Page 101 of Jagger's Remorse
"I'll have Poncho dig deeper," Squirrel decides. "For tonight, we keep them where we can watch them."
The party's in full swing by ten.
The warehouse thrums with music, laughter, the clinking of beer bottles. Brothers and their old ladies fill the space, celebrating our success.
Scarlett's wearing my crow pendant and her new property cut over a black dress that ends mid-thigh.
Every time she moves, the leather shifts, showing glimpses of toned legs and the knife strapped to her thigh.
Every brother in the room notices.
Every old lady too.
She's currently on the makeshift dance floor with Mel and Tina, learning some line dance that involves a lot of hip swaying and laughing when she misses a step.
Hammer comments, appearing at my elbow with two beers. "Your woman's fitting in."
"Seems like."
"Never thought I'd see Raven teaching her to dance."
I follow his gaze.
Sure enough, Raven's correcting Scarlett's footwork, actually smiling when Scarlett deliberately fucks up the next step, throwing her arms up in frustration.
"People change," I say, accepting the beer.
"Or she's that good at manipulation."
I look at him sharply.
He holds up his hands. "Just saying. Girl went from prisoner to VP's old lady in record time. Some brothers are wondering."
"Let them wonder. Long as they keep it to wondering."
"Course." He takes a pull from his beer. "For what it's worth, I think she's good for you. Haven't seen you this... settled."
"Settled?"
"Happy, then. Whatever you want to call it. Not waking up in a cold sweat. Not drinking yourself to sleep. It's good to see."
Before I can respond, I notice the three prospects near the back exit again.
They've been huddled together for the last twenty minutes, throwing nervous glances around, checking their phones.
"You see that?" I ask Hammer.
"The prospects? Yeah. Been twitchy all night."
"Probably just nervous about their first big party," I rationalize, but my instincts are screaming.
"Maybe." Hammer doesn't sound convinced. "Want me to go check on them?"
"No. But keep eyes on?—"
The lights cut out.
Complete darkness swallows the warehouse.
