Page 69 of Steel

Now we were in the uncomfortable zone. “Almost never.”

“Almost.”

I wasn’t eager or willing to talk about Will. Not right now. Maybe never. Even though I didn’t show it, the pain was still raw, the year since the horrible accident doing little in the way of calming my anger. “Nothing is perfect. No job is bulletproof and anyone could die at any time.”

“You sound like a psychologist.”

“Well, the captain has been known to bring one around from time to time.” While I tried to make light of her concerns, I could tell it was the wrong thing to do. “It’s okay, Violet. We’re not a couple. I can tell that’s not what you want. No big deal.”

“You make me sound horrible. It’s just that Damon has been through a lot. This is the first time I’ve bothered to… I mean that I ended up…” She laughed while her face flushed. “I am so out of practice I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“Because of Damon’s father?”

“You mean the freaking asshole? Yeah. The few times that sweet kid has gotten his hopes up, his father made certain Damon was reminded he wasn’t a priority in his father’s life. Not that either one of us ever were. But he’s just… He’s a special kid with a lot of anger hiding under that sloppy smile of his.”

“Anger, huh? Those fires you mentioned?”

Violet blew hair from her face in response. “Yeah. The last one got him kicked out of school. I just don’t know how I can deal with his behavior as he grows older. Coming here was… I was hopeful that he’d finally realize that life could be something special for a change. That’s why losing the Jeep hit me so hard. I want him to have everything he wants. Then the puppy, which I can’t keep in my apartment back home because my landlord is a prick and now, I’m forced to rely on help from strangers. All while in a new town.”

While I wasn’t good at dealing with feelings like this, likely since I sucked at handling my own, I remained quiet.

“I’m sorry. I’m rambling on feeling sorry for myself. I assure you that’s not what I’m made of. I’m also not usually so flabbergasted.” She turned away, yanking cream from the refrigerator. I could tell how tense she remained.

When I was around her, I wanted to protect both her and Damon. Even now. From a man I didn’t know but who’d obviously hurt them both. How could a man do that to his own child? I walked closer, placing my hand on her shoulder.

What I wasn’t expecting was for her to turn around at the same time. Now we were mere inches apart, but she wasn’t looking at me. Without thinking, I lifted her chin, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Violet. You don’t have to apologize around me.You also don’t need to carry such a tremendous burden on your own.”

“Yes, I do, Steel. You’re not always going to be around.”

Being this close sparked the same hunger I’d experienced the night before. Enough that I lowered my head, longing to kiss her soft lips all over again.

Then I felt a light pressure against my leg and obviously, so did Violet since her brow furrowed. We both looked down to find Zorro with his paws on the two of us.

I backed away so fast I almost tripped on the dog. Wow. It felt like the first time I’d been caught with a girl at fifteen years old. A lifetime ago.

“Hey, bud. Good morning. Do you want some juice? That we have.” Her voice was clipped.

I turned to face the little boy. He had his eyes narrowed, shifting his gaze from one to the other.

Meanwhile, Violet was trying to keep from laughing while she poured him some OJ. “Here you go. We’re going out for breakfast. Do you want to see if Zorro needs to go outside?”

“Sure, Mom.” His brows were knitted together much like what I’d seen with Violet a few minutes before. His actions were also remarkably like his mother’s, overly exaggerated. He stomped by me like a soldier, then turned and stopped right in front of me.

As he lifted his head, staring me in the eyes, his expression was completely serious. Then he stuck out his hand like a man would do. “You are going to treat my mother right, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good because I’m going to be eight in two weeks and that means I’ll be the man of the house then. So if you’re not good to my mother, I will need to hurt you. I’m sorry, but I will.” His little head cocked, his expression oh-so serious.

I took his hand into mine, allowing him to give me a hearty shake. The kid had muscles. “Don’t worry, Damon. I won’t hurt her. I promise you. At least not intentionally, but adults can be difficult sometimes.”

“Tell me about it. She deserves someone special, but I’m picky.”

“Yes, sir. She deserves the best.”

When he pulled his hand free, the child inside returned again and he raced to the door with the pup jumping at his heels.

Only when we heard the outside door close did either one of us respond.