Page 46 of The Echo of Violence

The man must have heard me because he turns and gives me the once-over. I don’t know this guy, and though there is something familiar about his face, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before. The way he’s looking at me makes me want to bathe in bleach.

“For fuck’s sake, Knight, it’s just a little prick.” I recognize the voice. It’s the woman I met at The Guactruck. Mercy.

“I’m telling Scope you said that,” Knight complains, my body tensing at the sound of his voice. The jackass who always seems to get under my skin. Hell, he only has to look at me, and I’m pissed off. It’s a skill few people possess.

“Can I help you?” the biker I don’t know asks my tits.

I ignore him, spotting Kate just as she pulls the curtain open, revealing Knight and Mercy like I suspected.

“Jinx! What are you doing here?” She grins at me.

“I came to say congratulations. I heard you got married.”

She flashes me the band on her finger, a smile of pure happiness on her face, which makes me feel a little envious.

“Aww, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. What brings you here?” She looks me up and down with concern.

“Just a check-up. Everything’s good.”

“Jinx?” I turn at the sound of Mercy’s voice and offer her a wave. Kate looks between us.

“You guys know each other?”

“We bonded over Mexican food,” Mercy jokes, making Kate laugh.

“Now, why am I not surprised? Jinx’s body is comprised of forty percent muscle and sixty percent salsa.”

I laugh because she’s not lying.

“You heading out now? I need to grab something, but I don’t want to miss saying bye before you go,” Kate asks me.

“Oh God, please say you’ll hang with me. I need someone to keep me sane,” Mercy begs, making me look at her.

The words are kind of funny, but she seems tense. I look from her to the biker watching me. He hasn’t introduced himself, but now that I’m closer, I can see the name on his rocker is Boomer.

“I don’t have anywhere I need to be right now.”

Her shoulders deflate with relief, and a genuine smile graces her face. “Good. Do you want to come in here with me? Knight needs stitching up, and he hates needles. And after how much he pissed you off the other day, I thought you might enjoy seeing him squirm.”

“You know, Mercy, I think you and I are going to be great friends.” I follow her into the cubicle, ignoring the creepy guy behind me. My eyes move to Knight, lying on the bed with his arm propped up and a gauze pad pressed against it that’s quickly turning red.

“Piss someone else off?” I ask as Mercy takes one of the seats near the bed.

“Believe it or not, most people love me,” he grunts.

“Yeah, I’m not sure I believe that.”

“Alright, Mr. Knight, let’s get this stitched up for you.” Kate bustles back into the room with a tray in her hand.

“You can just glue it back together. I’ll be fine.”

“No can do. Not with a wound that size, I’m afraid. I’ll just give you a local, so you won’t feel anything.”

“Lady, I don’t need it. Just —”

“Hey,” I interrupt, seeing he’s about to lose his shit. You would have thought his club brother would have come in to assist, but I guess we’re on our own. I walk around to the opposite side of the bed and pin him with a glare. “Kate is just doing her job. Trust me, the last thing she wants to do is deal with your grumpy ass. Now man the fuck up and let her give you a little prick.”

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