Page 63 of Scatter the Bones

“I didn’t say that.”

He rakes a hand through his hair. “I couldn’t protect Jezzie back then. You were right about what my father did to her—he could’ve killed her, or left her with brain damage. I should’ve been there sooner. That’s why Ihaveto know Cain’s not a threat before I let them near each other again.”

I understand that. I love him for it.

But several doubts keep circling in the back of my mind.

What if Jezzie doesn’t want to see Cain? What if Jigsaw decides he doesn’t want a relationship with him at all? The only brotherhood he seems to need is his club.

Cain came all this way.

Looking for a family that might end up rejecting him.

Again.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jigsaw

Sharingall of that with Margot wasn’t as awful as I kept telling myself it would be. She listened. Challenged me in that quiet, relentless way of hers. Pushed me into seeing the situation in a different way—something no one else has ever done before.

“So.” She strokes her hand over my arm. “How did you leave things with Cain?”

I already sense her protective side stirring. The same instinct she uses to care for the grieving families who walk into the funeral home is now aiming to wrap itself around my half-brother. She’s not gonna like my answer. “He’s sticking around. Staying at a hotel for now.”

“By himself?”

I shrug. “He was already staying there before he found me. The guys offered to help. Teller’s got a place open in that building he owns downtown. Said Cain could use it if he wants. And one of Wrath’s friends runs a gym nearby—he might be able to hook him up with a job if Cain wants it.”

“Wow. That’s really generous.” Then with a touch too much cheer in her voice, she adds, “Oh, his friend Jake? The one who came by with Wrath yesterday?”

My jaw tightens. “You met him, huh?”

“I did. He was nice.” She taps her finger against her bottom lip, eyes sparkling like she senses the jealous beast waking inside me and wants to poke him. “Wrath went out of his way to tell Jake I’m a friend of the club and your ol’ lady.”

I grin like an asshole. “He did, huh?” I’ll have to remember to thank Wrath.

She tilts her head, still playful. “It’s weird—I never saw Jake at the funeral. But I guess it was busy. I might’ve missed a few guests.”

More like Jake realized he better keep his distance from my girl.

Her smile fades. Fatigue creeps around the edges of her eyes, the long day catching up with her.

“Hey, let’s put this aside for a bit.” I glance at the clock in her kitchen. “It’s late. You’ve had a long, grueling day.”

She yawns and nods. “I have another funeral tomorrow too.”

“Shit, really? And you’re letting me keep you up this late?”

“Death doesn’t keep a schedule.” Her smile fades. “It’ll be a much quieter, quicker service.”

“Good.” I’m so fucking proud of what she accomplished. Her dad and cousin helped too but I sensed Margot’s touch in so many small details today. “Hey, you did a really great job on Whisper’s funeral. It must’ve been complicated but everything looked seamless. Ulfric was really pleased. When we were at the bar, he kept talking about how nice you and your dad are and how much you helped Abby.”

Margot’s eyes glisten and she turns way. “That’s really nice to hear. Thank you.”

“Hey.” I gently grip her chin, encouraging her to face me again. “I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.”

One corner of her mouth tips up and she nods.

---