Page 7 of Steal

"Come on, Cass, don't be like that; she's family and the brothers count on me to look after our family." I try, but all she does is chuckle, and it's not a funny one either.

"More like she's the girl you screwed for years before you decided you had to have me, pissing off your brothers." I narrow my eyes at her words. "For nearly two years, you've put her above me, and quite honestly, I've kind of had enough of being last."

I sigh. "Cass, I'm not going to get into the same argument with you, especially over the phone. Look, it shouldn't take me long to pick her up. I'll pick you up at your dad's gym on my way through to dropping her off…"

"Yeah, no, don't bother!" she snaps, and I grit my teeth, already getting pissed with her attitude and pissed with the whole situation, feeling like I’m being torn in fucking two.

"So what? Are you going to let Ollie down because you can't get a grip on your jealousy?" I snap back but instantly regret my words because that's exactly what I've just done—I've let her down and we both know she’s not jealous, she’s fed up.

"No, I won't. Perrie and I will be there after he arrives. Just do me a favor, don't fucking talk to me when I'm there!"

She hangs up, and I lean against the truck with a sigh, dropping my hand.

I feel like I’m fucking failing right now.

I don’t go, the club will be pissed; I do go, my girl won’t talk to me for a week, then withhold sex for a month….

Shaking my head, I climb into the truck and throw it into reverse, before spinning out of the parking lot, fucking angry at the whole situation.

"Thank you for picking me up," Faith sniffles as she climbs in, but I don't reply, instead I watch as women wave to her, all dressed up and I know, yet again, she fucking lied about her car.

Taking a deep breath, I put my truck into gear and drive the forty minutes back to Brooklyn, not saying a word to her, before turning down Clarks Street to the house her dad left her and her mom.

Only the counsel brothers can build on club ground and because I’m due to take over from my dad, my house has already been built—something some of the older generation were not happy about, believing I hadn’t proven myself when I have—tenfold—but they kept quiet when my father threatened to boot them out of the club, especially when the property and everything on it is in my father’s name.

"You weren't busy, were you?" she tries again all innocently knowing full well it wouldn’t matter due to the brothers, but I still don't reply before she says, "Oh, you've chosen me over Cass again, huh? You know she needs to understand that I've been in your life a hell of a lot longer, and I'll always come first."

I squeeze the steering wheel and snap, "Just leave it, Faith.”

I don't want to talk about my woman, and I hate that her words hit a mark. Faith huffs but stays quiet for the rest of the ride before I pull up outside the three-bedroom bungalow ten minutes later and put the truck in park, waiting for her to climb out.

"I'm sorry, Steal," she whispers, and I sigh knowing I can’t keep giving her the silent treatment and look at her.

It’s my own fault for fucking her to begin with.

"Head inside, Faith. I'll see you at the club party tomorrow, alright?" I answer, and she nods before looking between my eyes, then shocks the shit outta me as she leans forward, trying to kiss me, and instantly, I move backward before any part of her can touch me.

"What the fuck!" I snap, shoving her away, and hurt shines back at me, the same tactic she's fucking used for years, but I'mnot falling for it. I growl, "You know full well I'm in a fucking relationship, Faith!"

Anger etches off her features, showing her true colors as she sneers at me, "And yet here you are again, choosing me over that patch chaser!" I growl in warning, fed up with the same old shit from her, but she continues digging her grave, "Every time I've called, you've been there, whether you’re with her or not. Hell, you even left her in the rain, forgetting to pick her up. Clearly, you don't love her, she's just a bit of fun, so why do you keep pushing me back?"

My nostrils flare at her truths, and I lean over her, open the door, and snap, "Get the fuck out now!"

She flinches. "Steal?—"

I cut her off, "I said, get the fuck out, but hear my fucking words, Faith. I'm making Cass my old lady as soon as she's finished with her degree; you'll show her some fucking respect. You’re family, Faith, and the brothers expect me to take care of you because of our history and that is theonlyreason I dropped everything to come get you. Now get the fuck out!"

Faith huffs and climbs out of the truck before slamming the door, and I breathe heavily as I grip the steering wheel, regretting picking her up, especially knowing Cass will not forgive me anytime soon for putting her second yet again.

Fuck!

I act upbeat and jovial as we induct Ollie, now known as Acid, into the club as a prospect, already having a road name due to the fact the idiot tried to throw an acid bomb into our bar when he got turned down for a job, only for it to nearly hit my dad. Since then, he's become a good friend, loyal, making him a greatprospect for the club, and instead of being here with him and the brothers to celebrate, all I can think of is Cass. The room is full of brothers laughing and joking around, happy to introduce another prospect, yet my mind is on my girl, who isn't here yet.

I should have just got a prospect to pick Faith up instead, knowing she's most likely trying to get in between me and Cass again.

Swallowing hard, I watch as Canine, a club brother, talks to Acid. He's his blood uncle, but because Acid's dad’s a fucker they'd never met before Acid came to the club.

Turns out Aiden Mathews, Acid’s dad, spent years beating the shit outta his sons and the club can't do fuck all because of the people he has in his pocket.