Page 39 of Steel

Maybe one day he won’t just hide in the corner and watch her. Maybe he’ll actually step into the light and do something about that obsession he’s got going on. If there’s someone who deserves a bit of happiness, it’s Bryson.

I’m running a towel over my head when my phone rings and Reed’s name flashes across the screen.

Tossing the damp towel into the hamper, I answer the call. “Reed.”

“Steel. I’ve been told you have something of mine.”

“Oh, really? Where’d you hear that?”

“From my fucking sister.”

I press my lips firmly together as the veins at my temple pulse. She said the reason she came to me was because she didn’t want to put her brother in danger, but here she is, calling him the first chance she gets to fill him in, knowing what he’s going to do. I’m hiding her on club property without my club knowing, risking everything by doing it, so she didn’t have to involve her brother.

So, why the fuck am I doing that? Why am I risking everything for her when she went to her brother anyway?

“Unless you want something to happen to her, I suggest you keep your fuckin’ mouth shut and watch who the fuck you bring into this. The Night Skulls have a bigger reach than we think they do. They got her car and all the information that was in it. Won’t take much for them to figure out who you are. If Killer finds out where she is, he’ll send the full force of his club after her and won’t stop until he has her six feet in the ground. She witnessed him kill someone. He won’t let her live. Means I have to figure this shit out quickly on top of the other shit we already have goin’ on with the fuckin’ club. I don’t have time to worry about protectin’ anyone else.”

“Bailee already filled me in on what she could. She gave me permission to bring in Emmy Lou and Willow.”

“They need to keep this shit quiet too. I won’t have anything happenin’ to her because you all couldn’t keep your fuckin’ mouths shut.”

“You actually think I’m going to risk something happening to my sister? Fuck that. I’ll set the fucking world ablaze ifsomething happens to any of my family. Emmy Lou and Willow also know you’re at risk with the club if they say anything to anyone. They’re not gonna do that because they care about you. Willow agreed reluctantly because she knows it’ll kill Thrasher to have to do anything to you. When you have a game plan down, give me a call. Whatever you need, it’s yours. My wealth is at your disposal for this job,” Reed replies.

We share a bit more conversation about Bailee before ending the call.

Opening the cabinet above the sink, I grab the beard oil and work it through the coarse hair.

Guilt eats me alive because I’m keeping this shit from the club, but how the hell can I take it to them if I don’t know for sure how bad the problem is. I haven’t seen the photos Bailee claims to have, and I’ve been unable to get into the woods to see if I can find Swirly’s body or at least any sign that would lend credence to her claim. I need to see if she’ll give the film canister to me so I can hand it over to the club.

Knowing Bailee, it’s going to come down to trust. Does she trust me enough to protect her so she’ll hand over the one thing that gives her leverage with her life?

Chapter ten

I haven’t heard fromSteel since the text he sent me this morning. It’s not like it’s unusual, but with everything going on, I thought for sure I’d hear from him more. I guess it’s just me once again being stupid and waiting for something from him that I shouldn’t be.

Will I ever learn?

It doesn’t seem like I will.

Reva had me upstairs working again, but I didn’t take my pain medicine this morning, so when I started hurting, she sent me to the apartment and told me to get some rest. I’ve been here since, but I’m about to go out of my mind. I’m not used to being cooped up and not seeing the outside. It’s getting to me quicker than I thought it would. I’m also missing my camera. It’s like an extension of me, and not having it feels weird. I’m itching to grab some shots of the girls dancing. Just for them, obviously, but the pictures would be so fucking hot and give them even more confidence than they already have.

I’m startled when my phone rings, and I glance around, trying to remember where I set it down earlier. When I spot it on thekitchen counter, I groan and almost cry because I don’t know if I have the energy to make it in there.

I let out a cry of frustration when it stops ringing before I get to it, but then it lights up and my ringtone starts playing again. Steel’s name dances on the screen, and it kind of makes me a little happy inside, even though I don’t want it to.

“Hey,” I answer breathlessly.

“Hey.”

My eyebrows furrow at the restrained anger in his voice. “Is everything okay?”

“Your brother called me.”

I swallow. “Yeah?”

“You said the reason you came to me was that you wanted to protect him. Riskin’ my place with my fuckin’ club because of that, and you told him anyway. Why the hell am I doin’ that if you were just goin’ to let him fuckin’ know anyway? Help me understand this, Bailee, because right now, I’m not feelin’ it. Right now, I’m feelin’ like I’m betrayin’ my brothers for nothing. Your brother’s money would have a better chance at protectin’ you than I would.”

“Because I knew he would lose his mind if he didn’t hear from me before long. Ever since all that stuff with our father, Reed’s been extremely overprotective. He’d be tearing this whole state apart searching for me if I hadn’t. I felt like that would put him in more danger, so I had to make a choice, Steel. I did what I could to protect you both. I knew my brother wouldn’t say anything to anyone if I told him what was going on. He knows you’re protecting me, and he knows what’s at stake for both of us if he says something to anyone about what happened.” I sigh. “Look, we both want this over with as quickly as possible so we can move on with our lives. If we have Reed, Emmy Lou, and Willow on it, we have a better chance of that happening. You wanted to call Em and Willow anyway, Steel. How is this any different?”

---