“Wait, you two have met?” Cleo waved her finger between them.
The woman jerked her head and cleared her throat. “Not formally.”
“Blonde from the bar last night?” Wraith’s question came out as an accusation. It was directed toward Cross, but she answered.
“I don’t know if I was the only blonde, but I was at the bar.” She gestured to Cross. “That’s where we kind of met.”
Cross cocked his brow, and her lips twitched. Met?Or where I was seconds away from you giving up your address with only one thought in mind?
“What bar?” Cleo asked.
“Barry’s,” Cross said.
She turned to Cleo. “That’s where I was leaving when we spoke. I had just gotten into town, and it was the only place open serving food.”
Barry had called it. Not a local. Cross knew as much. The area was small, and he knew just about everyone even in the surrounding area.And I wouldn’t have forgotten her.
“That’s so unfair you got to meet her first.” Cleo chuckled.
Meet her first? It was the first time since he’d walked in the house that it had dawned on him they still didn’t know who she was. And from Cleo herself, today had been their first-time meeting.So, who the fuck is this woman?Cross stilled, looking over at Wraith. He shared the same confusion.
“Well, I didn’t.” Wraith growled. “So who are you?”
“Oh! I introduced them, but not you.” Cleo reached out grabbing her arm. He was used to Cleo’s over the top excitement, but this was next level. She was practically bouncing on her toes. “This is Addison!”
Addison.
It only took a few seconds for that identity to register. And one to feel the physical effects of her presence. His muscles tightened and blood rushed through his veins. Without even realizing it, Cross balled his fists, lowering his gaze to her chest.ThatAddison.
He clenched his jaw, fighting against the feral rage coursing through his body. What the fuck was she doing here?
Cross was fully aware Cleo had kept in contact. He’d even read some of her letters. It was as if she was a faceless ghost. Until now. Addison had crossed enemy lines in their world. Knox’s life. And she had no place here.
His body was a ball of tension without release, and it only intensified the longer he looked at her. But he couldn’t look away. She had Knox’s heart.His!Not hers. The room was silent, and when she glanced over at Cross, her smile faltered. She flattened her lips and shrunk slightly. His scowl hardened until she looked away.
“Isn’t this great?”
Cleo seemed to be the only one in the room clueless to the drop in temperature. Addison wouldn’t get a welcome from him or any of the brothers. Wraith was proof of that.
“Um…” Addison turned to Cleo. “I should go.”
Yeah, you fucking should.Cross pressed his lips together and folded his arms, glaring at her.
“You don’t have to go.” There was no missing the panic in Cleo’s voice. “Stay for dinner.”
“Cleo.” Wraith growled, but she ignored him.
“I made plenty.”
Addison’s shaky smile made it clear she’d assessed the situation for exactly what it was.Get the fuck out!
“I appreciate it, but I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
“No, you haven’t.” Cleo whipped her head to Wraith. “Tell her she hasn’t.”
Cross glanced over to Wraith, who was scowling at Addison but remained silent.
Addison squeezed her arm. “Cleo, really, I’m still kind of on Iowa time and need to get some rest.”
