Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jigsaw
The bizarre conversation with Margot’s dad sticks with me all the way to the clubhouse. He’s really not bothered about a biker dating his daughter? Thought for sure he’d want her to marry another mortician or something.
Whoa. Why’s my brain going to marriage? That’s been on my never, ever happening list for years.
When I finally reach the clubhouse, at least ten different bikes are parked out front, including Rooster’s and Z’s. Rock’s SUV is in the garage and his bike is parked along the fence—so he’s here too. I should’ve known if I was meeting with Teller, he’d have Rock join us.
As I get off my bike, a weird sensation hits me. Last time I was here, I didn’t know Margot was a murderer. No—angel of justice . She was just my shy, sweet girlfriend that I told my club I’ve been seeing. Oh, and I threatened to stab anyone who made her uncomfortable.
It doesn’t matter. Her confession didn’t change how I feel, did it?
Nope.
If anything, I’m more in…whatever I am with her, than before that knowledge bomb landed on my head.
“You finally get here?” Rooster calls out from the front steps. He jogs down and crosses the parking lot.
“I asked to meet with Teller.” I brace myself for the bruising hug Rooster inflicts on me. The fucker always squeezes like he’s testing how sturdy my ribs are. “What’re you doing here?”
“I was helping Z with his back deck.” Rooster points toward the trees in the direction of the cabin Z built up here for his family.
I squint at him. “Since when are you a carpenter?”
“He just needed an extra set of hands.” He glances at my bike. A slow grin spreads across his face. “Did you come from your sweet, sunshiny girlfriend’s love palace?”
I blink. “What kind of weird-ass shit just came out of your mouth?”
“Why so grouchy?” Rooster holds up one hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know, do I?”
I blow out a harsh breath. “She’s not that sunshiny.” I can’t share Margot’s secrets with him. Not yet. “She’s got a bit of a dark side too.”
“Good.” He lets out a deep, satisfied chuckle like I just confirmed a bet he had with himself. “Sounds like the perfect woman for you, then.”
Great, he probably thinks I’m talking about bedroom kinks, not murderous tendencies.
But he’s not wrong. She is the perfect woman for me. In so many ways.
That’s why I need to do what I can to keep the cops away from her without ratting her out to my club.
The screen door opens, and Teller sticks his head out. His gaze flicks to Rooster, then me. “You coming inside or not?”
“Yeah.” I slap Rooster’s chest as I step past him. “Thanks for holding me up, motherclucker.”
He elbows me and falls in step next to me. I bound up the short steps and yank the door out of Teller’s hand. “Right here, boss.”
Seeing him up close, I take in his droopy eyes, messy hair, and generally grim expression. Brother looks like the sleep deprivation truck ran him over. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks, asshole. I haven’t slept in weeks.” He yawns loudly and obnoxiously in my face. “Not even sure what day it is.”
Well, now I feel even worse for asking to meet with him. “How’s Charlotte doing?”
He scrubs his hand over his face. “Same. Tired.” His voice softens just a fraction. “But she’s the one with at least one baby attached to her at all times. Heidi’s at the house with her now, helping out until I get back.”
Sounds like a nightmare to me.
My aversion must show on my face. Teller jerks his head toward the war room, his scowl deepening. “Come on, you didn’t want to meet up today to hear my babies’ first weeks home journal entry.”
I chuckle and move into the clubhouse’s entryway. “Nah, it’s a great reminder to stop and buy condoms on my way home.”
Rooster smacks the back of my head.
Teller snorts with laughter. “For you—yeah, definitely. We were actively trying for this—we just didn’t expect two at once.”
In the war room, Rock, Z, Murphy, and Wrath— for fuck’s sake, Wrath too? —are already seated at one end of the long table. I stop short and frown. “Uh, I’m not sure what Bishop Babymaker here,” I point to Teller, “told everyone, but this isn’t that big of a deal.”
Wrath squeezes his eyes shut and shakes with laughter.
