Chapter Twelve

Steel

Four Days Ago

“W hat do you mean surgery?”

“Her appendix is on the verge of rupture. If we don’t remove them now, she’s going to die.”

“What? Die?”

“When the appendix bursts, it releases bacteria and other toxic substances into the abdominal cavity, leading to an infection called peritonitis. Peritonitis causes inflammation of the lining of the abdomen, which can spread throughout the body and lead to sepsis, a severe and potentially fatal condition.”

“Okay,” I say, trying to gather my thoughts. “How long will she have to stay here?”

“If everything goes smoothly, twenty-four hours. After that, she’s free to go back home to rest and heal.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“Where do I go to wait?” I ask, already knowing that I won’t leave her side.

“The family waiting room is on the third floor,” the young doctor tells me. “As soon as she’s out of surgery, someone will update you on how it went and then show you to her recovery room.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, stepping around the doctor and heading for the stairs.

How the hell am I going to keep her safe in this unsecure building?

*** Two Days Later ***

“I know we’ve only been here for two days, but I’m ready to leave.”

“Me, too,” I say, trying to remain calm when my nerves are a wreck. I’ve felt someone watching us for the past day and I have no way to contact my brother or anyone else. I can’t use my phone for fear of it being traced back to my family.

“Has Ghost called back?”

“No,” I answer. “He’s supposed to call your room at three. Then we can leave.”

“Mr. Jasper Montgomery?”

“Yeah?” I answer the nurse waiting in the doorway. “We just received a call from someone named Ghost. He says your taxi is outside waiting.”

I check the clock and see that it’s five minutes till three.

“Oh, goodie,” Delphi smiles. “He’s early, but I don’t mind. Let’s get out of here. I need an update on Jacob, and I need to hug my kids.”

I nod and help Delphi out of bed, grabbing her small bag of personal items while she steadies herself. Her face is pale, and every step she takes looks like it’s a fight against the pain. I hate seeing her like this, but I know the hospital isn’t safe.

As we make our way to the lobby, I scan the hallways, keeping an eye out for anything, or anyone, out of place. My gut has been screaming at me for the last twenty-four hours, and I don’t ignore my instincts.

The nurse at the front desk offers us a polite smile as she hands Delphi her discharge papers. “Take it easy and get lots of rest,” she says.

Delphi nods, forcing a smile back. But I see how her hand trembles when she signs her name. She’s putting on a brave face. I need to get her back inside Oasis so she can rest.

As soon as we step outside, the cool breeze hits us, but something feels… off. The taxi is waiting, just like the nurse said, but the driver doesn’t get out.

I guide Delphi to the car, opening the door for her. She slides in carefully, clutching her side. As I climb in after her, I glance at the driver. He’s wearing a cap pulled low over his face, and his jaw is set tight.

“You’re Jasper Montgomery?” he asks, his voice rough and clipped.

“Yeah,” I reply, my hand instinctively sliding closer to the knife I’ve hidden inside my jacket.

“Ghost said to get you two to the new safe house. No stops.”

Safe house? Ghost hadn’t mentioned anything about that, but I don’t question it aloud. My mind is racing as the car pulls away from the curb. Something’s not adding up.

Delphi leans her head against the window, her eyes half-closed. She’s too exhausted to notice my tension, but I’m on high alert.

As the city blurs past, I discreetly check my surroundings. No tail. No obvious threats. Yet, I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve just traded one danger for another.

“Where exactly is this safe house?” I ask the driver, my tone casual but probing.

He glances at me through the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. “Not far.”

Not far. That’s not an answer, and it doesn’t ease the knot tightening in my gut. I grip Delphi’s hand, and she stirs, giving me a tired smile.

“It’s okay,” she whispers. “We’re okay.”

But I’m not so sure.

“What did you say your name was?” I ask, my tone even.

“I’m Raven,” the stranger says. “Ghost contacted our president to help with some situation you got going on.”

I don’t like this. Ghost didn’t mention needing backup from another MC, and he sure as hell didn’t mention anyone named Raven.

“Didn’t catch which club you’re with,” I say, watching him closely in the rearview mirror.

“Black Vipers.” His gaze flicks up, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror, challenging. “We got chapters across three states. Thought you’d be more appreciative of the favor.”

A favor? I grit my teeth. Ghost wouldn’t outsource protection like this without telling me. And “favor” or not, it sounds too convenient. I don’t trust easy, and this guy’s giving me no reason to start.

Delphi shifts in her seat, her hand still holding her side. She leans her head back, looking exhausted but trying to stay alert. “Everything okay, Steel?” she whispers, sensing the tension.

“Yeah, babe,” I murmur, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, even though my gut’s telling me otherwise.

We keep driving in silence, the city gradually fading into more isolated back roads. My hand rests inside my jacket, fingers brushing the cool handle of my knife. If this “Raven” tries anything, he’s in for a nasty surprise.

I lean forward. “Mind if we stop somewhere to pick up some supplies? It’s been a long few days, and I want to make sure Delphi has everything she needs.”

“No stops,” Raven snaps, his tone curt. “We’re almost there.”

Right. Almost where?

I glance at Delphi, her eyes half-closed, barely holding on. Her breath is shallow, and I can tell the pain’s getting to her despite her attempts to mask it.

“Look, man,” I say, keeping my voice calm but firm. “This arrangement feels… rushed. I don’t go anywhere without confirming with my people first. How about you pull over and let me make a call?”

Raven’s grip tightens on the wheel. “Like I said, no stops.”

I tense, fingers curling around my knife. “Pull over. Now.”

The silence thickens, and for a split second, I think he’s going to argue. Then he curses under his breath and swerves the car onto the shoulder, gravel crunching beneath the tires. “Make it quick,” he mutters.

