Page 86 of Steel

“It’s okay, baby,” I said, fighting to get the words out.

I closed and rubbed my eyes. I’d seen the look on Steel’s face. Betrayal. He’d told me something so personal and I’d lied to him. He’d never forgive me. “This is horrible. How did they find out? Why? Damn it.”

“Talk to me,” Kenzie said, keeping her face away from Axe.

“Mom. What’s wrong?” Damon asked, fear in his voice. “Why is Steel angry?”

Damn. Damn. Damn. I had tears in my eyes as I peered down at him. “Remember Mama is always reminding you to tell the truth?”

“All the time.”

“Well, she didn’t take her own advice.” A single tear fell and I was overwhelmed.

“What is going on?” Kenzie said, pulling me aside. “Why is Steel so angry? It’s such a great honor.”

“Not for him,” Axe said. “You know how he is, Kenz.”

“He didn’t know about the calendar. I haven’t had a chance to tell him. He thinks I moved next to him on purpose. Just to get close and… I didn’t. Karma decided to kick me down.”

“Then you need to tell him that.”

“I did. He wouldn’t listen. He won’t listen.”

Kenzie tugged on my arm, so I was forced to face her. “Then tell him again. The one thing I know about the Beckett brothers is that they have very hard heads. It takes a few times of telling them something for them to finally hear you. I’ll stay here with Damon. Okay? Just go.”

“Why bother? Why?”

“Because you love him, Mom.”

My son’s little voice was jarring.

I was completely numb inside, totally numb. I barely knew the man, yet it felt as if I’d known Steel for so long. That’s how strangely close I felt and how much I’d enjoyed getting to know him.

“You’re sure? I don’t know how long it will take.”

“Absolutely. Go.” Kenzie nodded, offering a smile. “It’s obvious you care about him and he might have a thick head, but he cares about you too.”

“Damon. Don’t leave Kenzie’s side.”

“I won’t.”

Nodding, I backed away, wiping my eyes as I turned. In pushing my way through the crowd, a couple of people tried to stop me, but I refused to allow them. While I’d tried a number of times to share the entire story with Steel, I couldn’t lie and say I’d tried hard enough.

As soon as the early evening air hit, for some reason it set off another cataclysm of emotions. I was struck by the random feelings of being furious with myself even while my stomach churned not just from frustration but also from fear.

What if the Jeep’s system had been rigged and the act had nothing to do with the gang of kids? What if in addition to this bullshit I’d caused with Steel, I’d also placed him in harm’s way? Tears trickled down both sides of my face as I rushed through the vehicles toward where he’d parked.

A screech of tires caught my attention, the rumble of an engine one I easily recognized. He had every intention of leaving me here. No way. I might not know much about the man, but what I’d already learned was that he wasn’t just hardheaded. When he made up his mind to do something, like shutting me out without allowing me to give a decent explanation, there was no turning back.

If he managed to make it out of this parking lot, we would be done.

He roared around the end of a group of cars, heading for the exit and toward me.

That left no choice about what needed to happen. In a rush of anger, fear, and utter irritation with the man, I jumped in front as he barreled down the path. For a few seconds, it seemed as if he wasn’t going to put his foot on the brake. But I refused to budge, standing firm with my arm thrown out.

The sudden stop was followed by a squeal of the tires, the car swerving to the right and almost hitting a telephone pole. There were seconds between the Camaro skidding to a full stop and the driver’s door being thrown open, and the powerful, visibly enraged man jumped out.

“What in the hell are you doing? What? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” He stormed toward me, maybe expecting I’d cower and retreat.