Laced Steel: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Steel Crew Book 3)

by Mj Fields

  “Please tell me you were nice to him. I love him, Dad, and he and I—”

  “Not doubting you do. And he’d have to be a fucking idiot to not feel the same about you. Kid who’s lived like he has and is pulling a 4.1, got a full ride to Columbia, one who faced me and didn’t lie, isn’t fucking stupid, so there’s no doubt there, either.” He scrubs his hand over his hair and sighs. “But if he’s gonna thrive in this family, he’s gonna start doing Steel Sund—”

  “You have to give him time to—”

  “No, I don’t. And he agreed to it. So, tomorrow morning, you get up, make some calls, get rehabbing that ankle, and get dancing.”

  A lightbulb goes off in my head. “I won’t be able to go to Italy if I’m going to be ready for auditions, and I’m old enough to stay—”

  “Truth, I’m not having this conversation with you. I’ve been real good about what’s going down here. No matter how grown you think you are, you’re my little girl. You’ll be going to Italy for the first two weeks of summer, every summer, until we’re gone.” He stops and clears his throat, and only then do I realize he’s … emotional. “When your mom and I became parents, we made a deal. I was gonna show you how a female should be treated; cherished, loved, protected. I did my job. That boy will be good to you and for you. If not, he’ll be dead.”

  He waits for me to argue, but I don’t.

  “And your mom was tasked with teaching Justice how to treat women with respect. Pretty sure he’s not leading anyone on or lying to any of his girlfriends.”

  “Girlfriends?” I all but laugh.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “So, it’s okay if Justice is having se—”

  “Don’t, Truth.” He holds up his hand. “I did my job. The guy you’re dating knows the drill, and I know my limits. This is you and your mom’s conversation from now on.” He walks over and pulls me into a hug. It’s tighter and longer than usual. “Just want you safe, happy, and onstage.” He kisses the top of my head then sighs.

  When he steps back, he looks at Mom. “You got this, Birdie?”

  “Yeah.” She walks over and hugs him.

  “Love you girls.” He kisses Mom’s cheek. “Goodnight.”

  After

  TOBIAS

  When Truth called me the morning after, she was freaking out about the video of us dancing on our date being leaked on The Sound. She was sure the waiter did it. I corrected her real quick and told her that I did it. She asked why, and I told her I wasn’t hiding anymore. She giggled then quickly asked if I was upset about her dad insisting I come to Sunday dinners. I assured her that, if that’s what it took, that’s what I would do. I also told her that Cyrus told me the secret I kept was mine. Only Tara, Cyrus, and Truth knew about Tony, aside from Frank obviously. Together, they all agreed that no one needed to know. Kind of felt shitty that Justice didn’t know, but I didn’t dare tell him myself in case they hadn’t told them about Tara’s past. With that out of the way, all the anxiety about it all lessened.

  We spent the better part of the day texting screenshots of all the comments people were posting about her and me on The Sound, and yeah, I deleted some of the hater’s comments.

  At school, we held hands, kissed on occasion, worked out at lunch together, and spent study hall together. She didn’t even know I was in the same class as her, and I told her that was because I didn’t let her know.

  After that we fell into a routine, and although I never thought I’d like that, I realized how much I truly needed it.

  As promised, I did the Sunday dinner thing, and I got a lot of shit from her uncles and the two youngest boys, Amias and Max. The rest of them were chill.

  Every night, we fell asleep on the phone. Mondays, I spent doing my shit and a couple hours at the jewelry store with Frank, and she went to dance. And no, I didn’t always like the guy, but if not for him, I would have been placed in the system and never would have met Truth.

  Tuesdays, I went to counseling in the slot after Tara, which Truth now knew about. Afterward, I’d grab a few dozen tacos and bring them to her place, eat with her family, and chill for a couple hours. Yep, Taco Tuesdays.

  Wednesdays, she danced.

  Thursdays, she danced.

  Fridays were my favorite—date night and dessert at my place. Always at my place.

  Saturday mornings, Truth danced, and I worked at the store. Saturday nights, we occasionally went to parties, where we would always find a quiet corner or a closet. As hard as I tried to make sure she didn’t think I needed to be inside her all the time, she convinced me otherwise. Let me be honest; it wasn’t hard to convince me, but fuck if it wasn’t hot letting her start shit with me. If we didn’t go to a party, we chilled at her place with her folks and cousins, playing board games, watching movies, and eating all sorts of shit.

  Two weeks before our one-month anniversary, she got her period, and she also got the birth control shot. I was cool with using condoms—never went without them before—but she told me she, and I quote, wanted to feel me raw.

  Two days before our one-month anniversary, while she was at dance, I was in Justice’s room, getting some new ink.

  One on my middle finger, where she and her crew had Forever Steel inked, I now had it, too. Was not the plan, but JT and Tricks talked me into it. Then the fuckers told me, if I fucked up, they were cutting my finger off. That was the first time they gave me a hard time about Truth and me. When I told them I’d cut it off myself and mail it to them, they looked shocked but quickly realized I wasn’t fucking around.

  After that was done, Justice got down to doing the piece on my arm. He didn’t question shit; he just went to work.

