Page 134 of Steel

The truth was that I’d been my son’s only savior. With no family of any kind to help, I’d been the ship cruising in the night. Until I’d felt as if we were both on the Titanic.

Which was why I was locked, loaded, and ready for bear as the saying went.

That was also why I was flabbergasted when Steel gripped my shoulder, swung his head toward me, and exclaimed, “I’ll take care of this. No one is going to fuck with the people I care about.”

Steel took long strides toward Kenneth, which left me scrambling to move quickly behind him.

“You’re not on the invitation list, so I suggest you leave,” Steel told him.

“And who are you?”

“Let’s just say I’m with the lady.”

“This is between me and Violet. You don’t matter,” Kenneth insisted.

Which prompted Steel to get in his face.

“Mom? What is going on?”

“I don’t know, baby, but like Steel said, this man isn’t welcome.” I glared at Kenneth while pulling Damon close to me.

“Violet. It’s good to see you,” Kenneth pressed.

The guests were watching closely but not in a voyeuristic way; more in a sense of being there if I needed reinforcement. I could tell by their expressions.

“Well, you’ll understand if I don’t say the same. Josie. Do you mind taking my son away? Maybe get him a drink.”

She huffed and moved closer. “I would be happy to.”

I did adore her attitude and her ability to read the room. She was very much a Beckett.

“Mom. I don’t want to leave you. I’ll protect you.” There went my kid again.

“Don’t worry, little man,” Steel piped in. “I won’t leave her side and she’ll have protection.”

Kenneth was none too happy. Oh, well. What a shame.

“It’s alright, babe,” I told Damon. “I’ll be right there. Nothing is going to interrupt your birthday party.” You bet I could tell by the briefest of reactions Kenneth dared to make that he’d forgotten all about this being his own son’s birthday. Fuck the man.

I walked farther away from the crowd, using the few steps to calm my anger. If that was possible.

“You aren’t welcome here,” I repeated after knowing he’d follow me.

“And you ignored my requests, so I did what I needed to do.” Kenneth was right on my heel. “It’s important that we speak.”

The last thing I wanted was to speak to him about anything, but more important, I didn’t want him hounding me any longer. Iwas finished with dealing with shit in my life. It was way past time I took control in a way that made me happy.

I lifted my gaze to Steel who was standing a few feet away. While he’d allow me to fight my own battles, he also had no intention of leaving me alone. That said everything I needed to know about his character.

“Fine, Kenneth. Say what you need to tell me and go away. You don’t care about Damon and that’s obvious so just finish this.” I honestly don’t know what I expected, but when he pulled out an envelope, I was taken aback. “What is this?”

“It’s money.”

For a split second, I thought it might be what he owed in child support, but I knew better with Kenneth. “What is this, a bribe?” I made certain my beautiful son wasn’t anywhere around. I refused to allow him to be hurt any longer. Enough damage had been done.

“Your guess is right, Violet,” Steel threw out, taking his time walking closer. “Why don’t you tell her, Kenneth? Or would you prefer I do?”

I shifted my gaze from Steel back to Kenneth. “Why don’t you tell me, Kenny? You’ve never worried about telling me anything before, like how you were married and had another life. Or that you wanted nothing to do with your son. Well, guess what? I don’t care about you and haven’t for a very long time.”