Chapter Twenty-Two
Addison had successfully dropped her sister off at the airport without having yet another discussion about her life’s choices.
She understood her sister’s concern, but flying out to see her was a bit over the top.
Or was it? If Addison stepped back and took a hard look at the last few weeks, she’d recognize her life had taken a wild turn. But a good one.
“Hannah’s great.” Cleo was next to her in the passenger seat.
Thank God for Cleo.
She’d definitely played a buffer between the sisters, and even Hannah couldn’t deny how kind and sweet she was. Cleo had a warm and welcoming essence that drew people in. It was as if her life’s purpose was to ease the anxiety of others. And it had worked with Hannah.
“So.” Cleo glanced out the window. “Was she serious about me coming to visit? Or just being polite?”
Cleo had spent two days with them. What started out slightly awkward had quickly formulated into a budding friendship between Cleo and Hannah. When Cleo mentioned never going to Iowa, Hannah extended the offer.
Addison snorted. “Hannah’s not really known for being polite, so I can guarantee it was a genuine invitation.”
Cleo smiled but remained silent.
The airport was past the city of Lawry, which meant they had to drive through it on their way to the highway back to Killcreek. Rush hour traffic was in full effect. At this rate, it would take an extra hour to get there. Addison wasn’t working, but she did have plans with Cross.
She sighed, eyeing the line of cars in front of her.
“What’s wrong?”
She pointed out of the windshield. “We’re going to be sitting in this for hours.”
“We could stop and hang out here until it dies down.” Cleo suggested.
That was definitely an option.
“I was actually thinking we could stop by and see a friend. It’s been awhile since I saw her, and…” She peered over to Addison. “I think it would be good for her to meet you.”
Good for her friend? It was a strange way of saying it, but Addison was on board. I’ll meet anyone to get out of this traffic.
“I’m game.” She reached for her phone. “Let me call Cross and let him know.”
Cleo grasped her wrist in a tight hold. “Please don’t.”
What?
Cleo laughed, though it seemed forced. “I mean, you’re a grown woman. You don’t need to check in with him, right?”
True, but…
“What’s going on, Cleo?”
“Nothing.”
“Cleo.” Her tone was stern as she kept her laugh at bay. Clearly, Cleo was hiding something. She just didn’t know what.
Cleo’s shoulders sagged, and she shrunk into the seat. She released her hold on Addison, clasped her hands, and rested them in her lap while twiddling her thumbs.
“Tell me.”
Cleo sighed, glancing over. “The club doesn’t like my friend. If you tell Cross we’re going to see her, he’ll call Wraith, who will call me, and” —she sighed heavily— “We’ll be stuck in this traffic, because there’s no way he’d let me go.”
She furrowed her brows. “Let me remind you of what you said to me a minute ago. You’re a grown woman too. You don’t have to follow orders from any man.”
Addison wasn’t looking to cause a rift between the couple, but she stood by her statement to Cleo. If she wanted to visit her friend, Wraith shouldn’t have any say in that.
Cleo meshed her lips together, muttering. “It’s complicated.” She waved her hand. “Forget it. We can go home.”
Well, fuck.
“I won’t call Cross.”
She perked up, turning in her seat. “Really?”
Against my better judgement. “Yes.”
“Perfect.” Cleo leaned down to her bag, retrieving her phone. She tapped on the screen. From her angle, Addison couldn’t see what she was doing. When Cleo put her phone down, she sat back in her seat completely content.
Cleo pointed to the upcoming intersection. “At the next light, make a left.”
Addison followed the instructions, turning onto the side street.
Unlike the main road in the city, there weren’t many shops or restaurants.
In fact, there wasn’t much of anything. The farther down the street they went, the more it seemed to get sketchy.
It was an industrial area that had seen better days.
Addison was about to ask Cleo if they were going the right way when she pointed down the block.
“Turn right into the driveway.”
Addison slowed the car down, taking in their surroundings.
The nightclub was a standout on the street.
It was clearly not open at this time, but it had a certain grandeur even without being lit up.
As she turned into the driveway, she looked across the street at the high rise.
That place fit in more than the club. Even from a brief look, it was old and dated, giving off a creepy vibe.
Addison pulled into the back lot at Cleo’s direction. There were a fleet of black SUVs in the back of the lot and one sleek metal gray car near the back door.
“Perfect! She’s here.” Addison had barely pulled into the space and shut down the engine before Cleo had the door opened, jumping out.
Addison grabbed her bag, got out, hooked it over her shoulder, and followed Cleo to the back entrance.
