“Just Cleo.”
She followed Inez back inside and quickened her steps, rounding the breakfast bar. While the girl didn’t seem at ease, she was a little more relaxed. Well, as relaxed as anyone could be in Inez’s presence.
“Your friend here has made a deal with the devil.”
Cleo knitted her brows, darting her eyes between them. “What deal?”
“Protection for a favor.” Inez stared back at the girl. “And when I call it in, you’ll do it. No questions.”
“Yes,” she muttered. “Can I use your bathroom?”
Inez squinted and for a brief second, Cleo thought she might decline.
Inez gestured to the short hallway behind her. When she stood and walked away, Cleo watched her. This wasn’t the most ideal second chance, but it wasn’t the worst. At least she’d be safe in Killcreek.
“That was nice of you to help her out.”
Inez drew a long drag from her cigarette, staring at the closed bathroom door.
“Not helping her. Offered her a deal that will ensure she’s safe. She’s smart, so she took it. I offer deals all the time.”
“You never offered me one.”
Her brows dipped, and she looked over at Cleo. “You owe me more than you’ll ever be able to fucking repay.”
“But you’ve never tried to collect.”
The corner of Inez’s mouth curled. “I have, and I will in the future.”
Cleo cocked her head. Inez obviously read her confusion.
“Three types of people in my world. Those who are loyal to me, those who are against me, and the chess pieces.” She pointed her cigarette at Cleo. “That’s you. In my world, those are the most valuable because I get to play them when it suits me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Wraith won’t turn on me. But I’m smart enough to know he won’t choose me over you. We all have our weaknesses. You’re Wraith’s, and in turn the perfect chess piece to use against him if I ever need to. Any debt you incur will always fall on him.”
It was hard for Cleo to wrap her head around everything Inez was saying. Her and Wraith were together, hopefully building something. But they were still in the beginning stage of a relationship.
“It’s new between us, so…”
Inez snorted, shaking her head. “New for you. Not him. That boy was done the minute he got your first fucking letter. Spoken for, claimed” —She waved her hand looking back at the bathroom door— “whatever the hell you wanna call it. But he’s always been yours.”
It was a revelation. Cleo still didn’t fully understand.
“Well, he was close with Knox, and…”
Inez scowled. “Got nothing to do with Knox.”
Cleo bowed her head. “He wanted me safe and close because something happened to me, and…”
“I know, Cleo,” Inez said. “No one comes into my circle unless I know everything.” She paused. “Everything.”
It could’ve been a general statement. But when she met Inez’s stare, Cleo knew that Inez was being very specific to what she was referencing. Cleo felt the blood drain from her face, and her heart pounded in her chest.
“Hanging your head in shame doesn’t make it go away.”
No, it doesn’t.Her eyes welled.
