Page 29

I parked my bike next to Tino’s work truck, grabbed my thermos from the saddlebag, and got to work. Music blared from the Bluetooth in the corner, sledgehammers took out walls, and debris was hauled out to the disposal containers.

Late afternoon, we got to a point to knock off a little early. I sent Cory a text with an update on what we’d gotten done so he could line up the electricians for early next week.

“Friday night,” Tino said rubbing his hands together. “You should come with us.” Every Friday night, Tino and a couple of the guys stopped off at the Landing Strip. Half the girls working for Bullet used to strip at the club just outside of town.

“I’ve got Lili tonight.” But she wasn’t the only reason I wasn’t interested. I hadn’t forgotten how it felt to be balls deep in a woman so far out of my league I couldn’t see her with a fucking telescope. Still, she’d felt pretty fucking good in my arms. I wouldn’t mind being her dirty little secret. And I’d be fucking indecent with her. Those quiet little whimpers had sounded as good as her nails felt clawing my back. She’d left her mark on me, and seeing her in that turtleneck, I’d assumed I’d left mine on her.

The phone in my hand vibrated with a text.

Cory: Don’t leave. I’m on my way over.

I lifted my head. “You guys can take off. I’m going to hang out for a few minutes.”

I replied to the text saying I’d stick around. While I waited, I made sure the building was secure for the weekend. Then I sat on the ledge of the window and felt the first craving I’d had for a cigarette in a couple days. Will power.

Quitting sucked, but it meant one less reason for Natalie to limit my access to Lili. I didn’t bring her home smelling like smoke. And she was relatively clean from regular showers. My girl played hard. She usually had dirty knees and red punch stains on her lips.

Cory’s truck rumbled to a stop out front. A moment later, he entered the building. He pulled off his sunglasses, and his gaze trekked across the room taking in the progress we’d made today.

“Looks great,” he said, running his hand along an exposed beam. “No problems?”

I pushed away from the window. “We found evidence of a water leak, but whoever did the repair did a good job.”

“Good. You’re good at what you do. That makes this conversation even harder.” Cory slid his hands into his pockets and faced me. “We need to talk. Natalie called me today.”

An uneasy feeling uncoiled in my gut. “Why am I not surprised? Cory, I didn’t want to drag you into this. She told me to stop using you to fix my problems. Accused me a still making bad decisions when it comes to making money.” I met his gaze straight on. “I made a promise to you when you gave me the job. I’m out of that shit.” I hoped to fuck he believed me.

Cory had treated me fairly. I needed this job, and I wouldn’t fuck him over. When I’d walked away from the Crawlers, I walked away from that lifestyle. This was my second chance. I wasn’t going to fuck it up.

A muscle ticked in his jaw as he stared at me. “She said you threatened her.”

“What?” My brows furrowed.

The space between us thickened with tension. His mouth pulled into a hard line. He was fucking serious.

“Christ, what does she think I’m going to do?” On instinct, I patted my pocket for my cigarettes, cursed, then raked my fingers through my hair. “I’m sick of this fucking shit. Is this from last weekend?”

“Jesus Christ. I thought the first words out of your mouth would be it never fucking happened. Instead, you’re trying to remember if it was last weekend? Fuck you, Steele. She said you threatened Henri, too, and that you did it all in front of Lili. Said you came over, pissed off, and forced your way into the house.”

“She’s full of shit. I was at the house, but there wouldn’t have been a fight if she’d just work with me on Lili. She’s trying to keep me from my kid. I’m her dad, not that asshole she’s fucking.”

“So, you threatened Nat?”

“Fuck, yes. We were arguing. And it was heated. I was pissed, but so was she. I told her to stop interfering with my relationship with my kid. I’m not backing off for her to play house with a guy she’s known for less than a year.”

“You don’t want to drag me into this? Too fucking bad. She’s my sister. I’m in this. What do you expect me to do? If it’s a choice between you and Nat, it’s her every time.” He grabbed a wrench and hurled it across the room. “I fucking fought for you, and this is how you repay me?”

Red crawled up his neck, and his mouth twisted with a snarl. “What the fuck am I supposed to do when my sister’s scared? What’s the end game, Steele? You knock her around a bit, then get your club brothers to back you up? Old ladies are just property, right?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Technically, I had threatened her with fuck around and find out, but nowhere in our exchange had I lost my shit. I’d never hurt a woman.

“You tell me. What do you define as a threat?”

I put my hands up. “I don’t know what she told you, but I didn’t touch her. She’s fighting the divorce. She won’t sign the damn papers unless I agree to two weekends a month. I threatened to stay married to her!”

What the fuck? I had a little girl. I might hate where Nat and I were, but she was Lili’s mom. I wished she could see Lili needed me the way I understood Lili needed her mom.

The door swung open and two uniformed officers entered the building.