Murphy kicks out the chair across from him. His grin is pure mischief. “Sit your ass down, commander chucklefuck. We were here anyway.”
Commander chucklefuck. I’ll have to remember that one .
Grinning, I take the chair and drop into it. Rooster sits next to me.
I nod to Z. “How’s everything at the house, Prez?”
“Coming along nicely.”
I tap my fingers against the table. “Rooster said you need an extra set of hands.” I hold my hands up in the air and wave them around like a magician. “You know I’m more talented than he is.”
Z chuckles. “Knock yourself out when we’re done here.”
I turn my attention to Rock. “Prez.” I nod in greeting.
“What’s on your mind today, Jigsaw?” he asks, his patience clearly on its last thread.
I sit back, resting my elbows on the arm of the chair and clasp my hands over my stomach. “Well, like I said, it’s not that big of a deal. But Margot had two Slater County detectives stop by today?—”
“Fucking hell? You don’t think that’s a big deal?” Teller snaps.
“Relax.” I hold my hands out in a calming gesture. “Has nothing to do with us.” It’s her kill they were worried about, not ours! Never saw that coming, did you?
Murphy mutters under his breath. “Jesus, this oughta be good.”
“The husband of one of her clients died,” I explain. “They can’t find the woman, so they were just asking Margot questions.”
“Did the woman kill him?” Teller asks.
“No. Cops said he died of an overdose.” Neither of those things are technically lies.
Teller stares at me, unimpressed. “Okay?” His exasperated tone jabs at my annoyance button. “That’s it?”
“Yeah.” I answer in a tone that sounds more like yeah, dumbass . “But it’s a club business .” I draw out the words, since Teller obviously needs the reminder. “So I wanted to keep the club informed.”
“No, you’re right, Jigsaw,” Rock says.
I throw a smug look Teller’s way, and he rolls his eyes.
“What’s the woman’s name?” Z asks me.
Shit. Laura? Lauren? Think, motherfucker. “Laurel Larsen, I think. Husband’s name was Patrick? I didn’t exactly pop out and introduce myself to the cops. And I didn’t want to explain to Margot that I was planning to sprint here and share with the club.”
“Good call. No reason to worry her.” Wrath arches an eyebrow. “Sounds like it’s nothing.” He glances over at Z. “Who do we know in Slater?”
“No one,” Teller says. “Whisper didn’t have a lot of pull with the local law.”
Murphy exhales sharply, his usual humor gone, and raises his hand to halt the conversation. “Wait a second. Margot’s clients are dead people. Were the cops looking for a dead person?”
“No.” I let out a long sigh and flash an apologetic look at Teller. Christ, his wife just had two babies, I don’t want to put this story in his head. “Uh, she had a miscarriage. The husband beat her up pretty bad, I guess?—”
Teller flinches like I punched him in the stomach. “Jesus Christ. Who fucking cares if he overdosed?”
“Good riddance,” Rock adds.
“Yeah,” I answer slowly, weighed down by the burden of knowing the whole truth. “My thoughts too.” And my girlfriend’s!
The room quiets as everyone lets the information sink in.
“I think they were going through the motions,” I add. “Margot’s probably one of the last people who talked to Laurel at the service. They kinda pressed her on why her dad didn’t charge the woman for?—”
“Wait, Cedarwood didn’t charge her?” Teller asks.
“No, I guess he doesn’t charge for infant cremations or whatever.”
Teller nods approvingly.
“Cops were kind of dickish about it,” I add. “But Margot set ’em straight.”
“Sounds like you overheard a lot.” Wrath jerks his chin at me. “How’d she handle talking to cops?”
I grin like a proud outlaw boyfriend. “Smooth as butter.” Then I realize, she’d have no reason to be lying to the cops and I dial it back. “She was polite but didn’t take any shit from them. Oh! The best part—” I look Wrath straight in the eye. “You’ll appreciate this. I guess they noticed my bike parked in back. They warned her how Wolf Knights run Slater County so she shouldn’t be mixing with anyone from another club.”
