Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 132321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Now’s probably not a good time to tell anyone she’s been to Zips with me.
“Shiiit.” Suds punctuates the curse with a shrill whistle. “He must be into her. Jiggy’s never officially brought a woman to the club who wasn’t free ass.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I growl.
“You ain’t sleepin’ with her, are you?” Butcher asks. “I’d be scared she’d try to embalm me in my sleep or somethin’.”
“Watch it, asshole,” Rooster says.
“No, get all those obvious jokes out now, fuckletoes.” I jab my finger in the air toward Butcher. “That right there is why I brought this up today.” I slowly slide my gaze up and down the table, looking each of my brothers in the eye. “If anyone cracks corpse jokes, says inappropriate shit to her, or makes her uncomfortable in any way,” I slip my knife out of the sheath resting against my leg, hold it up for everyone to see, and tap my finger against the tip. “I’m not gonna take too kindly to it.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Rooster says on an exhale.
“Are you threatening your brothers at the table?” Rock asks with the barest hint of amusement lurking in his voice.
“Not a threat.” I turn and hold his steady gray stare. “Just sharing information.” I let my gaze slide around the table again. “Same as any of my brothers would do for their women.”
Bricks lets out a low, shrill whistle of amazement.
Dex nods at me, like he’s a proud papa.
“All right.” Rock slaps the table to grab everyone’s attention and let them know he’s about to issue an order that better be followed. “Margot is Jigsaw’s guest. She’s also a club asset. I expect everyone to treat her with respect when she’s here.”
Wrath picks up Rock’s unspoken threat. He stares at Ravage. “Don’t make me discipline you in front of everyone on friend and family night.”
“Why are you singling me out?” Ravage’s overly outraged tone suggests he knows exactly why.
“You gonna make me say it?” Wrath cocks his head. “Really?”
Rav’s gaze slides between Wrath and me. “I won’t say anything to her.”
Wrath turns my way and raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah, okay.” I nod.
“Everyone can go,” Rock says.
I hop out of my chair and weigh my options. In either direction, I have to pass one of our presidents. Which one’s less pissed with me?
“That went better than I expected,” Rooster says.
“Yeah, thanks for having my back, dick.”
He cocks his head and I swear somewhere under that bushy beard, there’s evidence I hurt his feelings. “What exactly did you want me to say?”
“Nah, I appreciate what you said.” I resist the urge to glance over Rooster’s shoulder. “You know I’m not escaping without gettin’ drilled for more info.”
He snorts. “Yeah, especially after you pulled out your knife, genius.”
The weight of Z’s stare pushes against me, but I turn and head toward Rock’s end of the table. He’s busy talking to Teller. Perfect. I slide behind Murphy’s big, ginger ass, still planted in his chair. My cut whispers against the wall as I squeeze by.
Almost home free.
As I round the corner of the table, Rock steps in front of me and presses a hand to my chest.
“You, stay for a minute.”
So close.
Rooster steps next to me, making it clear he’s staying too.
Wrath still hasn’t left his chair, so I guess he’s also sticking around.
Murphy stands and claps a hand on my shoulder. “If she’s not comfortable here, you guys can always come over to our place. Or stop by early and Heidi can talk to her.” His mouth tilts sideways. “Warn her what to expect.”
Warmth replaces my annoyance. I wasn’t expecting that from Murphy. He’s got enough going on at his house with his kiddos and his endless quest to impregnate his wife again. I nod quickly. “Thanks.”
Finally, everyone clears out and it’s just Rock, Z, Wrath, Teller, Rooster, Grinder, and me.
“Have a seat.” Rock nods at Murphy’s now empty chair.
Z moves into the chair next to Wrath. Rooster sits on my left. Teller returns to his chair on my right. Grinder stands behind Z’s chair with his arms crossed over his chest.
No escape.
“I take it this is serious?” Z starts the inquisition.
Serious? Do I even know what that means? My shoulders jerk up in answer.
“She’s already been vetted,” Wrath says. “Because of our relationship to the funeral home.”
“She’s literally opened up the crematorium for us when we’ve had bodies to burn,” Teller adds. “She can be trusted.”
I blow out a relieved breath. Thank fuck. Rock’s son reminding everyone about that night will go a long way to helping everyone move on to acceptance on this issue.
“What else?” Rock asks. “You seemed concerned about something more than just bringing her to meet everyone as your girl.”
I lift my head and meet Z’s interested stare across the table. Then Wrath’s and Rock’s. Should I share this? It’s not a big deal.