Steel 2: Blackthorne MC #2 Read Free Page B

me in dismissal. “He’s busy. You’ll see him later.”
    “What?”
    Nick took the beer from Damien and walked over to hand it to me. “Relax, Ella. You have to see him later. There’s a big gathering here tonight, and he’s busy with that.”
    “A gathering? You mean a party?”
    Chad snorted with laughter.
    Nick ignored him. “Something like that.”
    Now I was even more confused. Why had they brought me here when there was going to be a party? Surely it was better that I saw Victor before then and got everything sorted out.
    Before I could argue with Nick, Damien made me jump by yelling out for Nancy.
    When Nancy stalked out of a doorway at the back of the bar, Damien said, “Ella needs a room and some clothes. Can you sort it?”
    Nancy gave him a hard look but then she nodded and looked at me. She crooked her finger. “Come on then, Ella.”
    I took my beer with me. I figured I would need it.
    Nancy was tall and slim with incredibly long legs, and I had to walk fast to keep up with her.
    “I’m sorry for putting you to so much trouble,” I said, trying to be friendly so that she might feel inclined to help me.
    Nancy shrugged. “Are you okay?”
    It was a simple question, but there was genuine concern in her voice, and it made me tear up.
    “Not really,” I said. “I don’t know why I’m here. I just want to go home, but they are insisting I see Victor.”
    “And do you know who Victor is? Have you seen him before?”
    I shook my head. “I haven’t got a clue who he is.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I was at a bar with a friend and I…” I hesitated for a moment, my cheeks flushed, and then I said it all in a rush, “I hooked up with Nick… And afterwards, well, I’d had a lot to drink. I don’t really remember anything that happened after that. When I woke up in the morning, Chad was in my room, blocking the door, and they wouldn’t let me go.”
    Nancy stopped walking and turned around to face me. She was almost a foot taller than I was. She looked down at my face, studying me intently. She didn’t say anything. Why was everybody around here so weird?
    “I’ll get you some clothes,” she said. Her voice was gentle, almost motherly. “I’m sure you’ll get your meeting with Victor later, and everything will be fine.”
    She didn’t sound very certain to me.
    Nancy showed me into a small room with a double bed. It was plainly furnished, with white painted walls, and bare floorboards, but it looked clean and the linen looked fresh.
    “Will this do?” She asked as if I had a choice.
    “Yes, thank you.”
    “I’m going to get you some clothes, so wait here.”
    She left the room but didn’t completely shut the door behind her. I flopped back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. I just couldn’t think of a way to get out of this mess.

3

    Nancy had only been gone for a minute or so when I heard footsteps and sat up. I assumed it was Nancy coming back with the clothes, but then I heard a voice I recognized. Deep and gritty. It was Damien.
    “Don’t argue with me, woman,” he said.
    Then I heard Nancy’s voice. “What kind of threat could a girl like that be to anyone? What were you thinking, Damien?”
    “It’s none of your business,” Damien said with a steely voice. “It’s up to Victor, and we’ll know what he wants to do tonight after he’s seen her.”
    “Since when were you so bothered about what your brother thinks?”
    “Are you determined to fight with me, Nancy? I’ve been away for a week.”
    “I don’t want to fight with you, but you drive me crazy sometimes.”
    There was silence for a moment before Damien said, “There’s something else.”
    “What’s that?”
    “We need to keep her away from Nick.”
    “Nick? Why?”
    “He’s been hanging around her a lot. I think he’s soft on her. We can’t risk that complication, so keep him busy tonight.”
    “How?”
    “The same way you would keep any man busy. Throw the girls at him and