Cleo put on her sweatshirt and went downstairs. She’d justbrewed a cup of coffee and fired up the burner when she heard a creaking floorboard. She drew in a breath, and her shoulders sagged. Her only hope was that it wasn’t Wraith. She couldn’t face him. Not today.Maybe not ever.
“Can’t avoid him forever.”
She stilled, glancing up at the microwave and seeing Ace’s reflection in the doorway. She hadn’t done a thorough search of the house and just assumed all the members had left.I was wrong.She slowly turned pulling the cuffs of her sweatshirt over her hands.
“I’m not avoiding anyone.”
Ace glanced over her face and her hair, dropping his stare down her body. He didn’t show an ounce of interest, but there was something. Concern? It was unlikely. Ace never gave her much attention, let alone thought. He folded his arms and leaned on the frame of the doorway.
“Then you wanna explain why you only come downstairs when no one is around?”
No.Of course, that wasn’t the answer she’d give. She lived under Ace’s roof.For now.
She forced a smile, pointing at Ace. “Well, you’re here. So that kind of debunks your theory.”
He scowled, making no move to leave. Obviously, this was going to be a conversation.Great.
“What’s going on, Cleo?”
Why do you care, Ace?Again, that wouldn’t be the response she’d give.
When she parted her lips, he lifted his hand, leveling her with his eyes. “And don’t saynothing.”
Well, why don’t you tell me exactly what I can say, Ace?Cleo steeled her features but her frustration was rising. She’d spent her entire life doing and saying what others told her. First her mother and then the MC. Cleo was beaten-down, exhausted and quite frankly, fed up.
She shrugged. “It’smypersonal business. I don’t get that?”
His gaze hardened. “Not when you bring it intomyclubhouse.”
“I understand. I’m sorry.” She flattened her lips, nodding. It was meant to appease him and shut down the conversation.But I’m not sorry!
“Tell me what happened.”
Cleo would’ve been a fool to think the whole club didn’t know about her fight with Wraith. However, she wasn’t sure they had gotten the exact details, if any. If she’d been asked if she trusted Wraith and the brothers a few days ago, her answer would’ve been emphatically yes. Now?I don’t trust anyone.
“You want me to vouch for him, ’cause I will. Wraith doesn’t fuck around with the girls at the strip club. Never has.”
Is that what you think this is about?If only it were that simple. The only saving grace with this conversation was that Wraith hadn’t shared that part of her past. And if he had, Ace was masking it flawlessly.
“Christ Cleo, we don’t need this shit. Not in the house.” Ace paused, pushing off the doorframe. “Whatever the fuck is going on, you need to fix it.” He narrowed his gaze. “You hear me?”
I hear you, Ace.
She slowly nodded and watched him walk out of the room.
Unfortunately, you can’t fix broken.
****
Two fucking days.
This was the last place he wanted to be. His first priority had always been the club, but he would’ve backed out if he’d seen Cleo. Wraith was trying to give her the space she needed and wait for her to come to him. Pushing her would only set them back, and he knew it. He’d given Ghost the rundown when he was concerned about her locking herself in her room. She had shut everyone out, which proved how delicate this situation and its resolution would be.
Wraith privately met with him and Cypher at the motel. None of the other members were privy to the night Knox picked up Cleo, and Wraith wanted to keep it that way for her sake. They agreed to give her what she needed. Space. However, considering her mental state, there were other concerns. As much as he didn’t want to invade her privacy, her safety was more important.
The club had cameras everywhere, including bedrooms. It hadn’t always been that way, but since the breach in their security and losing Knox, they no longer took any chances. It was a decision Wraith had opposed initially, but after reassurance they’d only be activated if they were being attacked, all the members agreed. This was not exactly what Ace had in mind when he gave his speech, but Cypher checked the cameras in Cleo’s room every few hours to make sure she was okay.
“Can I get you another one?”
