Page 34 of Steal

It takes a few seconds before I hear her heels clicking on the linoleum flooring and the receptionist whisper, “God, I’m so getting that man underneath me tonight…” for me to snap out of it.

I hate the jealousy that runs through me, the anger at the thought of her touching him, when I know he’s most likely sleeping with Faith.

I push off the counter and walk away, but instead of staying with the receptionist who calls for him, he follows me into the staff room.

“You are not supposed to be in here, Steal,” I say as I grab my bag and retrieve my banana.

He hums. “I know, but you see, this woman flung me over her shoulder earlier, and I need an examination. My back’s killing me….”

I snort as I peel my banana.

“If you want an exam, you need to head to reception,” Tanner says from behind him as he enters the staff room.

I smile when he walks my way, and yes, I take great pleasure in the way Steal’s jaw ticks.

I take a bite of my banana as Tanner kisses my head and asks, “Was that your mother I saw again?”

I nod as chew, then swallow my food, and admit, “It was ,but this time I couldn’t walk away fast enough; she grabbed hold ofme while the receptionist was trying to pick which patient was single.”

Tanner chuckles and grabs his water bottle while I look at Steal, who’s crossed his arms over his chest, his anger shining.

“Steal,” I sigh, not ready for an argument.

He shakes his head and snaps, “Four fucking years I’ve had to live without you, and I can understand you moving on with your life, putting yourself first, but if you think I’m giving up, then you have another think coming. You are fucking mine just like I’m yours?—”

I cut him off, “But you weren’t mine. You were Faith’s and the club’s, while I was left with your scraps. Dammit, you forgot my graduation, you forgot Dad’s death anniversaries,ouranniversaries, and you held a gun to my head without letting me explain what had happened or even tried to comfort me. I had just killed someone, Colt, stabbed them in the chest, and I was in shock, and what do you do? You dragged me out by my hair!” He sighs as Tanner grabs my hand, but I’m not finished, “I needed you more than ever, and you took her side, claiming her in front of the club…and me.”

I chuck my banana, no longer hungry, before I turn back to the man to whom I gave my everything, including my heart. “Every single night for two years, I had nightmares.” Colt drops his arms. “Every single night I saw his cold dead eyes and sometimes, if I’m really tired, I feel like he’s haunting me, even four years later.” I shake my head. “Not once did you ever put me first, even when I had put you first, including before my education. I needed you, and just because you’re suddenly hanging around doesn’t mean you can snap your fingers, and everything will be okay again.”

I look at Tanner, who gives me an encouraging nod, and I turn back to the man I never could get over and admit, “I was leaving you, Colt. I was finally putting myself first for once, ensuring I was actually happy, and when I needed you the most after my decision, you proved it was the right one, and we both know nothing has changed in the past four years. Faith is still around, and you are still at her beck and call, and the brothers still want my head.” Swallowing hard, trying to control the urge to sob, I walk over to him and gently press a kiss to his cheek, inhaling his forest scent. I whisper, “Move on with your life and get a woman your club will love, a woman who can understand club life.”

I open the staff room door and walk out as the first tear falls. An arm wraps around my shoulders, and I lean into Tanner, who whispers, “You did good, sweetie….” And the first sob leaves me, causing him to hurry me into the supply closet, where I fall apart.

It’s hard knowing how much my love for him has strengthened over the years, and I know that has to do with our daughter; she’s made it even more difficult to let go of that love, but I need to; otherwise, I’ll crumble.

I can’t crumble; my daughter needs me.

13

Steal

“So the accounts are looking good right now, an increase of ten percent despite the problems with the Killers,” Piston says as he looks over the paperwork in front of him.

And by problems, he means them trying to intercept our vans, thinking we’d be stupid enough not to have decoys, and them trying to attack the women working at our strip club.

Anchor nods beside me and says, “Good. And where are we at about building our own garage?”

I grin. It’s the same question he asks at every meeting, and the fact that the brothers are trying to hold their laughter makes my grin widen.

Piston moves his paperwork around as his shoulders shake with silent laughter and I sit back in my chair at the head of the oval table, my eyes going to the carved emblem of a tree with the sword going through it.

I fucking love my position; I love that these brothers have trust in me despite the older generation questioning my loyalty to the club when I got with Cass instead of Faith, but if I have to leave it all behind, then I will, and I know my dad would stand beside me.

Cassidy needs to come first, she needs to know I’ll do anything for her.

“We can start building next month, with the way the figures are going, the brothers won’t lose their portion of the income, and neither will the club’s account. Also, it’ll provide more jobs for the brothers,” Piston reports, and I nod and look around the table.

“Shall we put it in for a vote?” I ask the table, and the brothers nod.

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