Dare To Run (The Sons of Steel Row #1)(72)

I knew, then, in that moment, that he would do the same thing when this was all said and done. That he’d walk away from me . . .

And never look back.





CHAPTER 23





LUCAS




A few hours later, the bar was empty, minus me, Chris, and Heidi. She kept eyeing me up like she was planning on hauling me outside before ensuring I met a gruesome end. I’d annoyed her earlier, apparently.

Not a huge shocker.

I never had been good at understanding women, which was why I generally avoided them unless we were naked and not speaking at all. But there was no avoiding Heidi. I’d tried. It was like trying not to breathe or blink. If she was near me, it was inevitable I’d seek her out.

But I’d been trying my damn best not to.

I’d even tried to be a dick to her for a few hours, but the thing was—it wasn’t working. And I didn’t really want it to. I liked her. I didn’t want to be a dick. For some reason, it mattered to me that she liked me, too, and that only made me even more of a selfish prick than I already was. I should be pushing her away so she’d run.

Instead, I was too busy making sure she liked me.

Asshole.

Besides, I must have misjudged Heidi when I’d decided she’d run if I was a dick. She wouldn’t.

Chris came over to me. “I’m going to head out. You two good to make it across the street alive?”

“I think I can manage,” I said dryly. “Thanks for doing me a solid, man. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah, I know. I rock.” He clapped me on the back harder than necessary. “I’ll see you tomorrow night for the ride to Tate’s.”

I glanced at the kitchen door. Heidi hadn’t come back out yet. “I didn’t tell Heidi about the party, or Tate’s request that she come, so don’t bring it up in front of her. If she knows he wants her there, she’ll insist on coming, and I don’t want her within ten miles of that house—or Scotty.”

“Uh . . . about that . . .” Chris rocked back on his heels. “I might have already mentioned the dinner. And that Tate wanted her to come. I told her I’d see her tomorrow night because I was planning on riding with both of you.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I rubbed my temples and leaned against the wall. “I’m gonna punch you so hard in the nuts that you won’t be able to f*ck for a week.” I growled and tightened my hands into fists.

Chris held his hands up and stepped back. “Okay, okay. Sorry. But how was I supposed to know you didn’t want her to come?”

“Why the hell would I want Heidi to come with me to Tate’s?”

Chris glanced over my shoulder, cleared his throat, and tugged on his collar. I knew without looking that Heidi stood behind me and had heard my last sentence. “Uh . . . and that’s my cue to leave. Nice seeing you again, Heidi.”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. Looking over my shoulder, I said, “Hey, darlin’,” with a fake-ass grin on my face. “Have I mentioned how pretty you look tonight in those shorts?”

She didn’t answer me. Instead she walked Chris to the door. “Thanks for coming.”

I couldn’t hear Chris’s reply, but he glanced at me one more time before leaving. I didn’t move. Just watched Heidi as she locked the door behind him. We were alone. She leaned her hands on the door and took a deep breath. By the time she turned around, I knew I was in for a fight. The look in her eyes only confirmed it.

“What’s happening tomorrow night at Tate’s?” she asked softly. “And why don’t you want me there?”

“Nothing. And because it’s nothing you would want to go to.” I rubbed the back of my neck and tried my best to look innocent of any possible wrongdoing. I had a strong poker face with everyone else, but with Heidi, I wasn’t any good at it. If she even suspected that her being there would help my case with Tate, it would be impossible to get her to stay home. “It’s just a stupid work party.”

She nodded as if she wasn’t pissed off at all. “And by work party, you mean . . . what? Champagne and lobster? Caviar and mousse? Only the best gourmet treats for the crème de la crème of Boston’s criminal elite?”

It sounded ridiculous when she said it like that, and that was probably the point, but Heidi didn’t know Tate considered himself something of a foodie. The mousse would probably be salmon. “Tate uses these parties to network and build alliances. Half the invitees are probably on some agency’s most-wanted list. You have to practically provide a DNA sample to get past the security, but once you’re inside the house, anything goes.” I cocked a brow. “Everything illicit that you could possibly conjure up. It’ll be there.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Drugs? Murder? Prostitution?”

“Drugs? Sure. Murder? Hopefully not. Girls? Yeah, there’ll be some.” I shrugged. “But not for us. Tate doesn’t mind if we party a little, but bottom line, it’s a business event. The women are for the clients.”

“Oh my God.” She crossed her arms. “Seriously?”

“Don’t worry—I’m not interested in them, or anyone else.” I skimmed my knuckles over her soft cheek. “I only want you.”