That was definitely an option.
“I was actually thinking we could stop by and see a friend. It’s been awhile since I saw her, and…” She peered over to Addison. “I think it would be good for her to meet you.”
Good for her friend? It was a strange way of saying it, but Addison was on board.I’ll meet anyone to get out of this traffic.
“I’m game.” She reached for her phone. “Let me call Cross and let him know.”
Cleo grasped her wrist in a tight hold. “Please don’t.”
What?
Cleo laughed, though it seemed forced. “I mean, you’re a grown woman. You don’t need to check in with him, right?”
True, but…
“What’s going on, Cleo?”
“Nothing.”
“Cleo.” Her tone was stern as she kept her laugh at bay. Clearly, Cleo was hiding something. She just didn’t know what.
Cleo’s shoulders sagged, and she shrunk into the seat. She released her hold on Addison, clasped her hands, and rested them in her lap while twiddling her thumbs.
“Tell me.”
Cleo sighed, glancing over. “The club doesn’tlikemy friend. If you tell Cross we’re going to see her, he’ll call Wraith, who will call me, and” —she sighed heavily— “We’ll be stuck in this traffic, because there’s no way he’d let me go.”
She furrowed her brows. “Let me remind you of what you said to me a minute ago. You’re a grown woman too. You don’t have to follow orders from any man.”
Addison wasn’t looking to cause a rift between the couple, but she stood by her statement to Cleo. If she wanted to visit her friend, Wraith shouldn’t have any say in that.
Cleo meshed her lips together, muttering. “It’s complicated.” She waved her hand. “Forget it. We can go home.”
Well, fuck.
“I won’t call Cross.”
She perked up, turning in her seat. “Really?”
Against my better judgement. “Yes.”
“Perfect.” Cleo leaned down to her bag, retrieving her phone. She tapped on the screen. From her angle, Addison couldn’t see what she was doing. When Cleo put her phone down, she sat back in her seat completely content.
Cleo pointed to the upcoming intersection. “At the next light, make a left.”
Addison followed the instructions, turning onto the side street. Unlike the main road in the city, there weren’t many shops or restaurants. In fact, there wasn’t much of anything. The farther down the street they went, the more it seemed to get sketchy. It was an industrial area that had seen better days. Addison was about to ask Cleo if they were going the right way when she pointed down the block.
“Turn right into the driveway.”
Addison slowed the car down, taking in their surroundings. The nightclub was a standout on the street. It was clearly not open at this time, but it had a certain grandeur even without being lit up. As she turned into the driveway, she looked across the street at the high rise. That place fit in more than the club. Even from a brief look, it was old and dated, giving off a creepy vibe.
Addison pulled into the back lot at Cleo’s direction. There were a fleet of black SUVs in the back of the lot and one sleek metal gray car near the back door.
“Perfect! She’s here.” Addison had barely pulled into the space and shut down the engine before Cleo had the door opened, jumping out.
Addison grabbed her bag, got out, hooked it over her shoulder, and followed Cleo to the back entrance. Out of the corner of her eye near the dumpster, she saw a mint green scooter with a matching helmet hanging off the handlebar. It was so bright, she half wondered if it glowed in the dark. She suppressed her amusement and stood a few feet behind Cleo when she rang the buzzer.
It took a minute, but eventually the door opened and a cute brunette poked her head outside the door.
