Page 123 of The Echo of Violence

“Amen to that,” Splinter mumbles.

We spend the rest of the evening outside, eating, drinking, and getting to know Rex and Nico better. In another life, they would have made excellent Demons, but when asked if they’d ever consider prospecting again, they both look horrified.

“I’m too old to be taking orders,” Nico answers with a shrug.

But it’s Rex that makes us laugh. “Fuck that. I’ve been out of the closet too long to climb back in.”

“You’d trip over all your shoes.” Jinx sticks her tongue out at him.

As the night winds down and we clear everything away, Jinx leans against the kitchen counter, looking wiped out. “You guys staying?” she asks Nico and Rex.

“And listen to you and your harem of men fuck? I’ll pass, thanks.” Nico shudders.

Jinx rolls her eyes. “You’re one to talk. Imagine how I feel having to listen to Rex screaming, ‘Yes, Daddy, harder.’”

Knight is dying on the floor right now as Rex narrows his eyes and stalks toward her.

She darts behind me. “Don’t let the bad man get me, Eightball.”

I spin around and scoop her up, tossing her to Rex as she squeals. “Sorry, darlin’. We’re all bad men here.”

Nico pulls her free from Rex, clearly used to this. “We’re going. We’ll catch you later in the week, Jinx. If you need anything, call. We have a job out of town next week, so let’s have dinner before we leave.”

“You got it. Love you.” She wraps her arms around him and holds him tightly.

“Love you too.” He releases her so that Rex can hug her and tell her he loves her too.

I don’t care how gay they are, I’m getting a little sick of listening to them tell my woman how much they love her.

“Okay, that’s enough.” I pull her away and tuck her under my arm, which makes Rex laugh.

“You gotta learn to share, bro. She might be yours, but she’s still ours.” Rex rolls his eyes as Nico drags him out the door.

Knight locks up before turning to look at Jinx. “We’re staying.”

“I figured as much.”

“Not sure how the sleeping arrangements will work, but we’ll figure it out.”

“I’m too damn tired to care.”

“Then let’s get you to bed.” I pick her up and carry her toward the bedroom.

“I’ll check the rest of the house,” Splinter calls out.

I walk over to the bed and ease her down onto it. “What do you need to do before you take these off?” I ask, touching her prosthetics.

“Pee, teeth, shower.”

“Okay, you want help?”

“No, I’ve got it.”

“Alright, go do what you need to do.” She reaches up and kisses me before disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door.

“I’d offer to take the spare room, but I need to be beside her tonight,” Knight admits, walking into the room. He slips off his cut and lays it on the chair before stripping out of his T-shirt.

“I think it’s the same for all of us. I’m not bothered if you’re not. As long as I don’t wake up to you spooning me, we’ll be fine.”

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