Page 85 of Steel

“You may have seen these calendars for sale starting in late September every year. Well, it would seem Ms. Livington is in town to highlight our smokejumpers and it all started because of one viral post on social media. How very exciting to have the marketing director of Brightworks Enterprises in town. The calendar will be epic.”

When the picture taken of me at the rodeo was placed on the screen in vivid color, I took a few steps forward, ignoring the catcalls and whistles. What. The. Hell.

“I did a little checking and this photograph has now received over four million likes and counting.” As the reporters continued on about how exciting it was to have such a pristine company highlighting Missoula’s smokejumpers, I could no longer hear anything they were saying.

With people shouting my name, everything shifted into slow motion while I turned to face her. Violet took a step toward me, her face horrorstricken.

She’d lied to me. She’d used me. She’d… betrayed my trust.

Just like Tanya had done. Just like I swore to myself that I’d never tolerate again.

With my body seizing, my mind unable to process why she hadn’t told me the truth, I did the only thing that made sense at the time.

I pushed my way through the crowd toward the door.

No one was going to make a fool of me. Especially her.

CHAPTER 18

Violet

No. No. No. No. No!

“That’s amazing!” Kenzie said from beside me. “I can see the calendar now. I’m going to purchase ten copies. Wait until my friends hear about this.”

“No, it’s not good. It’s not good at all,” I managed while I tried to grab Steel’s arm. “Wait.”

“Why? So you can lie to me again? So you can pretend you give a damn?” He jerked away but was in my face, his eyes flashing with rage. “All this time you were just baiting me? You need me for what, your cover model for this stupid calendar? Renting the house. The fight. The dog. Yeah, you even had the dog put there in the rope. Didn’t you? All for your stupid calendar.”

“That’s crazy. I would never do something like that.” People were crowded around, trying to figure out what was going on. My heart hammered in my chest and I barely managed to get any words out that made sense.

“Oh, yeah? I wouldn’t put it past you. I know your type. You’ll do anything to get what you want. What about the passion we shared? Was that all a lie too?”

“Of course not. I care about you.”

He laughed and the sound tore through me, ripping me apart an inch at a time. Shaking his head, the snarl on his face was a clear indication he had no intention of talking to me.

Maybe ever again.

This is exactly what I hadn’t wanted to happen. “Steel! Please. I tried to tell you several times.”

“Well, you didn’t try hard enough. Go away, Violet. I’m sure you can get a ride home. You have a fan group already. But I want no part of your goddamn calendar.”

He waved me off, backing away and within seconds, he disappeared into the crowd.

Far too many of the customers were enthused, but I could tell by the look on Axe’s face he had an inkling about what was going on.

“I take it Steel didn’t know,” he said, his tone much less friendly.

“I…”

“You what? Decided to use him to advance your career?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Kenzie pushed Axe away, giving me space. “This is an amazing opportunity. Imagine the publicity, good publicity for a change since there are some people in this town who don’t think very highly of smokejumpers right now.”

“So what? My brother isn’t for sale.” He was close to yelling.

“Don’t yell at my mom!” Damon snapped, my little man still trying to protect me.