Page 22 of Steel

“What are you stu—”

I’m cut off by the kitchen door swinging open.

Steel walks in, overtaking the room with one step inside. His gaze fixes on me for a long moment before he glances at Luna.

“Luna, give us a minute.”

Short.

Demanding.

If I had to guess, everyone here is used to him bossing them around, but he doesn’t have to be such a dick about it.

“Sure thing, Steel.” Luna tips her coffee up at him, squeezing my shoulder as she walks by. “See you around, Tempe.”

“See ya.”

She walks around Steel, pausing with her hand on the door. “Open or closed?”

“Closed.”

And when the door shuts behind Luna, trapping me in here with him, I’m ready to tell him exactly how I feel about him holding us hostage in this hellhole he calls a clubhouse. I’m all my brother has left, and even a Twisted Kings president isn’t going to stop me from doing what I need to protect him.

6

Steel

Tempe stands in themiddle of the kitchen like a bundle of dynamite. Her shoulders are rolled back, and her arms are gripping her middle like she’s holding in an explosion. And when she narrows her pretty hazel eyes, I sense it.

A match being lit.

The fuse burning.

“You done in here?” I ask when she doesn’t so much as blink while she stares at me.

“I guess.” She shrugs.

“What’s wrong?”And why does she keep making it my problem?

“Nothing.”

I drag my fingers through my hair.

Games.

Attitude.

Everything about this girl is so fucking irritating.

It’s not my fault she tried to steal from my club. It’s not my fault she got herself into trouble. But here I am, dealing with her shit. Andshe’sthe one who is pissed at me about it.

“Fine. You want to know what’s wrong?” She throws her arms to her sides and takes a step toward me when I’m quiet for a minute. “If you’re going to hold us hostage, you could at least feed us.”

I glance down at the granola bars in her hand. “Is that so?”

“Yes.” Her spine straightens, and she gives me a sharp nod. “You’re a rude host.”

“This isn’t a hotel, princess.” I pop my knuckles. “And I’m not hosting shit.”

---