16. Steel

16

Steel

My patch gives me strength.

It gives my men hope.

The Twisted Kings are my family as much as my own blood.

The responsibility of leading them is what I was born to do, and I’m damn good at it.

At least, I thought I was.

The attack on the perimeter of the compound was another reminder we’ve been on the defense for too long. War is on the horizon, and our enemies have proven they’ll show no mercy.

My fingers clench, and I can still feel Tempe and Austin shaking in my arms. I didn’t think fear was something I could feel, but when that first gunshot rang out, all I could do was throw myself at them.

Tempe doesn’t want anything to do with me or my club, but she was all I saw in that moment. Her and her brother—with those eyes that see straight through me. I had to protect them.

What is it about her?

The girl makes me borderline happy.

Content.

At peace.

What the fuck am I going to do with that?

The attack is proof I can’t offer her the same. It’s in everyone’s best interest that I get her out of here as soon as it’s safe, and that thought burns in my chest.

A buzzer sounds and another gate opens, letting Havoc and me deeper into the prison.

The guards pat me down, even after they sent me through the metal detector because they like fucking with us. Especially when they know we have no choice but to cooperate if I want to talk to Chaos.

Havoc grits his teeth as the guard knocks him hard in the nuts on a final pass before they let us through.

Another guard leads us into a large cement room with tables, chairs, and bars on the windows. Chaos is sitting at one in the corner, talking to Tanner Monroe, the club’s attorney, as we make our way over to them and sit in the chairs on the other side.

Chaos’s hair is a touch longer than it’s been in a while, marking the amount of time he’s already spent in here, and reminding me I’m failing him every day he does. He rubs the back of his tattooed hands and looks up at me.

“How are you doing?” I tip my chin up .

“Just fine, Prez.” Chaos leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, grinning. “Although I’d be better if Monroe could get me a conjugal visit.”

Chaos doesn’t let anyone see him stressed—or serious for that matter. He’ll make light of any situation to prove it’s not getting to him. But deep in his eyes, I see it—I owe him. He took the fall for the club so we wouldn’t lose our entire shipment, and now he’s paying for all our sins.

It was supposed to be a simple trade: guns for coke. But someone tipped off the cops, and the Soulless Riders blamed us and started shooting. We clipped a couple of them but had to split before we could clean up the mess.

Chaos led the cops in one direction while Mayhem got the rest of our men out of there. He went down so no one else would.

“I already told you; you aren’t married,” Monroe says.

“We’ll get you plenty of pussy when you’re out of here,” I promise, looking at Monroe. “Where are we on that?”

“The judge will hear the next appeal in two weeks.” Monroe straightens his tie. “But we have a problem.”

“What now?”

“They say they’ve got a witness. Someone can place Chaos at the gas station.”

That is a problem.

The only reason we’ve gotten this far is that the cops arrested Chaos a few miles away. They locked him up for the drugs in his saddlebag but couldn’t tie him to the bodies we’d left behind .

If they do that, there’s a chance they’ll use him to make an example, and that’s not something I’m willing to accept.

“Who’s the witness?”

“Don’t know. They’re protecting them.”

I shake my head. “Then figure it the fuck out. Chaos gets out in two weeks, Monroe. Or it’s on you.”

Monroe has worked for the club for a long time, so I don’t feel bad threatening him. He covers for us, and we cover for him. No one’s hands are clean.

“You got it, Steel.” He stands up, nodding at me once before leaving.

“You think he’ll take care of it?” Chaos watches him go.

“He has no choice.”

I have enough to make Monroe suffer if he tries to turn on us. And as much as I’d hate to do it, given how many years we’ve worked together, I will for my brothers.

“How are things on the outside?” Chaos asks, lacing his hands behind his head. “Any more noise at Sapphire Rise?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s been quiet. Kansas is keeping it under control.”

Chaos tips his head back and laughs. “Only you would actively avoid a strip club, Prez. The girls could help you relieve a little tension.”

“All those girls do is give me a fucking headache.”

