She pointed to the kitchen. “I was going to make breakfast. Do either of you want anything?”
Cross lifted his gaze, and she again smiled, thinking he was going to take her up on the offer. Instead he started through the room.Shit!Cleo stepped into the room, knocking into the side table.
“Where are you all headed?”
Cross stopped and glanced back at her. “We’re taking a ride to Lawry.”
Cleo raised her brows and slowly nodded.
Ask!
“Can I come?”
Clearly, it had caught him off guard. He knitted his brows and shifted his gaze to Ace. But Cleo kept her eyes on him. MaybeGhost knew something she didn’t. Cross turned slightly in Wraith’s direction. He was seeking permission or refusal.
“Please, Cross.”
His head jerked, and he stared back at her. The man was impossible to read, but her gut was telling her he’d refuse. Turns out, the gut isn’t always right.
“Yeah, you can come.”
Holy shit, it worked.She smiled, sharing a look with Ghost, who turned away from her. The last thing she should do was out his assistance.
“You ride with Wraith,” Ace said, and she glanced across the room.
Wraith was staring back at her as if expecting she’d object.
“Okay.” Cleo rushed through the room and pointed to the ceiling. “I’ll be quick.”
She took the stairs two at a time and practically ran down the hall with only one thought in mind.
Thank you, Ghost.
*
Cleo sat in the corner of Olson’s couch staring at the television. They’d been hanging out for at least thirty minutes. She’d known him since she’d arrived at Killcreek. He was older and ran a fairly large transport group. He resembled someone’s grandfather or possibly Santa. He was well into his eighties, and by all accounts, very kind and sweet. And one of the biggest drug dealers in the state.Nobody’s perfect.
The club had a short meeting with Olson before leaving. She was given strict instructions not to leave the house. Cleo had pushed a little, asking Ace if she could go grab lunch on Main Street. She received a firm no and was told to order food to be delivered.
Once they left, she and Olson settled down in the living room watching an old Western movie. It came as no surprise when sheheard him snoring fifteen minutes later. Just like Ghost promised. Olson was in a deep slumber. Making her escape was easy.
She walked to the end of his road and peered up to the right. It was Main Street. To her left was an industrial area.I know exactly where I am.She walked the short block, glancing across the street at the dance club. It wasn’t open for business. But that wasn’t her main interest. She dropped her head back to her shoulders, looking up at the high-rise next to her.
Cleo walked through the open parking lot. There were only a handful of cars. It made sense because while the complex could house over a hundred people, there were only a few residents. She opened the door, eyeing the men in the lobby. Security. She smiled and waved, knowing their faces as she’d seen them a few times before. None of them returned her greeting but watched her as she walked to the elevator and waited. Cleo wasn’t sure if her arrival would be announced, but they knew she wasn’t a threat.
When the bell pinged, and the doors opened, she walked inside, tapping the button for the seventh floor. It wasn’t until it started going up that a wave of butterflies swarmed her belly, and her heart rate picked up its pace. An impromptu, unannounced meeting with the Queen herself?
Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.
****
“That went better than expected,” Cross said, staring straight ahead.
They just made another deal for transport. It was a smaller haul but came with greater risk which would bring in a lot more money. It was a solid connection, and more importantly, Fraser was trustworthy. The same couldn’t be said for Satan’s Hex.
“We heading straight home?” Oak asked.
It had been the plan. They’d go back to Olson’s and pick up Cleo then get on the road. Wraith was still surprised she’d asked to come along. Though, not as shocked as when she agreed to ridewith him. Maybe giving her time had been exactly what she’d needed. Cleo still wasn’t making conversation with him. But this was a small step in the right direction.
