Wraith glared at Ace. “How the fuck could you keep this from me?”
“You’re not rational when it comes to her, Wraith. We all know it, and most of the time, I don’t give a shit. But we needed the information, not you threatening the guy who she was supposed to be on adatewith.” Cross arched his brow. “And for the record, that motherfucker knew nothing about the poker house meetup.”
Bullshit!
“Is that what he told you?” Wraith scoffed. “And you just fucking believe him?”
“Because he was telling the truth, Wraith,” Cypher said and Wraith sent him a glare. He wanted to see that with his own eyes, not be told secondhand.
“Listen to me,” Ace said. “We cornered that guy, scared the fuck outta him. He would’ve admitted to anything. He said he met Cleo outside the motel. Admitted that he flirted with her a little, but that was it. He never set anything up with Reyna, and she never invited him to the poker house. He said she never mentioned anything about Cleo.”
Wraith dragged his hand over his head and paced across the room.
“Listen to me, Wraith,” Ace said, and Wraith drew in a breath. “I thought he was being honest, but we didn’t just take his word for it. We called Dante and had him run his name. Evan Schueller has never been to any of the poker houses. The only way he would’ve gotten in was under Reyna’s name, and she only brought one guest. Dante was a little more forthcoming than he had been that night. He said he didn’t mention it because he didn’t think it was important, but” —Ace paused— “He gave Reyna a heads up when he saw her with Cleo.”
“Yeah, but Dante would know from the list she was coming in with Reyna,” Cue said, which was a good point.
But Cross had a better counter.
“You think he sees her name on the list and automatically thinks it’sourCleo?” Ace raised his brow. “Dante said he didn’t realize until Trey brought it to his attention.”
“Why is Dante giving Reyna a heads up?” Cue asked.
“He said Reyna was a regular. Figured she didn’t realize what she’d gotten into making friends with Cleo, and knew we’d have an issue with it. He told her to leave. But he did say on her way out she made a call telling someone not to show up.”
“Who?”
Cross shook his head. “Dante didn’t know.”
“This could be nothing. But until we know” —Ace eyed Wraith— “We’re shutting down the motel.”
All the brothers were in agreement, and Ace vowed to bring everything to the whole club going forward. It could’ve been nothing, but something didn’t sit right with Wraith. Something was off with this. He just didn’t know what.
Chapter Ten
Cleo slid her finger over her bottom lip, blending her lip gloss. She usually didn’t wear much makeup when she worked at the motel. Or ever, for that matter. There’d never been a good reason. This afternoon, though, she found herself spending more time picking out an outfit, primping her hair, and adding some extra touches to her makeup routine.
She made her way down the hallway and the stairs. She stopped at the bottom, peering down the hall to her right. There were a few rooms that served the club, but at the very end were three bedrooms. Cross, Gent, and Wraith’s. The house was still quiet, and no one was milling around. She peeked inside the main bar area. Empty. Cleo usually made herself a quick lunch and headed to work. It had been the same routine since she started. She glanced back at the hall leading to Wraith’s room.
I’ll just say hi.That wasn’t weird, but it wasn’t something she’d done before.Is it weird?
So much had changed yet kind of stayed exactly the same. One kiss didn’t mean much.Right?She was sure Wraith had kissed hundreds of women. That thought alone had her slowing her steps as she walked toward his bedroom. Regret was setting in quickly. She had no business knocking on his door. It was just akiss. It probably didn’t mean half as much to him as it meant to her. She stopped at the door, clasping her hands and twisting her fingers. It was the only thing keeping her from knocking.
This was a mistake. She was being too forward.Right?Heat spread over her cheeks with the realization most women her age didn’t struggle with these dilemmas.But I’m not like everyone else.Sharing a kiss didn’t constitute any type of relationship or commitment. It was just a kiss.
Cleo rocked back on her heels.I should leave.Yes, she definitely should walk away. Cleo blew out a heavy breath as an ease filtered through her chest. It was the right decision. She was about to turn when an arm stretched over her shoulder and knocked on Wraith’s door.
What the….
She spun around watching Gent walk down the hall, smiling over his shoulder. “How’s he supposed to answer the door if he doesn’t know you’re standing there, darlin’?” He winked. “You’re welcome.”
You asshole!
Cleo balled her fists and was about to rush down the hall when the door swung open. Wraith stood in the doorway, dressed only in a towel with beads of water scattered on his chest.
Oh shit.
“What’s wrong?”
