Page 19 of Scatter the Bones

Why did he have to choosetonight, when my president’s the one managing Crystal Ball? Any other night, Dex would’ve been there. Dex—who’s a lot more understanding and asks fewer questions.

What’s Cain been doing for the last decade?

Did Ruth drag him into another religious cult? Or was he able to grow up like a normal kid? Is he here to extract justice for his dead father and messed-up childhood?

The road can’t give me any of these answers.

I twist the throttle, taking the back roads faster than wise.

Margot knew something was wrong. We were just about to…fuck, my balls still hurt. Cain’s a cock-blocking little fucker. I had to leave Margot unsatisfied after mumbling some excuse about Z needing an extra set of hands at the club. She frowned, asked if everything was okay. I don’t think she was worried about me going to the strip club. No. By now shehasto know I’m so motherfucking obsessed with her I can’t think straight. Staring at strippers for a few hours isn’t a temptation, it’s torture.

How the fuck will I explain to her that I’ve known about Cain all along?

I’ve had a little half-brother out there all this time and wanted nothing to do with him.

To someone as sweet and compassionate as Margot, I’ll sound like a monster.

Killed the kid’s dad, evicted him from his home, handed his mother a box of cash, then shoved them out into the big, bad world all by themselves.

Then I did what I do best.

Buried the truth.

Forgot his name. His face. Went on about my life as if he didn’t exist.

And now, somehow, he’s found me.

Why?

Closure? Family connection?

Or does he want revenge?

CHAPTER THREE

Jigsaw

The parking lotin front of Crystal Ball is packed.

Great. The club’s actually busy tonight. Even more reason for Z to be annoyed with me. I pull around to the back of the building. This lot’s crowded too. I wedge my bike into the row of employee spots, back tire kissing the rough wall behind it.

As usual, the heavy, gray metal door’s propped open with a cinder block. Tonight it feels like it’s daring me to walk through and reunite with a past I’ve tried hard to forget.

Taking my time, I pull off my gloves and unbuckle my helmet, setting them on the seat like the ritual will steady me. My gaze sweeps the lot again. Which car or bike belongs to Cain? Is he planning to stick around? Or is this a hit-and-run where he fucks up my life, then bounces?

The parking lot won’t give me any answers.

Get your ass inside, coward!

I trudge into the back hallway. Music throbs through the building and loud, chaotic chatter filters from the dancers’ dressing room door. The hallway’s empty for the moment. No dancers lingering backstage while they practice some last-minute dance moves tonight. And at least it’s not amateur night when there’d be a line out the door and extra security.

The door to Z’s office is closed. I take a breath, brace myself for what’s on the other side, then punch my knuckles against the wood.

“Come in!” Z shouts.

I crank the tricky knob hard and jerk the door open.

My stomach twists into a painful knot. Z’s behind his desk and a relieved smile lifts his cheeks when his gaze lands on me.

---