Page 62 of Steel

“We won’t let up until we do,” he replies, grabbing the note back and sliding it into the plastic bag Phantom handed him after we found it.

When I can tell we’re going to be at this all night, I take the time to send a message to Bailee.

STEEL

Hey, baby girl. Gonna be longer than I expected. We’ll have to reschedule.

HUMMINGBIRD

Nope. I don’t care how long it takes or what you finish. You come get me. I know something has happened and I need to be with you.

I’m unable to deal with the emotions Bailee stirs in me right now, so I just keep my reply short.

STEEL

Be there when I get there.

HUMMINGBIRD

Okay, bossman. Please stay safe. Not real sure I’d be fine if something happened to you.

Goddamn woman.

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I join my brothers in the search for this Firefly fucker. We search all over the city late into the night and on into the early morning with no luck. He didn’t leave Louisville, not after everything he’s gone through to cause the trouble he has for Crow and the club, which means there’s someone around here who’s got balls big enough to go against two fucking clubs to help him go into hiding.

More small fucking brain than big balls, if you ask me, because everybody knows how stupid it is to go against one club let alone two of them.

It’s fucking ironic considering the goddamn situation I’ve found myself in with my own club. Which is just another reminder I need to get a plan in place for Lyric in case shit goes sour with the club. I’d like to have faith that they’d hear me out, but one of our main rules is to never betray the club. What I’m doing for Bailee, even if I am doing it to protect them also, they’re going to see it as betrayal. I’m just unsure how they’re going to respond when they find out.

I just hope I can talk them into protecting my daughter and Bailee before they settle on their decision.

Once Wraith and Crow dismiss us to get some rest, I check in with Nova to make sure Lyric is okay staying with her until tomorrow. She left not long after we took off on our hunt to take Sage home and get back to the kids. When she replies that Lyric is welcome to stay, I thank her and head for Bailee.

I just want to get her to my place so I can slide between my pretty little Hummingbird’s thighs and let her help me forget for a while.

The Sinful Saloon parking lot is nearly empty, which isn’t unusual at this time of day. Most of our patrons don’t show up until the evening, after they’re off work and when Kenna and the others are headlining.

Heading around the back, I make my way down the small incline that leads to the apartments and knock, giving her a chance to answer before I use my key to get in.

The apartment has that fresh scent you get when someone’s just spent hours cleaning. Underneath that, the deep scent of freshly brewed dark roasted coffee beans blends with the lemon and cinnamon notes of whatever products she cleaned with. Thesmells tease my nostrils and lead me to the kitchen, where the beautiful woman is humming as she washes dishes.

I’m fucking exhausted, but contentment settles inside me as I lean against the doorjamb and watch her.

Fuck, she’s so damn beautiful.

Her ass sways side-to-side in her tiny as fuck booty shorts to whatever tune she hears in her head. Her bright red hair is a spiky mess, and her skin glistens with the sweat she’s released during her cleaning, but she’s still the most exquisite woman I’ve ever seen.

Bailee twirls to toss something in the trash and her arm freezes in midair. A little squeal escapes past her lips, and she places a hand on her chest.

I feel like an ass when her face drains of color and she wobbles on her feet.

“Fuck. Didn’t mean to scare you, baby girl,” I mutter, hurrying over and wrapping her in my arms.

“What the hell, Jericho? How did you get in here?”

“Got a key,” I murmur, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

I release a deep sigh as her weight and heat settle against me. After everything that’s happened, this right here is what I need.

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