“Heh.” Murphy lets out a dry laugh.
Wrath shakes his head. “Dumb motherfuckers don’t even know what’s going on in their own backyard.”
“What’d the guy overdose on?” Rock asks.
My stomach clenches. I thought we’d moved past the details of Patrick Larsen’s death. “Uh, cops didn’t say. Just that he overdosed.”
Rock glances at Z and Wrath. “I’m hearing more and more about certain substances moving into the area. Stuff we used to make sure stayed out of Empire. It starts landing in Slater it’s only a matter of time before it ends up here .”
Z holds up his hands. “The fucking government can’t get a handle on some of this shit. We may have expanded our territory, but we haven’t expanded our numbers enough to be running around playing outlaw DEA agents.”
“Fucking doctors and pharmaceutical companies are responsible for a lot of what’s going on now,” Murphy adds. “Ain’t no one holding them accountable.”
Z points a finger gun toward the window. “ Someone should.”
“Look who’s up on current events.” Wrath slaps Murphy’s back like he’s a good little student.
“What?” Murphy scowls. “I watch documentaries and stuff.”
“Since when?” Teller laughs.
“Since Heidi makes him,” Z says.
“We can debate the politics of it another day,” Rock says. “I’m more worried about our business interests out that way. I don’t want to see Remy’s bar getting held up at gunpoint because some tweaker needs cash. Or Sully’s gym.” Rock sends Wrath a pointed look.
Teller snorts. “It’ll only benefit Cedarwood’s if bodies are dropping from overdoses.”
Rock’s mouth twitches with irritation but he nods. “True. I still don’t want to start seeing a problem. Once it gets out of control, it’s hard to contain.”
Murphy’s jaw tightens and he shifts his gaze to the empty end of the table.
“I’m out that way a lot now,” I say. “I can stop into Remy’s place more often.” I tap my cut. “Make our presence known. And I’ve gone over to Sully’s a few mornings to work out. Things seem dull as ever in that part of town. But I’ll check in there more.”
Rock stares at me for a few beats then nods. “That’s good, Jiggy. Thank you.”
“Dex is pretty much living at Emily’s place now,” Z says. “Take him with you on some of these visits.”
I hadn’t realized Dex was there that often. “Yeah, I’ll do that.”
“Aw, the four of you can double-date,” Murphy jokes. He smirks at Rooster. “Unless you’re going to be jealous.”
Rooster reaches over and rests his heavy palm on the top of my head. “He’s allowed to have other friends.”
“Fuck off.” I laugh and slap his hand away.
“All right.” Rock slaps his hand against the table, then focuses on me. “Will Margot tell you if the cops come back?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“Whoa, whoa.” Wrath holds up his hands, calling a time-out. “Go back. You said the cops saw your bike and told her not to associate with other clubs. What’d she say?”
A wide grin spreads across my face. “Not a damn thing.”
“She didn’t say it was her boyfriend’s bike?” Murphy asks.
“Nope. She said the funeral home has a varied clientele, they don’t discriminate, and it’s never been an issue, in her most polite fuck off voice. She was great. Pretended she had no idea what they were talking about.”
Wrath nods with approval. “Good girl.”
“Yup.” I knew he’d appreciate Margot’s discretion.
“Orrr,” Rooster drawls. “She’s embarrassed to admit she’s taken a walk on the wild side with a biker.”
Slowly I turn my head his way and give him the wounded puppy eyes. “Really? I’d expect that from Z or Murphy but not you.”
Murphy cracks up. “Even I wouldn’t say that.”
Rooster just stares at me with that maddeningly steady expression, like he’s trying to stare inside my skull and implant some words of wisdom. “Let’s not forget, she’s your first real girlfriend.”
And my last. “What’s your point?”
“Yeah, what is your point?” Z asks. “Half of us at this table married their ‘first real girlfriend’.” Z adds air quotes and a you’re-a-moron tone to punctuate his thoughts.