  When Cyrus walked in his room and saw me sitting there, he just shook his head, walked over, and looked at the outline of the tattoo.

  “You shading this in?” he asked Justice.

  “Planned on it.” Justice smirked.

  Cyrus lifted his chin as he put on a pair of gloves. “Give me your machine.”

  Justice stood up and handed it to him.

  He didn’t say a thing as he finished it up.

  After cleaning it, he sat back, and I looked it over. Then he looked at me. “Wanna explain?”

  “Stay True.” I shrugged. “Want her to look at it and remember who it was I fell for at the store, not the shit afterward. Maybe remind her, when I’m at Columbia, not to let the bullshit at school or the assholes drag her down. And when I look at my arm, I want a piece of her with me.”

  He simply nodded, pulled off his gloves, and tossed them in Justice’s trash. “We’re having a graduation party for you on the—”

  “No, I don’t want—”

  “Truth asked if she could. You want her to Stay True, then you let her do that for you.”

  “It’s—”

  “She’ll do it anyway,” Justice interrupts me. “Just go with it.”

  Cyrus walks to the door then looks back. “You got your passport?”

  “No, and I don’t—”

  “Get it. I don’t need her pouting the whole time we’re in Italy.”

  Next In Steel

  Want more of the Steel Crew series?

  Left wondering what secrets are still locked away at Seashore Academy?

  September 1st, Justified Steel releases.

  Justified Steel

  Coming soon

  When offered the keys to the kingdom I all but pissed on the throne.

  I didn’t need the figurative crown to become the king, and I sure as hell didn’t want anything more to do with the little Queen.

  When the power started to shift and lives were being torn apart, justice needed to be served, and who better to serve it up… than me.

  Pre-order Justified Steel Now

  Also by MJ Fields

  THE STEEL WORLDS

  (Recommended reading order)

  The Men of Steel Series

  Jase

  Cyrus

  Zandor

 
Xavier

  Forever Family

  Raising Steel

  The Ties of Steel Series

  Abe

  Dominic

  Eroe

  Sabato

  The Rockers of Steel Series

  Memphis Black

  Finn Beckett

  River James

  Billy Jeffers

  The Match Duet

  The Unsocial Dater

  Match This!

  ImPerfectly Matched!

  The Steel Country Series

  Hammered

  Destroyed

  Wasted

  Tied in Steel series

  Valentina

  Paige

  Gia

  Steel Crew

  (Generation 2)

  Tagged Steel

  Branded Steel

  Laced Steel

  Justified Steel (September 1st 2020)

  Tricked Steel (November 1st 2020)

  Title TBA (January 2021)

  Title TBA (March 2021)

  Title TBA (May 2021)

  Title TBA (July 2021)

  THE LEGACY SERIES FAMILY OF BOOKS

  (Recommended reading order)

  The Love Series

  Blue Love

  New Love

  Sad Love

  True Love

  The Wrapped Series

  Wrapped In Silk

  Wrapped In Armor

  Wrapped Always and Forever

  The Burning Souls Series

  Stained

  Forged

  Merged

  LRAH Legacy Additions

  Love You Anyway

  Love Notes

  The Way We Fell

  The Truth About Love Series

  27 Truths

  27 Lies

  The Firsts Series

  Her First Kiss

  His First Crush

  Their First Fall

  27 Truths About Their First Goodbye

  Their First Time

  The Norfolk Series

  Irons

  Shadows

  Titan

  Timeless Love series

  Unraveled

  Deserving Me

  Hearts So Big

  Couture Love

  The Caldwell Brothers Series

  (co-written w/ Chelsea Camaron)

  Hendrix

  Morrison

  Jagger

  Visibly Broken

  Use Me

  Standalones

  Offensive Rebound

  About the Author

  MJ Fields is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance novels. She lives in New York with her daughter and smoochie faced Newfie, Theo.

  When she's not locked away in the cave, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to live music, watching theatre, singing off key, dancing to her own beat, listening to audio books, and reading— of course.

  Forever Steel!

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  https://mjfieldsbooks.com/newsletter

  Thank you

  To the readers of this book,

  Whether you saw the cover, and one clicked having never read one of my books, or you’ve been here through my entire writing journey, a million thank you’s for taking a chance on my words.

  Buckle up y’all, we’re in for one hell of a ride with the CREW. I can’t wait till you see all that’s to come.

  Forever Steel !

  <3

  MJ

  To Mandee my Jersey girl insider, for your friendship and tips on the best party spots and area information.

  To Julianna, for the beautiful cover, your friendship, and laughs.

  To Kris, for sticking with me, and making my words flow so much nicer.

  To Julie, for dealing with my delays (again), and your love for prettying up words.

  To Diane, for always being… you. SO much love for you and all you do.

  To Bobbie, for the constant support, your friendship, and encouragement.

  To Sarah, for all the feedback and the pretty graphics.

  To Autumn, for everything you do to support me, not only professionally but personally too. You always go above and beyond for me, and I am truly blessed to have you as a friend.

  To Suzanne, for everything. Sisters by blood and choice.

  To Ally, for your words, your hugs, your love.

  Beyond blessed and thankful every second to God for giving me you.

  Love you more.