Page 45 of Steel

Moving to my closet, I find a pile of shredded clothes on the floor. Luckily, they didn’t destroy everything, so I pack what can be salvaged.

The bathroom is next, and toothpaste is still smeared on the sink from when I accidentally squeezed it out of the tube. I brush off the nerves that prickle my skin with the reminder of that night, grabbing my makeup and our toothbrushes quickly.

Swinging the bags over my shoulders, I make my way down the hallway to find Havoc pacing in the center of the living room, talking on his phone.

When he spots me, he pauses. “Let me get those.”

Havoc walks over and grabs the bags, carrying them like they weigh nothing.

“Yeah, she’s right here.” Havoc listens to the person on the phone before handing it out to me. “Prez wants to talk to you.”

I take the phone from Havoc, and he walks out the front door.

Through the window, I see Austin sitting with Sonny on the front step while Ghost is installing a camera at the front of the house.

I bring the phone to my ear and sink against the wall. “Hey.”

“You got everything you need?” Jameson’s voice is nearly drowned out by what sounds like a party in the background.

His life is wild.

Untamed.

Everything I don’t want.

“I got enough.”

“Good.” A door closes on his end, and he must have stepped away because now it’s quiet. “Don’t leave anything you might want later.”

“I didn’t.” And I know why he’s saying that as Ghost moves inside to install another camera.

There’s a good chance I’ll never come back here.

Jameson hums, quiet for a moment on the other end of the line. And even though he doesn’t say anything; the silence is comforting. I still don’t know if I can trust him, but in this moment, he’s the person who is here for me.

“Curveballs, Tempe, remember? You’ve got this,” he says after a long pause. “The men who did that to your house are going to pay.”

I don’t ask how because I already know. And even if it’s wrong, I’m thankful.

I want them to.

I cast my gaze over the room—at the mess left behind just to prove a point. A life they destroyed without caring. Either because of who my father is or because they want revenge on his club.

It’s a mess I’m left to clean up.

“Curveballs,” I repeat, taking a deep breath.

If only they’d stop coming.

13

Tempe

When we get backto the Twisted Kings compound, Havoc doesn’t take us to the neighborhood like I expect him to. Instead, he pulls the truck to a stop outside the clubhouse.

The lot is empty compared to when I first arrived here in the middle of a party. The few bikes and trucks are parked under a canopy at the side of the building.

“I thought we were going back to the house.”

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