Rock laughs. “ I have an ex-wife.”
“Marrying evil incarnate isn’t anything to be proud of, Rock,” Wrath reminds him.
I continue glaring at Rooster. “Your ‘dating’ history could’ve been an entire season of American Horror Story . So how about you shut the fuck up about mine.” Considering his first girlfriend did everything she could to ruin his life, and his second girlfriend’s father tried to shoot him, that was low of me.
He started it.
Rooster strokes his hand over his beard a few times. Either I hurt his feelings or he’s thinking up more obnoxious comments. “No lies detected.”
“Not to pry, but I’m still curious how the fuck you two hooked up.” Murphy holds up his hands as if he means no harm. “Respectfully, she doesn’t seem like your type, Jigsaw.”
Wouldn’t my brothers love to hear that Margot asked me to be her sex coach. The endless jokes would never stop raining down on me and they’d eventually spill onto Margot whenever she’s around the club. She’d be hurt and mortified to find out everyone knows that’s how we started.
“I always kind of pictured her dating a banker or something,” Teller adds.
I shoot a glare at Murphy, then Teller. “Well, I’ve been pondering how two intelligent women could possibly settle for your two dumb asses for years, but here we all are.”
Murphy snorts with laughter but I continue glaring at him.
What am I so pissed about? That their comments have a ring of truth to them? Whoever Margot’s dickhead ex is, he made her feel so bad about herself, she asked me for sex lessons. That’s the only reason we ended up together.
Fuck, I still wish I knew what he said to her. And who he is so I can track him down and maim him.
Will she ever trust me enough to tell me something that personal?
“All right.” Wrath’s authoritative growl cuts off any additional chatter. “Sounds like Margot knows how to deal with the cops. Z’s going to find out what he can about the Larsens. Teller’s going to go home, get some sleep, and take a shower because he smells like baby shit.”
Laughter erupts around the table. Even from me.
“What?” Teller pulls his T-shirt away from his chest and sniffs. “No, I don’t.”
Murphy tilts his head like he hates to be the bearer of bad news. “Don’t take this the wrong way. But…”
I press my fist to my lips to keep from losing it.
“Shut up.” Teller stands and stares at Rock like he’s a kid about to shit his pants, waiting for the teacher to give him a bathroom pass.
Rock waves a dismissive hand toward the door. “Go. I’ll check in on you later.”
Teller leaves, slamming the door behind him.
Shaking his head, Rock turns toward Rooster and me. “You two can go too.”
“Trin’s in the kitchen making pancakes for lunch if you’re sticking around,” Wrath offers.
I fake a horrified expression. “I thought you didn’t eat pancakes.” I clutch my chest and roll my eyes skyward. “Think of all the sugar.”
Wrath’s lip curls. “I didn’t say I was eating them. She’s making me steak and eggs.”
“Isn’t it kind of embarrassing a man your size can’t make his own food?” Murphy snort-laughs.
“I can .” Wrath’s head tilts, slow and deliberately, like he’s weighing the pros and cons of kicking Murphy’s ass. “But I’m here, listening to your disrespectful mouth.”
I push my chair back and stand. “As much fun as this has been, I’m going to go get my pancakes on.”
I nod at Rock, then Z. “Thank you.”
Rock inclines his head. “Thanks for keeping us up to date.”
“No problem.” I punch Rooster’s shoulder on my way out, relishing his exaggerated grunt of protest.
Happy to be free and not asked to stick around, I make a beeline for freedom. Rock, Z, Wrath, and Murphy seem to have things to discuss. Since I prefer to mind my own business, I head out of the war room, intent on putting some distance between myself and both presidents.
“Look at you leaving the table like a big boy today,” Rooster jokes, coming up on my left.
“One time, motherclucker. One time.” I roll my eyes. “You act like I’m always staying for detention or something,” I growl at him, still annoyed that he questioned how Margot feels about me in front of everyone and pointed out she’s my first girlfriend. As if I’m too dumb to figure out how relationships work.
