Steel Justice (A Romantic Suspense) by Dez Burke Page B

wouldn’t waste any more of his time on me. A few hours later and he’s already moving on to platinum blondes with fake boobs.
    The type of girl I can’t stand.
    The blonde giggles up at him and leans closer, melding her body close to his. An urge strikes me to run over there and yank her long hair extensions right out of her head. Bet she wouldn’t look so pretty then.
    “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” a loud voice snarls, startling me out of my thoughts.
    I whirl around, and my heart drops at the sight of my brother. When did he show up?
    “Ty! What are you doing here?” I ask.
    He reaches into the tip jar and pulls out all of the money.
    “What the fuck does it look like I’m doing? Getting what is due me, that’s what. Did you really think you could just walk out on Big Roy like that? You are an embarrassment to me and stupider than I thought. He sent me here to bring you back. Said you needed to be taught a lesson.”
    Bring me back?
    “What do you mean? I’m not a prisoner, for God’s sake! I can leave anytime I want. I thought you would be glad to get rid of me. All I’ve heard from you lately is what a burden I am to you. So now, I’m not. I’m out of your hair for good.”
    Ty lets out a humorless laugh. His hand snakes out and grabs my jaw.
    “Nobody, and I mean nobody, walks out on Big Roy. The Liberators own you now. What part of this equation don’t you understand?”

CHAPTER ELEVEN
JESSE
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    F or the past hour, I followed Sam’s advice by flirting with the ladies and downing never-ending shots of tequila. I’m doing my best to have fun and it just isn’t working. Time after time, my eyes wander across the room to search out Trish.
    I wonder if she has been watching for me too.
    Who knows?
    The girl is too damn hard to figure out. I’m not sure I have the time or patience to try.
    When I see her glance my way, I throw an arm around the girl standing next to me. I don’t know her, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Instead of pulling away, the blonde looks up at me and giggles.
    It was a dick move even for me, and I don’t know what made me do it. Guess I wanted to gauge Trish’s reaction.
    Her face drops when she spots me. I can’t tell if she’s disappointed to see me or upset about another girl hanging onto my side.
    I’m already regretting my impulsive action when a customer approaches Trish. He looks vaguely familiar. Something about the way he moves or his haircut.
    I can’t place him. I know it will bother me until I figure it out. Too bad he isn’t wearing a leather cut. The patches would tell me immediately which motorcycle club he rides with.
    While I’m racking my brain trying to remember where I’ve seen him, he casually reaches into Trish’s tip jar and takes out her money.
    What the fuck!
    I drop my arm from the blonde’s shoulders and start pushing my way through the crowd of men packed in like sardines around the stage.
    “Hey babe! Where are you going?” the blonde calls out after me in a confused voice.
    I ignore her and keep moving.
    So this must be the guy, the man who left bruises on Trish’s arm.
    Things are about to get fucking real.
    He doesn’t have a clue I’m coming for him.
    If he did, he wouldn’t be so stupid. I’m still pushing through the crowd when he grabs Trish by the jaw and holds her face tight in his hand. Her expression says it all. She’s terrified.
    I’m not close enough to hear what he’s saying. Whatever it is, it will be the last thing the motherfucker ever says to her.
    Fury boils up inside me. This man made a big mistake showing up here.
    It feels like it takes forever to reach them, though I know it is only a few seconds. Trish sees me right before I wrap my arm around his throat from behind and jerk him up, lifting his feet completely off the ground. Her eyes widen as I squeeze with all of my strength.
    He immediately lets go of her face. I apply more pressure. He gasps and pulls at my