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He was Steel’s. Body and soul.
He always would be.
Chapter Twenty
Steel
AS HE walked up the stairs in what used to be the Henchmen’s clubhouse, he didn’t get that feeling of dread like he had when they’d been renovating the place. The second they’d filled the place with kids, it had changed everything.
This was the last place he thought he’d be spending most of his time back when they’d split from the Henchmen, and yet, here he was. When after working at the shelter for a month, Ares had asked if he wanted to be in charge of it, he hadn’t hesitated to say yes.
Working with frightened, homeless kids who didn’t trust anyone was never easy, but it was a challenge he enjoyed. It always felt like he’d hit the jackpot when they got that first little smile from a kid who’d been through so much that they’d almost forgotten what being safe and happy meant.
He heard laughter and walked down the hall. He knew exactly where to go and when he peeked into the room, he saw Kai on the floor with several of the kids. He was reading them a story though he wasn’t quite following the book. He was adding his own little details and using various voices. It had the kids laughing and paying close attention even if some looked like they were about to fall asleep.
He leaned his shoulder against the door jamb to watch. He loved watching Kai. He loved watching him interact with the kids even more.
Kai had found himself in his work at the shelter. He’d found a part of himself he’d never known was there. His compassion and devotion had surprised everyone, Kai included. Well, not everyone. He hadn’t been surprised.
Kai looked up and gave Steel a smile that gave him the best kind of butterflies. Kai winked at him, and he just knew that he was smiling like an idiot. Kai did that to him. Every single fucking time.
He left Kai with the kids and headed downstairs to check on their food supply. Who would’ve thought kids eat like a pack of lions?
If they were out of breakfast foods, he’d have to ask one of the others to buy some for tomorrow or empty whatever Kai and him had in their wing of the building. Kai had moved into his apartment straight away, but once they’d started work at the shelter, most of their time had been spent there so instead of that constant commute back and forth, Ares had offered for them to live there. He’d been skeptical at first, but that protective streak he had with Kai? Yeah, it had expanded to include the kids, too. Not in the same way, but he’d found he liked being on site in case of… well, anything.
He saw Jace leaning against one of the dining tables as he came down the stairs. He had a hand in his hair and a worried look on his face.
He frowned and started toward him until he heard a car door slam outside and then heavy footsteps. He barely held back a laugh when he saw Kaz stomping inside followed closely by Ares who was glaring at the back of the kid’s head. Kaz kept running away and Ares kept bringing him back.
The kids didn’t have to stay if they didn’t want to. The shelter was open for anyone to come and go as they pleased, but every time Kaz left, he got himself into trouble and Ares went to save his ass.
Kaz walked straight into Jace’s open arms and Steel could see Jace telling Kaz something before he looked over Kaz’s shoulder at Ares and winked.
“This is not how I thought I’d be spending my weekends,” Ares grumbled as he stopped next to Steel.
Steel shook his head, his smile breaking free.
“Why haven’t you taken the kid home yet?”
Ares glared at Steel. “Because the little shit doesn’t want to. He never does as he’s told.”
“Have you tried asking instead of telling?”
“The fuck do you think Jace is here for?” Ares asked though there was no anger in his voice. There was just exhaustion. He sounded like a parent already.
Kaz headed upstairs, throwing Ares a shady look on the way, and Jace walked over to join them.
“He’s just grabbing the last of his things and then I’ll take him home,” Jace said to Ares.
Ares threw his hands up. “I can’t with that fucking kid.”
Ares walked off, muttering under his breath.
“He loves him so much,” Jace said, a soft smile on his lips as he followed Ares with his gaze.
“I know. Not so sure either of them knows, though.”
Jace snorted. “They’re both too damned stubborn.”
