Page 178 of Steel

“I always do. How was your day?”

“Felt good gettin’ greasy again.”

“I’m sorry that I’ve brought trouble to your life.”

I snort, gripping her ass tighter. “Baby girl, this life is always bound to find trouble. Stop apologizin’ or I’m goin’ to have to tan this pretty ass of yours.”

“Not really a deterrent, bossman,” she murmurs, lifting to her toes and closing her mouth over mine.

With a groan, I pull her closer until my jean-covered cock rests against her stomach.

“Ugh. Again?” Lyric grumbles playfully.

Bailee pulls away with a laugh, fisting my shirt and burying her face against my chest.

I shrug, smiling at my little girl. “Like kissin’ her.”

Lyric puts her hands on her hips and gives me a stern stare. “‘Kay, well, could you kiss later? I’m hungry.” She crinkles her nose. “And you’re dirty. Go wash up, Dad.”

Bailee leans back to peer up at me, her beautiful eyes shining with happiness. “The boss has spoken.” She grabs my beard and tugs gently. “Go shower, handsome.”

After dinner, I help Bailee clean up while Lyric takes a quick shower before her mom calls.

If she calls.

Heather’s never really been consistent with Lyric, so I’m not expecting her to start now. But I’m surprised when my phone rings right after Lyric gets out of the shower and the rehab center’s number flashes over the screen.

We give her a semblance of privacy as we work to clean up the kitchen. I don’t miss the way Bailee’s eyes continue to drift to the living room in worry. The conversation doesn’t last long, and when it ends, Lyric stares down at the phone with furrowed brows.

I start to go to her, but Bailee places a gentle hand on my arm.

“Just give her a minute,” she whispers. “She’s dealing with her emotions. Trust her to come to you when she’s ready. You’re her safe space, Steel.”

I watch as Lyric shakes her head before searching us out. Love fills her small face, and she beams at us. She sets the phone on the coffee table and rushes over. Her arms wrap around us, and I peer over at Bailee only to find her gazing down at my girl with her heart in her eyes, and fuck, it’s so beautiful.

“I love you guys,” Lyric says, her voice muffled against us.

“Love you too, my little heart song.”

“Love you too, Princess.”

I’m beginning to wonder if it’s not her mom’s love she needs but the unconditional love of a mother in general. Sometimes, we choose our own families, and I think Lyric is on the way to choosing hers.

I’m just not sure how Heather will take that.

Chapter forty-four

Three Weeks Later

My eyes flutter open,and I sigh when the heavy weight of Steel’s arms tighten around me. There’s nothing I enjoy more than the feel of his breathing brushing against the back of my neck as he sleeps peacefully behind me.

Because when he’s sleeping, his demons aren’t chasing him, and he’s not weighed down with all the shit going on around him.

I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with him, and that’s not the truly scary part. What’s more terrifying is that I’ve fallen in love with Lyric too, which means if anything happens to me and Steel, the pain from my loss will be twice as harsh.

With Heather back out of rehab, there’s no telling what’s going to happen. Steel has been trying hard to keep her in Lyric’s life because he knows how much Heather means to her, but ithas me worried about how far he’d go to make that happen. It’s terrifying still being so unsure about my place in their lives despite the talks we’ve already had.

How did she get out so early anyway? From what I understood, she was supposed to be in rehab for a longer period of time per Steel’s stipulations. But if he’s not questioning it, maybe he approved of her early release from the program.

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