Page 123 of Steel

Wasteful space of air.

You shouldn’t have been born.

All you’re good for is the thing between your legs.

Each word was usually accompanied by his fist, foot, or whatever object he thought would inflict the most agony.

A rough tug on my hair pulls me from my thoughts, and I fall back into Farryn’s knowing gaze.

“Those demons I was talking about?” she asks.

Nodding, I blow out a breath. “Yeah. They like to creep up when I’m least expecting them. I’m gonna go grab my bag. Meet back here?”

“Yep. We don’t go out alone. Not anymore.”

It takes me less time than her, but soon we’re both standing back in the same spot. She’s got on a pair of black sweatpants, a gray hoodie, and a set of black flip-flops. Her hair is shoved to the top of her head in a messy knot, and her face is clear of all makeup. This is the normal version of my friend, and while the exotic dancer version of her is hot as hell, this version is straight-up breathtaking.

“Let’s kick this joint, pretty girl,” Farryn says, hefting her duffel onto her shoulder.

With a light laugh, I do the same and follow her out to her low-slung sports car.

Thankfully, we beat whoever is bringing Lyric. It gives me time to prepare for being on my own with my girl.

I’d be lying to myself if I said I’m not terrified of being with her on my own.

What if something happens to her while she’s under my care? Will I ever be allowed around her again? Will she hate me? Will he?

I open the car door, but Farryn’s hand on my arm stops me before I climb out.

She peers at me through the dome light, her eyes concerned. “You’re going to be fine with her, Bails. He trusted you with her because he knows you’d never let anything harm her. Not if you can help it. Now, you just have to believe it. Get out of your head, woman.”

Farryn is right. Steel wouldn’t leave anyone with his little girl if he didn’t trust them. Hell, look at how hard of a time he’s having handing her over to her own mother. Him not hesitating to ask me is freaking huge, and I need to take it for the compliment it is.

“Thank you,” I tell her, exhaling heavily and letting the tension roll off my shoulders.

“I got you, girl. I know those nasty demons that like to lurk. The doubts they bring can be a right bitch.” She winks at me, letting go of my arm. “Now, go in there and prepare to kick ass at this stepmom thing.”

“Whoa,” I say, laughing awkwardly. “We’re not going that far. Steel would have a fit.”

Farryn gets this knowing smirk on her face that freaks me the hell out. “Better get on out of here, girl.”

Great. The panic is back, but I do my best to shove it down as I climb out.

“Thanks for the ride and the pep talk, Ryn. Be careful going home.”

I keep an eye on her vehicle until it’s safely out of here and then go in search of his house key. Steel told me where he keeps the spare, and I’d never have found it if he didn’t explain its exact location.

I find the rock, hefting it in my hand and turning it over.

Steel doesn’t use a plastic rock to blend. Oh, no. This man has carved a niche into the bottom of a heavy ass real rock to stick the key hider in.

Frankly, I find it genius.

While most would be looking for the fake rock, not many would think to search for a real one. I’d never have thought of it if he didn’t tell me.

After grabbing the key and placing the rock back exactly as I found it, I unlock the door, wincing as the alarm blares.

I quickly put in the code he sent me, letting out a sigh at the silence.

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