“Cleo.” Ace’s voice came from behind. “Why did you leave Olson’s?”
Her eyes darted around the room, clearly avoiding Wraith’s stare.
“I, um…” She looked over at Inez as a lifeline. They’d never been close, and Inez had never taken much of an interest in Cleo as she had with other women in their realm.
When Knox had brought Cleo to the clubhouse to live, Inezhad given major pushback. Usually, she won all arguments but Knox, along with Wraith and a few others had stood firm.
“Answer the question.” Wraith growled, and she peeked up through her lashes.
“I wanted to talk to Inez.” Her voice was so low, he couldn’t be sure the others had heard her.
“Why?” Ace asked. It was better he took over the question portion of this clusterfuck. Wraith was still teetering on containing his anger and losing his shit.
Her shoulders hunched, and she grasped her hands, twisting her fingers.
“Tell em’ why,” Inez said with a hint of humor in her tone.
That alone told Wraith everything he needed to know. He was not going to like her answer.
“I was wondering if there were any vacancies in the building. I thought maybe I could rent one.”
If they wouldn’t allow her to move a few miles down the road, did she really think they’d let her move to the city?
“No,” Wraith snapped, and she widened her eyes. He saw a glimmer of something he couldn’t quite place. This was the longest she’d looked at him in days.
“Well.” She kept eye contact but pointed across the room. “It’s her building. I don’t think you can tell her who can or cannot live here.”
Wraith hardened his gaze but to her credit, Cleo never looked away.
“I love when a kitten discovers her claws.” Inez laughed, slapping her hand on the counter then veering her gaze toward Cleo. “I underestimated you.”
“Inez,” Ace warned.
Wraith squared his jaw, grounding his teeth. His anger only heightened when Inez continued to laugh, holding nothing back.
“You’re damn right, baby girl,” Inez said, and Wraith jerked his head, scowling. “He’s got no fucking say in what I do with thisbuilding.” Inez pinned her glare on him, “Or anything else. You need a reminder of your place, son?”
Wraith ground his teeth but remained silent. He knew the hierarchy of not only the club but Inez’s position. In his seventeen years with the MC, he’d never gone head-to-head with her. As she pointed out, Wraith had always known his place. He respected Inez. Followed and carried out every order given without question or hesitation. Until now.
“She’s not living here.”Over my dead fucking body.
Inez cocked her brow. “Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Ace stopped directly next to him, showcasing a united front on this matter. “She’s got nothing down here, Inez. No job, no connection, no family.”
Inez smirked and looked at Wraith. “And whatexactlydoes she have in Killcreek?”
Fuck!
Ace sighed and gestured to the door. “Go wait in the hallway, Cleo.”
Cleo flinched but didn’t hesitate and walked toward the door.
“Who the fuck are you, barking orders inmyhouse?”
Ah fuck.Wraith clenched his jaw, watching Cleo stop mid-step. She’d created this fucking mess and was now caught in the crosshairs.
“Cleo!” Inez pointed to the counter stool. “Sit your ass back down.”
