Ghost dropped his arm to his side. “Last night she called me. She wanted to know if I had an extra stethoscope or if she could borrow mine.”
As medic of the club, Ghost had all the basics.
“The stethoscope listens to the heart, right?”
Ghost nodded.
She wanted to hear Knox’s heartbeat. He cupped his jaw, dragging his hand down his throat.
“You give it to her?”
“She picked it up this morning.”
This impromptu visit could go far beyond just meeting Addison. Cleo was invested, which was his biggest cause for concern. They knew nothing about Addison. Didn’t know if her motive for coming was innocent or a facade hiding a more sinister reason. It seemed a bit far-fetched, even for Cross.They’d done a whole background check and deep dive into her life, coming up with nothing suspicious.
Cross wasn’t sure what he’d do with this information, if anything. It seemed innocent enough.
“Alright.” He started down the hallway.
“Hey Cross?”
He stopped mid-step and looked back.
“Don’t ruin this for Cleo.” Ghost said.
He clenched his jaw, slowly turning, eyeing the brother. “You think I’m that big of an asshole?”
“I think you got a lot of buried grief when it comes to Knox.”
He did. It was an accusation he couldn’t deny. Much like all the brothers, talking about feelings and emotions played no part in their club. It was rare for any of them to get too personal. It was how the club was built. Mourning was done in silence and memories preserved by sharing the good times.
“Addison?” Ghost paused. “She doesn’t have Knox’s blood on her hands.”
It might’ve been an odd statement for others, but Cross was getting the insinuation loud and clear. They avenged Knox’s death with those involved in his murder. Ghost was giving him a stark reminder that Addison wasn’t one of them.
Cross felt the blood race through his veins. It was the same effect he had anytime he remembered his fallen brother’s death.
“You think I don’t know that?”
“I know you do. Just asking you to remember that when she’s here. For Cleo’s sake.” Ghost walked inside his room and closed his door.
Chapter Seven
Addison peered up at the clubhouse as they drove up the long driveway. Cleo had offered to pick her up, but it was silly for her to drive all the way out to Birch just to drive back to Killcreek. She was just happy Cleo suggested they go over together. Addison had her reservations about meeting the club considering her initial introduction to Wraith and Cross. But Cleo assured her the club was open to it. In fact, it was the president’s suggestion. She was hoping the invitation showed they didn’t share the same feelings as Cross and Wraith.
“I can’t wait for you to meet everyone.”
“Me too.” Addison’s voice hitched. It was a telltale sign she was lying, but Cleo didn’t seem to pick up on it.
As Addison pulled up in front of the house, her heart started racing, and a nervous energy bubbled in her stomach. She was once again wondering if it was from anxiety or coming from Knox as excitement for being home. That thought usually gave her solace. Not today.
“So, the MC? I don’t know much about biker clubs, but um” —Addison shut down the engine and glanced over at Cleo— “They’re like a family, right?”
“Oh no, notlikefamily.” Cleo’s eyes softened. “Theyarefamily. And for some, it’s the only real one they have. That’s how it was for me and Knox. Wraith too.”
Addison had what some might characterize as a cookie cutter life with her family. If there was a textbook view on a great, happy childhood, she and her sister would fit into that box. It wasn’t to say they were perfect. Her family was far from it, andthey’d had their struggles, but she always knew she could count on them.
Cleo got out of the car first, and Addison hesitated. Her muscles tightened as if alerting her to the dark cloud looming. There was no getting out of it now.
