Chapter Twenty-Four
Steel watched asChenoa spread cream cheese over her bagel. They were sitting on the back patio listening to the gurgling stream while flashing green and blue dragonflies flitted about. A breeze wafted the sweet smell of freshly mown grass toward them.
He loved these easy early afternoons they shared. She’d been living with him for the past two weeks, and she seemed to be thriving.
“I think it’s awesome that you’re dating Breanna. I knew there was something between you guys. I saw it every time she came into the room at the rehab center when you were there.”
“I wish you would’ve told me.” He winked at her when she gave him that “oh Dad” face. “You nervous about starting school next week?”
She took a large bite out of her bagel and chewed for a few seconds. “Kinda. I wish I could’ve just studied for my GED. Breanna had it all arranged.”
“Just give it a try. If you hate Jefferson High, then we can talk. I think it’s important for you to be involved in high school activities and not have so much free time. High school can be cool, but I don’t want you to stress it. If it’s bad, you tell me. Okay?”
“Okay.” She stared off into the distance. “It shouldn’t be too bad. Michela and Josie are gonna be there. They said it’s not a bad school. So we’ll see.” She turned and smiled at him.
When she smiled, it lit up her whole face. He never grew tired of seeing it. “Remember, if it’s not working, let me know, sunshine. I’m in this with you. You don’t have to go it alone, ever.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
“You know what I wanna do? I wanna go to the clubhouse and play a game of pool with Uncle Paco. I never took him up on the bet he made me a few months ago before I… well… you know.”
“Yeah.” He stroked her hand. “Why the hell not? Get your shoes on and we’ll ride over there. The brothers will be happy to see you.”
Fuck the department.
She gobbled down her bagel and jumped from the chair. “I’ll only be a few seconds.” She dashed into the house.
***
When they arrivedat the clubhouse, Chenoa practically jumped from his Harley before he shut the motor off. He caught the helmet she threw at him and laughed as he watched her run through the opened doors, her long black hair swaying. When he entered, he saw Chenoa already sitting at the bar with a group of the brothers around her hugging and talking with her. Her dark eyes sparkled.
“It’s fuckin’ great to see Chenoa,” Paco said.
“She wanted to see everyone, especially you. I think she’s gonna challenge you to a pool game.” Steel took the tequila shot the prospect put in front of him. “Play a fair game, and let her win or lose on her own.”
The vice president nodded. “How’s it going with your social worker,” he asked in a low voice.
A broad smile broke over Steel’s face. “Fucking good. And her name’s Breanna. What do you got going?”
“Nothing, just the way I like it. Club girls and an occasional hang-around satisfy me. I don’t need the fuckin’ drama of a citizen. I never thought you’d end up with one, let alone an employee with the goddamn government.” He took a long pull on his beer. “The brothers are all surprised.”
“I’m fucking surprised. She grabbed hold of my balls and there was nothing I could do.”
“You guys talking chicks?” Sangre asked as he approached the bar. “Chenoa’s looking real good, bro.” Steel glared at him and he threw his hands up. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. Fuck, she’s a kid and your daughter. Do you think I’m fuckin’ nuts?”
“Yeah,” Goldie said as he sidled up next to the trio.
Sangre gave him the middle finger. “What I meant is that she looks healthy and happy. It’s a good thing to see. Damn, you guys got dirty minds.” He chuckled.
Steel laughed. “If anyone’s got a dirty mind, it’s you. All you ever do is think about fucking. You’re the damn opposite of Diablo.” The brothers laughed, then changed the conversation to Harleys when Chenoa came over.
“Dad, can I go for a ride with Uncle Rooster? He told me he got a brand-new Harley and he said I had to ask you.”
“Sure. Just make sure you wear a helmet.” He caught Rooster’s eye and winked at him.
Rooster nodded and rose to his feet. “You ready to get going, little lady?”
Steel loved the way Chenoa’s eyes brightened when she was excited. She scurried over to Rooster and they walked out. Steel trusted Rooster with his life. He and Tattoo Mike were the oldest members of the club. At thirty-six, Rooster had an old lady and a couple of kids, but he gave the brotherhood 100 percent.
His old lady, Shannon, was a hard drinking, tell-it-like-it-is kind of woman, but she had a heart of gold. She and Tattoo Mike’s old lady, Sam, were best friends. Sam was a tough lady who didn’t take any shit from anyone. Steel liked her because she called it like it was, but she knew her place among the brothers. She showed respect to her man, and she didn’t disrespect any of the brothers. Even if a brother called her Samantha—her given name—to tease her, she’d hold her tongue, but her eyes shot daggers. If a non-brother called her Samantha, she’d rip their head off.
