Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
I open my door wide. The hinges squeak.
One of the men turns around. In the shadowy darkness, I make out Wrath’s dark blond beard. He lifts his chin in a silent hello, then turns and murmurs something too low for me to hear.
One of the dark figures breaks away.
Jigsaw.
He stares straight at me, an affectionate smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
He crosses the short distance between us, walking slower than usual. His jaw’s tight, shoulders stiff, but he still slides his gloved hands over mine when he reaches me. They’re vaguely damp or sticky against my skin.
“Evening, little lady death,” he murmurs, voice warm despite the coldness of the occasion. He leans down and brushes a quick kiss over my cheek. “Thanks for doing this tonight,” he whispers against my ear.
The warmth of his kiss lingers on my skin. “Of course.”
Someone else breaks away from the circle, walking closer.
“Margot.” Even hushed, Rock’s commanding voice demands my attention. “Thanks for letting us borrow the facilities on short notice.” He casts a glance Jigsaw’s way. “I understand business has been brisk this week.”
He says it lightly, but something about the way his gaze lingers on Jigsaw gives a different feel—like he’s verifying information.
Did Jigsaw try to get out of coming here tonight by telling him we’ve been busy? Would he defy his club, thinking he’s protecting me?
“It has,” I answer. “But this was good timing. We finished our last service of the day, and nothing’s scheduled tomorrow. Dad’s still at the church and my cousin’s out.”
“That’s good. Thanks,” Wrath adds, turning toward us. Despite his size and Viking appearance, there’s something almost comforting in his presence.
“Hey, Margot.” Murphy lifts a hand in greeting. His mussed hair and bushy ginger beard make him look more like the friendly neighborhood lumberjack than a biker about to burn a body.
I bump the door open wider with my hip and step aside. “Everything’s already going. So hopefully this will be quick…” My gaze flicks toward the van. “Depending on how many ‘loaves of bread’ you have in there.”
Murphy rumbles with laughter and slaps his leg. “Jigsaw knew you’d get it.”
I lift my shoulders in a bashful shrug.
“That’s good. Thank you.” Rock studies the crematory a second, then returns to Wrath, the two of them speaking in whispers.
“I’ll let you guys…” I step back into the building.
Rock murmurs something I can’t quite catch, and a second later, Jigsaw follows me inside. His steps are quieter this time. A little uneven.
“You all right?” Jigsaw’s voice is soft, but his posture’s rigid.
“I’m fine.” I smile, small and unsure. “Don’t want to get in the way.” Or see something I’ll never unsee.
He glances through the crack in the door. I can’t see past him but low voices going back and forth reach me.
“Busy afternoon, huh?” I ask.
Jigsaw lets out a jagged huff. “You know Griff?”
Terror crackles through my chest. “What? No.”
I sway sideways, trying to get a better look. That’s Griff? No. Can’t be. Griff’s much bigger. He’s a friend of their club. We just went to a party in his honor. They wouldn’t…
“Shit. No, Margot.” Jigsaw wraps his hand around my arm, trying to hold me still. “It’s not Griff. Jesus. He’s a friend of the club. We don’t…no. The guy went after Griff and his girlfriend Molly.”
“Little Molly?” I stop trying to look over his shoulder. “Is she okay?”
“She’s not that little. Caved the guy’s leg in with a crowbar.” His mouth twitches with pride.
“Oh my God. Are they okay?”
“Yeah. Griff used his martial arts skills on this fucking tweaker. Then, Molly whacked him.” He lowers his voice. “Now we need him to disappear. We’re just trying to get more info about who sent him.”
“Okay.”
He shifts his weight from one leg to the other and winces. “We wouldn’t call on you…lightly. That’s all I’m trying to say.”
“I know that.” From everything I’ve learned, it’s a big deal for Jigsaw to share that much with me—his ol’ lady. Especially with his brothers only a couple feet away. “Thank you for being honest with me.”
“You’re taking a risk too. It’s only fair.”
I lean up and brush a kiss against his bristly cheek. “You’re worth all the risk.”
His brow furrows, almost like my words hurt.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I say.
“Planning to stay if you think you can give me a ride to Jerry’s garage to grab my bike in the morning.”
“Yeah.” A smile lifts my cheeks. “I can do that.” I widen my eyes. “Are you sure you really want to leave your bike somewhere overnight?” I tease.
His eyebrows knit into a scowl. “Griff knows I’ll kick his ass if anything happens to it.”
“Wait, so you can threaten him but…” I tilt my head toward the crematorium.
A tired smile curves his lips. “Exactly.” He touches his finger to his temple and then mine. “I love the way you just get me.”