“Would he have minded that I was there yesterday?” Addison asked, lifting her mug and taking a sip.
Cleo’s eyes widened, and she clamped her lips. It was strange, almost as if she was completely shutting down. That hadn’t been Addison’s intention when she’d asked. She was trying to get to the root of the intense hostility Wraith and Cross were feeling. Addison scooted to the edge of her couch.
“Can I be honest with you?”
Cleo nodded.
“Things got very intense last night, and…”
Cleo frantically waved her hand, “And I’m so sorry about that. Wraith was surprised that you were there, and I didn’t tell him.”
Shit!I did this.
Addison placed her hand over her heart. “Well, that’s my fault. I didn’t tell you.”
“That’s totally okay. You’re the best surprise ever. It’s just, he was away and I should’ve called him to let him know you were coming but I didn’t.”
She knitted her brows, cocking her head. “Why didn’t you?”
Cleo’s shoulders sagged, and she seemingly deflated. “He’s really protective of me. And um” —she nibbled on her bottom lip, stalling— “So is the club, and they tend to be suspicious of people they don’t know. I didn’t…”
“What?”
“I-I…” —she closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath— “I didn’t want him to insist on being there the first time we met. I love Wraith, and he’s the best man I know, but he can be intimidating. I know that.” She flicked open her eyes. “I didn’t want him to scare you away.”
It was the most honest answer she’d ever heard. Addison laughed. “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
“Yeah.”
I love Cleo.
Addison tapped Cleo’s leg. “Well, he didn’t scare me away.”
Cleo smiled, and her whole body seemed to ease.
“But he’s fine with it now?”
Cleo hesitated, but nodded.
Are you lying?
“Is the other guy fine with it too? What was his name, um, Cross?”
Girl, stop! You know his name!Addison forced a smile, ignoring the voice in her head.
“Oh yeah. They were just caught off guard, but everything is good now.”
Why don’t I believe you?Addison wouldn’t question her. Only time would tell if she was being truthful. But Addison hadgotten the answers she was looking for, kind of. There was no reason to dwell on it. Addison would stick to her original plan of keeping her distance from the club.
She pointed across the room. “Want to eat?”
Cleo jerked her head toward the kitchen. “Sure, if you’re hungry.”
“I mean, I can wait.”
Cleo turned back, staring at Addison and scanning her face. There was definitely something on Cleo’s mind, and it wasn’t food. They hadn’t known each other long, but Cleo had an expressive face. There was a new tension.
“What are you thinking?” Addison asked.
