Page 207 of Scatter the Bones

I step back. I’ve already stood in their way for too long.

Cain’s throat bobs as he swallows hard, eyes locked on the sister he hasn’t seen in what probably feels like a lifetime.

“Jezzie?”

“Cain?” She laughs and rushes toward him. “Holy crap. You’re so tall!”

He blinks at her. “You have colorful stripes in your hair.”

She touches the top of her head and nods. “I do.”

Cain’s hands stay jammed deep in his pockets. Jezzie inches closer, arms slightly outstretched but not quite committing.

“Can I hug you?” she asks softly, like she knows she needs to give him the option to say no but hopes he won’t.

The corners of his mouth lift, dimples popping on his cheeks. “Yeah.”

They shuffle toward each other—stiff, tentative—arms out, shoulders hunched, like they’re abandoned ducklings awkwardly waddling out of their nest for the first time.

They meet halfway and something shifts.

Cain wraps his arms around her like he’s afraid if he lets go, she’ll vanish again.

Jezzie clings just as hard, her face pressed against his shoulder, silent but shaking.

Feeling like an intruder, I back away, leaning against my truck. Margot steps beside me, sliding her hand into mine without a word.

Finally they part. Cain scrubs a hand over the back of his neck, his gaze flicking everywhere—me, the pavement, the sky—before finally landing on Margot.

“This the girlfriend you stay with all the time?” he asks, still with that weirdness around the question.

“Yes.” I keep my voice steady. Now’s not the time for my inner asshole to come out and play. “This is Margot.”

“She’s good people,” Jezzie chimes in, her voice warm and sure. “Best decision our brother’s ever made,” she adds in a lower voice.

Our brother. Damn, that feels weird.

I don’t hate it, though.

Cain rubs the back of his neck again. “You, uh... want to come inside?”

“Yeah, sure.”

We follow him all the way to the top floor.

I haven’t been to the apartment since before I left for Vegas. And I’m pleased he’s keeping the place clean. Teller might’ve said he wasn’t worried about any damage, but I still don’t want my brother to trash the place.

Jezzie steps in tentatively, eyeing the kitchen. She throws me a teasing stink eye. “This is bigger than my place.” She wanders further inside. “And it’s a two bedroom?”

“Club only had this one available, smart-ass.”

Cain swings his arms in wide, jittery arcs, like he’s got too much energy and nowhere to put it. “So, uh… when can I meet your club? I wanna thank your friend for letting me stay here.”

“Some of my brothers will be at the track.” I swallow hard, not sure this is a great memory to bring up for Cain. “You remember my friend Logan? The one who…”

Cain nods quickly, sparing me from finishing that sentence.The one who showed up and helped kick you out of your home.

“Yeah, he’ll be there. Dex too—he’s the one who usually manages Crystal Ball.”

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