Chapter Thirteen
Addison was still completely shook from the attack.
Everything was happening and moving around her, but she remained silent, seated at the table.
With her admission, the tension in the room had spiked.
There had been a few side conversations between Ace and Cross but they’d been too far away to hear.
As the minutes passed, more members entered the clubhouse. None of them spoke to her. In fact, it was eerily quiet considering how many people were in the room.
“Jane.” Ace said. “Head back to the motel.”
Addison peered over at the girl who was staring back at her, not acknowledging the president.
“Jane.” Ace said again but she continued to ignore him, keeping her eyes locked on Addison.
There was an unexplainable sadness about her. A dark aura looming, built on fear and tragedy. Addison didn’t know the catalyst but she sensed Jane’s past had been a hard one.
“Do you want me to stay?” Jane asked her.
“Jane.” Ace growled.
“I’ll leave when she tells me to leave.”
Addison widened her eyes, darting her gaze between Ace and the girl. It was a sweet gesture, defying Ace’s obvious order, but it was only adding to the tension in the room. All the members were now watching the exchange. Still, Jane didn’t budge. She was waiting on Addison.
“I appreciate you staying with me, Jane. But I’m fine now.”
It was a lie. Addison wasn’t fine. Not even close. And if she had to guess, Jane knew it. Addison would have to be more convincing.
She mustered up a smile. “I promise, I’m okay. You can go.”
Jane hesitated a brief second then slowly stood and rounded the table, heading toward the door. As she reached the foyer, she glanced over her shoulder and stilled.
“Thank you.” Addison mouthed. She bowed her head and walked out.
Addison drew in a breath and settled in her seat. The chair beside her moved, and the legs scratched against the wood. Gent sat and cocked his head, smiling.
Fuck, no! This was the last thing she needed. All her interactions with this man had been less than pleasant.
She held up her hand. “I’ve already filled my quota for the day.”
“What quota, darlin’?”
Addison narrowed her gaze. “Dealing with asshole bikers.”
Gent chuckled, spreading out his arms. “Sometimes asshole bikers can be an ally.”
“Not in my experience.”
Gent’s lips twitched. “Never know when that experience will change, darlin’.”
Addison sighed, shifting in her seat. “I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it.”
Gent grinned. “You do that.”
This was beyond strange. He was talking in riddles and she didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with him. Or pretty much anything at the moment.
She leaned forward, looking up at Cross. “Can I go home now?”
His gaze softened. “Not yet.” Then he turned to Cypher. “Let me see the footage from Burke’s.”
Cypher glanced over at her but shifted his gaze quickly when she met his stare. Addison had no reason to be embarrassed. She’d done nothing wrong. Still, she second guessed what she could’ve done differently. Nothing.
“It’s the two who left here.”
Cross held out his hand. “Let me see.”
Cypher hesitated but eventually handed it over. Ace and Wraith were at his back watching over his shoulder. Addison knew exactly what they’d see. She watched Cross’s features tighten and his jaw square. She’d seen that look before when she’d met them all at the clubhouse the first time.
He handed the phone back to Cypher.
“Cleo on her way?” There was a sharp edge in his tone.
Wraith nodded. “Yeah. Got held up but she’s coming. Waiting to tell her what happened until she gets here. Don’t need her upset behind the wheel.”
Cross walked over to her and bent down, putting them at eye level. “You’re gonna stay here tonight. Cleo’s coming over, and she’ll hang out with you.”
What? No.
“I want to go home.”
He lightly cupped her jaw. “I need you to stay here while I’m gone.”
“Where are you going?”
He didn’t answer and straightened. She expected him to walk away, but he reached down, threading his fingers through hers.
It didn’t leave her much choice. She stood, and he walked her down the hallway to his room.
He opened the door, ushering her inside.
Addison walked in without argument. What was the point?
It was clear he wouldn’t let her leave. Though it felt less like a hostage situation and more of an order of protection.
Addison let go of his hand and moved to the side near the dresser, eyeing the bed.
“Cleo will be here soon, but if you need anything before then, ask a prospect, and they’ll get it for you.”
She wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I don’t need anything.”
“Alright.” Cross walked to his closet and bent down. The open door obstructed her view, and she couldn’t see what he was doing. He shoved something in his waistband and stood. Maybe she’d watched too many movies but…
Was that what I think it was?
