Page 97 of Steel

“Pearl has plans for us.” Austin stands up tall, and I swear this kid is getting bigger by the day.

“Oh yeah? And what are those?”

Grandma leans down and whispers something in Austin’s ear, and he smiles so big his whole face glows.

“It’s a secret.” Austin crosses his arms over his chest.

I pull Tempe to my side. “Ten bucks says it involves root beer floats.”

My grandma winks at me because I know all her secrets, given she’d pull the same stuff with me when I was Austin’s age and Dad was staying late at the clubhouse.

“Okay.” Tempe relaxes. “But bedtime is eight.”

“Of course.” Pearl smiles, holding out her hand.

Austin takes it, and they hurry away, climbing in the truck so Sonny can drive them back to the house.

“There’s no way he’s going to be in bed by eight, is there?”

“Probably not.” I shake my head. “But don’t worry, she’s good with routines, so if not then, soon after.”

Tempe smiles, nudging me on the arm. “It’s adorable how close you are with your grandma.”

“Adorable?”

“That’s what she said.” Havoc walks past, smacking me on the back as he does. “You’re adorable, Prez.”

“Fuck off.” I shake my head as he heads into the clubhouse, laughing.

Ghost hops off his bike next but doesn’t look nearly as happy as Havoc.

“What’s wrong?” I ask when he stops in front of me.

“No movement on the perimeter.”

“They probably decided to cut their losses there. What about the bar?”

“Still no sight of him.”

I tighten my hold around Tempe’s shoulders. “Let me know if that changes.”

“Will do, Prez.” He heads into the clubhouse after Havoc.

“Who was he talking about?” Tempe spins in my arms to face me. “Dimitri?”

I tilt her chin up. “First off, I don’t like hearing his fucking name from your pretty mouth.”

She wets her lips, nodding.

“Second, that’s club business; nothing for you to worry about.”

“He’s afterme, Jameson. So don’t use yoursupersecret club businessexcuse. I’m the one putting you in danger.”

I smirk at her confidence because I’m going to have so much fun taming this girl’s mouth if she continues to talk back to me in front of my men.

“That’s fine, wildfire. He can come after me all he wants.” I drag my thumb over her lower lip. “So long as he’s not aiming for you or Austin, I can handle it.”

Tempe opens her mouth to argue when Ghost pops back out of the clubhouse.

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