Out of the corner of her eye near the dumpster, she saw a mint green scooter with a matching helmet hanging off the handlebar.
It was so bright, she half wondered if it glowed in the dark.
She suppressed her amusement and stood a few feet behind Cleo when she rang the buzzer.
It took a minute, but eventually the door opened and a cute brunette poked her head outside the door.
“Hi. Can I help you?”
“Hi, um, is Quinn here?”
“Oh sure.” She turned her head, shouting, “Quinn!”
From her angle, Addison couldn’t see much.
Cleo waved, and the door widened to another woman coming to stand by the girl who’d opened the door.
This must be her friend, Quinn. She didn’t look exactly happy to see Cleo.
If anything, she seemed worried and a tad bit confused.
Quinn’s eyes darted over the parking lot, and she shifted on her feet.
“Cleo, hi. What are you doing here?” She frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d pop in.” Cleo leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Is that okay?”
Clearly, Quinn was caught off guard, and she hesitated. But she recovered and smiled, though she seemed nervous, and again looked around the lot. An uneasiness spread through Addison’s body.
“Sure, come on in.” Quinn widened the door, and the other woman stepped back. They awkwardly stood in the foyer, and Addison watched the interaction. It did nothing to help her sudden nerves.
The other girl shot out her hand in front of Cleo. “Hi, I’m Sloane Baxter.” She then blinked and immediately shook her head. “I mean, Sloane Cody.”
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Cleo, and” —she hooked her thumb over her shoulder— “this is my friend, Addison.”
Addison gave a small wave but found herself staring down at Sloane’s hand. She quickly leaned forward and shook it. “Nice to meet you, Sloane.” When she released her hand, she glanced up at Quinn standing a few feet away. “And you too, Quinn.”
She smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She stepped to the side and gestured to the hallway. “Why don’t we go to the office?”
Cleo walked ahead and Addison followed with Sloane and Quinn at her back.
“Did he say what time he’s coming in?” Quinn whispered.
“I think in a few hours. He and Trey had a meeting.”
“Okay,” Quinn muttered.
Addison had the distinct feeling that conversation wasn’t meant for her or Cleo’s ears. Her friend gave no indication she’d heard anything. And I have no idea what they are talking about.
They walked inside, and Quinn followed, but Sloane remained near the door, grabbing the handle. “I have to check on a few things, but enjoy your visit.” She closed the door, shutting in the three of them. Quinn rounded the desk and clasped her hands.
“So what brings you here?” Quinn was asking Cleo, but for some reason Cleo had gone completely silent.
She rocked on her feet but hadn’t answered the question.
She seemed as unsettled now as Quinn. What the hell was happening?
She’d been so excited in the car and now she was… I don’t know what she is. Hello, Cleo?
The silence lingered, making for an oddly tense scenario. Addison stepped closer to Cleo, nudging her slightly, but Cleo flattened her lips.
Addison cleared her throat. “Uh, we were driving back from the airport after dropping my sister off, and Cleo mentioned stopping by. She was excited for me to meet her friend.”
Quinn’s brows knitted in confusion and shifted her eyes to Cleo, who continued to remain quiet.
Addison pointed to Quinn. “You’re the friend.”
Quinn flinched, then her face softened, and she glanced over at Cleo, smiling.
“Well, I’m glad you did, Cleo. It’s been a while.”
She peeked up, smiling. “Did Rogue tell you I said hi? I saw him a few months ago.”
“Trey told me.”
Cleo chuckled. “As long as someone told you.”
It was still very awkward, but both women seemed fond of each other. In a strange sense, though. Maybe they were new friends? Long distance friends? Addison was having a hard time figuring out and wrapping her head around this relationship.
“Do you have any plans while you’re in the city?” Quinn asked.
This was the most bizarre interaction.
“I wanted you to meet Addison.” Cleo said then blurted. “She has Knox’s heart.”
Quinn immediately stepped back, darting her gaze between her and Cleo. Then her gaze dropped down to her chest. When Cleo didn’t elaborate, Addison stepped in.
“About three years ago, I had a heart transplant. Knox was my donor.”
Quinn’s mouth fell open, and she lost all color in her face. She stumbled slightly, knocking into the desk behind her. Addison lunged forward, grasping her arm in fear Quinn was about to pass out.
“Just breathe.”
Quinn jerked her gaze to Addison. The poor woman looked horrified and she turned to Cleo.
“Cleo…” Her breath labored.
