Inez stalked down the hall, and Cleo kept on her heels.
“You got a preference who I call ’cause I know you don’t want me calling Wraith on your crazy ass.”
Call the club? Cleo rushed forward, coming dangerously close to bumping into Inez’s back. She knew that would eventually be the outcome, but she was hoping for more time to plead her case about moving. She halted at the last second, grabbing the edge of the counter for support.
“You don’t have to call anyone. I’ll go back to Olson’s before they get back.”
“That old man is probably shitting his pants trying to find your ass. Probably slit his own throat before having to tell Killcreek he fucking lost you.”
“But I’m not lost.”
“For fucks sake, fruit cake.” She grabbed the lit cigarette from the ashtray and took a deep drag, eyeing Cleo. “Why the hell did you come here?”
Stick to the plan.
“I wanted to talk with you about an apartment here?”
She furrowed her brows but remained silent.
“You have a lot of vacancies. I was wondering if I could move into one.” Cleo held up her hands rushing through her next statement. More like a plea. “I’m not asking for a discount on rent. I can get a job and pay full price. And I’m a really good tenant. I’m quiet and clean and I won’t be a problem.”
Inez snorted. “Baby girl, you been a problem since you got to Killcreek.”
What? That wasn’t accurate. But Inez was the last person she’d argue with.
“I got enough crazies living here, I don’t need to add to my collection.” Inez chuckled, shaking her head. “And even if I did get some wild hair and took you in? My boys wouldn’t let you leave.”
“But they’d listen to you and…”
There must’ve been a desperate plea in her tone. Inez’s demeanor shifted, and her face hardened.
“My boys do something to you?”
“No.”
Inez squinted, scanning her face and leaned closer. “You lying to me?”
She shook her head.
Inez straightened and took a drag of her cigarette. “Why do you wanna live in the city?”
This would take some effort to be convincing.Because I don’t want to live here.
Cleo swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, um…”
“Don’t give me that bright lights and big city bullshit ’cause I know that ain’t you. Fucking little country mouse got no place here.”
It seemed Inez knew Cleo better than she thought.
“It wouldn’t be my first choice, but I don’t see any other options.” She sighed, resting her hip on the stool of the breakfast bar. “I wanted to clean up Grizz’s small house on his property and stay there, but he said Ace had to approve it, and obviously he said no.”
“Hold up,” Inez scoffed. “That old fuck is still alive?”
“Yeah, he lives a few miles down from the clubhouse on a large piece of land. Not sure how many acres it is but it’s a lot. He doesn’t work the fields anymore, but he lives there. And there’s a small house that used to be…”
“Did I ask for the asshole’s history?”
“No. Sorry,” Cleo mumbled.