Anger rising as I keep thinking about it, I stop and slap my palm against Rooster’s chest, halting him in his tracks. He glances down at my hand and back to my face.
“What the fuck’s your problem?” I growl, low enough that we won’t be overheard. “Why’d you question Margot’s motives like that in front of everyone?”
A deep frown creases his forehead. After a second, he brushes my hand away. “Has she told anyone in her life that she’s seeing you?”
“Huh? Who, the corpses?”
“No, her friends, her dad? She must have other people in her life.” He closes his eyes and shudders. “Besides corpses.”
“I’m pretty sure her dad already knows—he talked to me this morning before I left.”
His eyes widen. “Yeah, and how’d that conversation go?”
“Fine.” I shrug. “Basically, he wanted to let me know that I’m not as slick as I think I am, parking my bike alongside the house where I thought he wouldn’t see it.”
Rooster snorts and ducks his head. “Smooth.”
“Other than that, he wanted to make sure I’m not weirded out by what they do there.”
“Are you?”
“Not really. I don’t exactly go wandering around the house, though.” I blow out a breath. “I guess he was concerned I might only be seeing her because the club asked me to spy on her.”
He scoffs. “If only he knew Z told you not to.”
“Right.”
“I’m sorry,” he says.
Holy shit, is an asteroid about to hit the planet? “Did you just apologize?”
He lets out a heavy sigh, as if he already regrets it. “Something about pretending not to know you rubbed me wrong…” He shrugs. “I don’t want you involved with someone who doesn’t even want to acknowledge you’re together.”
“I can’t decide if I’m deeply touched.” I press my hand against my chest. “Or deeply offended.”
“Fucking hell. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
“Well, yeah.” I nod and punch his shoulder. “If it makes you feel better, Dad ,” I sneer, “I think she told her cousin about us. Same thing—he’s seen and heard my bike there a lot.”
“Okay. Good.”
“You realize the whole point is not to tell the cops anything personal about ourselves, right?” I ask since he seems to have forgotten Outlaw 101. “I was fuckin’ proud of her for not saying anything. Wrath agreed.”
“You’re right. Jesus Christ, I already apologized. You need me to beg too?”
“Gee, could ya?” I wave my hand at the floor. “Maybe puff out your chest, strut around, flap your arms at your side and yell cock-a-doodle-do a few times? Then I’ll know you’re truly sorry.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of green catches my attention.
“Jiggy?” Hope lightly touches my arm, stopping me from hurling more insults at Rooster.
Even though I’m rethinking staying for breakfast—I’ll always make time for Rock’s wife.
“Greetings, upstate First Lady.” With an exaggerated flourish, I press my hand over my stomach and dip my head in an overly dramatic bow. “How may I help you?”
“Christ,” Rooster mutters.
“Don’t be jealous.” I elbow him in the ribs. “No one’s interested in your big, bearded face.”
Hope mashes her lips together, but a snort of laughter slips out.
“I’ll see you in the dining room.” Rooster slaps my shoulder.
Hope says goodbye without taking her eyes off me.
“I’m not used to having the full force of your attention focused on me, First Lady,” I say once Rooster’s vacated the area. “What’s on your mind?”
Her pink lips tilt with amusement. “Are you still bringing Margot to the bonfire this weekend?”
I should’ve known mama bear would be excited that another one of her cubs has found a mate.
“That’s the plan,” I confirm. “She’s trying to find someone to cover the whole weekend. But if nothing else, definitely Friday night.”
Hope’s forehead creases. “It must be hard for her to take time off.”
“It is. She’s looking forward to this.”
“Since the party’s here, it should be…” She waves her hand in the air like she’s searching for the right word.
“Free of muffler bunnies?” I add helpfully.
She rolls her eyes and blows out an annoyed huff. “For the most part, yes.”
