Page 23

Chapter twenty-three

Never really expected my talk with Steel to go the way it did. A lot of truths were laid out for both of us, and I’d like to say it brought us closer. I still can’t believe what he told me about the blowjob he’d confessed to. There’s still a part of me that’s so mad at myself for not giving him the chance to explain the night he’d said something about it.

God, I’ve never in my life wanted to murder someone the way I want to murder Heather.

When he confessed about Heather and the blowjob, I never expected sexual assault. It’s the last thing Steel wants to accept happened to him, but I think—or at least I hope—now that he knows he’s got me right there, it’s easier for him to come to terms with. But I also, in a sad way, understand his reasoning for not wanting to face that too. The type of man he is, there’s no way he wouldn’t be tempted to kill Heather. And honestly, after having witnessed the darkness creep into his eyes a few times, I’m not sure he’d be able to stop himself if he fully accepts it. With the way he loves his daughter and the way she loves her mom, it would break him to know he took her from Lyric. And I hate that too, that he’s having to sacrifice a piece of himself again. But the bond between Lyric and Steel, it’s so beautiful, and I’d probably sacrifice pieces of myself so it could be preserved too. It’s just too precious.

My new favorite thing to do is watch those two interact with each other. It’s foreign to me after what I grew up with. I mean, I knew there were parents out there who loved their kids unconditionally like Steel loves Lyric, but I’d never witnessed it firsthand until I spent time with them.

Lyric. That little girl seems so starved for female companionship that it breaks my freaking heart, especially with the way she loves her mother. When we had our little mini mani and pedi session, the absolute wonder on her face tore me to shreds and made me want to do something like this with her every single day. It made me want to pamper her and spoil her until she never has to express wonder at having her freaking nails painted by someone who wasn’t herself or her dad’s best friend.

Lyric stole my heart the moment she demanded her daddy fix the heart of mine that he broke. She was so fierce in her battle for me that I couldn’t help but fall in love with this little stranger who looked exactly like a mini version of the man I’d stupidly fallen in love with.

I think we were all a little heartbroken when the weekend was over and it was time for me to go back to the apartment and Lyric to return to Heather.

Steel did promise more bonding time together, so I’m holding him to that.

“Girl, you’re in your own little world over here,” Reva says with a smile. “Go take a break.”

I grimace. “Crap. Sorry. Was just thinking about some stuff. I’m good. I don’t need to go on break. We’re freaking swamped.”

“And we’ll take care of it for ten minutes. You’ve been busting your ass since you clocked in. Take a breather.” She peers around the club. “Just be careful. I’ve been getting a bad feeling lately, and I don’t fucking like it because I don’t know where the hell it’s coming from.”

My phone rings, and I pull it from my back pocket, the corners of my mouth quirking up when I catch Steel’s name and peer over at Reva. “Yeah, okay. I’ll go take a break.”

She snorts, her eyes dropping to my phone before coming back to mine. “Of course, you will. Shoo. Go on. It’s only going to get busier later.”

“Hey,” I answer the call, plugging my ear so I can hear while I head down the hall and to the apartment. “Let me get where it’s quieter.”

“Baby girl,” he rumbles in greeting, sounding exhausted. “Head to your apartment. Got something there for you.”

I give a tiny squeal. “You got me a present?”

His laughter brushes over me, and I stop to close my eyes and bask in it because it’s not very often that I hear it, unless he’s with Lyric.

“On the kitchen counter.”

Excited now, I hurry the rest of the way down the stairs and to the door. It takes only seconds for me to unlock the door and shove my way in.

When I spot the black leather bag sitting in the middle of the kitchen counter, I jerk to a stop and lift a hand to my mouth as tears fill my eyes. “Jericho,” I whisper.

“Don’t know shit ‘bout photography, Hummingbird, but I know that if you feel the same freedom bein’ behind that lens as I do on the back of my bike, then you’re probably feelin’ like you’re missin’ a huge piece of you. Know yours broke when you were runnin’ from Killer. The lady said this was the best one. Even added all the extra shit she said you’d need.”

Gifts. Our relationship has evolved into gifts. Really expensive gifts, it seems. It’s definitely different from what we had in the past. Maybe he really did mean his words over the weekend. I don’t know why that terrifies me even more than if he’d been lying.

