Page 186 of Repairing the Wreckage

“Eraser’s already committed but Vapor’s probably not going to be able to go, so the more people the better.” He pops his fists together and shoots a quick glare at me. “It’ll make me feel better about Molly being there.”

“Shelby wants to go too.” Rooster rests his arm over her shoulders, drawing her back into the conversation. “If you don’t mind.”

Have an actual celebrity in my entourage? “No, of course not.” Molly will be so excited to hang out with Shelby, maybe she won’t worry about me as much.

“Oh, oh, oh!” Shelby leans forward. “I’m supposed to ask you if you need a sponsor.”

I stare at her, unsure of how to answer.

“Not me.” She waves her hand in front of her face. “I told Dawson I know you.” She glances up at Rooster as if asking if she should continue. He shrugs. “He sponsors fighters sometimes. Hates the guy you’re fighting.” She snaps her fingers a few times. “Magic?”

I nod quickly.

“He really wants to see you punch his porch lights out,” Shelby says.

Remy snorts at her colorful description.

This is so fucking weird.

“Well, give it a think,” she says. “I’ll have him reach out to you.”

“All right.”

Rooster lifts his chin at me before leaving with Shelby.

“Don’t sweat it, Griff.” Jigsaw says in a low, confidential tone. “Dawson Roads has more money than he knows what to do with.”

“Yeah, but still…” I shake my head like it’ll help me sort all the information that’s been thrown at me.

But the surprises aren’t finished coming.

The shadow of the enforcer for the Lost Kings falls over us. Wrath’s big enough to block out half the room. Jigsaw moves to the stool Shelby had been sitting on.

“Welcome back.” Wrath stretches out his hand and I give it a quick shake.

“Thanks for coming.”

He stares at me for a few seconds. “The fuck happened to your face?”

I shoot a glare at Remy. “Some cocky asshole wanted to go a few rounds.”

Remy raises his hand, then winces from his still-sore ribs. “Hi, it’s me. I’m the cocky asshole.”

Wrath rumbles with laughter. “Good to see nothing changes with you two.” His gaze narrows on Remy. “Who won?”

“I tapped out,” Remy admits without posturing. “He was three seconds from choking me unconscious.”

Wrath has always appreciated directness. He nods slowly, then focuses on me again. “Looked like you learned some new techniques on the show?” He waves his big hand in front of my face. “Besides all that other embarrassing bullshit.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Don’t tell me you watched it.”

“Fuck no. Just some of the highlights Trinity showed me.”

“You let your wife watch that?” Remy asks. “A show full of shirtless beefcakes clowning around and showing off?”

Wrath’s scary eyes turn toward Remy. He runs his hand over his chest. “She has access to the beefiest of beefcakes. Why would I care what she watches?”

I side-eye Remy. “Does anyone other than cartoon characters still say beefcake?”

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