I jam my hands in my pockets and check out the toes of my scuffed boots. “I already warned her.”
“Well…” Her voice wavers for so long, I lift my gaze. Her lips are curved into an amused smile but her gaze shifts to something or someone behind me. “That’s more than I had before my first clubhouse party, so that’s very kind of you.”
“What’s that, baby doll?” Rock steps up behind Hope and slides his arms around her waist, hugging her close.
No need to stake your claim in front of me, Prez.
He whispers something against her ear that sounds awful close to, “Do you need me to take you upstairs?”
Pink spreads over Hope’s cheeks but she leans into him, murmuring, “Maybe.”
For fuck’s sake. Don’t married couples usually fuck all their horniness out of themselves by now?
I clear my throat—loudly. “Ah, Hope was giving me some info about the bonfire.”
“Yes.” She pats Rock’s arm that’s still firmly curled around her waist. “I was trying to reassure him that there won’t be a pack of muffler bunnies roaming around the clubhouse to ambush Margot her first time visiting us here.”
Rock groans and briefly closes his eyes. “Were you now?”
She nods quickly.
Rock’s so overprotective of Hope, I can’t picture him throwing her to some of the she-wolves who used to hang around the MC without any warning. Then again, ol’ lady of the president has a lot more responsibility than most ol’ ladies. Old-school brothers like Rock and Wrath could’ve decided to test Hope to see how she’d handle herself. On second thought, Wrath would come up with some twisted test, for sure. Big fucker has a sadistic streak wider than the Grand Canyon.
Margot…she’s stronger than she looks. Brave as hell underneath her sweet exterior. Still, the thought of anyone fucking with her for shits and giggles turns my thoughts down a rage-fueled path.
“I know you’re not sure about the whole weekend,” Hope says. “But are you at least staying Friday night?”
“I’d like to.” As long as Margot’s comfortable and having a good time.
“I’ll make sure there’s a room available for you two.” Hope lifts her chin toward the staircase. “Or, if she’s not comfortable here, our guest room is open.”
Rock side-eyes her but doesn’t say anything.
I’d rather sleep outside and take my chances with the bears roaming through the woods, than sleep under Rock’s roof. It’s well-known that our upstate president values his privacy, and I have no intention of being the asshole invading it.
“I won’t keep you.” Hope squeezes my arm. “Go get breakfast. Or razz Rooster. Whatever you usually do for fun.”
“I think I’ll mix it up and razz Rooster while eating breakfast today.” I grin at her.
She returns the smile. “Good plan.”
“Thanks for keeping your knife in its sheath.” Rock pierces me with a stern stare. Not a trace of amusement to be found on his granite-cold face.
Fuck me, he’s never gonna let that one go, is he?
Instead of reminding him I came here today like a good little soldier to keep the club informed, I vacate the area.
I head down the long, empty hall to the dining room. The hum of lively—and vulgar—conversation drifts toward me before I even reach the swinging doors.
But my appetite’s already fading.
I’ll have Margot with me here this weekend.
The last time she was around the whole club was Teller’s wedding and she spent most of the night baked out of her mind on Sparky’s brownies.
She’ll be stone-cold sober this time. Instead of the peacefulness she’s used to, it’ll be loud and rowdy.
It’ll be fine. Right?
Except…what if it’s not?
What if one of my brothers makes her uncomfortable? What if the old ladies—hell, what if Hope, the closest thing to a mom the club has—senses the darkness in Margot and starts asking the wrong questions?
I roll my shoulders back and crack my neck, pushing the thoughts down. Not going to happen. Margot’s used to dealing with all sorts of people.
This is different.
Whether they admit it or not, the brothers will want to test Margot. And MC parties are rarely completely bunny-free. One or two will find their way up here.
Doesn’t matter. I’ll protect her. From the outside world. From the club. From anyone who looks at her wrong.
Still, the thought lingers as I shove through the doors.
What if bringing her here is a mistake that ruins everything?