Page 71 of Steal

“Don’t look at me like I asked this of him, because I didn’t,” I state, my nerves shot from the day’s events.

Canine clears his throat and says, “We know this, sweetheart, but I guess we’re wondering what you will do about it.”

I frown, confused, and ask, “What do you mean?”

Art says, “What he means is, if Steal hands in his patch, would that be why you give him another chance.”

I answer immediately, “No,” and the brothers sigh in relief. I state, “Our problems, yes, stem from his loyalty to the club, but his actions and choices tore us apart. He hurt me repeatedly, and I get he held that gun to protect me, but it doesn’t take away the years of abandonment.”

Art nods in understanding, then asks, “And what do you think of him abandoning his club for you?”

I think for a moment as the brothers look at me expectantly, and I reply, “I think he’s hoping for too much if he leaves the club. Instead of facing the problems and realizing we may neverbe together again, he’s hoping I’ll change my mind, but it goes deeper than the club, than Faith.”

The brothers all tense hearing the insinuation, and Perrie grips my hand, and I look at her. Her eyes tear up, and she whispers, “I know he hurt you, believe me, I know. I had to live four years without my big sister; I had to live knowing you had a baby alone, but I know how much you love that man and how much you have missed him.” I sniffle, and she gently strokes my daughter’s head, then begs, “Don’t let him do this, Cassy. Don’t let him leave the club, his family…don’t give up on him.”

She wipes away my tears as the brothers listen to her words, “Forgive him, but most importantly, forgive yourself, because we both know you are struggling with guilt for staying gone for too long….” She leans forward and kisses my cheek, then says, “I get you want to put yourself first, but you’re not if you are not letting your heart have the man it desires….”

The lump in my throat gets bigger, and I open my mouth, but it slams shut when I hear, “You men have got to stop keeping me from my daughters!”

We all look to the door and, nope, I wasn’t hearing things; standing in a fricking suit skirt and blouse is my mother.

Her hair is immaculate, and her makeup isen pointe, but even from here, I can see her nails are chipped.

Since the Andrea “ran off,” Mom lost her money man, Andrea’s father, and Mom’s illicit fuck buddy.

“I’ll deal with this,” Perrie says as she grips my arm. Then she stands and walks over to our mother, who narrows her eyes at her.

“I came to see my grandchild, Perrie. Our fight can wait for another time,” Mom says, and most men in the room cross their arms over their chests, glaring at her, knowing Perrie has not had any contact with the witch in months.

“And what makes you think I’ll allow you anywhere near Moira?” Perrie snaps back, and instead of hearing her words, Mom gasps, “She named her Moira?Moira—really?”

I roll my eyes as Perrie reminds her, “That is Steal’s mom’s name. Now, you need to?—”

Mom cuts her off and shouts, “She named her after a biker’s mother?”

“Watch it, lady!” Bulldozer growls from near me and I grab his arm, making him look at me. I shake my head as Mom shouts, “I will not watch it! How dare she! My first grandbaby should be named after me!”

I snort and ask, “After what? A whore who can’t keep her legs closed?”

Bulldozer chuckles.

Mom ignores me and continues her rant, “That biker is the father, isn’t he?Isn’t he?She never should have been with him!”

“Okay, this day has sucked, and now I am done,” I state as I struggle to stand with Moira in my arms so Bulldozer helps me. Gently, I readjust my daughter in his arms, and he takes her instantly while Canine grumbles, “I was next to hold her,” from beside him, making me snort.

Shaking my head at the two men as they argue about who should hold her, I walk over to my mother. Her eyes blaze with anger as she snaps, “How dare you name my grandbaby?—”

Her words cut off as I pull my arm back and punch her in the face, making her fall to the dirty floor.

Damn, that was exhilarating….

The men stop their arguing, and everyone looks at me in shock as I shake my hand out. I look at my sister and state, “Perrie, that is twice I’ve used your moves, and twice I’ve hurt myself!”

She blinks and numbly replies, “You just hit Mom…I’ve wanted to do that for years….”

I roll my eyes and look at our mother as she scrambles to stand, holding her eye. “I-I’m suing you,” she says, “that money your father left—my money—I’ll get every cent back!”

I grin coldly and admit, “Go ahead, but as far as I’m aware, you fell over your own stupid stiletto heel and banged your face.” I look around the room. “Right?”

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