“That’s because you don’t use ’em like they want you to.”

“Like they want you to,” I remind him.

The girls at Sapphire Rise treat Chaos like he’s a god, and given how he looks after them, it makes sense. But I’ve got enough to worry about without adding the club’s strippers to the list of my problems.

Chaos narrows his eyes, scanning me over. “What’s got you so fucking uptight? You’d think you’re the one in the jumpsuit.”

“Ghost still can’t crack the drive.” I dip my chin, shaking my head. “And the Iron Sinners showed up at the compound to send another message.”

“What the fuck?” Chaos’s eyes burn with rage when I look back up at him.

“It was just a couple of guys on the perimeter, shooting the dirt to get our attention. Still. Too fucking close.”

“No one got hit?”

I shake my head.

Havoc leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking at me.

“Don’t fucking start,” I say, already knowing what Havoc’s thinking.

“Start what?” Havoc smirks. “I’ve never seen you so protective, Prez. Knight in shining armor if I’ve ever seen one.”

“Oh shit, is this about the girl?” Chaos rests his elbows on the table, leaning forward.

I haven’t mentioned Tempe to Chaos, but I’m not surprised he’s heard about her when Soul likes to gossip.

“I was doing my job and making sure they didn’t get shot. ”

“A little too well I hear. Playing house with her and the kid.” Chaos shakes his head. “How hard did you get hit in the head when you took down the Sinners at the strip club? I’ve heard your bed at the clubhouse has been empty.”

“I’m staying at my house. Didn’t know it was such big fucking news.”

“I’m not complaining.” Havoc grins. “I’m happy to keep Reina’s mouth busy while you’re gone.”

“Fuck, that girl can give head.” Chaos rubs his hand down his face.

“Are you two done reminiscing about blow jobs or are we here to talk business?”

“Can’t we do both?” Chaos looks at Havoc, who shrugs. “Besides, this isn’t about blow jobs, Prez. This is about you. We’ve protected plenty of people, but you’ve never put them up in your house.”

“She has a kid.”

“Exactly. Fuck that shit. Kids are—”

I slam my fist on the table, cutting him off. “Don’t.”

Chaos leans back, grinning before pretending to zip his lips. “My bad. Didn’t realize I hit a sore spot.”

I hate that he’s calling me out.

Even more, I hate that he’s right.

There’s no shortage of people who the Vegas cops don’t give a shit about. We’re always protecting our community. We do the work the law won’t. But I’ve never let anyone stay in my house before. I’ve never cared enough to.

I’d like to think I still don’t .

But then Tempe will pour me coffee in the morning. And even if she doesn’t talk to me, we silently sit across from each other and drink it.

Or Austin will wake up screaming in the middle of the night—and I’ll wait at the bottom of the stairs until I hear Tempe soothe him long enough that he’s stopped crying.

And I care just enough to have a second cup. Or to sit on the staircase for an extra hour to make sure everyone gets back to sleep.

I care just enough to find my way back to the house every single night to make sure they’re okay.

“No one’s judging,” Havoc says, looking over at me, playing peacekeeper as always.

Chaos shakes his head. “Not judging. But I swear, if Jameson Steel claims an old lady while I’m behind bars, I might just stay in here. You get too much good pussy to be locking down one chick. It’d be a fucking tragedy.”

“Just focus on getting out.” I stand up. “I mean it, Dean; the club needs you. Jokes aside, this isn’t where you belong.”

It’s rare I call the guys by their legal names, but Chaos has a way of steamrolling through serious situations, and right now, that could get him into trouble. I need him focused on getting back to his brothers.

Chaos stands up, nodding. “You got it, Prez.”

A buzzer rings, letting the visitors know it’s time to go. The guards drag Chaos away a little rougher than need be to prove a point to us. But while I’m sure it’s intended to piss me off, all it does is remind me why I’ll fight like hell to get him out .

Forces from all sides are trying to tear my family apart, but I’ll keep us together.

No matter what it costs me.