Page 135 of The List
Inez waved her hand. “She knows.”
Cross whipped his head, and his brows furrowed.
“I heard everything Jane said,” Addison said.
“Do we get to hear it?” Wraith snapped.
Inez took a drag of her cigarette. “She said there was a guy at the party who she knew from back then. When she tried to leave, he grabbed her and asked if she remembered him. She panicked and ran out of the clubhouse, and that one” —she pointed to Addison— “Followed her out to check on her, I guess. Said she was scared. Thought you all knew something and didn’t trust you. Addison was there, had a car, so Jane forced her to drive her here.”
“At fucking gunpoint, Inez,” Cross snapped.
Inez held up her hand. “I know.”
“Where’d she get the gun?”
“I gave it to her,” Inez said.
“What the fuck, Inez? And you don’t tell us?” Ace grasped his hips and paced in front of the counter.
“Well, I didn’t think she was such a fucking wildcard. I underestimated her.” Inez shrugged then veered her gaze. “Your girl said herself she wouldn’t have hurt her.”
It put Addison on the spot with all eyes in the room on her. She hadn’t known it at the time, but to the depth of her soul she knew Jane was never going to hurt her. She needed an escape. And Addison was her only option. It was desperation.We’ve all been there.
“I really don’t think she would’ve, Cross.”
“I don’t fucking care. She pulled a gun on you!” Cross shouted.
“She’s sorry.” Addison said in hopes of easing the tension in the room. It didn’t help.
Cross narrowed his gaze. She rested her hand on his chest. His heart was beating so fast her only goal was to calm him down.
“It could’ve been worse. I mean” —Addison forced a snicker— “Jane was the one who had my back and told Inez who I was. If she hadn’t, I’d be in a van going God only knows where and how many feet under.”
Cross along with the others spun around, glaring at Inez.
“What the fuck?” Ace snapped.
“I didn’t fucking know who she was. You know the protocol.” Inez waved her hand nonchalantly.
Cross released her and drove his hands through his hair. Obviously, he did.
“Look, your girl is fine. Jane won’t be going back to Killcreek.” Inez shrugged. “It all worked out.”
Thank God for that!
****
The club had left fifteen minutes ago, but Inez had her and Cross stay behind. He watched her make three more vodkas and hand one to Addison and then Cross. It almost seemed like apeace offering. A prelude to a private apology from Inez. But Cross knew better.
“He ever tell you about his father?” Inez asked, and he immediately stiffened.
Cross hadn’t shared much about his past with her. In time, he would, but it had been so different from hers, he didn’t want to lay it on her all at once. It was heavy, raw, and tragic. Cross loved his dad. Most honorable man he’d ever known. But he wouldn’t be seen in the same light to most people outside of their realm.
Cross could feel Addison’s eyes on him, but he continued to stare at Inez. He had no idea where she was going with this trip down memory lane.
“A good man. Loyal to his last fucking breath.” She took a drag of her cigarette. “You know how many can say that? Not a lot that I know.”
“I wish I could’ve met him,” Addison said. It was a sweet and polite answer without being intrusive. It was as if she could sense his tension and was verbally trying to settle him.