Oh my God, what is happening? Thankfully, Cleo seemed to snap out of her trance.
“Quinn.” Cleo rushed forward, crowding in the woman’s space. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Cleo to move back a little, but she never got the chance.
“I wanted you to meet her so you can see that something good came from the tragedy. Knox isn’t here, but Addison is, and she’s got his heart.” Cleo inched closer, and she watched Quinn’s eyes turn glassy. “He died, but there’s still a part of him out there, and he helped Addison.”
Addison dropped her gaze to the floor. This felt like a private, intimate conversation between the friends.
“It gives me a sense of peace. And I want that for you,” Cleo said.
“I-I’m sorry, Cleo,” Quinn whispered in a shaky tone.
Sorry for what? Addison never got the chance to find out. Without warning, the door flew open with so much force it crashed against the wall.
“What the fuck?” The booming voice had Addison jumping backward and spinning around to find the source.
Two men stood in the doorway. They had a similar look, and neither was happy. The dark-haired man shifted his venomous gaze around the room until it landed on her.
She widened her eyes, watching the rage become deeper. He stalked forward, stopping a foot away from her.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Oh shit!
****
Cross glanced down at his phone. He was expecting a call from Addison. They must’ve hit traffic at this hour. He was tempted to go over to her rental but instead opted to hang at the clubhouse. He’d been spending a lot of time with Addison, and it was good to be with his brothers.
Ace walked out of the back room waving a slip of paper. He’d been sorting out the schedule all afternoon, and they hadn’t seen much of him.
“Got a pickup at Satan’s tomorrow. Who wants it?”
Cue lifted his hand but kept his eyes on his phone.
“I fucking knew it.” Oak laughed. “The redhead, right?”
Cross shifted his eyes to Cue. The brother’s shoulders stiffened. Cue hadn’t mentioned her again, at least not to him. But it was clear, Eden was still on his mind.
“Fuck off,” Cue snapped, shot up from the table, and headed out back.
Ace furrowed his brows. “Who the fuck is the redhead?”
“Eden. The girl who opened the door for us that night.”
Ace smirked. He was thinking of her as the woman who’d been enamored with Cue. Cross saw her differently now.
Wraith walked in through the front door, glancing around the room.
“Where’s Cypher?”
As if summoned, he walked out of the kitchen, eyeing Wraith. “What do you need?”
Wraith’s jaw squared. “Where the fuck is Cleo?”
“She’s with Addison.”
Wraith shifted his glare, and his temple pulsed. “Yeah, but where? Checked her location and it’s showing Main Street in Lawry for the last few hours.”
Oh fuck! Cross grabbed his phone, calling Addison. It went to voicemail after four rings.
“She turned off her location.” Cypher drove his hand over his head, staring down at his phone.
“I’m gonna fucking…” Wraith was beyond livid. This wasn’t the first time Cleo had done it. In fact, it had become a habit. Wraith turned to Cross. “You got tracking on Addison’s phone?”
Cross snorted. “I didn’t think I needed it.”
Until now, she hadn’t given him reason to think she’d pull reckless shit. His phone rang, and he glanced down.
“It’s her.” He brought the phone to his ear. “You back?”
The line was silent. Shit!
“Addison?”
“Not exactly.” Her voice sounded strange.
He furrowed his brows. “Where are you?”
“Well, traffic was really bad in the city and Cleo suggested we stop and wait it out. And” —she paused— “meet up with her friend.”
Every muscle in his body tightened. Cleo didn’t have friends. Not ones the club approved of. He sighed, shaking his head and catching Wraith’s attention by snapping his fingers. His brother turned, waiting.
“Let me guess, you’re at a bar.”
“Yes.”
“Fucking Cleo.” He glanced up at Wraith. “They’re at Starr’s again.”
Wraith’s jaw squared. This wasn’t the first time it had happened, but Cleo hadn’t brought an accomplice last time. Cross couldn’t fault Addison. She didn’t know the situation she’d been dragged into.
Cross sighed. “You tell Cleo, for her sake, she better get her ass in your car and come home.”
“I don’t think that’s an option right now.”
Cross stilled, pressing the phone closer to his ear. Something was definitely off in her tone.
“Are you at a little dive bar on Main Street? It’s called Starr’s.”
“No.” She cleared her throat, lowering her voice. “We’re at The Bowery.”
Cross felt the blood drain from his face, and his muscles seized up.
His hand gripped the phone. “What?”
“Yeah, and um” —she paused— “Rogue would like to see you.”
Oh fuck!