper. Ace’s brows slowly dipped as his eyes shifted, reading the letter. He didn’t say a word, but his jaw squared, and his features hardened.
“Who’s it from?”
Ace glanced up but didn’t meet his stare. His president was looking at Cross. “The recipient of Knox’s heart.”
What?