Page 21 of Steel

“I’m just grabbing some food.”

Reina lifts off the counter and walks over to me. She’s wearing heels first thing in the morning, and each click of them against the tile is like a threat on her approach.

I stand up taller when she reaches me, refusing to back down just because she’s feeling territorial.

Reina stops in front of me, scanning me slowly, before spearing me with her gaze. “You’re cute, I’ll give you that. But don’t think that just because he fucked you once, you’ll turn his head. Steel’s spoken for.”

“He didn’t—”

“Don’t bother.”

She spins on her heels, walking out of the kitchen with her brunette friend right behind her. And I’m not sure what’s more disturbing—the fact that she thinks I slept with Steel last night or that she thinks he’s her man, and she still accepts that kind of behavior from him.

“Don’t listen to her.” The girl with purple hair walks over to me, offering me a friendly smile as she brings her coffee mug to her mouth. “Reina still thinks Steel’s going to put a property patch on her back someday.”

“Is he?”

And why am I asking?

Why do I care?

“Steel with an old lady?” She laughs. “No way.”

That’s not any more reassuring, but at least it’s enough of a warning to stay far away from him.

“I’m Luna,” she says.

“Tempe.”

Luna smiles, and it lights up her cheeks. Her roots are blonde, but darker than Reina’s, so I guess that’s her natural color. The rest of her hair is streaked in lavender and pulled back, with pieces falling around her face. Her slippers are bright pink and fluffy. And she’s paired them with an oversized Call of Duty T-shirt.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Tempe.” Luna takes a sip of her coffee before setting it down so she can dig through the cabinets. “Let’s find you some food. They don’t have much of a selection unless you’re in the mood to cook something. Stevie won’t be awake for another hour to get breakfast going for the guys since they’re rarely up before ten. Granola bars?”

She spins with a couple in hand, and I take them. “That’s perfect. Thanks.”

Luna grabs her coffee and takes another sip. “No problem.”

“I didn’t sleep with Steel, just so you know.” I don’t think Luna cares, and I shouldn’t need to explain myself, but I can’t help it. “That’s not why I’m here. It’s just… things are complicated.”

“Things usually are when you wind up at this place.”

“I guess so.” I bite my lip. “What about you? Are you seeing one of the guys? Or…”

“Or all of them?” Luna quirks an eyebrow when I don’t finish my sentence.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“You’re fine.” She waves a hand to stop me. “I get it. Guys like the Twisted Kings have a reputation for areason. And I’d be lying if I tried to tell you it’s overexaggerated because it’s not. But it’s not like that between me and them. Not that I’ve never had a weak moment of fun.”

Luna winks, and I admire her unapologetic confidence.

“So you’re a friend of the club then?”

“I help Ghost with surveillance, and in return, they give me a place to crash. They took me in when things got…” She pauses, her gaze drifting off with whatever she was just about to say.

“Complicated?” I finish her sentence.

“Yeah, complicated.” Luna smiles. “But it’s better now. And I’ve got a roof over my head while I finish up my degree, so that’s all that matters.”

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