Cleo tiptoed down the creaky staircase, holding on to the banister for extra support. The club had done plenty of additions and upgrades to the clubhouse over the years, but they’d neglected the stairs. She stepped down looking to her left. Cross and Wraith’s doors were both closed.
Cleo headed toward the main room and quickly halted in the doorway, peering around the area. Part of her job was cleaning up the clubhouse as well as the motel rooms. She’d spent a few hours the night before straightening everything up. It seemed the men had come home and hadn’t gone straight to bed.
She walked across the room and into the kitchen.
“Good morning.”
Cue glanced over his shoulder, and the corner of his mouth hiked. “Hey.”
She grabbed a garbage bag from the closet and closed the door.
“Making breakfast. You want something?”
“Like a special request?”For my birthday?
Cue stilled and slowly angled his head. “LikeI’m making eggs and bacon. You want some?”
Her heart deflated, and she shook her head, muttering, “No, thank you.”
Cleo walked out, grabbing the bottles and cans from the tables and floor. She dumped the ashtrays and washed them beforegrabbing the broom and sweeping the room. Only a few hours into her birthday and she’d lost almost all of the excitement. It was just like any other day.
The brothers wandered in periodically. A few took seats at the table, having coffee. She noticed Cue eating his breakfast, but he hadn’t offered to make any for the others. When she turned to put the broom away, Wraith was walking in. His black tee stretched over his chest and tucked into his faded denim.
“Welcome home.”
He lifted his chin but continued into the kitchen without a word. It was common practice for Wraith. He was silent with most people. In fact, it was always a good thing when he didn’t say anything. If Wraith was talking, he was usually pissed off. Hopefully, it meant he wasn’t still upset with her about the poker night. There was only one way to find out.
She casually followed him into the kitchen, and thankfully, he was standing near the coffee machine alone.
“How was the run?” she asked, noticing his shoulders tense.
“Long.”
Cleo could try and make small talk, but neither one of them was good at it. She strolled over to the counter next to him. She purposely lowered her voice.
“Are you still mad at me?”
Wraith slowly angled his head, his dark eyes pinning her in his stare. Too many people overlooked brown eyes as nothing special. Wraith’s were beautiful. He stepped closer, which forced her to crane her neck.
“You still mad at me?”
Why would she be upset with him? Cleo was the one who’d snuck out, didn’t tell anyone where she was going and ultimately put Rogue in the center of the clubhouse.
Wraith’s jaw squared but he remained silent. She replayed the night in her mind and when she got to her parting words, clarity struck.Is it so hard to believe that someone would want to be my friend? Or go out on a real date with me?Cleo ducked her head, staringdown at the counter as the heat rose to her cheeks. His silence that night had stung. She took it as confirmation. But after thinking it over, she understood why.
“No, I’m not upset. I totally get why you wouldn’t think anyone would want…”
His growl echoed through the room and she lifted her gaze to meet his harsh scowl.
“I don’t fucking think that.”
She blinked. “Oh.”
“I’m not mad, just don’t like not knowing where you are. Or if something happens like the other night, I’m not there to protect you. Going off and putting yourself in danger? I don’t like that.”
Cleo understood. Although no one ever spoke about it, the club had made a vow on behalf of Knox. They’d always keep her protectedbecauseof her brother.
“I know you made a promise to Knox, and…”
