Page 121 of Iron

“They’re here,” I said as I got to my feet, keeping my hand around her waist until she was steady.

The doors opened right as we made our way over.

“Rowan,” I greeted and she didn’t hesitate to smile and kiss my cheek to return the greeting.

I introduced myself to the three that followed in behind her. The judge and his son both shook my hand with respect and as my eyes landed on the woman behind them, it was like I was looking at Rowan’s younger sister. The woman wasn’t as voluptuous and outgoing as Rowan and it was clear they weren’t really sisters, but there were similarities that had me scratching my head.

Once introductions were made, Petra kissed my cheek and walked off in the direction of the kitchen she hardly ever used.

“So, Petra tells me you have an interesting story,” I said to Rowan as we all walked over to the couch and took our spots, the men protectively close to their women. “And that it all starts with a dress?”

Was it the most appropriate thing to say? I would have bet not, considering what I suspected was going on here. But at least it broke the ice.

Petra brought out a tray of drinks to find us all laughing.

“Oh, it wasn’t just a dress,” Rowan said as she took in Petra’s quizzical brow.

Petra tucked herself into my side as much as her stiff posture would allow. I didn’t crowd her, but I did toss my arm over the top of the couch as I leaned back with my beer.

The night hadn’t been what I had expected, but it didn’t turn out all that bad.

I realized that this was Petra trying and I couldn’t hate it. Rowan meant a lot to her, and so did I. Petra was taking steps to sew us all together while at the same time, show that she cared enough to be interested.

And, yeah, the night was a little awkward, but I fell more in love with her for it.

Petra

“Where is he?” I demanded as I stepped foot into the clubhouse.

Iron had let me know that he would be ‘out of commission’ for a few days but wouldn’t tell me why. It was unlike him. When he had business to take care of he always told me about it. He didn’t go into great detail but gave me enough so I knew what was going on. Which was all I ever asked for.

I tried not to let it get to me. After the last time, I thought we had this new level of trust now. I thought that I had made him understand that I might not always accept his way but I would at least try to.

I couldn’t imagine what it must have been that he felt he had to hide it from me.

Three days I hadn’t heard from him.

Three days of me pacing and becoming more irritated.

And maybe even worried.

Three days was all it took for me to find my spine and treat this like any other situation.

So I stormed over here to get answers.

It didn’t surprise me the way everyone froze after the demand left my mouth. I knew I wouldn’t have to say another thing for them to understand that I was looking for Iron.

“I’m here, Pet,” his voice called out from somewhere in the back of the crowd.

If I was mad before, I was even more so now.

I thought he’d gone off somewhere to handle something.

But he was here, in the clubhouse, in the middle of a party it seemed.

The crowd parted and I saw him sitting on the couch.

He didn’t get up as I clicked my way over and my steps almost faltered at the unusual behavior.