Page 49 of The Echo of Violence

“I love them. I do. I wouldn’t change them even if I could, but I’m not sure I like who I am anymore.”

“You need to talk to them.”

“I’ve tried.”

“Then try again. They need to know how you feel.”

“I don’t even know how I feel.”

“Liar.”

She looks up sharply before blowing out a breath. “I feel like I’m living someone else’s fairy tale. All those girls in there—this is what they dream of—becoming an old lady and being tied to the Demons for the rest of their lives. I get it more than most. I was a biker princess who became a biker queen, but what comes after happily ever after?”

She swallows as I pull her in for a hug. A growl sounds, letting me know Scope is nearby.

“Get your hands off my woman.”

I chuckle as Mercy sighs and pulls back.

“Behave, Cujo. He was just looking out for me.”

“Yeah, well, he can look out for you without touching you. Hell, he doesn’t even really need to look at you. He should focus on his surroundings,” Scope mutters, making me snort.

“Mercy is the sister I never knew I wanted. Brothers and sisters hug, so you’ll just have to deal with it.”

Scope glares at me before his eyes drop to the bandage on my arm. “What the fuck happened to you?” He checks Mercy over quickly to make sure she’s okay while I fill him in on what happened.

He grins as Mercy picks up the story from when we got to the hospital. “And so yeah, she’s coming over soon. That’s alright, right?”

Scope isn’t a people person, but he is a Mercy person. So when he looks at her face, I know he’d give her anything right now to wipe away the sadness that lingers there.

“Of course. Why don’t you go tell Kaz and Wizz she’s coming, and I’ll wait for her.”

She looks at Scope for a second before lifting up and pressing a kiss to his lips. She pulls away, but Scope yanks her back, dips her low, and kisses her until I’m getting a second-hand boner and a third-wheel complex.

“No, don’t mind me. It’s fine.”

Mercy laughs as Scope mumbles something about me being a cockblocker.

“I’m not a cockblocker, but you guys were minutes away from fucking each other. If I’m not allowed to join in, I should at least be able to leave so I can rub one out.”

“Watch your mouth in front of Mercy.”

“Oh, come on. I didn’t ask her to rub it out for me. Though, now that I think about it, I do have somewhat of a disability. Maybe you could help—oof.”

The wind rushes out of me as Scope punches me in the stomach.

Mercy throws her hands up in the air. “Men.”

“You shouldn’t have to hear shit about him jacking off. I don’t want you thinking about his dick,” Scope snarls as Mercy starts tapping her foot, her hands on her hips.

“Seriously? I see live porn all day, every day. I’ve seen every dick this clubhouse has to offer, and you’re pissed because he said the words, rub one out?” She whirls around and storms off, muttering under her breath.

“Now, see what you’ve done.”

I tip my head back and pray for patience. “Remind me again why I didn’t stay at the mother chapter?”

“Because Viper has even less patience for you than I do.”

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