Page 121 of Steel

“Why would you think that?” My eyebrows pinch.

“Mom let me do fun things when she told me bad stuff.” Austin digs his toe into the sand. “But I don’t want to go.”

“Then good thing you’re not, big man.” Jameson comes up behind us, sweeping Austin up into his arms, and Austin starts laughing when Jameson tickles him.

Jameson holds my brother, turning to face me, and the smiles on their faces are so big, my heart snaps in two. One piece for each of them.

“You mean it?” Austin asks, looking from me to Jameson. “We’re not leaving ever?”

“Ever.” Jameson ruffles the hair on top of Austin’s head. “You and your sister aren’t going anywhere. You’re mine now.”

Austin’s eyes well with tears as he pulls Jameson in for a hug. “You can be mine too, then.”

“I can?” He pats Austin on the back.

Austin nods, hugging Jameson tight.

Family.

I always thought it had to look a certain way, and because mine didn’t, it meant I’d never have one. But watching Jameson hold my brother, knowing he’ll protect and love us with his whole heart—with his whole club—I find the family I never expected.

Jameson winds his free arm around my shoulders and pulls me in to kiss the top of my head. The soft waves of the lake lap at the shore after being kicked up by a boat passing at a distance. And I lose myself in that steady sound.

I pause.

I stop fighting.

And I stop running.

For them, I just want to be here.

“Ice cream!” Austin shoots upright in Jameson’s arms, looking over at where Legacy is pulling ice cream out of a cooler.

“You want some?” Jameson sets Austin down, and he immediately starts bouncing.

“Bathroom first.” I hitch an eyebrow at my brother, who can barely stand still.

“I don’t have to go.”

“Let’s just try, and then you can have all the ice cream you want.”

“Fine.” He skulks.

“I’m gonna help Havoc set up the sunshade.” Jameson glances over at where Havoc’s struggling to balance both sides.

“Okay, we’ll be right back.” I motion to the overlook, where a bathroom is hidden behind the cars and motorcycles in the parking lot up above.

I lift onto my toes and give Jameson a quick kiss before glancing down at Austin’s feet. “Grab your shoes. No bare feet in the bathroom.”

He’s so excited at the promise of ice cream that he can barely get them on his feet before he’s grabbing my hand to pull me up the hill.

“Sonny. Reyes,” Jameson yells for them, pointing at me and Austin.

“It’s just a bathroom break.” I smile.

“Sorry, wildfire. The two of you are never going anywhere alone again.”

I shake my head, laughing, even if I do understand it. Being my father’s daughter was dangerous, and we didn’t speak. But Jameson being the club’s president puts me at even more risk, whether I’m around him or not.

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