Addison had been around guns all her life. Her father and uncles were avid hunters. She’d even tried it once. Not for me. But clearly, he wasn’t carrying for sport.
“You never said where you were going.”
Cross grabbed his wallet from the nightstand, tucking it into his back pocket. He started to the door but stopped next to her.
“No, I didn’t.” He gently, grasped the back of her neck, and swept his lips across her temple.
“Why do you have a gun, Cross?” She whispered.
His fingers caressed over her skin. “You ask too many questions.”
She peered up at him. “And you don’t give enough answers.”
He softly snorted, brushing his lips against her mouth and looping his arm around her waist. As much as she hated to admit it, being with Cross was a comfort she didn’t know she needed.
He hugged her close, sliding his hand over her back.
It was soothing and she found herself nestling deeper against his chest. But it ended too soon.
“I gotta go.” He released his hold and she stepped back. “Get some sleep.”
Not likely. But she was willing to at least give her body some semblance of rest. She sighed, glancing around the room. The day had been exhausting, and she was feeling the physical effects. She clenched her jaw to batten down a yawn. It didn’t work, and she cupped her mouth, giving in to it.
She moved toward the couch and stiffened when she felt his hand on her hip.
“The bed.”
Oh, really? An attack warranted privileges to his bed? Good to know.
“Wow, aren’t I a lucky girl.”
He furrowed his brows. “What?”
Considering everything that had happened, the last thing she should be upset about was their night together. More so, the aftermath. Still, she felt the unrelenting anger rushing through her veins.
“Allowing me in your bed?” She snorted, flicking her gaze to the couch. “I’m honored.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Addison walked to the opposite side of the bed. The comforter and sheets were crumpled, and his four pillows were in disarray near the headboard.
“Addison?”
She sighed and rolled her neck, grasping her shoulder. “Don’t you have to go somewhere?”
Cross stared back at her. His confusion was evident. But he didn’t push. He tilted his chin and walked to the door. He reached for the handle the second the incessant knocking started. It could’ve been anyone, but she had the distinct feeling it was Cleo.
Cross opened the door.
Bingo!
“Wraith told me what happened. Where is she?” She didn’t wait for an invitation and darted through the door, bumping into Cross’s chest. Cleo didn’t even apologize or acknowledge him. For the first time today, Addison genuinely smiled.
Cleo rushed to the bed, pulling Addison down to sit and clasping her hands. “Are you okay?”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Cross closing the door, with his gaze on her, watching. Cleo continued her chatter but Addison stayed focused on the door.
Where was Cross going? With a gun.
****
They showed up at the Satan’s clubhouse after midnight. They’d parked down the street in an abandoned lot. The clubhouse was situated in an industrial area. Not many of the factories were up and running anymore, and of the ones that were, they were currently closed.
Cross stood at the edge of the property, concealed by overgrown brush. On any given visit, the Satan’s were always partying. People milling around the driveway, front yard and in the back. Tonight? It was silent.
“It’s quiet.” Cypher said.
Cross nodded, surveying the house. “Too quiet.”
Ghost sidled up next to him. “You think they know we’re coming?”
It was a gamble. Satan’s could be planning their own ambush.
Most seasoned members of the club would’ve known better than to fuck with anyone in Killcreek.
The guys who attacked Addison were newer members of Satan’s.
They probably didn’t realize they’d made a grave mistake. And now you’re gonna find out.
“I think they know something.” Ace said, turning to Cypher. “How many points of entry on their clubhouse?”
“Three. Front, left side and the back. They got cameras but it’s dated shit. Grainy footage, at best. It’s playback, not monitored. So unless someone is watching in real time, they have no idea we’re here.”
And they wouldn’t until the last second.
“How we going in?” Ghost asked.
“You and Wraith cover the front. Oak, Gent, and Cypher take the side. Cross, Cue, and I got the back. Treating this like a hostile takeover,” Ace said, and the men spread out.
They walked up the driveway, and much to their surprise found two women near the door.
Cross had seen them both before at the clubhouse. One wasn’t memorable. The other one? He glanced over his shoulder, sharing a look with Cue. The brother’s eyes shifted to the clubwhore he’d taken a denied interest in.
The women hadn’t initially seen them but when they started across the yard, the redhead glanced over and immediately froze. Her gaze scanned over them, landing on Cue. Her cheeks immediately shaded to pink.
“Hi.” Her voice shook slightly but she didn’t appear scared.
“They around?” Ace asked.