Cleo had gotten a firsthand look in his fridge and cabinets a few days earlier. She most certainly had to feed him. It had less to do with the quantity than the quality of the food. How this man had survived on chips, sugary treats and frozen dinners was beyond her.
Cleo shrugged as he walked her to his back door. “I made extra.”
Grizz scoffed. “I’ve seen Wraith. I’m surprised you have any food left.”
Cleo snickered. It was true. Her man had a healthy appetite. But making a little more wasn’t going to break the bank. Besides, she owed Grizz even if he insisted it was no big deal. He never admitted it, but she got the impression he liked having someone live nearby. The area was completely desolate, off the beaten path. The only people stumbling upon his road were there with intention. Though, Grizz didn’t get any visitors aside from the MC.
She waved as she made her way down the old steps. “See you tomorrow.”
A cool breeze whipped around her, and she grasped the edge of her sweater, tightening it around her body. She sniffed the air. Itwas too early for snow, but it was a definite possibility in the upcoming months. The area was more prone to ice and hail storms. But they usually got a few inches.
Cleo was halfway to her house when she saw movement in the woods. She stopped mid-step, staring into the darkness. While Grizz disapproved, she’d started to put out feed to attract the deer. He was more worried about bears and coyotes, but so far she hadn’t seen any. She walked slowly, scanning the thick trees lining the side of her house. Aside from the wind shaking the trees, she didn’t see any further movement.
Cleo walked to her back porch and made it to the second step when she heard leaves crunching and jerked her head.
What the…
Cleo tightened her grip on the railing and stood frozen, watching the small figure emerge from the trees. The motion lights flicked on, illuminating the yard. A chill ran down her spine, and goosebumps flashed over her skin. The girl couldn’t have been more than twenty. She was clutching her shirt against her chest. As she inched closer, Cleo saw her jeans were ripped at the knees, and what looked like blood soaked through the denim. She had twigs sticking out from her hair, which was completely in disarray. When she reached the edge of the porch, she glanced up. Her face was smudged with dirt, streaks of dried blood against her cheeks and her eyes red-rimmed.
“Can you help me?”
****
Wraith finished the last of his beer and tossed it in the trash next to the bar. They’d wrapped up their meeting a few hours ago, but he’d hung out a bit longer. In the past few weeks, he hadn’t spent much time at the clubhouse. If he wasn’t on a run, he was at Cleo’s. He hadn’t officially moved in, but he kept some clothes there and hadn’t slept in his own bed in weeks. Wraith expectedsome type of inquisition from his brothers. No one said anything. This had been a long time coming, and they all knew it.
“I’m out,” he said, heading to the door and reaching for his phone when it rang. He glanced down at the screen and answered immediately. “I’m on my way.”
“Um, okay.” Cleo’s voice was off, and he stopped mid-step.
“What’s wrong?”
There was a long stretch of silence, and he turned, meeting Ace’s stare.
“Cleo!” Wraith snapped when she didn’t answer.
“I was coming back from Grizz’s house, and this girl came out of the woods asking for help.” Her voice was low as if she was purposely trying to stay quiet. All the warning bells in his mind were going off, and he tightened his grip on the phone. Random people didn’t show up in Killcreek.
“Who the fuck is she?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her before, but she’s really scared, and she might even be hurt. Her knees are bleeding, and her jeans are ripped. She’s got tiny scrapes all over her face. I got her a washcloth, but she hasn’t moved from the couch.”
A chill ran down his spine.
“You let her in the house?”
“What else was I supposed to do? She’s scared, hurt, and she asked me for help, Wraith.”
He clenched his jaw, dragging his hand over his head. He wasn’t sure if it was her naivety or her kindness but clearly, her self-preservation had gone out the door. What the hell was she thinking allowing a total stranger in the house? Wraith drew in a breath, trying to control his temper.
“Where are you, and where is she right now?”
“I’m in the bedroom, and she’s in the living room.”
“I’m coming now. Stay where you are and lock the door.”
“But I…”
Wraith pressed the phone against his ear. “Cleo!” he shoutedand got no response. He could still hear her breathing on the other end of the line. “Cleo!”
