AllFreeNovel
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“Clio’s dealt with enough for now,” Chance said abruptly. “She needs a break.” I bristled, thinking Chance was going to try to keep her hidden from me.
“Chance?” Clio asked, tilting her head.
“Wanna come for dinner tonight?” Chance asked, stunning me.
“That’s a great idea,” Kelly said, accepting for us both.
“Give me your number,” Chance said, and a few moments later, Kelly’s phone pinged with a message. “That’s our address. Make it about six. Clio’s going to run herself ragged shopping and cooking.”
“Am not,” Clio grinned.
“Don’t put yourself out,” I said.
“Oh, I won’t, but Chance loves my Shepherd’s Pie,” Clio smiled.
“Roast potatoes and veg?” Chance begged.
“If you’re good to me,” Clio teased, and Chance took on a hangdog expression before glancing up at me. His face hardened, and there it was, the gangbanger look.
“We’re opening our home to you. Visit us with good intentions and an open mind and heart. Or don’t bother coming at all. I will protect Clio, no fuckin’ matter what,” Chance warned. Kelly nodded and got to his feet, and yanked me up out of the chair. I hesitated, unsure whether to hug Clio. Kelly decided for me and led me out of the office. My mind was whirling with plots and plans to save my sister from herself and that animal called Chance.
???
My mind was churning with so much information and stray thoughts I didn’t know where to start. Chance had ordered a prospect to return us to our car, and none of us spoke a single word during the ride. As soon as we exited the prospect’s vehicle, Kelly and I waited for privacy, and I spun to him.
“Wait until we’re in our room,” Kelly said, lifting a hand and forestalling any verbal eruption I’d been brewing. Despite my mood, I knew Kelly was right. Who the hell knew who was listening? Chance and his gang clearly had eyes and ears, and I would not risk someone overhearing us speaking.
As soon as we were in our room, I flung myself on the couch and lifted an arm to my brow. I closed my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. Kelly busied himself with making coffees, and finally, I sat upright and opened my eyes.
“Were we kidnapped at gunpoint?” I asked. Kelly nodded and sat on a chair.
“Yup, Thal, shit got real pretty quick,” Kelly agreed.
“Shit, my sister’s in trouble. I don’t know what Chance or his gang have on Clio, but we need to get her free. And it’s a good thing we’ve found Clio before that baby is born, and we can help her escape,” I said, leaning forward.
“Thal, I have to say, I think you’re missing the obvious here,” Kelly said.
“Which is?”
“Clio is clearly in love with Chance, and while Chance is practically unreadable, he melts when he looks at Clio. Thalia, I don’t think she needs rescuing,” Kelly said calmly. I scowled at him; how could he not see Clio didn’t need rescuing?
“Of course she does. Chance has an unknown hold over Clio, and we need to free her,” I disagreed, and Kelly shook his head.
“No, you’re wrong. What you refuse to see is they are totally in love. Make a move against Clio; Chance will retaliate and protect her,” Kelly said, sipping his coffee.
“Whose side are you on?” I asked sulkily. Clio was in trouble, and I knew it. Why couldn’t Kelly understand?
“Yours, always yours, honey. But you need to remove those blinkers. They are a couple in love, and the way Clio leaned into Chance? That was one hundred percent trust. Clio couldn’t have faked that.” Kelly disagreed with me.
“Kelly, Clio’s running with a gang!” I exclaimed. Kelly shook his head.
“Thal, calm down and listen to me. Clio is not running with a gang; she’s with an MC. That’s a massive difference. I don’t think they’re holding her hostage; I think Clio’s there by choice and deeply in love with her husband. Chance looks at Clio like she’s heaven for him. I don’t believe this is an abusive relationship either. Clio was too comfortable teasing him,” Kelly said, and I pouted. I didn’t like his logic.
“I don’t agree,” I said.
“Let me do some research on Hellfire MC and Chance. Did you get his surname because I didn’t catch it?” Kelly asked. No, in fact, I hadn’t got his surname.
“Do you believe Clio’s claims that Chance is linked to important people? Hell, I don’t think there’s anyone who’s not heard of Phoenix and what she does. Can Chance honestly say they’re tightly knit?” I asked.
