It was a generic picture. Every high school yearbook showcased the same pose. A side angle, head tilted, dressed in a black cape of sorts. There was nothing special or unique except the girl photographed. Her smile was awkward and forced, her light blue eyes squinting slightly. Her dark hair covered too much of her face, shielding her best feature. It would be hard to notice her highcheekbones to anyone else, but Wraith saw them. Her face almost seemed heart shaped with a pointed chin. She didn’t wear heavy makeup, but he noticed her cheeks were especially pink. He moved the picture closer and inspected her left cheekbone. It was faint, but he saw a purple-darkened splotch that didn’t match her other cheek.
He clenched his jaw, staring at her face. Too innocent, too pretty, and too damaged. But the visual was stirring something inside him.
The last thing he should be obsessing over was a graduation picture of his brother’s little sister. But…she was beautiful. Not in an obvious way. Cleo wouldn’t necessarily capture a room, but she had an understated beauty that hadn’t quite developed yet.
The loud pounce caught his attention, and he jerked his head. Knox had jumped down from the top bunk. He was leaning forward with his arms extended and hands grasping to the edge of the bed frame with a taunting smile.
“Don’t break the brotherhood code.”
Wraith furrowed his brows. He’d never broken any code in his life.
“Don’t jerk off to my little sister. It’s fucking wrong, man.”
It was.
Wraith tossed the photo on to the mattress. “Got no use for that. Fucking take it.”
Knox grasped it, glancing down at the photo. He straightened, staring down at the picture and cocking his head with a small smile playing on his lips.
“She’s pretty, right?” His brother’s teasing tone had Wraith balling his fists.
Fuck you, Knox.Wraith continued to glare and remain silent.
Knox snorted with his eyes laser focused on the picture. “She’s the first.”
“First of what?”
He stepped away, walking toward the desk and pinning the picture on the wall.
“First to graduate high school. Four generations couldn’t do it. I sure as fuck didn’t. But she did.” There was no missing the pride in his tone, or the admiration in his stare. Wraith didn’t know Cleo, but she was something special to Knox.
He straightened, glancing over at Wraith. “Let’s get dinner.”
Wraith rolled out of bed and sat staring across the room, over the desk, and zoning in on Cleo’s picture.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
For the next year, that would be his view among the countless letters he’d receive from her. Twice a month, without fail.
Cleo showed up when he needed her. Not physically. She never visited in person. Had she? Wraith would’ve made a point of being present. Even if all he got was one look through metal bars. While he’d never admit it, he owed Cleo. She’d been the only person who made him feel like he was something while serving his time.
It was a favor Wraith fully intended on repaying.
Chapter One
Soda or Energy drink?
Cleo tapped her fingernails on the refrigerator glass, darting her eyes between the two beverage cases. The local convenience store didn’t carry a vast array of her favorites. If she wanted better options, she had to drive twenty miles away to the nextbigtown. Of course, every place compared to Killcreek was huge. She’d seen every inch of the town at least a hundred times over the years. But Cleo loved when she got the opportunity to see different sights, even if it was only another small town. She usually mapped out a whole day for that excursion, which required a companion. It was usually a prospect from the club who stared at his phone the whole time, made limited conversation, and seemed bored. Not exactly a fun outing, but she looked forward to the change in scenery.
The convenience store, gas station, and a tiny motel off the highway were the only legitimate businesses in Killcreek. They didn’t have a main street or a designated commercial area. Population statistics would’ve categorized it as a small town, but the square mileage was enough to house a large city. With only a single traffic light, one might think it was a deserted and abandoned town. They’d kind of be right. People lived in Killcreek, but there were only a select few without affiliation to the KillcreekDrifters motorcycle club, and those few used the town as a means of escape and to stay hidden. Cleo didn’t know much about them and only saw them randomly. They rarely spoke and never made eye contact.At least, not with me.
Cleo eyed the options once again.Why not both?She could afford it, and what else would she spend her money on? She grabbed the two drinks and started toward the ice cream selections. Sweet treats were not part of her childhood. Some might say as an adult, she overindulged. They’d be right.
“The coordinates must be off.” The faint male voice caught her attention.
Cleo peeked around the chip stand, eyeing the two men near the counter. They were definitely not locals, and she’d never seen them before. Killcreek rarely got visitors. It may have an exit off the highway, but very few made the trek over the rural county roads. And when they did, they were greeted with a less than hospitable reception.
Burke, the burly, gruff, sixty-year-old owner of the convenience store, lifted his cigarette to his mouth and sucked in a deep drag, never taking his eyes off the two strangers. His judgement and suspicion were easy to read. Non-locals weren’t welcome. Heck, it had taken Burke six months to say two words to her when she’d come in daily. Cleo always suspected her brother, Knox, had something to do with that, though. It could’ve been completely by chance, but the day after she’d complained that Burke ignored her every time she tried to talk to him, he changed his tune the next day.
