Page 150 of Collect the Pieces

“Where you been, G?” I tease as he squeezes behind my chair.

He flicks the back of my head in response and keeps moving.

“Welcome to our downstate brothers,” Rock starts off the meeting. “I’m going to run through a few of our matters, then turn things over to Z.”

Z’s eyebrows shoot up in awhat nowexpression.

“Dex—fire marshal visit to Crystal Ball?” Rock asks. Even though we already discussed it outside not everyone was there.

“It was good. No issues. I think the guy was disappointed.” He glances down to the end of the table. “All the recent upgrades met with his approval.”

“Good.” Z nods.

“And,” Dex adds. “I want to say thanks for letting me borrow Jiggy. He was a big help in getting stuff moved and out of the way.”

I curl my arm and slap my bicep. “You know it.”

Rock goes over a few more things that only concern his guys. Finally, he glances up. “I’ve got a meeting with Loco. He’s specifically asked for Z, Grinder, and Rooster to join me.”

“Aww, he doesn’t want to see my pretty face?” Teller jokes.

“I told him you’re busy,” Rock says, still looking down the table at Z.

“Yeah, all right. When?” Z asks.

“Sometime this week. I’ll let you know when I’ve got a date.”

Z’s silent for a few seconds. “I’ll probably just stay up here at the cabin, then.” He points at Dex. “Promised Dex I’d watch CB for him while he and Emily are away.”

“Thank you, brother,” Dex says. “Girls will be very excited to see your pretty face.”

“The ones who even remember him,” Ravage adds. “We’ve had a lot of turnover since he was there.”

Z grinds his teeth. “Can’t wait,” he says in the least excited tone possible.

“Uh, Lilly all right with you working at Crystal Ball?” Hustler asks. “I mean, I can do it if…”

“Worry about your own wife, bro,” Z snaps. “Oh, wait, you don’t have one.”

“Ouch.” Hustler claps his hands to his cheeks. “That stung.”

We run through a list of other items, then Rock excuses everyone except the officers.

I’m already halfway to standing. “RC’s too?” As I’m asking the question, I note Dex’s ass still firmly planted in his seat.

Fuck.

Rock points to my cut. “That road captain patch just for decoration?”

“No, sir.”

“Good.” He nods to the vacant chair next to Murphy. “Come sit your ass down.”

“Clown,” Rooster mutters against my ear.

“Dickface.”

Once we’re all rearranged, Rock nods to Wrath.

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