Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga #10)(7)

“Let me get right to the point,” Talon said. “Joe, Ryan, and I have already discussed bringing you on, and we were going to bring it up sometime soon. But things get in the way.”

I stifled a surprised jerk. They’d talked about it? “I get it. I wish Jade weren’t having such a hard time.”

“You and me both. It kills me. But she and the baby are healthy, so that’s the main thing.”

I nodded.

“Then we were all on pins and needles waiting for Melanie’s amnio results. They came in fine, thank God.”

Again, I nodded.

“I’m sorry it’s taken a while, but the three of us are on the same page. Even though Ry and Joe aren’t here, I know they wouldn’t mind me telling you what we’ve been discussing, especially since you came here today asking for a job. The three of us want you to be a part of Steel Acres, and not just as a ranch hand, Bryce. You have a ton to offer, and we need you.”

“That’s kind of you to say.”

Very kind of him, but it wasn’t true. The Steels did not need me. They had a first-class, billion-dollar operation that was thriving despite the trauma of the past year. If they truly wanted to bring me on, it was probably out of pity. Pity for me because of what my father had done. What my father had been, and the fact that he’d basically left my mother and me penniless.

“You’re worth a lot more to us than a hard laborer, Bryce,” Talon continued. “We’re prepared to make you a solid offer that includes a profit share.”

I widened my eyes without meaning to. A profit share? Even a tiny share would amount to more money than I’d seen in my lifetime. As much as I just wanted to labor—do physical work without thinking—I had an obligation to my son. This could mean everything for him.

I cleared my throat. “That’s generous of you. What exactly did you have in mind?”

“I don’t want to get into all the details without Joe and Ryan here, but it’s an offer you won’t be able to refuse.” He smiled and took a drink of his bourbon.

“All right. I’ll hear you out.” I took another sip. “But honestly, Tal, all I really want is to do a hard day’s work for a fair wage. I need to help my mom and support my son. I don’t want a lot of time for…”

“For what?”

“For thinking, man. I want to work my body so damned hard that I collapse from exhaustion. Surely you get what I mean.”

He nodded. “I do get it. Why do you think I joined the army? Went to Iraq? I was running, Bryce. Running from a bunch of shit I didn’t want to face. But you can only run for so long before your legs give out and the past hits you in the gut.”

“Look,” I said seriously. “I’m not equating your ordeal with what I’m dealing with. It’s nothing compared to what you went through.”

“Don’t do that,” he said. “Don’t belittle your own situation. Your father turned out to be something horrible, and now you have to live with that.”

“But nothing was done to me.”

“Sure it was. Maybe not the same way it was done to me, but you’re going through your own hell right now. Own it, man. Accept it. Only then can you begin to get over it.”

I shook my head, chuckling softly. “You’re something. You really are.”

“I’m just a guy. My past doesn’t define me. My father doesn’t define me. And your father doesn’t define you.”

I smiled. “Melanie must be a hell of a therapist.”

“She is. And she’s an even better sister-in-law. She’s the best.”

“Maybe I’ll talk to her.”

“She’d be happy to help. Or if you’re uncomfortable with her, she can refer you to someone else.”

Therapy. We were getting a little off the subject, and I was feeling more than uncomfortable. Talon Steel was everyone’s hero. I was a self-absorbed douchebag.

Big-time.

I stood, swallowing the last of my bourbon. “Okay. You guys are really generous. I’ll hear you out. Just call me and let me know when the three of you want to get together. I should probably be going.”

“You sure? We can have another drink. Catch up on other stuff.”

What other stuff? Ruminating about my father had been my life for the past couple months. Hell, I wasn’t even being a father to Henry. I’d told myself on more than one occasion that I was laying off for my mom’s sake, that she needed to focus on Henry right now. That was all true, but there was more to the truth.

I was feeling unworthy. Unworthy of being a father. What if I went crazy and turned out like my old man?

No way would I put my little boy in danger.

No fucking way.

I raked my fingers through my hair.

Fuck.

“Another time. Let me know when you guys want to talk.” I set the glass down on Talon’s desk and walked out of the office.

When I walked past the kitchen, Marjorie had her back to me and was loading the dishwasher. Her dark hair fell in long waves nearly to her perfect ass. Her skinny jeans accented her long and shapely legs. God, those legs… They went on forever. How I’d love to have them around my neck as I pumped into her perfect body…

Damn. I needed to get out of here.