Awakened (Steel Brothers Saga 16)

Except I kind of am. I met his son, who’s also amazing, beautiful, and troubled.

“No,” I say boldly. “I’m meeting a young Dale Steel.”

She smiles, and I see the motherly love in her eyes at the mention of her son. “So you are.”

“May I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why do you say Talon was troubled?”

A shadow crosses her face. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have used those words. I look at you, and all of a sudden, those memories become so vibrant in my mind. But the details are…personal.”

“Of course,” I say, my cheeks warming. “I’m sorry.”

“Talon didn’t have an easy life.”

“Growing up here?”

“Money doesn’t buy everything,” she says.

“Oh, I know that. I…”

“What is it?”

“It’s just…that came out all wrong. Suffice it to say, I didn’t grow up like this.”

“Very few people do.” She smiles. “Anything you want to talk about?”

She’s so kind, I find myself wanting to spill everything to her, despite the fact she’s keeping personal details from me.

“I never told Dee this, but I… When I was a kid, my mom and I were homeless for a while. We lived in a tent in San Francisco.”

She touches my hand. “Ashley, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m fine. I learned to depend on myself and to go after what I want.”

She nods. “I grew up modestly as well. I’m lucky that I always had a roof over my head, of course, and I was never hungry.”

“I understand.”

“It was difficult, though. Did Dee tell you about my mother?”

“No.”

“She was a model. A supermodel, actually. Her name was Brooke Bailey.”

Brooke Bailey. Yeah, the name rings a bell.

“She left my father and me, and my father was too proud to ask her for money.” Jade shakes her head. “She lost most of her fortune to greedy lovers. She and I made peace in the end. She died last year.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not telling you to get sympathy. Just to tell you I didn’t always live like this. I was never homeless, though. I don’t purport to understand what you went through.”

Again, I have no idea what to say.

“So…Dale,” Jade says.

I smile.

“He’s a lot like his father was at that age. Even down to the little sister he adores. They don’t share blood, but my God, he’s the most like Talon of all our children. It’s uncanny.”

“Why do you think that is?” I ask.

“Their backgrounds are similar. And their personalities. They’re both introverted.”

“Talon’s introverted?”

“Not as much anymore. He sure was a loner when I first met him. And Dale is certainly a loner.”

I nod. I want to add to the conversation, but I only met Dale two days ago. What can I possibly add? That I gave him a blow job outside his office? That I’ll give up my right arm to hear him say my name in that beautiful red-wine voice?

She looks down at my running shoes. “Am I keeping you from your exercise?”

“No, of course not. I was going to…”

She doesn’t encourage me to continue. I have the eerie sensation she knows exactly where I’m planning to go.

Jade takes one last sip of coffee and stands. “You’re welcome anywhere on the ranch. Just…don’t expect too much.”

“From…?”

“You know what I’m talking about, Ashley. He needs time. He’s hard to get close to. If you try to force it, he’ll just run the other way. I speak from experience.”

“I’m not…”

She smiles and places her hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay. You’re not the first woman to fall under his spell.”

Not the first woman? Why do I find that surprising? Of course I’m not. The man is magnificent. Women probably fall all over him. “I’m not under any spell. I…spent last evening with your nephew. Brock.”

“Ashley, you and I both know you’re not interested in Brock.”

“He’s gorgeous.”

“Of course he is. He’s smart, too. And funny. A joy to be around. I love him dearly, as I love all my nieces and nephews. But we both know he doesn’t hold a candle to my oldest.”

She’s right.

No one holds a candle to Dale.

Already I’m in too deep.

Like Jade before me, I’m the moth who can’t resist the flame.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Dale

John Greene has a beer belly and a balding head. If he turns and bends over, I’m betting I’ll see a plumber’s crack. He meets Dad and me at the address I texted him earlier, and he’s right on time.

“You Dale Steel?” he says.

“Yeah. This is my father, Talon Steel.”

Dad rises and shakes his hand. “Please, have a seat, Mr. Greene.”

Greene sits down.

“Coffee?” Dad asks.

“Yeah, please.”

Dad signals our server. “One more coffee here, please.” Then, “My son shared your letter with me. I understand you’re willing to give us the name of your client who claims to be his birth father.”

Greene clears his throat. “That’s right. I assume he told you our terms.”

“He did.”

“I’ve got it,” I say. “Cash.”

“Good.”

“Assuming the information is good.”