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Chapter Three.
Iwas fuming by the time we arrived back at the hotel. What I saw as Kelly’s betrayal was grating, and Clio’s story had shredded my nerves. My best friend, my sole supporter, had turned on me and taken the enemy’s side. The car journey had been silent and pissed off vibes from both Kelly and me, filled the car. I slammed out and stormed to the room before Kelly had even hit the parking brake. Minutes later, Kelly entered, and I spun on him, fired up, and Kelly shoved a hand in my face.
“Sit, Thalia or I’ll make you,” Kelly said, and I was so shocked I did. “What the hell was that? Didn’t I tell you to play nice until I’d investigated Chance and Hellfire? No, instead, you storm in and upset Clio. Let me tell you, Thal, you won’t gain a sister at this rate. Both Clio and Chance made very valid points, and you clearly aren’t thinking rationally. What the fuck has got into you?” I was so shocked that Kelly was cursing at me; I had nothing to say. Weakly, I shrugged and opened my mouth.
“But I…”
“Fuck buts, Thalia. I don’t understand why you’re so convinced that Chance is a gangbanger. It’s obvious to even the fucking blind he’s part of an MC. Yet you insist on keeping those fucking blinkers on full beam. Well, keep going, Thal, because, at this rate, you just lost the sister you found. Clio won’t want anything to do with you, and I can’t blame her.
It was embarrassing how you acted like a spoilt uppity rich bitch without an ounce of common sense! Seriously, it was like Grandmother Winchester took over your body. Grandmother Dixon would be mortified. She made sure you weren’t raised with a silver spoon, that you had a normal life. Money never meant much to her, and she taught you that there were more important things to value.
Jesus Thal, you didn’t go to private school or the country club. You weren’t raised to be a judgemental bitch, and yet there she is. The most judgemental bitch in the entire state. Grandmother would be shamed at how you acted. Actions mean more than words, or have you forgotten your lessons?” Kelly ranted. Tears welled in my eyes. I could count on one hand the times Kelly had fired up at me, and I hated it.
“But I was so infuriated,” I whispered.
“For what? For Chance and Clio being right. Did you hear Clio’s story? Do you not think living through that would scar Clio? What if Clio and Chance are correct and another sister is suffering like Clio? And they could save her. They were both right, there’s no shame in using a PI to find your siblings, but there’s fucking shame in doing it your way. One of your sisters or brothers right now may be forced into the sex trade or something similar, and your stupid pride may take too long to find them. Did you think about that before throwing your hissy fit?” Kelly drummed the point home.
“Chance had no right to go behind my back and hire investigators,” I spat, anger rising. Kelly was making valid and hurtful points, and I hated to admit he was right.
“Chance and Clio had every right. And I bet they’re both praying the next sibling they find isn’t like you. Jesus Thal, you looked every inch of a spoilt rich bitch who expects everyone to kneel at her feet. Do you honestly expect Clio to throw herself at your knees and kiss your feet?”
“Of course not,” I exclaimed. But silently, I thought that surely some gratitude should come my way?
“Oh, you want gratitude?” Damn Kelly, for knowing me too well and reading my thoughts. “And what should Clio be grateful for? Her life is fine, is perfect from what I sense, so why should Clio be grateful you brought this half-assed drama to her door. The moment you met Clio, you made your mind up she needed rescuing, and that Chance is the bad guy. You haven’t taken in a single thing Clio said and have run roughshod over her and Chance. I don’t enjoy this version of you, and you’re acting like your father’s parents. And that’s something I never thought I’d say to you, of all people. At the moment, Thal, you’re not someone I like,” Kelly said harshly, and I flinched.
“Even if Chance is a motorbike club, we know how they behave because of Sons of Anarchy,” I argued.
“Yeah, and every bitch who has one million in her bank behaves like Caris Stilton,” Kelly spat, and I flinched a second time. Ouch, that one hurt, because Kelly knew my thoughts about Caris Stilton. A spoilt rich bitch who came from money and was in the tabloids daily for one scandal or another. Was that how I’d been acting?
“Get over your high and mighty self. I’m going to my room and researching as I said I was. Although I don’t know Clio, she’s your sister, and I want to make sure she’s safe. But if I find what I think I’m going to, I’m going to forge a bond with Clio with or without you, Thalia. So get your fucking head on straight!” Kelly spun on his heel and strode into the bedroom. My mouth dropped open. I’d never seen Kelly so furious. All I wanted to do was cry.
How dare Kelly berate me like that? Why couldn’t he understand what I clearly saw? Clio was involved with a dangerous man. Chance’s friend had held a gun on me and threatened to blow away Kelly. I would not leave Clio in their hands, and if it comes to it, I’d pay for one of those rescuers. The ones who saved people from cults and deprogrammed their minds.
Furious with Kelly, I slammed out of the hotel room and into the lift. Kelly’s words had hurt, and I just didn’t understand. I exited the hotel onto the street and began walking. The area was well lit, and although I was furious, I wasn’t so angry to walk dark streets. A little walk from the hotel was a pleasant bar, and I stormed into it like the hounds of hell were on my heels. I didn’t bother looking around and stormed up to the bar and sat on a stool. A bartender asked what I wanted.
“A vodka and coke, please,” I said, ordering. I stared at the polished bar, my thoughts whirling around in my head. The bartender placed the drink in front of me, and I put a twenty on the bar and told him to keep the change. He looked surprised but nodded. A figure sat next to me, but I concentrated on the earlier scene and the hotel drama.
“Ain’t gonna help, babe,” a voice I recognised said, and I stiffened in my seat. Had this asshole followed me?
“What do you want?” I snarled, lifting my head to stare at Bear.
“Saw you walk in here, guessed what you planned,” Bear said, nodding at the drink in front of me.
“And your concern is what?”
“You’re Clio’s sister, and she’s family. Ain’t going to let her sister get into trouble,” Bear said with a nod to the bartender. The man pushed a beer over to Bear, and Bear slid him a note.
“I’m no concern of yours, especially as you held a gun on me!” I snapped. Was this the start of their move? Maybe to control or chase me from Clio’s life so they could gain control of her money.
“Nah, you ain’t, but Clio is, and when Clio hurts, I hurt. You threw a heck of a shitty scene at the cabin. Clio didn’t need that shit bringing back up. Funny, I look at you and expect you to behave as Clio, yet you’re a total stuck-up bitch,” Bear said, and his words stung.
“Look, I just want my sister. Tell me how much it would cost to get Clio free from your gang?” I asked, and Bear’s eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Ain’t no gang, Thalia, we’re an MC. Tell me, you got mental issues?” Bear drawled and sipped his beer.
“How dare you!” I exclaimed.
“Easy, you’re such a fuckin’ judgemental cunt. Thalia, you don’t understand what’s obvious. Clio ain’t held by us; she’s cherished by Hellfire. Every brother would lay his life on the line to protect her, and here you are spitting in our eye and making assumptions. You got intelligence issues?” Bear asked, and I bristled.
