“If we hadn’t been there” —Cypher said standing shoulder to shoulder with Wraith— “Knox would be the only one who knew what happened that night. Cleo was so out of it. They must’ve drugged her or something but I don’t think she remembers.”
Yes, she does.
Cross circled around the room. A visual was emerging for the VP and president. Dark, sadistic, and brutal.
“Fuck,” he drove his hands through his hair. “Knox carried a lot of guilt when it came to Cleo. Now I know why.”
After Knox gave them instructions on how to approach Cleo the next morning, he’d never mentioned another word about that night. None of them did.
Ace sighed. “What happened to the stepfather and mother?”
Cypher shared a look with Wraith. “Knox took care of his mom before any of us could get a chance.”
“And the guy?”
“I slit his fucking throat.” Wraith’s feral voice echoed through the room.
“They were unrecognizable by the time Knox and Wraith were done with them.” Cypher said. “The rest happened pretty quick. Cleo was completely out of it but easy to move. Like a zombie. Knox took the truck in the driveway and brought her to a hotel. We packed up her shit, as much as we could fit on the bikes. I took all the electronics, and we did a sweep of the house. Once Knox had her outta there, we torched it.”
“No witnesses?” Ace asked.
“In that neighborhood?” Wraith raised his brows. “No one’s paying attention to anything. Knox went to her job, offered a lot of cash to say she was working that night. Her boss refused to take the money, but gave her an alibi of leaving town months ago. Said that would be better, and since she worked in the back, customers wouldn’t be able to give a statement. She was paid off the books, so there was no way to track it.”
“It was probably the fastest open and shut case in the history of that town. Didn’t even make the local news. As far as I know, they never even looked for Cleo.” Cypher said. “Went through their electronics. Didn’t find anything.”
“What were you looking for?”
“They were some sick fucks, Ace. Thought maybe they’d recorded it before.” Cypher said.
Ace jerked his head to Wraith. “So you don’t think this was the first time they’d done this shit to her?”
He ground his teeth. “No.”
Cross balled his fists, and his face turned a dark shade of red. “Fuck! If they weren’t already dead…”
Wraith shared the same sentiment.
“Like I said. Rough doesn’t even cut it when it comes to Cleo. And there’s no fucking way as long as I’m breathing, that’ll ever happen again. She stayshere!”
Wraith had every intention of keeping Cleo and while it would take time, he’d get her back. Together, they could live outside the clubhouse. Make a life separate from the MC. But until then, she wasn’t living alone. He expected some opposition from Cross again but he didn’t get it. The brother slowly nodded, staring across the room. “Yeah.”
The room was stretched in silence for a minute. No one spoke a word.
“This has to stay between us, Ace.” It was the first time Ghost had spoken up and he gained the attention of every man in the room. “This isn’t club business. It’s Cleo’s.”
And it would remain that way.
Chapter Fifteen
Cleo walked down the stairs and into the main room, headed toward the kitchen. She usually waited until most of the brothers left before making herself breakfast. She made a point of avoiding most of them since her meeting with the club yesterday. She hadn’t been shocked by their decision but she was disappointed. She really wanted that little house.
“Cleo.”
She glanced up to find Ghost moving toward her. He was coming so quickly, on instinct, she backed up.
“Is something wrong?”
Ghost shook his head and glanced toward the empty doorway. “No, but just listen to me.” He turned back and leaned closer, lowering his voice. “We’re heading to Lawry. First stop is Olson’s. That’s a few blocks from Inez.”
