Page 139 of Scatter the Bones

It takes a second to piece her choppy explanation together and find the question.

“I’ve never slept with Serena.” I really need to give her more context. I shift closer and lower my voice. “Please don’t repeatany of this, and don’t bring it up to her unless Serena wants to talk about it. But yeah…she used to be a club girl here.”

Margot’s eyes widen. “Really? But she’s so nice.”

“Exactly. She never behaved the way those girls did tonight. She’s always been a sweetheart.”

Her eyes narrow, just a little.

“I used totalkto her a lot when she was hanging out here. She was trying to go back to school, and we’d talk about that kind of stuff.” I press my lips together, hating that what I’m about to share is even part of my club’s history. “Our old VP was an absolute garbage human. Even though he had a wife outside the club none of us even knew about, Serena was his girl here toward the end.”

“End of what?”

I hold up a hand. “Let me get there.”

She nods but keeps frowning.

“He was always kind of a jerk. Even as a brother—the loyalty wasn’t there. And our old president was an asshole too.”

“The one who had Stella ashisside piece? What a surprise,” she mutters.

That earns a small smile from me. “Anyway. None of us realized how bad it had gotten with the VP. Serena used to be a lot quieter. Had a hard time standing up for herself. When Z took over, some things happened. He saw what was going on and put an end to it.”

I hate being so vague, but I don’t want to utter Shadow’s name and have Margot accidentally repeat it one day.

She lifts an eyebrow. “End to it how?”

“Serena had left the club by then.”

“End to ithow?” she repeats, slower this time. With an edge to her voice.

“He put his hands on Lilly one night.” I grit my teeth at the memory. “And it’s thelastthing he ever did.”

She stares at me, mouth open. Then a slow, savage smile curls her lips. “Did he die hard?”

“Very. And at the hands of the whole club.”

“Good.” She nods, satisfied.

I knew she’d approve.

And that’s one of many reasons she’s so perfect for me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Jigsaw

The next morning,I’m eager to roll the fuck outta downstate.

Z had us up early for church. I didn’t waste any time pleading my case for Bonnie, Amanda, and Nikki to be banned from the clubhouse.

Grinder couldn’t agree fast enough. Since they’re just club girls—or ex-club girls—Z didn’t even bother calling for a vote. No one asked for one, either.

Last night’s fuckery was too much.

The sun’s already high, the air thick with diesel and dew, but it feels damn good on my skin as I head across the parking lot to grab a bag out of my truck. Looking forward to the long ride to Margot’s after breakfast. Just the two of us. No more club drama. No one trying to fill her head with lies.

A baby’s wail carries over the parking lot. I turn, seeking the source. Serena’s long, blond ponytail whips in the wind as she struggles to balance Lincoln on one hip and drag a large bag from the back of her SUV with her other hand.

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