Chapter Twenty-Three
Steel smiled asBreanna walked around the house, opening cupboard and closet doors. He couldn’t believe how much she meant to him. He’d fought it, not wanting her to complicate his life, but not having her was what was making his life difficult. She complemented him, and he couldn’t imagine why he’d fought it so long. He hadn’t told his mother yet; he knew she’d be thrilled and smug since she’d had the visions. He planned to tell her when he went to the reservation later that afternoon.
“I think this will be wonderful for you and Chenoa. I love the stream that runs through the backyard. And you’ll have privacy since the next neighbor’s house is several blocks away.” She wound her arms inside his jacket and around his back. “I’m sure Chenoa will love it.”
“I hope so.” He lowered his head and kissed her gently on the lips. “I gotta admit it’s gonna be fucking strange not being at the clubhouse. I’ve lived there since I started the Night Rebels. It’s so damn quiet here.”
“It’ll take you some time to get used to it, but your brothers can come and hang with you here, and having Chenoa will help.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait for her to live with me. When I went looking for a place, I’d hoped you’d be moving in with me as well.”
She rested her forehead against him. “I know, but we already talked about that. I’d love to be here with you, but you need this time alone with Chenoa. It has to be about her. Besides, I’m still keeping a low profile about our relationship. I don’t want people at work finding out, especially my supervisor. I don’t want to risk causing you and Chenoa any problems. I don’t think the department would be too happy about me loving a high-risk client’s father. It would throw suspect on my report.”
“When are you gonna come out of hiding? We can’t fucking pretend we’re not together. I don’t wanna wait too long for you to move in with me and Chenoa.”
“Give it some time with Chenoa. Once everything settles, then I’ll move in. She’s going to need a lot of support and attention.”
Steel nestled his face in her hair, the scent of gardenias filling his nostrils. He loved it. “I know. I just hope she’s fucking honest with me. I don’t want her sneaking and doing shit behind my back.”
“You need to be supportive and patient.”
“To a degree. The hardest part of all is where the toughest and most unselfish love is. I’m not sure she’ll get that. I just hope she still has the will to fight and the hope to dream.” He rocked back and forth slightly with Breanna in his arms. All of a sudden his heart was heavy, and he wished he could speed up time and have all this behind him and Chenoa. He was ready for the task, but so much depended on her. If only he could take her burden upon him. If only he could fight it all for her. But he couldn’t.
A knock at the door made Breanna pull away from his embrace. He walked over and opened the door, a man in his late forties with graying temples smiling back at him. “Sorry I’m late.” He walked in. “Did you have a chance to inspect the house?”
“Yeah,” Steel said. Breanna came over and stood next to Steel, her arm pressed against his.
“This your girlfriend?” The man took out several papers from a manila folder he had in his hand.
“Yeah, she’s my woman.”
She extended her hand. “I’m Breanna.”
The man shook it. “I’m Les. I own the house. Do you like it?” She nodded. “Good. Are you moving in with Steel and his daughter?”
“No,” she said.
“Well, if you do move in, I’ll just need to know. When’s your daughter moving in again?”
“In a week. Is that the lease agreement?”
Les nodded as he handed it to him. “Review it and let me know if you have any questions. If it’s all good, go ahead and sign it. I brought a couple of copies.”
Steel took the papers from Les and read them. “Looks good.” He signed the lease and gave it back.
After the landlord left, Steel picked up the set of keys Les had given him and turned to Breanna. “I gotta talk to Mika. I’m going to the rez.”
“I have a client I need to see, but I’ll be at the rez later. We should celebrate your new house tonight. Dinner? My treat.”
He draped his arm over her shoulders. “Dinner sounds great, and it’s my treat.” He placed his finger on her mouth. “And don’t fucking argue with me about it ’cause I’m not gonna change my mind.”
She brushed his finger aside. “I wish you’d let me do something for you. You’re always paying and helping me out.”
“You can give me a killer blowjob after dinner.” He winked and smacked her ass. “I gotta go.”
She giggled. “You’re so bad.”
“Is that a yes?”
