Page 13

CHAPTER SIX

Margot

The next morning, a flurry of texts wake me up.

None of them are from Jigsaw.

Downstairs, I’m mid-yawn, waiting for a callback, when my father finds me in his office.

“Margot, one of the bikers is coming by today.”

My ears perk up. Bikers? Any biker in particular? “Oh?” I answer in a casual, disinterested tone.

“Something about security. He wants to look around before the Hall funeral.” Dad’s jaw tightens. “I’m starting to wish we’d never agreed to this. It’s turning into a circus.”

The urge to defend our client rears up but I also understand what my father means.

The animosity between Abby and Ulfric hasn’t improved since our consultation.

Abby’s called or texted me dozens of times.

And since Ulfric’s footing the bill, I have to call and check in with him each time.

Thankfully, he hasn’t said no to anything, yet.

“It’s a lot,” I agree.

“I have a call later with Ulfric about some financial matters,” my father says, his lips flattening into a grim line.

Better you than me. That’s one thing I’m glad my father doesn’t ask me to handle.

“Oh, and we have the custom casket issue sorted. I sent Ulfric a photo and he approved it.”

“That’s good.”

“Paul’s in the prep room handling a few things. I have to go into Slater for a meeting with those detectives about Daniel.”

“Wait, what?” My voice is sharper than I intended. “Should you go there without a lawyer?”

He rears back and blinks at me as if I tried to tell him the sky is green with purple polka dots. “Why would I need a lawyer? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Great, I’ve offended my dad. “ I know that. And you know that. But I don’t trust them. You shouldn’t speak to the police without a lawyer. Ever.”

“Margot, really? I know almost everyone down there. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of information to give them. I would never suspect Daniel of such a thing. I can’t imagine…” His voice trails off and he stares at me.

I swallow hard and glance away. “He’s not a very nice person, but I never would’ve suspected he murders elderly women for their money, either.”

“Margot, come on. It’s absurd.” He frowns. “What do you mean, not a nice person ?”

I shrug, uncomfortable talking about my ex with my dad. “He’s just a nasty, shallow man. I wish I’d never met him.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I wish you…” He clears his throat and glances away, staring at some of the family photos on the wall. “I wish you’d told me. You never said why you ended the engagement. And I didn’t want to…pry.”

And I never would’ve told you.

“It doesn’t matter now.” I force a quick smile. “I’m much happier.” Or at least I was .

“That’s what I like to hear.” He screws his face into a disgusted scowl. “Thank goodness I never invested with Daniel like he was always pestering me to do.”

“Yeah, he might’ve tried to knock you off.”

He lets out a derisive snort. “No, a coward like that preys on elderly women with few relatives.” Sadness washes over his features. “Or his own grandmother, apparently. How awful.”

“Paul and I won’t let you get swindled, Dad.” A more genuine smile curves my lips, then falters as I realize I forgot to include my brothers. Ah, too bad. They’re never around anyway.

Dad doesn’t seem to notice the omission. He smiles. “I know you won’t.” He tilts to the side, glancing down the hallway. “I’m not sure what the bikers want to look at for their ‘security check’ but hopefully they don’t want to see Mr. Hall, he’s not quite ready for viewing yet.”

“I doubt it, but I’ll let them know if they ask.”

He nods, gaze drifting to the hallway again. “All right. I’ll talk to you later.” Then he grins. “Or call you to come bail me out,” he says, voice light and teasing.

I blink.

Did… did my father just make a joke? About getting arrested?

“That’s not funny, Dad.”

“Hey, you’re the one who mentioned it.” He chuckles. “I’ll talk to you later and let you know how it went.” He walks off, done with our conversation.

“You won’t be laughing if they do arrest you,” I say under my breath.

Less than an hour later, the front doorbell chimes.

I glance at the screen for the front porch camera.

Two men. One absurdly large and muscular—I recognize Wrath from Jigsaw’s club.

The other man would be impressively large himself if he wasn’t standing next to the guy built like a slab of reinforced concrete in a leather cut.

I don’t recognize him and he’s wearing a hooded sweatshirt, not one of the club’s vests.

Setting down my pen, I hurry out of the office and to the front door. I paste on a friendly smile and swing it open.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

Wrath’s lips quirk. “Hello, Ms. Cedarwood.”

“Come on in.” I open the door wider, inviting them inside. “Dad said you wanted to come by and take a look before Mr. Hall’s funeral?”

“If you don’t mind,” he says graciously as if this visit is optional. “Margot, this is my friend Jake.” Wrath nods to the tall, athletic, dark-haired man beside him. “We were business partners with Whisper for years,” he says as if that explains why he’s here for this “security inspection.”

Jake looks familiar, but I can’t place him. Handsome in a way that feels intentional. He’s got a cocky aura that sets my instincts on edge. Too smooth, too confident.

His full lips slide into a lazy, but charming, half-smile. “Hello, Margot.” He draws out my name to a seductive note.

“Don’t.” Wrath throws the back of his hand against Jake’s chest without looking at him. “She’s a friend of the club—and Jigsaw’s woman.”

I can’t decide which title sounds more bizarre. Friend of the club or Jigsaw’s woman.

“Ah, that explains why Jiggy’s been popping into Strike Back instead of hitting Furious lately. My brother was starting to worry.” Jake throws another flirtatious glance my way. “But now I see why he’s been hanging around my neck of the woods so much.”

