Page 9 of The List
“They started to text about two months ago.”
Up until now, they’d only connected through letters.
Cross clenched his jaw. “Why?”
Cypher shrugged. “A lot quicker than regular mail. Though they still do that.” His face softened. “Old school pen pal. Not many people these days are down for that. I’m thinking it’s Cleo’s idea.”
Definitely Cleo’s idea.
“They talk?” Cross asked.
Texting, while more intimate than writing letters, didn’t hold the same closeness as actually speaking on the phone. When neither man answered, his muscles tightened, and Cross internally cursed.
Fuck.
Obviously, there was something going on. Cross pulled his cigarettes from his chest pocket, shifting his gaze between the brothers. They were tighter than most, and with their connection to Cleo, it had only strengthened the bond. Cross respected that. But this wasn’t only about Wraith’s woman. He squinted, lighting his cigarette.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Cross took a deep drag, eyeing Wraith.
Wraith’s jaw squared. “Cleo’s talked to her a few times.”
“About what?”
Wraith narrowed his gaze. “Girl shit. A little about Knox. I was there when Cleo called. She’s not trying to hide anything, Cross. And she knows the rules. Cleo’s the last woman who’d betray this club, and you fucking know it.”
I’m not worried about Cleo.
Cross had no choice but to let it go. For now. Wraith had assured him this wouldn’t be a problem when it originally came to light that Cleo and Addison had been in contact. Therewasn’t anything in those letters to raise concern. He’d read them himself. As long as it remained so, Cross would stay silent.
Chapter Two
Hold the mail.Check. Inform her neighbors she’d be out of town.Check.Somehow convince her boss to let her have time off without actually getting fired.Check.
What began as a spur of the moment, spontaneous, and slightly absurd idea made a few weeks ago had finally come to fruition. She’d only shared her plans with a few people and offered limited details. Some thought it was exciting, and one in particular was less than thrilled. But yet, she still offered to drive Addison to the airport.
Speaking of…
Addison peered down at her suitcase, eyeing the overstuffed bag. There was a good possibility she was over the weight limit. Another added expense to this trip was going to severely cut into her budget. She could take some things out. Maybe she didn’t need several pairs of shoes.Yes, I do.
“All packed?”
Addison smiled over at her sister leaning against the doorframe of her room. Anyone looking at Hannah would think she was just as eager for Addison’s trip. It was a ruse. Her sister had spent the vast majority of the week trying to convince Addison to rethink going. They were small, subtle suggestions, but Addison read through them. And understood. Hannah had voiced her concerns. Maybe she’d finally relented and come to terms with Addison’s plans. Not likely. Addison was fully expecting a Hail Mary before she boarded the plane.
She slapped her hand on the suitcase. “Yep.”
Hannah pushed off the wall and rounded the bed, sitting down next to the suitcase. Addison busied herself with her pocketbook, accounting for everything she needed. It was always important to double-check. In Addison’s case, triple check. This was the third time since last night. She was feigning the epitome of calm and cool in front of her sister. In reality, she’d had a few freak-outs leading up to today. How could she not? She was about to meet the sister of her donor.Who has no idea I’m coming.Her stomach twisted in a knot. Addison had debated sharing with Cleo. It was the sensible and fair thing to do. It also allowed the open-door relationship she had with Cleo to be slammed in her face. If Cleo was opposed to the trip, that would leave Addison with no choice but to respect her wishes.
The room was eerily quiet as she opened her wallet, making sure she had enough cash along with her credit cards and license.
“Is there any way I can talk you out of this? I’m not above bribing.”
And there it is.
Addison chuckled softly, glancing down at her sister. Hannah didn’t share her amusement. Her lips pulled down in a severe frown.
“I’m boarding a plane in three hours, and you’re still trying to convince me not to go?”
Without an ounce of shame, she scooted to the edge of the bed, closer to Addison. “Yes, because I think it’s a mistake.”
