Page 88 of Steel

“That was different.” Jameson clenches his jaw.

“Is it?” I roll my shoulders back. “Because I’m starting to think this is all the same. You heard what Dimitri said. We don’t even know the real reason he sent me here—unless you do, and you’ve just been keeping it from me.”

“I don’t.” His tone tells me that’s the truth, and he’s not happy about it either.

“Well, there you have it. You keeping me here is apparently just giving him exactly what he wants. So what are we even doing anymore?”

“I’m keeping you safe. Why can’t you see that?”

“At what cost? All I’m doing at this point is bringing heat on you and your club.” The words catch in my throat. “You can’t protect us forever, Jameson. We aren’t your responsibility. But Austin is mine. I’m all he has left. At some point, Austin and I have to take this on ourselves, and I need to start getting ready for when that happens.”

“Not yet.”

“Then when?” I’m trying not to yell, but my chest is burning up.

I want to escape this man so I never have to think about him again, and at the same time, I don’t want to let him go.

“I don’t know, Tempe.” He rakes his hair back, sounding as frustrated as I am. “You can go once I’ve figured this out.”

“And how long is that going to take?”

“Don’t you think I wish I had the answer to that question?” He stands up tall, taking a step closer. “Don’t you wish I could just fix this fucking mess so we could all move on? So you and Austin could get out of here and get your lives back? I get it—more than you know. You two deserve so much more than you’re getting behind these gates, but so long as you’re in the middle of this, I refuse to have you out there unguarded. If I let you leave and something happens—”

He pauses, dropping his chin and shaking his head.

“You’re my responsibility.” He pins me with his gaze, so many emotions swimming in his ocean-gray eyes. “And tonight…”

Iwait for him to finish his thought, but he sighs instead.

“What about tonight?”

His gaze returns to mine, and he shakes his head. “You’re a magnet for trouble.”

“That’s not my fault.”

“I know it’s not.” He runs his palm down his face. “Fuck.”

Jameson tips his head back and sighs. His eyes are closed, and so much stress radiates off him, filling the room around us. I should walk away but find myself stepping forward instead. Planting my hands on his chest and taking in some of the heat burning from his body.

No matter how irritating he is or how many days he’s ignored me, he’s been here for me and my brother. And sensing the waves of panic crashing, I can’t help trying to comfort him.

Jameson looks down to where my hands rest on his chest.

“Are you okay?”

“Am I okay?” Jameson laughs, but it’s unamused. “Fuck, Tempe. You’re the one who was attacked tonight. Areyouokay?”

“None of this is okay.” I frown. “But I’ll be fine. You don’t have to pretend to care for my sake.”

“I’m not pretending.” He plants his hands over the back of mine. “I’m not.”

“You’ve barely been here.” I fight back the burning in my throat. “You can hardly look at me.”

His stare locks on mine. “And why the fuck do you think that is, wildfire?”

“Because you wish I’d leave.”

He shakes his head once, slowly. “No. The opposite, Tempe. You’re all that’s keeping me together.”

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