Page 11 of Steel

I understand why he’d think that, but he’s wrong.

“I’m not here because of him.”

“You said you were looking for his room.”

“To get something of his, that’s it.”

Steel clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth, looking me over. “And what would that be?”

“I don’t know.”

He chuckles again, but there’s no hint of amusement on his face. “Youdon’t know?”

“They didn’t tell me.”

“And who arethey?”

“I—” I drag my fingers through my hair, pulling it off my face and knowing my answer isn’t going to make things any better. “I don’t know that either.”

“Havoc.” Steel glances at the man from the bar. “Get her phone.”

Havoc steps toward me, and I shift back against the wall. I’m cornered, so I pull my phone from my pocket before he has the chance to search me. The last thing I want is his hands all over me when there’s nothing on my phone that I’m trying to hide.

“Here, take it.” I hand it over. “There’s nothing on there. I already told you I don’t know who sent me here.”

“You don’t seem to know much for a girl who stepped into a shitload of trouble,” Steel says while Havoc holds my phone up to my face to unlock it. “Why are you really here, Tempe?”

“I told you I don’t—”

“Stop.” Steel’s voice makes me jump. He shifts forward, planting his hand on the wall. “Lie to me again, and you’re not going to like the outcome. Now answer my fucking question.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to ignore Steel towering over me. Trying not to breathe him in.

I’m out of air.

Out of time.

Blinking my eyes open, I lock onto his gaze and find no empathy.

I don’t blame him. My father was a horrible person, and if he was half as bad to his club as he was to his family, I understand why Steel can barely look me in the eyes.

“There’s this guy who came into my work a few months ago.” I steady my breath and try to level my tone. “At first, I didn’t think much of it. Dirty Drakes isn’t the nicest place. We get a lot of drifters, people passing through, college students. He was friendly at first… and then, a little too much.”

Bile rises in my throat thinking about how handsy he was, and Steel’s throat bobs with his swallow at my comment.

“He started coming in more frequently this past week. And that’s when he asked about my dad. I told him I hadn’t seen him for a couple of years before he died, but the guy didn’t seem convinced. Then tonight, he showed up at my house with a few other men. They sent me here.”

“How did they know where you live?” Steel’s jaw clenches.

“I don’t know. When they knocked on the door, I figured it was my mom’s boyfriend, but it wasn’t.”

“Why you?”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “And I know you don’t like that answer, but it’s the truth. All he said was I’d fit right into the party, so it would beno big deal.”

Steel glances at Ghost. “If he knew about the party tonight, he’s keeping close tabs.”

Ghost nods, and Steel looks back at me.

---