Page 30 of Steele

“Brett Steele?”

A shiver tingled along my spine. Hair at the nape of my neck prickled. I’d felt like this before. Another life. One I’d thought I’d left behind. Saliva coated my tongue as I faced the officers. I tried to control my physical responses to authority. But cops made me nervous. “What can I do for you?”

One officer stayed by the door and the other approached. He held out a tri-folded document. I took it from his hands.

Respondent: Brett Steele

Case No. 01112026

TEMPORARY ORDER FOR PROTECTION WITH NOTICE

The Plaintiff’s Motion for Temporary Restraining Order notice is given.

The words blurred on the page. Talons of fear clawed deep. My heart slammed against my ribs, shattering what was left of any affection I once had for my wife.

“What is this?”

“A TRO. Temporary restraining order. This isn’t an admission of guilt,” the officer stated. “But you’ll want to read over the order carefully. No contact with your wife. Don’t call her. Don’t text her.” He ticked off the rules on his fingers. “Don’t drive past your house. Don’t make attempts to visit the places she’s known to frequent.”

“What about my kid?” I skimmed the words on the page, but my brain couldn’t comprehend what I read. “It’s my weekend.” I’d promised her pizza, gummy worms, and a weekend with my family. The Hellers.

“The order includes your daughter. No contact but continue to make any financial obligations including child support.”

I lifted my gaze to Cory. “Did you know about this?”

“I did. You fucked up, Steele. Stay away from Natalie and Lili.” His neck bobbed on a swallow. “It should go without saying, but I’ll make it clear. I don’t need you back on the jobsite.”

The words hit like a kick to the gut. “Seriously? You’re letting me go.”

Nausea roiled in my stomach, burned up my chest, and constricted my throat with emotion. Fear like I’ve never known before tingled along my spine. I needed the job, I needed Cory’s support, because without it, I was going to lose my kid.

“Cory, this is bullshit. I swear to fucking God. She’s lying to you. Fuck.” I turned back to the cop. “I didn’t do anything to warrant a restraining order.”

“You can appear in court to appeal the order. Failure to attend can result in the order becoming permanent. Do you understand that failure to comply will result in your arrest? From this moment forward, you’ve been notified. Let me say it again. Any breach of the conditions will result in your arrest.”

I nodded as the cop explained the process. I’d need to talk to Willy, the MC’s attorney. I doubt this was in his scope, but he’d at least be able to figure out what I do from here.

I was numb as I walked out the door and climbed onto my bike. I couldn’t even call Lili to tell her I wouldn’t be coming to pick her up. Pressure built behind my eyes. I was going to break a promise to her, and she wouldn’t know why.

This was so fucking wrong. But it could’ve been worse. Natalie had lied about the level of threat. She could’ve lied and had me up on a domestic violence charge. I didn’t know her anymore. And she didn’t know me.

Natalie had lied in the past, lied to me, and she’d lied to the fucking cops. She’d lie to Lili if it finally got her what she wanted. Me out of her life.

I slid my mirrored sunglasses over my eyes. Fuck this. I started my motorcycle and twisted the throttle. The engine roared. I stared at Cory in the window of the building. I was fucking hot. So pissed I wanted to revert to the man I used to be. The one who would want to retaliate, but I didn’t. Cory believed Natalie’s lies.

I could only hope the court would see the truth. I’d changed.

Normally, I’d head back to the MC. Friday night meant the MC would be packed for church. My little girl would’ve been dancing with Levi, Stormy, and the other girls. And batting her lashes with her eyes sparkling at Romeo. Pretty boy had my girl wrapped around his finger.

Same as she did me.

Opening the throttle, I headed out to Old Post Highway. This was fucking therapy, but not even the wind in my hair and the sun on my face was going to drive the regrets out of my head.

I should’ve handled the situation with Natalie more delicately. Fuck, what was I thinking? Never would I have thought she’d file a restraining order against me. What next? She knew all my darkest secrets.

Natalie could have me doing ten to fifteen for distribution. But she’d be signing her own arrest warrant. She covered for my ass more times than I could count. Nat and I both had some dark stains in our past, and we’d both changed.

I wasn’t going to deny she was a good mom. Lili should be living a happy fucking life with her mom and Henri. But she was mine, too. She was all I had. All I’d ever have.