Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Yes.” Margot’s tone walks a fine line between proud and patient. She slices another piece of bread with practiced ease. “She’s a rescue. Not usually friendly but—” She flicks the knife toward me without looking. “For some reason, she’s a shameless hussy for this guy.”
The guys chuckle. Gretel presses tighter against my chest, and I lean down, running the tip of my nose over her soft head. “That’s right, she’s got good taste, don’t ya, girl?”
She wiggles, so I set her down gently. Instead of bolting, she stays low to the ground, tail swishing. She creeps toward Murphy, pauses out of reach, then finally stretches up, her spine arching with slow confidence. When he doesn’t move, she straightens fully and flicks her tail high like a banner of disinterest. She checks out Wrath next, gives him a long, assessing stare, then detours to rub her cheek against Rooster’s leg.
Then, like a queen who’s surveyed the riffraff and found them tolerable, she saunters off—tail held high.
Margot arranges the bread slices on the cutting board, sets down a stack of napkins and two sticks of butter, then gestures for the guys to help themselves.
I reach over and snag a slice first, claiming one of the butter sticks and a knife while I’m at it. Warmth seeps into my fingers as I tear off a chunk and slather it with butter.
Margot places a bottle of water and a few Advil in front of me. “Take that after you eat a little.”
“Thanks.” I crack the seal and take a long swallow, cool water easing the dryness in my throat.
“Coffee should be ready in another minute,” Margot says as she opens a cabinet. She taps Wrath’s arm and points inside.
He grabs a package of paper travel cups and sets them on the counter without a word.
Murphy loads up—two thick slices of bread, a generous smear of butter, and two cups of coffee. “Gonna run this down to Rock.” He pats my shoulder. “Take it easy, brother.” Then he tips his head at Margot. “Night, Margot. Thank you.”
I glance at the now-empty cutting board, then shift my most pathetic puppy eyes her way.
She doesn’t miss a beat. “I’ll make you another one later,” she promises in the tone of someone humoring a demanding child.
Once everyone’s got a coffee in hand, Rooster and Wrath thank Margot and head for the door.
I trail after them, easing the door halfway shut behind me so Gretel doesn’t try to escape.
“I’m gonna ride in the van back to the garage,” Rooster says. “I’ll get your bike and bring it here.”
“Ah, shit.” I pat the empty pockets of my loose shorts. “I think my keys are downstairs.”
He holds them up and dangles them in front of my face. “Already got ’em.”
“There’s no way you’re riding any time soon,” Wrath points out.
“Gee, ya think?” I drag the leg of my shorts up to flash my patch job.
“We’ll have someone come pick you up for church. Day after tomorrow maybe?” he says. “Give you a day to rest.”
“How generous of you.”
Ignoring my sarcasm, Wrath tilts his head to the side, peering into the apartment through the crack in the door. “See if Margot can come with you.”
I nod quickly.
“I’ll drive your 4Runner up to the clubhouse. So you have it,” Rooster says.
“Thanks. I was planning to leave it here when we’re in Vegas anyway.”
They both stare at me with odd expressions I’m too tired to decode. “Is that all?” I arch a brow. “I’d kind of like to sleep for the next ten hours.”
“Yeah, get some rest.” Rooster grips my shoulder and pulls me in for a quick one-armed squeeze, careful not to jostle my leg. “You’ve earned it.”
“Earned it,” Wrath scoffs. “He’s earned an intensive training program on situational awareness once that leg’s healed.”
“Are you blaming me?” My eyes widen with outrage. “The victim in the stabbing?”
He tilts his chin and stares pointedly at my injured leg.
“I was situationally aware, you dick.” I rap my knuckles against his chest. “I rolled before he jabbed it into my jugular.”
“I’m just fuckin’ with you,” Wrath says. As close to an apology as I’ll ever get from him. “You gave us a scare tonight.”
“Look at Wrath admitting how much he loves you,” Rooster says, grinning as he slaps Wrath’s shoulder and starts down the stairs. “Night,” he calls over his shoulder.
Wrath’s gaze follows him for a second, then he pivots like he’s leaving too.
I press my palm to the door.
“Wait.” Wrath grabs my arm. “One final thing, Jigsaw.”
I turn and he’s right in my face.
Exhaustion sweeps over me, every inch of my body aching. “What now?”
His eyebrows knit together, and he jabs a thick finger into my chest. “Bro, if you don’t protect that woman at all costs, I’m gonna personally strip your patch.” His eyes blaze, not a trace of humor in sight. “You need to lock her down for life.”