Page 36 of Collect the Pieces

Rock laughs. “Ihave an ex-wife.”

“Marrying evil incarnate isn’t anything to be proud of, Rock,” Wrath reminds him.

I continue glaring at Rooster. “Your ‘dating’ history could’ve been an entire season ofAmerican Horror Story. So how about you shut the fuck up about mine.” Considering his first girlfriend did everything she could to ruin his life, and his second girlfriend’s father tried to shoot him, that was low of me.

He started it.

Rooster strokes his hand over his beard a few times. Either I hurt his feelings or he’s thinking up more obnoxious comments. “No lies detected.”

“Not to pry, but I’m still curioushowthe fuck you two hooked up.” Murphy holds up his hands as if he means no harm. “Respectfully, she doesn’t seem likeyourtype, Jigsaw.”

Wouldn’t my brothersloveto hear that Margot asked me to be her sex coach. The endless jokes would never stop raining down on me and they’d eventually spill onto Margot whenever she’s around the club. She’d be hurt and mortified to find out everyone knows that’s how we started.

“I always kind of pictured her dating a banker or something,” Teller adds.

I shoot a glare at Murphy, then Teller. “Well, I’ve been pondering how two intelligent women could possibly settle for your two dumb asses for years, but here we all are.”

Murphy snorts with laughter but I continue glaring at him.

What am I so pissed about? That their comments have a ring of truth to them? Whoever Margot’s dickhead ex is, he made her feel so bad about herself, she askedmefor sex lessons. That’s the only reason we ended up together.

Fuck,I still wish I knew what he said to her. And who he is so I can track him down and maim him.

Will she ever trust me enough to tell me somethingthatpersonal?

“All right.” Wrath’s authoritative growl cuts off any additional chatter. “Sounds like Margot knows how to deal with the cops. Z’s going to find out what he can about the Larsens. Teller’s going to go home, get some sleep, and take a shower because he smells like baby shit.”

Laughter erupts around the table. Even from me.

“What?” Teller pulls his T-shirt away from his chest and sniffs. “No, I don’t.”

Murphy tilts his head like he hates to be the bearer of bad news. “Don’t take this the wrong way. But…”

I press my fist to my lips to keep from losing it.

“Shut up.” Teller stands and stares at Rock like he’s a kid about to shit his pants, waiting for the teacher to give him a bathroom pass.

Rock waves a dismissive hand toward the door. “Go. I’ll check in on you later.”

Teller leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Shaking his head, Rock turns toward Rooster and me. “You two can go too.”

“Trin’s in the kitchen making pancakes for lunch if you’re sticking around,” Wrath offers.

I fake a horrified expression. “I thought you didn’t eat pancakes.” I clutch my chest and roll my eyes skyward. “Think of all the sugar.”

Wrath’s lip curls. “I didn’t sayIwas eating them. She’s makingmesteak and eggs.”

“Isn’t it kind of embarrassing a man your size can’t make his own food?” Murphy snort-laughs.

“Ican.” Wrath’s head tilts, slow and deliberately, like he’s weighing the pros and cons of kicking Murphy’s ass. “But I’m here, listening to your disrespectful mouth.”

I push my chair back and stand. “As much fun as this has been, I’m going to go get my pancakes on.”

I nod at Rock, then Z. “Thank you.”

Rock inclines his head. “Thanks for keeping us up to date.”

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