Page 80 of Steel

“You’re sick.”

“And you’re feisty like your momma.” He smirks. “Always liked that about her until I didn’t.”

My stomach spins. “How well did you know my mom?”

“Enough to know you got all her good parts.” Dimitri wets his lips, watching me, and I step back.

I glance back over at Sonny and Reyes, and this time, I find Sonny looking at me. I start to lift my hand to signal for him, but a commotion from the other side of the bar catches his attention before I get the chance.

A guy yells, throwing his beer bottle against the wall.

I turn to see the scene play out, and Sonny and Reyes take notice, standing up and walking over as the guys begin to make a scene.

It all happens in a split second. One broken bottle and the room erupts. People are on their feet and cheering. The room swims with bodies moving around, and I get knocked by one of the bartenders rushing past me.

“Hey.” I’ve barely gripped the bar to steady myself when Dimitri hops over it and grabs me.

“Well, isn’t this convenient? Your bodyguards are too easily distracted.” Dimitri’s voice in my ear makes my stomach curdle.

I scan the crowd, but now multiple fights have broken out, and I can’t find Sonny or Reyes in the mass of people.

“Get off me.” I elbow Dimitri in the side, and he laughs, even as he grunts from the force of it.

“Is that how you like it, spitfire? Rough?” He grabs the back of my hair and tries to pull me toward a door that leads to the alley. “I don’t mind if you want to put up a fight. It gets me all riled up.”

“You’re disgusting.” I scratch his arm, drawing blood.

I can’t let him get me outside. If he does, I might never escape him.

Grabbing his wrist, I dig my nails in, kicking him as hard as I can in the shin at the same time. It’s enough to get him to release me, and I grab his wrist, spinning out of his grasp.

Dimitri lunges, aiming for my throat, but I dip in time, sinking low and punching him as hard as I can between the legs. He buckles over, grabbing himself.

“Bitch. You’re going to pay for that.” But his words come out choked as he grasps for air.

I expect him to grab at me the moment he recovers, but his gaze drifts over my shoulder, and he takes a step back instead.

“Another time, Tempe.” He grits his teeth. “It’s better you stay put right now anyway.”

A group of men hurry out the side door, and Dimitri disappears with them, making his escape right as Sonny and Reyes come to my side.

“Who was that?” Sonny looks to where I’m rubbing my wrist.

“The guy who sent me to the compound.”

Sonny tips his head at Reyes, who heads in the direction Dimitri disappeared, while Sonny stays with me.

“Are you hurt?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m okay.”

“Come here.” Sonny guides me to a barstool, forcing me to sit.

“I’m fine, really.” But he’s already pulling out his phone. “You don’t need to call him.”

Sonny doesn’t bother responding because we both know he does. It’s how the club works. Everything gets reported to Jameson Steel.

Just when I thought this was almost over.

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