He found himself staring at her for a long time. Shocked that she didn’t know. That she couldn’t see. Then he was laughing. He didn’t know if he was slightly hysterical, but his laughter wasn’t humorous in the least.
“Baby, you’re reading the situation completely wrong. I know you don’t need saving. I do. I need you to save me.”
FIVE
“Welcome home, Breezy,” Maestro said as she emerged from the bathroom. Fortunately, she had dressed in the surprisingly nice room.
“Hey, Maestro,” she replied. The hall was empty. It was at least ten o’clock. She’d slept in. The others should have been lounging around—at least the Swords always had. Ten was early for them to move. She’d been so lucky that Steele hadn’t tried to sleep in the same bed with her. From the moment she’d laid eyes on him, she’d thought sex. Her body was so wound up she hurt. That was what Steele did to her, even in the worst of circumstances.
“Where’s Steele?” She wanted to get started on finding Zane.
“Waiting outside for you. He showed me a picture of the boy. He’s beautiful. Can’t wait to meet him.”
Breezy couldn’t help the smile because any mention of Zane made her smile, but the anxiety for his safety was nearly overwhelming—to the point that she just wanted to run out, jump in her truck and tear down the road as if she could find him that way—with action.
“You’ll love him, Maestro. He’s so into music. When he cried, if I turned the radio on, it would soothe him to sleep. That and me rocking him.”
“I can teach the little guy to play the guitar. Or the piano. Have one in my brand-new house. First thing I put in there. They delivered it the other day. We get our boy back, I’ll take you there and play for you.”
That stopped her in her tracks. It didn’t make sense. These men didn’t own property. They were in the wind the moment the whim took hold. “You have a house? Like an actual home?”
“Sure, we do. All of us. Czar wants the roots down deep. Seemed kind of dumb until Reaper got with Anya. Then it made sense.”
“Reaper has a woman?”
“Old lady, and he’s damn serious about her. Czar has Blythe, and now Steele’s got you back …”
“I’m not back. I’m just … here.” It had bothered her for the rest of the night, the last thing Steele had said to her. The voice he’d said it in. He was the one who needed saving. She’d always thought of him as invincible, but his tone resonated with honesty. He’d believed what he was telling her. “Wait. Blythe? I thought Alena was Czar’s old lady.” She was more confused than ever.
Maestro shook his head as they entered the large common room on their way outside. “No. Alena provided cover, so it didn’t seem strange that he didn’t sleep with any of the club girls. Blythe is his wife.”
Breezy frowned. “Czar rode with the Swords for five years. Do you want me to believe he didn’t sleep with anyone else in all that time?”
“Why do women think they’re the only ones who can be faithful?”
She saw Steele sitting on his big Harley, surrounded by several of the Torpedo Ink members, all ready to ride. Her heart pounded instantly, and she stopped walking so abruptly Maestro nearly plowed into her. His hands caught her shoulders as he came to a halt behind her.
“Because most men are like him.” She indicated Steele with her chin. “You know, that man who needs three women all over him to satisfy him.” She murmured her reply, her gaze fixed on the man she’d fallen so hard for she hadn’t been able to get through a single day without thinking of him. Or dreaming about him. Nothing had changed after seeing him. Maybe that longing had gotten even stronger.
He was beautiful sitting there on his bike. He belonged, his rugged good looks and his colors worn so easily as if they were part of his skin. She knew they were. She’d seen the tattoo of the tree on his back often enough. Before, it had only been a cool tatt, and his body was covered in them. Now, she knew it was his life. The club would always be his life. His first loyalty was there. The lifestyle of parties, women, alcohol.
“Men can be faithful, Breezy,” Maestro said softly. “Steele—”
“Don’t,” she interrupted softly. “There’s no need to explain. He’s free