I get out, keeping one foot on the ground and the other in the car to keep the door open. I pull my phone out and power it on. I don’t have any choice but to use it. If my gut is correct, it wouldn’t matter anyway.

“Why are you calling me with your personal phone, Steel? You know the rules.”

“You send backup?” is all I ask.

There’s a pause, then Ghost’s voice comes back, low and sharp. “No. Why? Where the hell are you?”

That’s all I need to hear.

Tossing my phone towards Delphi, I reach forward and slice my knife across the man's throat. I don’t need answers. I just need to get this woman to safety.

“Well, that wasn’t very nice,” a new voice says. I feel the barrel of a gun pressed against the back of my head, so I don’t dare move. “I didn’t care for him much, anyways. So, thanks. Anyway, the name is Paston. Not the coward your men are protecting. The one they’re protecting him from.”

Fuck.

My mind races. Paston. The guy we’re supposed to be keeping Mark safe from just put a gun to my head. How the hell did this happen? Reynolds is going to lose it when he finds out. If I live long enough to tell him, that is.

Delphi gasps in the backseat, her voice shaking. “Steel?”

“Stay calm, babe,” I say, my tone steady despite the storm raging inside me. “Everything’s gonna be fine.”

Paston chuckles, low and mocking. “That’s cute. Real cute. But let’s not pretend, alright? You’re in over your head. And her?” He jerks his chin toward Delphi without taking the gun off me. “She’s Reynolds woman, right? Pretty one, though. Shame.”

I clench my teeth, rage boiling under the surface. I can’t lose control. Not with Delphi so vulnerable, not with Paston holding all the cards. For now.

“You went through a lot of trouble to get us here,” I say, keeping my voice even. “What’s the plan? You gonna shoot me on the side of the road? Doesn’t seem your style.”

Paston grins, the kind of grin that crawls under your skin and makes you want to punch it off a man’s face. “You’re right. Not my style. Shooting you here would be too easy, and I’m a man who appreciates effort. No, I’ve got something much better in mind.”

I feel Delphi shift in the backseat, her breathing quickening. She’s in pain and scared, but she’s trying not to show it. Hell, I’m afraid, too, but fear doesn’t get to run the show right now. Pissed off, though? Yeah, pissed off is in the spotlight. No safe words here, motherfucker. I’m just biding my time.

“You’re making a mistake,” I say, keeping my voice low and measured. “You want Reynolds? Fine. But dragging her into this? That’s going to end badly for you.”

Paston tilts his head, the barrel of the gun still trained on me. “You think I’m scared of Reynolds? I’m the one holding the gun, Steel. I’m the one calling the shots. The only mistake here is you thinking you have any control.”

I’m always in control.

Always.

He moves, a subtle shift to adjust his stance, and I take in every detail. The way his weight is distributed, the hand he’s keeping free. Probably reaching for another weapon. He’s good. I’ll give him that. But he’s not invincible.

“Don’t even think about it,” Paston laughs. “I know what…”

I don’t let him finish. What is it with the bad guys always wanting to fucking talk?

Twisting my upper torso, I grab his gun and aim for the man who has been sneaking closer and closer to Delphi’s door. Without thought, I pull the trigger. Not bothering to see if I hit my target, because I have no doubt that I did, I toss my elbow back and meet the face of Paston.

“Damnit,” he yells. “My nose.”

Before I have a chance to turn around and place a bullet in his head, I’m tackled to the ground by multiple men.

“He’s fuckin’ huge, boss,” someone says as I toss bodies off of me one by one. But it’s almost never-ending.

The gravel digs into my back as I twist, elbowing the closest guy hard enough to hear a crack. Someone curses and staggers back, but two more take his place. They’re trying to hold me down, to smother me under sheer numbers, but they didn’t expect a fight. Hell, they didn’t expect me .

“Get off me!” I roar, grabbing a fistful of one guy’s jacket and slamming him into another, creating a domino effect. They fall back, stumbling, and for a split second, I catch my breath.

But Paston’s laughing through his bloodied nose, holding his hand to his face as he staggers back. “You’re not going to win, Steel,” he sneers. “Doesn’t matter how many you take down. You’re outnumbered.”

I lock eyes with Delphi through the window, her face pale but fierce. “Run,” I grit out, voice low but firm. “When you get the chance, you run. Don’t look back.”

Her gaze flickers, torn, but she gives me the slightest nod.

I focus back on the bastards around me. “You think numbers are going to stop me?” I growl. “You don’t know a damn thing.”

With a surge, I lunge forward, using the element of surprise to shove the closest man off balance and break through the small opening they’ve left around me. I’m a few steps away when two more grab my shoulders, hauling me back.

“Hold him!” Paston yells, wiping the blood from his face. “Make sure he doesn’t move.”

One of them pulls a knife, the blade catching the glint of fading sunlight. I dodge to the side, yanking my shoulder free from his grip, and aim a solid punch to his gut. He doubles over, gasping, and I barely have time to register the next set of hands grabbing for me before I swing again.

Delphi’s hand pushes open the door on the other side, and she slides out of the car, trying to stay low. But Paston sees her and snarls, “Get the woman!”

“RUN,” I scream.

“Bitch,” someone yells. “She stabbed me in the ass cheek.”

“Get off him,” Delphi yells. “You’re killing him. Please, stop.”

She’s trying to protect me.

I can’t let that happen. I summon every last ounce of strength, forcing my way through the onslaught, shoving men aside like weights on a punching bag. But there’s too many, a wall of them between me and Delphi.

A slight sting hits my neck, and seconds later, I’m out.