Page 53 of Scatter the Bones

Wrath nods once—quick, like he wasn’t asking for Hudson’s whole itinerary. “Stop by Furious any afternoon. We’ll talk more.”

“All right.” Hudson hold out his hand. “Thanks.” He nods at me next. “Thanks, Jigsaw.”

“Sure.”

Wrath’s attention stays locked on Hudson until he’s around the corner, then he turns to me. He flicks his gaze to the stairs. “What’s up there?”

“Second floor is where her cousin lives. And a kid’s playroom I think? I’ve never really explored it.” No, I’m always in a hurry to hide out at Margot’s place and get my hands all over her. “Margot’s place is up on the third floor.”

He glances over his shoulder and must decide this is a secure enough place to talk. “What’s your thought?”

“I have lots of thoughts. Be more specific.”

His eyes narrow to pissed-off slits. “On Hudson.”

“Uh, I barely know him.”

“Why’d he come to you, then?”

I tap my patch. “He said RC to RC but I’m not sure.”

“We should all sit down for church tomorrow anyway,” Wrath says. “Share details we learned here today. We can talk about Hudson then. Get everyone’s take.”

What details did we learn today?“Yeah, all right.”

“You staying here tonight?”

I shift my gaze to the side. “Not sure yet.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t pick up on my hesitation and ask about my situation with Margot. “I’ll tell Rock noon for church?”

No one’s ever asked me for scheduling input before. “Whenever you need me. I’ll be there.”

Wrath’s attention shifts to the hallway where a steady stream of guests are moving toward the back doors. “I think they’re gettin’ ready to head to the cemetery. I told Ulfric Kings would take up last position.”

“I didn’t expect anything else.”

“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder and heads off down the hall.

I hang back for a second. Then I make my way toward the front parlor, threading through the stragglers, searching for Margot.

She’s standing near the front door by the guest book. Shoulders tight with her warm, professional smile plastered in place as she gently guides the last few guests where they need to go. Ulfric stops to talk to her, resting his hand on her shoulder for a moment.

I close my eyes and force myself not to picture my fist going through his throat. This knee-jerk rage that shoots through me every time another man gets close to Margot should be studied by scientists.

I wait until she’s alone, then step into her space.

At least this time she doesn’t look like she wants to waterboard some answers out of me. No, she looks tired.

I lean down, keeping my voice low enough for her alone. “I wanted to tell you earlier—you look really pretty today.”

Her smile falters for half a second. “You can’t fix things with an empty compliment.”

Ouch.

“But thank you.” There’s no bite to her tone this time. Just weariness twisted with affection.

I don’t deserve her.

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