Chapter 17
Conleigh
Smiling up at Gage, I whispered, “Do you know that I love you?”
The sincerity in those green eyes as he looked down at me, his massive hand cupping the side of my face as he whispered back, “Yeah Baby girl, I know. Do you know that I love you?”
With closed eyes, I leaned into his body and whispered, “Always.”
And we stood like that in the backyard of the clubhouse, just holding onto each other.
That was until I heard Zeke’s muttered curse. Turning my head, it was to see him standing there.
As I smiled at him, he asked, “Uh, darlin’?”
Why was he acting weird? “Hey, Zeke, what’s up?”
“There’s a woman at the gate here to see you.” I furrowed my brows in confusion. The only person that would come here to see me would be Shirleen, but she was at the salon today.
The women from Carters wouldn’t turn up here, especially not in the middle of the day.
But it was Gage who asked, “Who is it?”
“Said she’s your sister.” The moment those words left his mouth, I froze. Well, for a fraction of a second.
“What the hell is she doing here? It’s been seven years.” I asked no one in particular because I could feel that familiar temper I had a good handle on start to fry.
Before I could do or say anything, Gage let me go, then stormed out of the back of the clubhouse.
“Fuck.” I muttered as I took off after him. Though not before looking over at Lil, who had just stepped out of the clubhouse to see who was at the gate. They had monitors behind the bar that showed them a clear picture of areas where anyone could try to get inside.
“Lil? Keep her inside. Do not let her come outside.” I didn’t even have to tell Lil that it was Collins I was referring to. The only reason she hadn’t been out here playing was that she and Laci were in the media room watching a new Pokémon series that had just come out.
She nodded then walked back inside while calling over her shoulder, “I got her, sweetie.”
I was aware of the boots pounding as they followed us, but I paid them no mind.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Gage roared at Hazel, who stood on the other side of the gate. I could have kissed Zeke and the man minding the gate in the guard shack for that.
The moment I reached him, it was almost as if he knew that I was there because his arm shot out and he pulled me into his back, covering me.
Getting my first look at my sister in seven years was a shock to my system, to say the least. I didn’t pay attention to the man at her side, though. No, my only attention was on Hazel, who had the nerve to show back up, and the infuriating nerve to show up here. How the fuck did she know we would even be here?
But what came out of her mouth was the last thing I expected her to say.
“I need to see Conleigh. It's important.” What was she wearing?
I wasn’t aware that the ole’ ladies had followed as well, not until June voiced my sentiments to a T. “She gives up her daughter and has the nerve to walk here wearing designer clothes?” June spat out.
Turning to look at her because of the designer clothes comment, I said, “What?”
“That blouse she has on is five hundred dollars. Those pants she’s wearing are seven hundred. Don’t even get me started on the shoes.” June scoffed.
Unfortunately, in doing so, it alerted Hazel to my presence.
“Conleigh?” I turned my attention back to Hazel.
I had started to step to Gage’s side, but he wasn’t having that, not when he shifted his body to remain slightly in front of me.