Page 55 of Steel

I gave a soft chuckle. “We talked about it.”

“Why did you break up?”

I was quiet for a moment. “Things just didn’t work out. Sometimes people aren’t meant to be together.”

“You could marry somebody else. You don’t want a husband?”

“You’re asking a lot of questions about my business, lil’ girl. I’m fine. I don’t need a man. I have you, your grandparents, and Auntie Dinah.”

“You don’t want somebody to kiss on you like Grandpa kisses on Grandma?”

“Girl, don’t worry about all that. I’m good.”

She shrugged. I shook my head because kids loved to be all in your damn business.

Ten minutes later, we pulled up to the academy. I grabbed Nayelli’s bag from the back seat, and we got out of the car. She ran ahead of me to the front door and went inside. I had to take a deep breath before I followed her.

Today was the first day I’d stepped foot in this place. I didn’t have anything to say to him. I was simply here to watch. It was crazy that the man I watched beat someone to a bloody pulp was the same man teaching self-defense classes.

When I stepped into the building, Nayelli was excitedly telling him about her new friends as he listened attentively before slapping her a high five. He looked around the room for a moment before his eyes landed on me. His gaze caused me to take a step back as he took a step forward. He stopped andlooked down at Nayelli, before motioning for her to come over to me.

I handed her, her bag. “I’m gonna be right over here, okay?”

“Okay. I’m gonna go change.”

She sprinted off to the bathroom, and this time, Kerrion advanced toward me. I took several deep breaths as he got closer.

“You let her come back?” he asked.

I crossed my arms. “She loves it, so yeah.”

“Good. Any problems with bullies lately?”

My brows furrowed. “No, . . . why?”

“Just making sure.”

“Mm-hmm. Don’t you have a class to teach?”

“Neha.” He gently took my arm and led me away from prying ears. “I don’t wanna fight with you. I’m sorry for the way I came at you about all this. Emotions were high. I was pissed off, and I acted out of character.”

I scoffed. “If I remember correctly, flying off the handle seems to be right on brand for you. I’m watching you, Kerrion. I swear to God, if you ever blow up like that at my daughter?—”

“She’s not just yours, and you need to remember that. She has a whole family here, a big one. I’m telling them about her this weekend, and I want her to be at the next family dinner on Sunday. After that, we can sit down and have a conversation about a schedule for her. She’smydaughter too. You had her for ten years, remember?” He chuckled. “It’s a lot I could say right now, but I won’t. All you need to know is thatourdaughter is safe with me.”

I crossed my arms and glared at him. I hated this so much, but I knew I had to do right by Nayelli now that the secret was out. I just couldn’t get over her being out of my sight with a man I wasn’t sure I could trust.

“Fine,” I said softly.

“Another thing.” He stepped closer to me, and for the first time, his features softened. “I feel like I scared you, and you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’ve never wanted you to be afraid of me, Neha.”

I was quiet as I studied his face. This was the calm demeanor he’d always spoken to me in. It was the tone that had given me comfort, but in this moment, I wasn’t sure.

“You should get back to class,” I said, stepping out of his space.

He sighed and stepped back before turning and walking away.

I hugged myself tightly, attempting to regulate my emotions. Maybe we were getting somewhere.