Page 89 of Scatter the Bones

Wrath nods. “Make sure you tell him that.”

Bricks leans forward. “I’ll cover CB for you.”

“Thanks,” Dex says.

“As much as I’d like to support the kid,” Grinder says. “I’m not comfortable leaving Serena and Lincoln for that long.” He hurries to add, “For something that’s not strictly club-related.”

“Understandable.” Wrath nods.

“If I can do something else to help out here, I will,” Grinder offers.

Rooster lifts his hand, catching Wrath’s attention. “You already know Shelby and I are in.”

A chorus ofooooosgoes around the table.

“Planning to get hitched there?” Dex asks.

“Nooo,” Rooster says slowly, barely hiding his irritation. “Shelby still wants to get marriedhere.” He grits his teeth. “Although, there’s apparently talk about having a second ‘public’ wedding in Tennessee.”

Say what?“Talk with who?” I ask.

He cocks his head at me, pure sarcasm in his eyes. “Who do you think?”

“Dawson?” I raise my eyebrows. “What the fuck does he care where you get married?”

“I’m assuming for the publicity,” Grinder says in a dry tone.

“Indeed,” Rooster agrees.

“Uh.” Wrath leans forward. “You realize if you have an event like that in Tennessee, Deadbranch and National will expect an invite.”

Rooster nods slowly. “You know Dawson. He doesn’t care. He’s met a lot of those guys. Likes ‘em.”

Hustler lets out a belly laugh. “He probably thinks hanging with bikers gives him street cred.”

“That part,” Rooster agrees, pointing at Hustler. “I don’t give a fuck. He’s paying for whatever party happens in Tennessee.”

I open my mouth to ask if letting Dawson bankroll his wedding makes him feel like a cuck—then snap it shut. That’s a question to needle him with when we’re alone.

Rooster thinks Dawson’s harmless. No doubt the guy’s boosted Shelby’s career and thrown me a few fat stacks of cash to run security on tour. But I still don’t completely trust the guy. He ever does anything to mess with Rooster and Shelby, or hurts her inanyway, I’m throwing his poser country-boy ass straight into the nearest wood chipper.

“It’s not a ‘real’ wedding,” Rooster says, curling his fingers into air quotes. “Just a big party. The part that matters is happening in New York with club and familyonly.”

Z nods with approval. “You tryin’ to plan this ‘party’ close to National, so we’re not making two runs down south in one year?”

Rooster side-eyes him. “Uh, sure, Prez.”

Wrath slides a sneaky gaze Rock’s way. “Hopefully, it’ll be thelastrun we’re making to Mississippi for our National meeting.”

Rock glares at him. “Bite your motherfucking tongue.”

“What?” Wrath raises two innocent blond eyebrows. “Who said anything about New York? We could be riding to Virginia instead.”

Dex ducks his head, his shoulders shaking. “What’s wrong, Prez? The other day you were fine with it.”

“Fineis a stretch,” Rock says. “It’s the timeline that I object to. We’re not ready to take over that responsibility, yet.”

“Why not?” Grinder frowns. “We got plenty of places for people to stay. And if you don’t want ‘em here, there are more than enough hotels in the area. Campgrounds. We can figure it out.”

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