“Wraith told you?”
“No.” Inez scoffed and looked over at the bathroom door. “Had all the boys come in after they brought you to Killcreek.Had strict rules that only members of the club lived at the house. Had all their asses here, pleading your case. Gave me your history. Told them I’d think about it.”
“I appreciate you saying yes.”
Inez angled her head. “I didn’t. And I wasn’t going to. You have a sad fucking story. So what?” She snapped, and pointed toward the window. “Thousands of usout there got it worse than you.”
Us?
Cleo sucked in a breath, and whispered. “I know that.”
And she did. For as hard as her life had been, it could’ve been worse. Cleo never lost sight of that.
“When the boys came in, they gave meenoughbut they didn’t give meeverythingabout you. But to be fair to them, not all of them had your whole story.” She paused. “Knox came back alone the next day. And he gave me everything. ‘Cause that boy knew, I’d see through the bullshit.Knewhe was holding back in front of his brothers to protect your secret.” Inez snorted, showing a small semblance of a smile. “Then I got Wraith to deal with. Figured it was less of a headache to keep your scrawny ass in Killcreek.”
Her eyes welled but she chuckled. Only one person could openly insult her and at the same time, show her own kind of compassion.
“Thank you.”
“You’re his, and I’m going to let him have you. That’s a good fucking man, and he’s earned you. And you get a good family with my boys in Killcreek.”
I do.
Inez’s lips flattened, and her gaze softened. “But you’ll always be one of mine. And don’t you ever fucking forget that.”
Cleo swallowed the knot in her throat. “I won’t.”
One of mine.For a brief second, she saw Inez differently. All her airs, her reputation, her legacy…it was gone. Evaporated. She was just a woman claiming Cleo as her own.
The girl walked out of the bathroom and Inez pointed to the hallway. “Get my boys.”
Cleo walked to the door, opening it. The men were scattered in the hall, Ace and Cross closest to the door. Others were leaning against the wall. She saw Wraith immediately. He pushed off the wall, stalking toward her.
“Done?” Ace asked, and she tore her gaze from Wraith.
“Yeah,” she muttered and stepped aside when the brothers walked past her into the apartment. Wraith was last in line.
She reached out, sliding her fingers over his knuckles. He stopped and glanced down at her, scowling.
“What’s wrong?”
I love you.
She smiled, shaking her head. “Nothing.”
Wraith dipped his brows, eyeing her suspiciously but continued down the hallway. The girl was seated in a chair in the living room and had her arms folded over her chest. She was in protective mode.
“What’s the plan?” Cross asked.
Inez didn’t answer, sliding her hand over her mouth, staring at the girl. There was a long stretch of silence. Cleo wasn’t sure where this would land. Inez had offered her a deal, and seemingly, she’d agreed. Had something changed since she brought in the men?I was only gone for thirty seconds. Cleo rocked back on her heels, lifting her chin to get a better view past Gent’s shoulder.
Cleo had no say in the outcome. This was between Inez, the club, and the girl. It was surprising she wasn’t sent out to the hallway. She was never allowed to be part of any meetings. This was a first.
“Inez?”
She lifted her hand, silencing Ace.
“Made a deal.” Inez said.
