Page 179 of Scatter the Bones

Well, look at that. Grinder’s such an ornery old goat, tweaker kill or not, I thought for sure he’d request a fifteen-point presentation on why Margot’s ol’ lady material.

Hustler grins and bobs his head up and down.

“Hell, yeah,” Dex says. “If she’s not your soul mate, I don’t know who is.”

Wrath snorts. “You already know where I stand on this.”

I point at Wrath but lift my chin at Rock. “He threatened to take my patch if I don’t marry her.”

Rock snorts but nods as if he agrees. “She’s a formidable woman.”

“Tiny but terrifying,” Murphy adds.

“And.” Wrath leans forward and throws his arm over the table, grabbing my hand. “Five minutes after she slit that guy’s throat—in one clean cut I might add—she’s got Jiggy up on a table, sewing him up like she’s operating on the Pope.” He slaps my hand again and settles back into his chair. “Unbelievable. We should call her next time one of us gets a bullet in our ass, instead of Doc.”

Not liking the sound of that. “Yeah, but she doesn’t have access to meds and stuff. I mean, the shit she used on me is usually forcorpses.”

“Eh, details.” Wrath waves his hand like he’s batting away my words.

Z’s sitting back with a pinched expression.

“What’s wrong, Prez?” I ask.

“Nothing.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry I missed it. I hate that I’m so fuckin’ far away when you guys need something.”

“We had it covered,” Murphy says. “In other mighty-girlfriend news—Molly clocked the guy with a crowbar before we evengotto the garage.”

Z bursts out laughing. “Little Molly? Remy’s sister?”

“Yup.” Murphy nods. “Not so little anymore.”

“Christ.” I shake my head. “I was threatening to stab drunk assholes for grabbing her at the bar last summer. Now she’s out here knee-capping motherfuckers?”

“They grow up so fast,” Wrath says in a mock-wistful tone, clasping his hands together like he’s about to shed a tear.

“Same vibe, though.” Murphy jerks his thumb at me. “Guy came after Griff. She did what Margot did—protected her man.”

“Love to see it,” Dex says.

The door opens again and more brothers start filing into the war room, grabbing seats and settling in. Z and Hustler shift to the far end of the table.

Once everyone’s in place, Rock gives a stripped-down version of the tweaker incident. No mention of Margot’s role. Just that the body’s been disposed of.

“And now for the really bad news,” Z says, tipping his hand toward Rock like he’s passing off a loaded weapon.

Grinder steeples his fingers in front of his mouth, probably to physically hold his inside thoughtsinside.

“Brace yourselves.” Rock’s jaw shifts from side to side, like he’s got something unpleasant resting on his tongue he needs to spit out. “Priest’s planning to visit this summer. I don’t think it’s to shoot off fireworks and roast marshmallows around the fire.”

“Aw, fuck,” Ravage moans and stabs a finger against the table, “is he staying here?”

“Probably,” Rock confirms. “I don’t think he and Valentine want to stay at the clubhouse next to CB.”

“Valentina’s coming too?” Dex asks. “Then it’s more of a social call?”

“Doubt it,” Rooster says, glancing at Rock, then Z. “She’ll probably try to sweet-talk whatever information she can out of Hope and Lilly.”

“Good luck to her,” Rock mutters.

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