“If you don’t like it or it’s the wrong thing, we can take it back and you can get whatever you want.”

I’m stuck in place staring at the camera bag. I can’t seem to make myself walk over and open it.

Steel sighs. “Not even gone and looked at it, have you?”

“What? Of course, I have,” I lie.

“Goin’ to spank your ass for lyin’ to me.”

“That’s not really an incentive for me to tell the truth, now is it?” I mumble as I finally make my way across the room.

You’d think the case holds an active bomb with the way I’m approaching it, and it possibly does, just not an explosive one. More of an emotional one.

“You want that juicy ass spanked, baby girl, all you gotta do is ask,” he growls.

“Where would the fun in that be, bossman? All the fun is making your palm tingle until you just can’t help but clap my cheek.”

“Fuckin’ wench,” he groans. “Makin’ my dick hard in the middle of work.”

“Poor baby,” I tease.

“Stop stallin’, Bailee. Open the fuckin’ case.”

“Bossy,” I grumble, unzipping the top of the case and lifting the lid.

As soon as I get a look at the camera, I let out a gasp. I put the phone on speaker so I can set it on the counter to lift the expensive treasure out gently. “Steel, this is the best. It’s just like my last one. The D850 is the best on the market. A lot of photographers, well, mostly amateur ones that I’ve noticed, are going mirrorless, which makes sense because they’re efficient with how light they are, and it isn’t a bad thing. They’re good cameras and take beautiful pictures as long as the person behind the lens knows what they’re doing. I have one at home that I’ll use on occasion.”

I’m rambling things he has no clue about in my excitement, but holy crap.

I set it beside the case and pull the other accessories out, lining them up so I can see what all he got. Three different lenses—AF-S NIKKOR 20mm, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm, and an AF-S NIKKOR 85mm—a wireless remote control, a wireless transmitter, a bunch of different eyepieces, a strap, a pack of memory cards, a film digitizing adapter, and a multi-battery power pack.

“You weren’t kidding when you said she made sure you had everything were you? Steel, this is too much.”

“Hush. That shit make you happy?”

“Yeah,” I whisper, running my finger over one of the lenses.

“It make you feel free bein’ behind it?”

“Yes.”

“Then it wasn’t too much. If it makes you sound like that, that sweet little hum you do when you’re pleased, then I’ll go fuckin’ broke if I need to.”

“Bossman, you know I got my own money, right?”

“Don’t give a fuck. Do what you want with it. Don’t matter to me. Switch me to video.”

I do as he orders and switch our call to video. His handsome face fills my screen, his beautiful eyes boring into mine as they search through them.

“Beautiful,” he rumbles.

“Hey, bossman. Thank you for the camera.” I blow out a breath. “Thank you for seeing that I was missing a piece of me.”

He nods. “Goin’ to be away from the strip club for a few days. Got club shit goin’ on that needs my attention. Text me every night, that way I know you’re okay. If I got free time, I’ll call, but shit’s fuckin’ crazy right now, so I don’t know when that’ll be. You got the gun in the apartment. You keep the knife on you?”

Over the weekend, he made sure to fit me with a knife I can carry on me when I’m working along with some pepper spray. My favorite is the taser, though. That thing looks like it could put someone down really quick, and I want to try it out so badly, but it’s a weapon and weapons aren’t toys.

“Yep. I’ll be fine, Steel. You do what you have to do. Just be safe and come to me when you’re finished because we both know I’m going to be worried to death by then.”

“I’ll be fine, baby girl. When I get back, me, you, and Lyric are doin’ a weekend again. Need time with my girls.”

“Okay.”

“Gotta go, Lee. Behave.”

He leaves me staring at a black screen before I can even say goodbye.

I glance longingly at the gift from Steel, my hand tingling with the need to grab it and start finding subjects to capture on film. Unfortunately, my break is over, and Reva said it’s about to get crazier up there so I better get back.

“Don’t worry,” I tell my camera. “We have a date with a pretty spectacular father-daughter duo who will make great subjects. You’ll get to come out and play then, my pretty.”

