Page 181 of Steel

On my way back to the house, I let my camera hang around my neck and pull my phone out. I haven’t talked to my brother, Reed, lately. He’s probably concerned by now, but he hates talking on the phone, so it’ll be me who has to reach out.

“Bailee,” Reed answers.

“Hey, Ree Ree!”

“How are you? Staying safe?”

“Yeah. Steel is doing a good job protecting me. He’s also training me more in self-defense and how to get maximum effect with whatever weapon I’m able to use. I know you and Jedreck taught me all that stuff about surviving in the woods, and it kept me safe when I was running from Killer, but I need more, you know?”

“I don’t like this, Bailee. Just come home. We’ll get you some guards.”

“No. I don’t need guards. I’ve been protecting myself far longer than you can imagine, big brother. Plus, I got them into this mess with Killer. There’s no way I’m going to let them face it alone while I hide behind your money. “

“What did you mean?” he asks sharply.

I sigh, climbing the porch steps and dropping into the swing. “Something we’re eventually going to talk about. I just don’t really have the energy to get into it right now.”

Reed growls, and it sends me into a fit of giggles. It reminds me so much of the happier times in our childhood.

“Look, it’s okay. I’m okay, but Steel pointed out it’s something you and Jedreck should know and, honestly, I’m tired of all the secrets.”

Reed sighs, knowing from experience that I won’t tell him until I’m ready, and I can hear the squeaking of his office chair as he leans back in it. “Are you sure you won’t come home and let me put guards on you?”

“I’m sure. Those guards don’t have a personal stake in this like Steel and the Dirty Mavericks do.”

We chat a bit longer about Mom, Jedreck, and Macey, our half-sister, before we finish up our call.

I’d never really had a close relationship with my brothers—my father ensured that—but they’ve been there at times when I needed them.

Mostly.

I used to blame Reed and Jedreck for what I was going through with Dad, but as I got older, I understood how wrong that was. Reed couldn’t have stopped him, and Jed was too young to do anything. All it would have done was put them in the crosshairs, and I loved them too much to do that.

Mom, however, I still carry some anger toward. She always turned a blind eye.

There’s a lot of energy running through me now after that conversation, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to just sit around here twiddling my thumbs while shit I don’t want to think about runs through my head. Plus, I haven’t been to Sinful Saloon since the club went on lockdown.

Hopefully, Reeva isn’t too mad at me.

Pulling up Steel’s contact, I wait for it to ring as I use my foot to set the swing in motion.

“Hummingbird, everything okay?” Steel answers.

“Yes. I’m going to head into Sinful Saloon to see if they could use my help. Lyric is safe with your parents, and I’m slowly going out of my mind. I’ll be safe, I promise.”

“I don’t like it,” he growls.

“I know,” I soothe, “but I’m merely letting you know as a courtesy. I’m not asking for permission.”

He lets out sigh of frustration. “Take your gun.”

“Fine.”

“Text me when you leave the house and when you get there,” he orders.

“Yes, bossman.”

“Brat.”

---