He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “This has got nothing to do with your brother.”
Wraith scanned her face, lingering over her lips. Her heart spiked and warmth spread over her skin and through her veins. They were only inches apart and while they weren’t touching, the moment felt intimate. If it didn’t have anything to do with Knox then why was he so protective of her? It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but she never got the chance.
“Am I interrupting?”
The sound of Gent’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard. It completely ruined the one intimate moment she’d ever had with Wraith. He straightened and continued to make his coffee without saying a word. Cleo quickly skirted out of the room, refusing to make eye contact with Gent.
Jerk.
Cleo stood off in the corner, pretending to straighten up what she’d just cleaned an hour earlier. She constantly glanced toward the kitchen waiting for Wraith to come out. She could’ve been totally reading it wrong, but their small interaction seemed to takea personal turn. She couldn’t help but wonder what else Wraith would’ve said had Gent not come in.
“Hey.”
Cleo spun around, smiling. “Hi, Ghost. How was the run?”
He inched closer, shoving a plastic bag in her hands. “Here.”
She glanced down. “What’s this?”
“Just fucking take it. Don’t open it here.”
She grasped the bag and watched him pass. They’d been off to the side, but when she turned watching Ghost walk toward the kitchen, she noticed all eyes were on her. Wraith came into the room and was laser focused on the bag in her hands.
“What’s in the bag?” Gent asked with a playful hitch in his tone.
Cleo ignored him and hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “I have to go upstairs.”
“Not gonna share, Cleo?” Gent asked as if challenging her.
“I will, but I…”
“Open it.” The distinct bite in Wraith’s tone had her flinching slightly.
Ghost walked back into the room with a mug in one hand and a bowl in another. He had to have heard Gent and Wraith, but he gave no indication. He sat down and sipped his coffee.
“Cleo,” Wraith said, and she glanced up at him. “Open it.”
She flattened her lips and slowly peeked inside the bag. She pulled out the gemstone bracelets. There were five ranging in color. They were so beautiful. Cleo did her best to mask her smile.
“What is it?” Gent asked.
“Um…” She cleared her throat, looking over at Ghost. He was eating his cereal and scrolling through his phone. He didn’t even acknowledge the conversation.
“Bracelets,” she mumbled. Gent never took much interest in Cleo other than teasing. It never came off particularly mean or cruel, but on occasion he’d embarrassed her.Like now.
“What’s that? Bracelets?” Gent snickered, looking over at Ghost. “That’s fucking sweet, brother.”
Ghost ignored Gent. It was awkward, to say the least, and she was eager to make an exit.
“Um, Ace?”
He glanced up from the table, lifting his cigarette to his lips.
“I was thinking I’d go to the motel a little early if that’s okay. Since I missed last night’s shift, I figured there might be more to do.”
Ace stared back at her in a lingering silence.
“Need you to go with Cue and Oak and pick up supplies for the house.”
