Page 76 of Steel

“If that’s the case, then it’s also going to make ’em that much harder to take down,” Havoc adds.

He’s right. War costs money, and if Rick Zane is funding our enemies with bottomless resources, it’s going to be a fucking nightmare.

“The timing on this brings up another issue.” Ghost looks around the room. “Their last target was the tattoo shop. They shut us down for a code violation.”

“I’m aware.”

“That was after Helix was already dead.” Ghost looks at me. “Someone else had to have leaked that information.”

“If there’s someone else on the inside, why’d they send Tempe to retrieve it?” Havoc speaks up. “Anyone in here could have gotten the flash drive without raising any red flags. All they had to do was strip the info off Ghost’s computer and get it out. It doesn’t make sense. Why hide it and have her come here instead of just taking it to the Iron Sinners the second they had it?”

That’s a good point, and I don’t have any good answers. “Don’t know.”

“You’re sure she’s not in on it?”

“I’m fucking sure.” It comes out louder than I mean for it to, but I don’t take it back because he needs to get it through his head. “And I don’t appreciate that this is still in question.”

Havoc nods, sitting back. But his expression tells me he’s on the fence.

“I don’t know why they sent Tempe here, but she’s not a part of this. Anyone who doubts that can get the fuck out of this room.” I pause long enough for anyone to leave, but they don’t. “If you want to protect the club, figure out who is leaking insider information to the Sinners. And I don’t care who is bankrolling them; find me a way to take down Titan and his men.”

“What about Zane?” Soul asks.

I push my hair back. “One problem at a time. Right now, he’s using them to do his dirty work, and he’s being smart about it. First, we take down the Iron Sinners, then we’ll deal with Zane. Agreed?”

Everyone nods.

“Get to it.”

Slowly, everyone leaves the room.

I can tell a few of them doubt me even if they don’t say it. But I can only control so much right now, and in time, they’ll understand, like I do, that Tempe had nothing to do with this. So long as they do their jobs, convincing them is a problem for another day.

As everyone disperses, I make my way to the bar in the front of the clubhouse. I need a shot to dull my headache.

Every time I think I’ve put the club back together, something else tears it apart. Dad made this look easy, but maybe he was just more fit to be a leader.

“Hey, Steel.”

I glance over and see Wren, one of the newer patch bunnies, sliding onto the barstool beside me. Her red hair is in a tight ponytail that shows off her bright-blue eyes.She leans forward to show off her big fake tits, and that used to be enough to do it for me.

A new face.

A nice rack.

A good time.

But right now, all that means absolutely nothing.

“Want some company?” Wren asks, smiling.

I’m still staring at her, processing her question, when the door to the clubhouse opens, and Tempe steps inside.

She’s messing with her hair when she walks in, tying it in a knot on the top of her head as she scopes out the room. And when our eyes connect, her stare drifts to Wren sitting beside me, and I immediately sense a shift in her posture.

I should fuck Wren. Or, at the very least, make Tempe think I am. It would push her away so fast, she’d never fall for my bullshit again. But the thought of touching another woman when I know what it’s like to be lost between Tempe’s legs has me questioning my existence. And now that I’ve felt that, I can’t let it go.

“Sorry, sweetheart. Busy.” I stand up, making my way over to Tempe, who refuses to look at me when I stop in front of her.

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