Page 170 of Steel

“Seen everything go down, but the motherfuckers were wearing balaclavas. Wasn’t wearin’ anything to give away any affiliation. Killer’s fuckin’ smart. Wouldn’t have made it as far as he has in this life if he wasn’t. He’d make sure there’s nothin’ to come back on him until he’s ready,” I answer.

“Fucker is changing how he does things. This isn’t how he typically takes care of problems,” Ronin adds.

“He’s pissed ‘cause he ain’t been able to get to Bailee,” I tell him. “Mark my words, brother, there’s a goddamn war comin’.”

Killer is gearing up. He’s gonna strike when we’re not expecting it. Between all the fires we have to keep putting out to keep Bailee safe and take care of Crow’s shit, it won’t be hard for him to find an opening. We need to prepare for a war because there’s one on the horizon.

I’m about to head home to my girls when my phone pings with a message in the club group chat.

WRAITH

Club’s going on lockdown. Get your families and get to the clubhouse.

Fucking hell.

Knew when I saw Crow run from the security room that shit was going down.

Let’s fucking hope I can get Lee on board with being locked down here.

I drum my fingers against the tank of my bike as I wait for her to answer.

“Hey, handsome,” she greets.

“Need you to get a bag ready for you and Lyra. Club’s goin’ on lockdown.”

“Okay,” she says quietly. “Do you need me to grab anything for you?”

“Not goin’ to fight me on this?”

“I know enough about club life to know that there wouldn’t be a lockdown without a reason. You’ll get no fight from me, bossman. We’ll be ready when you get here.”

“Be there soon,” I reply, hoping she can hear the appreciation in my voice.

Bikes and cages come and go from the clubhouse as everyone rushes to bring their families in.

I roll out, stopping at the gate to warn Prospect Axel to check any strange vehicles or people who pull up.

It doesn’t take me long to make it to the house. The prospects are helping Bailee put their bags in the back of the Bronco while keeping an eye on their surroundings.

“Where’s Lyric?”

“Right here, Daddy,” she says, her arms full with her blanket and pillow.

I brush my hand over her head before turning back to Bailee and pulling her into my arms. “Know the last place you want to be is stuck in the clubhouse. Thanks for not givin’ me shit.”

Bailee lifts her hand to my cheek. “Not over this.” Rising to her toes, she brushes her lips against mine. “Let’s get to the club, bossman. We can chat behind the walls of safety.”

After securing Lyric in her booster seat, I grab Bailee by the back of her neck and pull her face to mine, sealing our mouths together. I shove my tongue past her lips to steal a few sips of my favorite taste before pulling away.

“Get your ass safe,” I tell her, grabbing the seat belt and guiding it across her. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Bailee scoots the seat up to fit her short-ass legs and turns the engine over. It rumbles to life, and she smiles at me as her fingers wrap around the steering wheel.

I chuckle. “Thing’s a beast compared to you.” I shut the door and slap the roof. “Let’s roll, baby girl.” Then I turn to the prospects. “I’ll ride tail. I want you two up front. First sign of trouble, you protect them at all costs. Clear?”

“You got it, RC,” they reply in unison before mounting their bikes.

I keep my eyes peeled for trouble as we travel back to the clubhouse, but thankfully, we don’t run into any.

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