Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga #10)(60)

“Damn. Do you think your father…?”

“I don’t know.” This time I paced in circles. “I’m afraid to even think about it.”

“We have to think about it, man. We have to.”

“Whether he did or not, it shouldn’t have anything to do with us,” I said. “We were nine. We’re innocent.”

“Morse is bluffing,” Joe said. “He has to be. How could he even know anything?”

“I don’t know. He’s got money, though. Not Steel money, but enough to dig up any dirt there is. And he might have done just that.”

“He seriously can’t think he can take us on,” Joe said. “Like you said, he doesn’t have Steel money.”

“I don’t have any money.”

“But he has to know that we’ve got your back.”

“Why would he know that?”

“He’ll know if he tries anything.”

“I can’t—”

“Don’t even,” Joe said. “You’re an honorary Steel brother. You always have been. Whatever you need, bro. Always.”

I already felt like I was taking advantage of the Steels by accepting their generous offer. My only solace was that I knew I was qualified and would do a damned good job for them. “Thanks, man.”

“You know it.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m going to talk to Morse.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“I should go alone.”

Hell, no. If Joe went alone, he might do something hotheaded and stupid. He’d been ready to blow Ted Morse away once before. With good reason, but still. Joe and I were good for each other. We kept each other level-headed.

“I’ll go with you. He came to me with this. I’m already involved.”

“Good enough.” He pointed to his ankle. “But Rosie’s coming along.”

I nodded. “No problem there. I’ll be packing as well.” If I was there to stop him, Joe wouldn’t cross the line. But I was absolutely fine with him scaring Morse a little, and since I’d learned the truth about my father, I’d carried my own concealed weapon.

“Funny,” I said. “My dad is the one who taught us how to be such good shots.”

Joe started to reply but stopped when his phone dinged. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Text from Talon. He needs to talk. I guess I’m going over to his house. Come with me. We have to tell them—”

I widened my eyes. “No, Joe. Not yet.”

“You’re right,” he said. “This has stayed between the two of us for thirty years. A few more days won’t hurt. We see Morse first.”

I nodded. “You were going to have those PIs sweep my house for bugs. We need to get all your properties swept too before we even mention this anywhere inside.”

“Good call,” Joe said. “Let’s go.”





Chapter Thirty–Nine





Marjorie





Dinner for ten at the last minute. No problem when you lived on a beef ranch. Burgers for all. Jade’s nausea had lessened some, and she helped me get everything together.

Melanie arrived before Joe, and I couldn’t help smiling as I hugged her. She looked so beautifully radiant, her skin glowing, her belly in the third trimester. She was clearly enjoying her pregnancy and had little difficulty.

Which made me feel even worse for Jade.

I could tell Melanie felt a little guilty when she was around Jade, but she hid it well. The two of them weren’t overly close. Melanie was much closer to my other sister-in-law, Ruby Lee Steel, who arrived moments later. The two of them had been each other’s maids of honor at their respective weddings. They set to chatting, so Jade and I went back to work in the kitchen.

Jade sighed. “I’m trying to be happy for Melanie. I really am.”

“I know it’s hard,” I replied.

“I’m trying to concentrate on the fact that my baby is okay. That’s what’s important.”

“It is. And it’ll be over in less than six months.”

“She’ll have a baby before I do.”

“True, but she may only have this one chance because of her age. Remember that. You’re young. You can have lots more.”

“After this?” Jade shook her head. “I’m not sure I can go through it again. Plus we have the boys to think about as well. I can’t be spread too thin. And right now? This stuff with Dale? I’m scared, Marj.”

“It’ll all work itself out,” I said, hoping I sounded convincing. I was every bit as frightened as she was.

I carried a tray of raw burgers out onto the deck for Talon to grill. I looked around. Everyone was here.

Everyone, that was, except for Joe and Bryce.

Joe had texted Talon back that he was with Bryce and that Bryce was coming along. Even now, my body still tingled from our time together.

I wanted to see him.

And I wanted not to see him.

I turned, and—

“Oh!” I gasped, my knees trembling.

Bryce grabbed my arm and steadied me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I wasn’t startled so much as…hyperaware. His body so close to mine sent me into shivers—shivers that raced along my spine and landed between my legs.