Wrath rolls his eyes.

“Actually,” I say, straightening my shoulders and smoothing my tone, “I’m a funeral director here. And the mortuary cosmetologist.”

Jake nods, his cocky attitude vanishing. “Pretty sure your family handled my dad’s funeral years ago.”

“Oh,” I say, defaulting to sympathy. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. He was a worthless bastard.” Jake flashes a quick, too-bright smile, like he reflexively tosses that line out as a shield.

Men. God forbid they allow themselves to experience an emotion.

I gesture toward the viewing room. “You’re welcome to take a look. Everything’s nearly set up for tomorrow.”

Wrath dips his chin. “Thanks, Margot. I’m not sure what Ulfric told you, but there will probably be a lot of different people paying their respects to Whisper.”

The way he says “different people” sounds more like criminal element .

At least he’s more subtle than Abby had been.

“Ulfric and Mr. Hall’s daughter mentioned there would be a number of bikers in attendance.

” I tilt my head in a small nod of acknowledgment.

“He mentioned his club had a good relationship with the dominant club in the area—I assumed that was you…your club, I mean.”

Jake chuckles.

“That’s true,” Wrath says. “Our clubs go way back. There might be a few members from another New York club too.”

“As I explained to them, we’re used to handling delicate relationships. Awkward family reunions. We’ve seen it all, I promise you.”

“I’m sure you have.”

I show him into the sitting room. “We have the whole place reserved for Mr. Hall’s funeral. Overflow seating is in here. My dad’s called in extra staff, we have the permits sorted out, and I’ve been coordinating with the cemetery for the final ride.”

“That’s going to be something,” Jake mutters. “Better bring your earplugs.”

Wrath scowls in his friend’s direction.

“We’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.” I walk across the hall to the viewing room. “We’ll seat immediate family up front. Mr. Hall’s daughter has been very…involved in the planning.” That’s one word for it.

Wrath snorts as if he understands by “involved” I mean Abby has been relentless and demanding .

Jake wanders down the hall, while Wrath surveys the viewing room like he’s counting all the exits.

“Ulfric and some of his guys will probably assist you with seating,” Wrath says, nodding to the chairs.

“Usually we?—”

“There’ll be multiple clubs and a few other members of other…organizations,” Wrath explains. “Everyone should get along, but to be safe, Wolf Knights will want to be visible and direct people to their seats.”

I give him a slow once-over, arching a brow. “You’re not exactly low-profile.”

The corners of his mouth curl up. “I won’t take an active role like ushering. I’ll hang back. A subtle reminder for folks to behave.”

I tilt my head, lips twitching. “No offense, but you’re about as subtle as a wrecking ball flying at a stained glass window.”

He lets out a deep, hearty laugh. “None taken.”

Apparently, I amuse him.

I glance at the hallway. Where’d Jake go? I won’t have a better time to ask Wrath this. “Uh, will, ah, Jigsaw be here too? As, you know…a subtle ‘behave yourself’ reminder? Ulfric did personally invite him.” I stumble over my words like an idiot.

A wrinkle forms between Wrath’s brows. “I assumed he’d be here to look after you .”

“Oh.” My gaze drops to my shoes. I should shine them before the funeral.

“Margot?” Wrath’s authoritative tone pulls my attention away from my shoes, forcing me to crane my neck to look up at him again. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just…” Just say it . “I haven’t heard from him in a couple of days. Is he okay?”

Wrath studies me for an uncomfortably long moment, his expression wiped clean. No judgment or pity. “I haven’t heard otherwise. But I’ll see him at church later today.”

Please don’t tell him I asked. I plead with my eyes. It’s humiliating that I have to ask other people about my boyfriend’s whereabouts.

Jake returns and nods at Wrath, saving me from further embarrassing myself.

“I like your place, Margot,” Jake says. “Feels nice and homey, instead of…”

“Morbid and creepy?” I offer.

One corner of his mouth slowly slides up. “Well…I didn’t want to put it that way, but yeah.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll let you get back to work,” Wrath says. “Do you mind if I go out the back door and make my way around?”

“Please, go ahead.” I walk them down the hallway, trying not to think of how many times Jigsaw’s come in this same way—and straight up to my apartment.

Not now.

“All right. See you at the service,” Wrath says.

Jake lifts a hand in farewell. “Nice meeting you, Margot. Hope the rest of your day’s less…intense.”

“Hope yours is less…morbid.”

His lip twitch with amusement. “If you ever want to take self-defense classes, come into Strike Back in downtown Johnsonville. I’ll take care of you.”

“Jaaake,” Wrath warns in a dry tone.

“What?” Jake spreads his hands wide. “I’ve taught almost all the club’s ol’ ladies. I don’t want to leave Margot out.”

“You have?” I ask, trying to keep the shock out of my voice. The guys must trust him.

“Yeah. Sunday mornings my brother hosts a class.” He leans in, dropping his voice. “But between you and me—I’m the better teacher.”

I raise a hand, putting some space between us. “I’m sure you are.”

“All right, charmer.” Wrath grips Jake’s bicep and hauls him onto the back porch. “Let’s go.”

Laughing too hard to respond, I just raise my hand in a wave.

“See you at the funeral, Margot,” Wrath calls.

I close the door behind them.

And then I’m alone.

With silence.

Way too much silence.