Page 83 of Twisted Steel

Raven’s mouth curves faintly.“There she is.”

Harper continues, brutal and bright.“Because you’re hiding.Because you set traps and run before they close.Because you’re not hunting Steel.You’re begging him to chase you.”My chest tightens.

Reaper’s voice drops.“Careful, angel.”

“I told you.Not religious.”

“You will be when you’re praying for mercy.”

I move, but Harper’s hand shoots out, finding my wrist without looking.This time I barely stop.

Reaper hears the movement anyway.“There he is.Does he shake when you touch him?”

Harper looks at me then.And damn her, there’s no fear in her face.Only faith.

“He doesn’t shake,” she says.“He waits because he already knows how this ends.”

Something in me breaks clean open.

Saint lifts two fingers, indicating the trace is running.Savage nods once.“Keep him talking,” he mouths.Harper sees it and keeps going.

“You wanted him wild,” she says.“That’s why you keep using me.But here’s the thing, Reaper.You don’t understand Steel at all.”

Reaper laughs.“I know exactly what he is.”

“No,” Harper says.“You know what he can do.That isn’t the same thing.”

The yard is silent.My men hear every word.So do I.Raven’s eyes flick to mine, and for one second, I see something like understanding there.She knows what it costs to be seen by a woman who refuses to blink.

Reaper’s voice turns venomous.“I’ll show you what he is when I make him choose between you and his club.”

There it is.The real hit.

My chest goes tight as Savage’s eyes flick to mine.Crimson’s words from moments ago echo through the yard.

Weak spot.

Leash.

Club or woman.

Harper’s fingers tighten around my wrist.

Reaper laughs softly.“Tick tock, Steel.Medic or brothers.Let’s see who bleeds prettier.”

The line cuts and Saint curses.“Lost it.But I got a sector.”

“Where?”Savage asks.

“North side.Near the old rail yard.”

Savage starts issuing orders, but the words come through water.Men move around me, plans form, guns are checked.Harper stands in front of me, still holding my wrist.Her face has gone still too.

She heard it too.The choice being orchestrated around us.Club or her.Brotherhood or woman.Duty or devotion.

I know what I’m supposed to say.That there’s no choice.That the club comes first.Always.That’s the vow.Blood in, blood out.Sons before self.Sons before everything.

But then I look at Harper.At the woman who stood in a yard full of killers and told my enemy the truth about me I didn’t know how to speak.