Page 43 of Scatter the Bones

“Oh no,” Murphy cries in a dramatic falsetto, “whatever will I do with myself?”

“Probably try to make another baby,” Ravage mutters loud enough for everyone to hear.

Ignoring Rav’s comment, Wrath focuses on Teller. “You hear anything from Charlotte’s uncle? Is Merlin coming?”

Merlin—what a piece of shit. If he bothers to show up, I’d have no problem helping Teller load that dude into the crematorium after the service.

“Haven’t heard anything, yet.” Teller pulls an annoyed face. “But either way, we’re going. Whisper did right by Charlotte. She wants to be there to say goodbye and pay her respects.”

Finally, Wrath’s gaze lands on me. “I assume you’ll be there to look out for your girl.”

My blood freezes. Wasn’t expecting to be called out. “Yeah, of course. Ulfric extended an invite when I ran into him.”

“Let me have a minute with you after church.”

What the fuck’d I do now?

When Wrath moves on, I glance at Rooster. He shrugs and mouths,I don’t know.

I’m on edge for the rest of the meeting, which thankfully doesn’t last much longer.

After church wraps and Rock says we can go, I’m ready to bolt with everyone else. There’s no way to leave the room without passing by Wrath’s seat, though. Rock stays put, Z moves down and stands behind Wrath’s chair.

Great, another obstacle.

I stand and push my chair in.

Wrath points at Murphy’s now-empty chair. “Park it.”

“What’s going on?” Rooster asks.

Wrath flicks an exasperated glance at him. “For fuck’s sake. Nothing’s wrong. I just want to talk to your boy. That all right with you?”

“I’m not hisboy,” I growl. “What the fuck?”

Wrath glances at Rock, then cranes his neck to look at Z still hovering behind him. “I don’t need an audience.”

“My road captain, my business,” Z says.

Somehow that doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies.

Rock leans back, arms draped over the sides of his chair like a king settling in to enjoy the show.

“What’s on your mind, Wrath?” I finally say in alet’s get this over withtone.

“I went to visit Cedarwood’s today.” He pauses, waiting for my reaction.

I lock down my emotions and expression. “Yeah? Why?”

“Getting a layout of the place for the funeral. Margot walked me through their plans.”

My breath catches in my throat hearing my girl’s name coming out of someone else’s mouth.

“Jake came with me,” he adds.

All my frozen blood starts to simmer. Jake’s reputation with women is worse than mine was. He’s sneaky and charming. Margot’s too smart to fall for that, though, right? “Yeah, and?”

“Nothing. Just thought I should mention it.” He pauses. “Oh, and she asked if you were okay since she hasn’t heard from you in a few days.”

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