Page 93 of Collect the Pieces

“I want to see.” Grace places one hand on my leg and climbs onto the couch, wiggling herself into the space between Charlotte and me.

“Grace,” Hope says. “Sayexcuse meto Margot.”

“Or even a hello would be nice,” Rock adds.

Grace turns, peering up at me with wide eyes and a sheepish smile. “Hi, Maw-go. Dis my cousin.” She proudly points to Ivy.

“I bet you guys are going to have a lot of fun together when she’s bigger.”

She bobs her head up and down enthusiastically.

I lift my gaze, expecting to find Jigsaw.

But he’s gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jigsaw

Nope,nope, nope.

Why the fuck did Charlotte ask Margot about having kids now?

Seriously?

Fuck.

I stab my fingers through my hair as I walk down the hall into the dining room. Coffee. I’ll say I just left to get some coffee.

Although, it would’ve been nice if I’d asked Margot if she wanted something before I ran away like a?—

Like a coward.

Like a man who just got hit with a question he’s got no fucking answer for.

I grab the coffeepot, pouring a cup I don’t even really want, scowling into the dark liquid.

I didn’t just run away from the conversation.

I ran away from heranswer.

Wrath’s at a table in the dining room by himself—for now. I take a quick look around. I won’t get a better opportunity to talk to him than this.

Am I really going to Wrath for advice? Christ, I’ll never live this down. I’d ask Rooster but he and Shelby seem to be in the“not right now” stage of the kids discussion. Wrath and Trinity seem to firmly be in the “no fucking thank you” stage.

“Hey, I thought you went to work today?” I ask as I approach. Casual. Just having a casual conversation with my brother. Not at all freaking out.

“I made Murphy go open for me.” He grins and takes a sip of coffee. “Heading out in a bit.”

“Can I talk to you for a second?”

He sets his coffee down and turns his cell phone over. “What’s on your mind, brother?”

Christ, I must look really rattled.

Fuck it.

I pull out the chair next to him and sit down.

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