Page 91 of Scatter the Bones

“She’s approaching a big milestone of subscribers on her site,” Rooster says.

“Yeah, and?” Z asks.

Hustler and Rooster tradetag, you’re itlooks.

Finally, Hustler sighs. “Once she crosses that threshold, I think we ought to celebrate it. Let her know we appreciate her and all that fat cash that comes pouring into our account every month.”

Z blows out a breath, letting it out slowly. “You’re right. Let her have a party at the clubhouse. Whatever will keep her happy.”

“Thanks,” Hustler says.

“I ain’t fuckin’ goin’, though,” Z mutters.

“Anyway,” Rock says, shaking his head like he wants to knock the mental image of all things Stella out of his head. “Mr. Cedarwood had many complimentary things to say about you yesterday, Jigsaw.”

Heat crawls up my neck. The way Rock says it, it sounds less like a client praising an employee—and more like a future father-in-law having a sit-down with mydad.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jigsaw

A few hours later,I jump out of Rooster’s truck, boots landing in the grass with a thud.

“Thanks for the ride.” I shut the door with a solid thud. Rooster and I left our bikes upstate, so I hitched a ride back with him and Shelby. From here, I’ll grab my truck before heading out to meet Cain. Figured it made more sense to have something with cargo space in case he needs stuff for the apartment.

If he even wants to stick around.

After being cooped up in a cage for so long, I need to stretch my legs and breathe in some fresh air. I walk to the edge of the woods, studying the heavy growth, searching for a trail through the trees.

The crunch of leaves behind me can only be Rooster.

“You ever think of cutting some trails through here? Like they have upstate?” I ask.

“You want to buy some four-wheelers and go tearing through the woods like we used to at Boone’s?”

No, I want to chase my girlfriend and mount her like a bear, but I don’t think you want to have that conversation.

“Yeah, sure.” I glance over at him. “You still have that app that shows the aerial view and property lines?”

“Yup. Why?”

Because I don’t want to wander onto someone else’s land when I’m stalking my girlfriend and ripping off her clothes. What’s with all the questions, brother?

Rooster has a decent amount of acreage here but it’s nowhere near the amount Upstate has. “I don’t want to end up dropping trees on someone else’s land.”

He pulls out his phone, slides his finger over the screen until he pulls up the right map, then passes it to me. I study the boundaries and markings, then lift my head, staring at the terrain around us. “Can you send me a few screenshots?”

“The property’s marked.” He lifts a slow, sarcastic finger and points at the bright orangePOSTED: Private Propertysign nailed to a tree about fifty yards away. “You helped me put up the signs.”

“Yeah, but still.”

“All right” he mutters, sliding his fingers over the screen. “Why do I get the feeling you’re up to something more…nefarious?”

Rooster and I share a lot of things, but I’m not about to explain my newly discovered outdoor sex kink to him.

My phone dings several times. I check the photos. “Thanks.”

“You planning to hunt the property?” he asks. “I’ve caught a few big bucks on the trail camera.”

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