Dear lord, I’m so fucking glad I’m alone right now, otherwise, I’d be cringing hard that I’m so lonely, I’m chatting to a damn inanimate object.

My eyes follow the flurry of activity near the hallway, and dread fills my stomach when I recall the way Brooke was found.

I take a step in that direction but freeze when I see two members of the Dirty Mavericks heading that way.

A customer taps the bar to get my attention, and with a frustrated sigh, I get back to work.

Ten minutes later, Reva storms behind the bar and helps me clear out some of the customers and fill orders for the waitresses.

Once we get a lull between orders, she leans against the bar beside me.

“Georgia got a rose and a note tonight,” she says.

“What did this one say?”

“Same thing as last time.”

“Exact wording?” I ask.

“Yeah, same shit.”

Needing something to do to keep from freaking out, I start straightening the bottles behind the bar and wiping the counters down with sanitizer spray. My mind scrambles as I try to figure out where these dang roses are coming from. Steel doesn’t think it has anything to do with my stuff with Killer, but I don’t think we can rule it out until we know with absolute certainty.

“How is she? I wanted to go back, but then those two Dirty Mavericks went back, and I couldn’t. I really hate this. I hate everything going on here. I hate everything going on with my stupid stuff. Why did I have to be the one in the woods that day?”

I wasn’t expecting an answer because it was just a rhetorical question, but Reva decides to give me one anyway.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if it was the woods that day or not. You were meant to eventually find your way back into that man’s orbit. We both know what kind of life he lives. If you’re in it, then you’re living it too. So, this,” she says, waving her hand toward the hallway, “was bound to happen regardless. Stop beating yourself up about it and just be there for your man when he needs you to be.”

“It’s just frustrating. I hate that our girls are being targeted, and I can’t tell whether it’s because of the shit I brought with me or because of the trouble Steel said is going on with the club.”

“Or it could be something completely irrelevant. You don’t think we’ve had our share of stalkers and shit here? Sometimes this job comes with the risk of customers forming unhealthy attachments. There’s just so little to go on right now. All we know is that whoever this is, they know how to avoid the cameras, steer clear of the fucking security, and somehow blend in with everyone else. That takes some damn talent, Firefly.”

“So, how the heck do I help him then? I’ve constantly got my eyes open already because of having to stay clear of his club brothers.”

“I have no idea, babe. How much longer are y’all putting that off for, anyway?” she asks.

There’s no judgment in her tone. Reva knows how much it bothers me that Steel is keeping this from his club. Hell, we both know how much it’s eating at him to do it. I keep telling him he can bring it up to them, but he says he hasn’t found out how much of a threat Killer is to the club yet, and with everything going on with Crow, they can only handle one threat at a time. Until he can figure it out, he said he’s got to fight that on his own. I hate it, which is why I caved and let my brother and Emmy Lou dig in.

“Hopefully not much longer. It’s wearing on Steel. He tries to play tough and act like it’s not killing him to do it, but it is.” I tuck my bottom lip between my teeth. “If it goes on too much longer before we find anything out, do you think it’d be a mistake if I went to Wraith myself? Maybe if I do, it’ll lessen the damage for Steel. I can take the blame and then I’ll be the one punished instead of him. He loves his club, Reva, and I don’t know how it’ll affect him if they turn their backs on him.”

“I think it’d be a mistake to go behind your man’s back to do it. He’s got his reasoning for feeling this is the right play. If you feel for him the way I believe you do, then your job as a proper Old Lady is to have your Old Man’s back no matter what.”

“We’ve not gotten that far in our relationship, but wouldn’t me having his back also mean me making sure nothing hurts him? Why does he get to be the only one doing the protecting? A bit archaic, if you ask me. That’s been his issue from the start with us. He thinks I’m too soft for his world, not realizing the hell I grew up in. I had to battle for my life nearly every day and I couldn’t let anyone know about it. Do you know how hard that was to keep from my brothers? My dad hated me, and I never understood why, but he was sure quick to show me with his fists any chance he got. My brother showed me a long time ago how to protect myself, he just didn’t know why I asked him to do it.” I peer over at her. “Plus, you and I both know in order for me to be his Old Lady, I have to be claimed in front of the club and that can’t happen.”

