Page 125 of Collect the Pieces

“Hey.” My breathless voice fills the space between us. “I didn’t expect you to be back so soon.”

“Can’t stay away from you.” He gives my hip another affectionate squeeze.

Daniel clears his throat.

We ignore him.

“I, uh…” Daniel mumbles.

I tilt sideways to see past Jigsaw’s body. Rooster’s leaning against the doorframe, taking up the entire space. With his arms crossed casually over his chest, the sharp angles of his face covered by his beard, and the black leather vest announcing his status as VP of a motorcycle club, he radiates menace.

Daniel’s gaze flits to the door leading into the parlor. His body sways with indecision. As if he doesn’t want to admit the two bikers intimidate him.

Jigsaw and Rooster’s gazes meet. Rooster lifts a questioning eyebrow. The corner of Jigsaw’s mouth quirks.

I’m enthralled by their unspoken conversation.

“You need to get by, bud?” Rooster asks in the most condescending tone possible.

I barely stifle a snicker as Daniel squirms. The red in his cheeks deepens to a shade of purple. He lifts his chin. “No, I need to finish my conversation with Margot.” He swallows hard. “In private.”

Rooster sneers.

“That’s not going to happen.” Jigsaw steps behind Daniel, crowding him forward.

Rooster eases away from the door, his boots echoing against the tile floor. “Looks like your conversation is finished. Say apolitegoodbye to Margot.”

Daniel’s gaze darts between the two men, his expression flickering between indignation and fear. He’s not used to situations he can’t control. Too bad for Daniel, these men don’t give a fig about his family connections or his bank balance.

“We were having a conversation. I’m not doing anything wrong,” Daniel protests.

“You’re breathing. But we can always change that.” Jigsaw’s warning seems calm but carries an edge. “Margot’s done talking to you. And you’re done wasting her time.” He lifts his chin toward the hallway. “Go out there and pay your respects or whatever you came to do and thenleave.”

Daniel glances at me as if I’m going to offer him a reprieve. I meet his gaze with the coldest glare I can muster. Jigsaw’s right. I’ve wasted enough time tolerating Daniel, letting him walk all over me. No more.

“We’re done here.” My voice stays steady, even as my stomach’s in freefall.

Daniel’s jaw tightens. “Well, then. Good luck, Margot.” He rolls his shoulders and runs his hands through his hair, like he’s trying smooth his dignity into place. “I’ll, uh, have a word with your father on my way out.”

“You do that,” Jigsaw laughs.

Daniel’s eyes narrow but his sense of self-preservation kicks in and he wisely keeps any smart-ass retorts to himself. He’s used to lording his power over men who flinch at his family’s name and influence.

Now, he’s out of his depth—facing men who live by their own code.

Rooster remains in Daniel’s way, forcing Daniel to squeeze by, rumpling his suit jacket in the process.

When he’s finally out of sight, I blow out a relieved breath and brace my hand on the counter.

Jigsaw turns to me, his harsh expression softening as soon as our eyes meet. “You all right?”

I nod, my hands trembling. “I am now.”

“Come here.” He scoops me into his arms. I press my face against his chest, savoring his warmth, strength, and crisp outdoor scent.

I let out another shaky breath. “Thank you,” I murmur against his shirt. I can’t believe I said those things to Daniel. I didn’t get outallthe cutting remarks I’d rehearsed in my head over the years, but I hit the highlights.

I pull back and stare up at Jigsaw. “I think some of your brashness has worn off on me. I told him exactly what I thought of him.”

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