Page 105 of Steel

“Yeah, I don’t think you do but that’s okay. He’s my little man to deal with and I will tell him about Zorro in a couple days. I’m certain you think that inconsiderate or being a terrible mother. Trust me. I’ve had those feelings for a long time. It’s just been a very long time since he’s been genuinely happy.” She was completely despondent at the thought. “We’ve been here a couple days and he’s different. Maybe we’re both different.”

Hearing her labored breathing and the way she was second guessing herself was infuriating. He’d managed to do that to her. Kenneth Fucking Coleman the third.

I hated him even more.

“Don’t do that, Violet. I might not be an expert, but from what I’ve seen, you’re an amazing mother. Don’t worry. I’ll make certain you have more time with the pup. If he’s even part of their litter. Maybe not.” The sad, almost absent look in her eyes was an emotion I wasn’t good at dealing with.

“Thank you. You’re a good guy. That is when you want to be. Other than that, you’re…”

Now I laughed. “I don’t know aboutthat.”

“I do. But like I said, only when you decide it’s worthwhile. Anyway, I should go. I have a lot to do today.” When she tried to walk past me, I snagged her arm.

“Violet. Has your ex ever threatened you?”

“God, no. Why would you say that?” Lifting her head, she narrowed her eyes. Something I’d learned about the dazzling woman was that she was a terrible liar. Every typical facial tic in the world could be seen on her face.

“Because men like Kenneth enjoy bullying women. They get their jollies with their passive-aggressive behavior, treating women as objects. Making them feel small to boost their own self confidence. Often the emotional lines are tied together with physical ones.”

“If you’re asking if he roughed me up, does throwing me out of his office count?”

I took a deep breath. “Hell, yes, it does. And that pisses me off.”

“That was a long time ago. I was a different person then, a little too naïve to realize the kind of man he truly was. However, don’t worry. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with me and that’s just fine by me. He’s my past. I’m currently planning my future.”

As I suspected, she still wasn’t telling me everything. She pulled her arm free, the offered smile one of continued confusion. She was a lost soul.

What I’d hesitated in telling her was that men like Kenneth Coleman couldn’t afford a scandal ripping their world apart. At some point, the haunting secrets of the past could be exposed. If that happened, he would stop at nothing to shut her world down.

Using whatever methods necessary.

Including violence.

* * *

“So you have a girlfriend, huh?”

How did I know my sister would use the babysitting request to bring down the hammer? That’s what she liked to tell me when suggesting I needed a woman. Why did everyone think having a girlfriend would calm me down?

“She’s a friend. That’s it.” Maybe one with benefits, but every moment we shared ended with a reminder that we both had different lives. Hell, she was planning the future. She might as well have said without me in it.

“That’s not what Axe told me. He said you caused quite the scene in Ziggy’s parking lot last night.”

“It’s entirely possible I’ll convincemyparents that I am an only child.”

“Sorry. I’m Mother’s favorite. Now, about this hot woman.”

“Can we get back to the point? Do you have time this morning to watch the most adorable kid in the world for a couple hours? And maybe a few other times over the next couple of weeks. Or months.” I knew as soon as the words slipped from my mouth, I was in trouble.

“You like her!”

“Doesn’t matter. She has a job to do and little money to do it with. So, can you help?”

My sister could be considered the drama queen. With her laugh, I knew I’d never hear the end of it. “So my brother can make his starring debut in a hot calendar and finally have a decent girlfriend? You bet.”

“Do not start with me. Not a word.”

“Until the calendar comes out.”