Page 79 of Pulling Strings

They proved worth hearing out, at least, because Ethan Everett’s opening line was both the best and worst thing I’d heard yet.

“You weren’t impressed with paper?” he asked. “How do you feel about rock?”

He punched the ground, rather toward the ground, sending out a shockwave that ripped a crevice in the floor. It split, then widened between his feet, causing the room to tremble around us.

“Enough!” Grimm shouted.

Ethan stopped with his chest heaving and beamed a big, dumb grin while those in line behind him dodged the spreading crack.

“Imbecile.” Avery scowled. “Are you trying to bring the building down on top of us?” Both twins went wide-eyed and abashed as Avery concluded, “Try again next season, Tweedledee and Tweedledum.”

“Avery,” Grimm rumbled, his tone a warning. His stormy expression cleared as he looked at the twins. “I’ve long admired your talents. You are both welcome to join us.”

I was kept quiet by the arrival of a fresh whiskey sour as the Everett twins high-fived, then cleared the path for the next initiate.

Another couple, this time a woman and man, stood before the table. The woman pulled a penny whistle out of the sleeve of her shirt and began playing. She was only a few notes in before the man joined in a warbling song. It was enough to make me forgo the straw and tip back my drink for a guzzle instead.

“Bloody hell,” Ripley groaned.

“This is bullshit.” Donovan shoved back from the table to stand.

The musical couple fell silent, staring along with the rest of us as Donovan seethed.

“I’ve been waiting, and working, and doing everything, and now I have to sit here while these people get invited into the gang for nothing?” He aimed his ire directly at Grimm, who looked stunned.

“Relax, Donnie. It’s no big deal,” I said in a low voice.

My brother rounded on me with his fists balled. “I know it’s no big deal to you, Fitch. You made that totally clear. But I deserve better than this. It’s not myfault about Thatcher—”

A snap of my fingers pinned his lips shut before he could say another word. His nostrils flared, and his face burned red as he poised to either storm out or throw himself at me. After a tense moment, he turned away, walking quickly through the crowd and out of sight.

I thought to follow him, but nothing I could say would help the situation. He knew where I stood on the matter, and I wasn’t willing to coddle him by lying about it.

“You know what? He’s right,” I said, standing.

In my peripheral, Grimm cupped his face in his hands. Bet he was wishing he had a drink about now. It was his turn to toast this disaster.

“Thisisbullshit,” I continued. “We throw lame parties. The birthday party sucked and this sucks. It’s like a fucking job fair.” I swung an arm toward the dozens waiting to impress us.

“People kill for this shit.” Flashing the Bloody Hex tattoo emphasized my point. “Let’s at least fight for it.”

“Fitch,” Grimm called over. “I understand you’ve had a trying week, but now is not the time…”

Climbing first onto my chair, I then stepped onto the tabletop to address the crowd. Besides the low bass from the thrumming music, it was the closest to quiet the place had been all night.

The musical couple lingered, their eyes ping-ponging between Grimm and me.

“If any one of you manages to lay a hand on me, you’re in the gang,” I announced to the sea of wide-eyed stares. “How’s that sound?”

Grimm rose with a shout. “My apologies, ladies and gentlemen. I’m afraid Mister Farrow has had a bit too much to drink.” His voice dropped to a gritty whisper as he told me, “Get down from there. You’re makingan ass of yourself.” He leaned forward to grab my ankle, but I kicked him away.

“Don’t be shy,” I continued while shouldering out of my suit coat. “I’ll take you one, two, or three at a time.”

Avery cheered from his seat. “Fuck yeah! Tell ‘em how you like it.”

From this vantage point, I could see Jax and his hangers-on lined against the far wall. I aimed a finger at them. “Why don’t you get us kicked off, tough guy? Or did you only want to fight me when I couldn’t fight back?”

Jax’s single yellow eye met mine, narrowed into a slit. His body gave a shiver before it melted into a long, low form that disappeared in the tangle of bodies and legs. From his place, a massive black cat sprung forth, bounding across tabletops in a charge toward me.

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