Page 21 of The Echo of Violence

“I’ll talk to Scope and Wizz and see what they say.”

He gets up and slaps me on the back before he walks away, and I head over to Splinter and Knight, who have just finished their game.

Knight looks at me and frowns before his eyes move to Kaz’s retreating form. “Everything alright?”

I nod. “Mercy.” That is all I say, but Knight smirks.

“Let me guess. She tried to set you up?”

“Not quite, though I felt like I was one step away from auditioning for a dating show.”

Knight laughs. “Same. I told her I was happily single and that the only way that would change was if she suddenly went back on the market. She wasn’t impressed, though. Saying that, neither was Scope.” He rubs his chest absently, making me laugh. I can only imagine that’s where Scope punched him.

“What about you? Mercy hooking you up with anyone?” I ask Splinter.

“Not yet, but I’m not opposed to the idea. If Mercy has friends half as hot as she is, I’m all for her hooking me up.”

I pause, wondering why the fuck I didn’t think of that. Then I remember who her friends are. “You do remember that most of her friends are assassins, right?”

“I know, but one of them is also Lollie fucking Evans.”

“She also has a pet fucking crocodile, or did you forget? You’d date a porn star?” I frown at Splinter.

“Why is a porn star any different than a club girl? Actually, from what I’ve heard, they are held to a higher standard. They get tested regularly, don’t do drugs, and—”

“Have sex with lots of other men,” I add.

“I’m hardly a monk. If it’s casual, then what does it matter?”

“Well, Lollie is off the market, from what I understand. She hung up her thong and handcuffed herself to a porn star of her own, along with a country music star and a biker from another MC.” Knight sighs.

“Which MC?” I tense, waiting for his answer. We’re not affiliated with many, though we’re not at war with any either, not like back in the day. With a history like ours, it’s been slow going, building new allegiances. Part of me is always wary of old enemies with long memories just looking for us to fuck up, so they can swoop in and pick over our carcasses.

“Sons of Purgatory.”

Blowing out a breath, I relax. “I’ve heard of them. Heard they’re a bunch of fucking psychos.”

“Funny, people have been saying that about us for years.” Knight chuckles, his attention drawn to the bar.

I follow his line of sight, expecting to see Menace and Daisy still at it. Instead, there is a redhead with her back to me, wearing a pair of leather pants that are molded to her ass. Her back is bare except for the band of electric blue that wraps around her upper back, where her bra strap would be.

“I think I’ve found my future ex-wife,” Knight states before the woman in question throws her head back and laughs, her strawberry-blonde hair catching in the light, making it seem almost like it’s flecked with gold.

She leans into the prospect beside her and grips his arms tightly.

“Looks like Scooter has beat you to it.” Splinter laughs.

“Not on my fucking watch.” Knight makes his way over to the bar.

I look at Splinter and shrug before we both follow him.

“Prospect, go down and fetch another keg,” Knight yells. Scooter, the prospect in question, turns around.

Anger flashes across his face briefly before he shakes it off and apologizes to the woman beside him. She rubs his chest and murmurs something to him, making him grin before he climbs to his feet and heads down to do what Knight ordered.

The man wastes no time taking Scooter’s seat and signaling to Spoons behind the bar.

“Beer for me and whatever the lady wants.”

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