She waves that off. “Meh, that’s only a formality at this point, babe. You know damn well that man has claimed that fine ass of yours. As soon as he gets the chance, he’s gonna drag your ass in front of them and slap that property ink on your delicate skin.”

Just the thought of it makes me shiver. Not really fond of the idea of a property tattoo on me, but I remember what he once told me about the meaning behind being claimed. It’s not about actually owning someone at least not in the way most people would assume. It’s more about trust, family, and love. Of course, there are members who don’t give a shit about the sacred meaning of it all and will betray their Old Ladies any chance they get, but for the most part, the guys treat their Old Ladies like freaking queens.

Our conversation trails off as we get busy again. Before I know it, another few hours have passed and Reva is hollering for the last call to customers and waitresses while Kenna and Farryn close out the night with the special dance number they always put on together.

I admire the movements of the two of them as I help clean up, feeling a sudden kinship with some of the customers as I do. There’s beauty in the sensual way they move together, removing one article of clothing from each other at a time as they twirl and twist around one another. The music rises to a crescendo as the lights that were shining on the women begin to fade out just as they start gyrating against one another, their mouths drawing closer. There’s about an inch left between them when the stage goes dark and the melodic bars begin to drift out until only silence is left.

I smile and give my attention back to my task, knowing from experience that they’ve split apart and exited the stage as soon as the lights went down.

The raucous drunken cheers and wolf whistles from the crowd are the reason the ladies always do a last dance together. They’ve said it’s their most lucrative dance of the entire night, even with splitting the tips, and it’s not hard to see why. That was hot, and if Steel was here, I have a feeling he’d be fucking me in a dark corner while we watched them.

I’m about to head to the apartment when my phone goes off in my pocket with an incoming text message. Hoping it’s Steel, I pause in the middle of the hallway and pull it out with a smile.

But I’m left staring down at an unfamiliar number while trepidation tickles my spine. My finger hovers over the screen as I consider opening it.

After sawing my teeth against my lip enough that the coppery tang of blood teases my tongue, I click on the message notification.

UNKNOWN

Peek-a-boo. I found you.

If I wasn’t so terrified of a simple message, I’d probably laugh at the high-pitched scream that tears from my throat and the way I throw my phone down the hall like it will make the words disappear.

My hands shake, my body trembles, and I struggle to draw air into my lungs as I stare at the stupid chunk of plastic laying in the hallway.

I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to run. He’s found me. Killer knows where I am, and he’s going to be coming for me. I can’t let anyone get caught in the crosshairs, especially Steel and my little heart song.

Something heavy lands on my shoulder, and another scream rips from me as I tear away from the touch as I spin to face whatever it is.

Reva is staring at me, her eyes regarding me like a wounded animal while worry is written all over her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about coming up behind you. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” No . “What’s up?” Hurry up, so I can grab my stuff and get out of here before they come for you too.

“Lennox got another rose with a note. Same as the others.”

“So, Georgia Rose and Lennox each got one tonight?”

“Looking that way.”

I nod, willing my heart to calm down. Killer hasn’t found me. It’s just more of the same crap from whoever is stalking the girls around here. Steel said Killer doesn’t play games, so whoever this is, isn’t him.

Blowing out a breath, I roll my head along my shoulders as I work the tension from them and shake my arms to loosen up. Reva watches me, speculation bright in her pretty eyes, but I ignore her as I walk down to grab my phone from the floor.

Thankfully, it didn’t hit the wall or anything when I threw it away from me, so it came out relatively unscathed.

I close out the message and put it in my pocket before turning back to Reva with a small smile. “Okay. Fill me in.”

The thought flits across my mind that I should tell Steel about receiving one of the threats as I stand here and listen to Reva. Was it really a threat, though? All it said was one stupid line. Granted, it felt menacing and as much of a threat as if they’d actually said one, but I also can’t just assume things. Not with everything Steel has going on already.

I don’t know. This stuff is exhausting. How the hell does Steel do it? How does he constantly stay on guard?

“Whoever he is, he’s good. No one is picking up anything, and that scares me the most,” Reva says.

“Yeah,” I reply quietly, watching as she heads back toward the front.

Because that could mean they’re a lot closer than any of us want to admit.