Page 121 of The Echo of Violence

Mercy groans. “No, he doesn’t. He has a problem with you being a jackass. They helped us out today, and they didn’t have to. You’re being a dick for no reason.”

He sighs and buries his face in her hair. “I was worried.”

“I know.”

I look at Jinx. She doesn’t seem tense or anything, but I’m sure the day has taken its toll on her.

Shredder returns with the club girls, all of whom look worried as they line up in front of the tables.

“Who here took a call from Jinx earlier?”

Daisy steps forward and puts her hand up. “That was me.”

“The rest of you can leave,” Scope orders. They don’t hang around to see what’s going on.

“Who did you give the phone to?” Kaz asks her.

“Marlin. Other than the prospects, he was the only brother around.”

“Should have fucking known,” Wizz curses.

“Thank you, Daisy,” Jinx tells her. Daisy looks relieved before she hurries off.

“Shredder, Menace. Find Marlin. I think it’s time we had a chat.”

“We done here? I want to take Jinx home. She’s had a long day. They both have.” I nod to Mercy, who is still curled up in Scope’s lap.

“Go, get out of here. And Jinx?” She looks at Scope as she stands. “Good work today.”

“Thanks, Pres.” She winks before slipping her hand into mine.

Since Jinx has been keeping her bike at the clubhouse, she rides home beside us. I think it’s so she doesn’t have to choose between which of us to ride with.

Nico’s car is already there when we pull into her driveway. “They gonna mind that we tagged along?” I ask as I climb off my bike.

“Would you care if they did?”

“No.”

She laughs and heads inside. As soon as the door opens, Toto comes barreling toward her, stopping just before he knocks Jinx flying.

“Hey, baby. Mama missed you too.”

She bends to give the dog a kiss on the nose before walking over to Rex, who’s in the kitchen chopping vegetables.

“That was quick. I thought you’d be a while longer.”

“Scope let me out early. Hope you don’t mind, but my guys tagged along.”

My guys. I love it when she calls us that. Judging from the look on Knight’s face, he likes it too. Splinter walks in behind us, bending down to play with Toto.

“We figured they would, so we stopped on the way home for extra steaks and beer.”

“I knew I liked you two.” Knight grins.

“You realize this before or after you pointed a gun at my head?”

Knight flips him off.

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