“Let’s get high.”
She lifted her brow, watching him pull out a joint.
Why not?
****
Wraith had barely settled when he was ordered in Ace’s wing of the clubhouse where they held all the meetings. It would beclosed, not open to all the brothers. Usually when a member stepped out of line, he was reprimanded in front of the club. It served as a lesson to all. There were different rules for higher-ranked officers. They were the most trusted within the club Ace created years ago. They all faithfully conducted their positions, Cue as treasurer and Oak as Secretary. Cypher served as the Tech genius and Ghost as club medic. Fittingly, Gent was the perfect Icer. Other brothers had stepped in when the two incarcerated cousins took a hiatus, but Jekyll was their Sergeant at Arms with Hyde as the Road Captain. All members received the same treatment and ranked in equal value, but the officers were held in higher regard. They were given small concessions. As the enforcer, Wraith received this same privilege.
Wraith pushed open the door and stalked into the room. He expected Ace and Cross, but when he turned, he saw Cypher walk in, closing the door behind him. Wraith took no issue with him being there. The club as a whole was one family. But like any family dynamic, there were some closer than others. Cypher being very different from Wraith made them an unlikely but complimentary duo.
“Wraith.” Cross narrowed his gaze. “You gotta stop trying to kill Gent.”
Wraith fisted his hands and paced around the room like a caged animal. His temper had gotten the best of him. Again. For her.
“That shit would’ve never gone down if he wasn’t such a fucking asshole.”
“I agree.” Cross spread out his arms. “But Gentis afucking asshole. Been that way since the day we met him, and that’s not gonna change. Need you to calm the fuck down.”
Wraith swung his arm out, pointing to the door. “That motherfucker wants to initiate a fight with Cleo, and I’m the one getting shit right now?”
“Might have something to do with you” —Ace hardened his stare— “trying to kill those two assholes in our house.”
Wraith folded his arms. “But I didn’t, did I?”
Cross shook his head, settling back into his chair. “We all agree Gent’s an asshole and got a fucked-up sense of humor. But do you really think he’d ever let anyone so much as lay a fucking finger on Cleo?”
Wraith charged forward, tightening his scowl. “But she doesn’t fucking know that!”
Cross threw his hands up, glancing over at Ace. “I called this years ago. Knew it would be a problem. Told you, right?”
Wraith didn’t know all the details about what Cross had told his president. He didn’t need them. He could read between the lines. Everyone was aware of his obsessive and possessive behavior when it came to Cleo. It had only heightened after Knox’s death. Most saw it as a protective oath to her brother. Some saw it deeper. But very few had the balls to be vocal. Until now.
“She’s fucking yours, we know that. Does she?” Cross pushed up from his chair, circling the table. “’Cause maybe if she did, she’d be a little more secure in her position. Cleo walks around here like she’s some fucking obligation we owe to Knox. And you let her fucking think that.” Cross scowled. “She’s not the problem, brother. You are.”
Wraith glared at his VP as he left the room.
“Cypher.” Ace gestured to the door, and seconds later he heard it lock in place.
Ace glanced down at the empty chair in front of Wraith. The last thing he needed now or ever was a heart to heart. It seemed his president was going to force his hand. Wraith grabbed the back of the chair, yanked it from the table, and sat.
“You know he’s right.”
Wraith did. Everything Cross had said was accurate.
Ace clasped his hands, resting his elbows on the table and sighed. “After Knox died, I considered getting her outta here. Setting her up somewhere, maybe in Lawry. She’d have Inez close if something happened. Actually ran it by Inez. She laughed inmy face. Called me a few degrading names, and then asked if I was prepared to start a war with you. I’ll give her credit, she saw it before I did.” Ace pointed at him. “You would’ve never let her go. Never agreed to anything that put her out of your reach. She may have come in as Knox’s sister. But we don’t see her that way anymore. To this club and everyone in it, Cleo is your woman. But until she knows that, every motherfucker in here walks on eggshells around her.” Ace smirked. “Except Gent.”
“And you.”
“I don’t fuck with Cleo because you haven’t made her family yet. Until you claim her, none of us will. What the fuck is stopping you?”
He’d asked himself the same question hundreds of times. There was only one answer.
“I don’t know how to be her man, Ace.” Wraith sighed, dragging his hand over his mouth. “You saw her with those flowers. That’s the shit she wants. Sunshine and fucking rainbows.”
Ace laughed. “Brother, she’s been around long enough to know she ain’t gonna get much of that here.”
“But she fucking deserves it, Ace.”
