Page 52 of Steel

“And I still don’t.” I take a sip of my beer.

Reina fucks all the guys at the club, even if she tries to pretend that she doesn’t when she’s working an angle with me. It didn’t bother me when I was still letting her climb into my bed, and it sure as fuck doesn’t bother me now. But she’s too blind to what this really is to see that.

I’m not looking for an old lady. Especially one who doesn’t fucking understand me.

Reina narrows her eyes, her glare landing on Tempe. “Don’t tell me you’re being like this because of this homely whore. She’s just using you, Steel. Everyone can see it.”

“And you aren’t?” I snap, and Reina tenses when she realizes she’s struck a nerve. “Get out of here before you’re looking for a new place to live.”

It’s cold.

Harsh.

I should feel bad because I’m not usually mean to her, even when she’s pulling this jealousy act. But she crossed a line, and she fucking knows it.

My brothers might give me shit about Tempe, but they know better than to tell me what to do or question my choices. Reina doesn’t.

At least she scurries off, glaring at Tempe as she goes. But it’s clear I haven’t heard the end of this from her. She’s going to be a problem I don’t want to deal with, and I should have seen it coming. The moment Reina started spreading rumors that she was going to wear my name on her back someday, I should have cut her off.

Tempe spins to face the bar, draining more of her beer.

She’s clearly annoyed, and it’s a reaction I’m used to when I’ve seen Reina pull this shit before.

“Sorry about that.”

I don’t apologize to anyone, but for some reason, I just did.

“It’s fine.” Tempe shrugs, turning to walk away, proving it’s not fine at all.

I follow her when I should probably just let this go, snagging her arm right as she dips inside the empty clubhouse. “Wait.”

“For the record”—she spins the moment I grab her—“I’m not using you. You’re the one who won’t let me leave.”

Her voice cracks at the end, and she avoids looking directly at me.

“I’m aware.”

“Good.” She rolls her shoulders back. “Because I don’t need anyone thinking I’m a charity case. I got myself this far without anyone’s help. I sure as hell don’t need yours.”

“Tempe.” I lean in, reaching for her hand, surprised when she doesn’t pull away, even if she still refuses to look at me. “No one’s questioning that.”

“She just did.”

“Reina’s just being jealous.”

Tempe pulls her hand from my grip. “Because she thinks she’s your girl, Jameson.”

“She’s not.”

“You’re wrong. She is.They all are.” She chuckles, shaking her head. “I don’t hold it against you though. This isyour world. You belong to your people either because you’re their president or because yousaved themfrom something, and it makes them want to protect you.”

“I don’t belong to anything but my club, Tempe.”

She shakes her head, and even if she’s smiling, there’s only sadness in her gaze when it meets mine. “You say that like you aren’t confirming everything I just said. You don’t just belong to your club, Jameson, youare it. It’s why girls like Reina will never be able to see the difference whether they have your name on their back or not. You, Jameson Steel,arethe Twisted Kings. You’re what they belong to. And I’m an outsider—a threat.”

Tempe steps toward me and places her hand on my arm. The lightest grip has my insides rattling.

“I don’t need you to apologize for her or try to explain it away as something it’s not. I’m not blind, and I’m not stupid. Whatever lines you think you draw are blurry at best. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s your club, and I respect what you do for them, just like I respect what you’re doing for me and Austin. But I need it to be clear that I don’t need you to save us. I was doing fine on my own before you, and I’ll continue to do so for me and my brother. I’m not one of your people. I can’t be.”

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