Page 25 of Collect the Pieces

“I’m sure you do,” the older detective says. “What I’m trying to say is Slater County’s home to the Wolf Knights Motorcycle Club,” he says in the slow, patient tone you’d use to educate a toddler on the finer points of finger painting. “Looks like a skull and crown on that bike. Doing business with a rival club could be dangerous to you personally.”

For fuck’s sake.As if we’d ever start some petty turf war over the location of a funeral or involve civilians. Lying assholes.

A smirk spreads across my face, cutting through my annoyance at their lies. These dumbasses don’t even realize the Wolf Knights aren’t running shit in New York these days. Slater County belongs to the Lost Kings now. Cops need to update theirNY Outlaw Biker Clubs for Dummieshandbook.

“I appreciate the concern,” Margot says in a tone that doesn’t sound appreciative at all.Could she be more perfect?“But we serve a wide variety of clientele and haven’t had an issue yet.”

From my limited view, Margot’s posture remains strong and steady. She doesn’t giggle and gush about how her boyfriend’s a member of the Lost Kings MC. She doesn’t try to convince the cops that we’re really a bunch of nice guys. Nope. Her manner stays distant and indifferent, giving themnothingat all.

Just like a perfect ol’ lady should behave when talking to the cops.

CHAPTER TEN

Margot

Thoroughly rattledby the two detectives, I watch their unmarked black sedan drive away before going inside.

“You think they’d have better things to do,” I grumble as I close the door behind me.

Two big hands clamp down over my hips, spin me around and yank me backward.

Jigsaw swallows my startled yelp with a kiss.

“What are you doing?” I ask between greedy slides of our lips.

He stares down at me with reverence in his eyes. “You handled that like a queen.”

Embarrassment heats my skin. I press my hands against his chest, pushing myself back. “You heard everything?”

I hated pretending I didn’t know whose motorcycle they were talking about. I hate that he heard me claim I don’t know anything about his club.

Worse, I’m embarrassed that I bragged about how careful and clever I am with my kills. Having two detectives drop by to ask me questions today feels like a Karmic nudge not to get too cocky.

But Jigsaw doesn’t say “I told you so” or lecture me about the risks I’ve taken.

No, he’s staring down at me with nothing but affection and admiration in his expression.

His hands, still firm on my hips, give me a gentle squeeze. “I caught the highlights of the conversation. You were perfect.”

“Perfect? I thought I was going to puke.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “Do you think they suspect me? Why did they have so many questions?” I cast a glance around the house, still worried they’re somehow listening nearby or bugged the place.

“Not saying that I’m an expert.” A hint of a smirk twists his lips. “But if anything, I think they’re suspicious of your client.”

He thought so too? “I’d confess and go to prison before I’d let her get in trouble,” I warn him, in case he thinks I’m the kind of person who would let an innocent person pay for my crimes.

His expression doesn’t change. “It sounds like they wanted to confirm he had a drug problem and when they couldn’t find her right away, they needed to talk to some people so they could check it off their list.” He throws a quick glance toward the front door. “Sounds like you could’ve been one of the last few people in the area to see her.”

“Oh, I guess that makes sense.” I blow out a relieved breath. My heart slows and the panic wrapped around my lungs slowly unravels. “How can you be so level-headed and calm?”

He raises his eyebrows. “You sounded calm. Kept things polite and professional. The right amount of interested and mildly annoyed.”

“Great, so I guess I’ve nailed the recipe for talking to the cops.”

“Yup.” He grins at me.

“Why are you so…strangely happy about that?”

“It’s a useful skill to have.” He glances down at me and his smile fades. “Real talk? Ol’ ladies get hassled by the cops from time to time just for being involved with a member of an MC.”

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