Page 35 of Collect the Pieces

Z points a finger gun toward the window. “Someoneshould.”

“Look who’s up on current events.” Wrath slaps Murphy’s back like he’s a good little student.

“What?” Murphy scowls. “I watch documentaries and stuff.”

“Since when?” Teller laughs.

“Since Heidi makes him,” Z says.

“We can debate the politics of it another day,” Rock says. “I’m more worried about our business interests out that way. I don’t want to see Remy’s bar getting held up at gunpoint because some tweaker needs cash. Or Sully’s gym.” Rock sends Wrath a pointed look.

Teller snorts. “It’ll only benefit Cedarwood’s if bodies are dropping from overdoses.”

Rock’s mouth twitches with irritation but he nods. “True. I still don’t want to start seeing a problem. Once it gets out of control, it’s hard to contain.”

Murphy’s jaw tightens and he shifts his gaze to the empty end of the table.

“I’m out that way a lot now,” I say. “I can stop into Remy’s place more often.” I tap my cut. “Make our presence known. And I’ve gone over to Sully’s a few mornings to work out. Things seem dull as ever in that part of town. But I’ll check in there more.”

Rock stares at me for a few beats then nods. “That’s good, Jiggy. Thank you.”

“Dex is pretty much living at Emily’s place now,” Z says. “Take him with you on some of these visits.”

I hadn’t realized Dex was there that often. “Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“Aw, the four of you can double-date,” Murphy jokes. He smirks at Rooster. “Unless you’re going to be jealous.”

Rooster reaches over and rests his heavy palm on the top of my head. “He’s allowed to have other friends.”

“Fuck off.” I laugh and slap his hand away.

“All right.” Rock slaps his hand against the table, then focuses on me. “Will Margot tell you if the cops come back?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“Whoa, whoa.” Wrath holds up his hands, calling a time-out. “Go back. You said the cops saw your bike and told her not to associate with other clubs. What’dshesay?”

A wide grin spreads across my face. “Not a damn thing.”

“She didn’t say it was her boyfriend’s bike?” Murphy asks.

“Nope. She said the funeral home has a varied clientele, they don’t discriminate, and it’s never been an issue, in her most politefuck offvoice. She was great. Pretended she had no idea what they were talking about.”

Wrath nods with approval. “Good girl.”

“Yup.” I knew he’d appreciate Margot’s discretion.

“Orrr,” Rooster drawls. “She’s embarrassed to admit she’s taken a walk on the wild side with a biker.”

Slowly I turn my head his way and give him the wounded puppy eyes. “Really? I’d expect that from Z or Murphy but not you.”

Murphy cracks up. “Even I wouldn’t say that.”

Rooster just stares at me with that maddeningly steady expression, like he’s trying to stare inside my skull and implant some words of wisdom. “Let’s not forget, she’s your first real girlfriend.”

And my last.“What’s your point?”

“Yeah, whatisyour point?” Z asks. “Half of us at this table married their ‘first real girlfriend’.” Z adds air quotes and ayou’re-a-morontone to punctuate his thoughts.

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