Page 103 of The Fates We Tame

“So, I got an alert that there were people in Switch’s yard and just checked in. You wanna place bets on whether your old lady is the best shot?”

When he turns the screen on, the video is paused as all the old ladies stand around the table Vex told me Niro built for me to place all my weapons on when I’m target shooting.

Niro laughs. “I feel like I have insider knowledge ‘cause I work with them all on their target practice.”

“You should know, Cat and Sophia did some test runs,” Vex says. “I saw Sophia gesture to her eye then move her hands in and out from one another, so I’m guessing she has some depthperception issues. But from the trial runs, once she adjusted for her vision, she was sharp.”

Clutch puts twenty bucks on the counter. “Gotta take Gwen even though I know she can’t shoot for shit because I know one of you bastards will tell her I didn’t bet on her if I don’t.”

“Is Vi throwing a switchblade around there?” Bates says, stepping up to the screen to look real close.

King nudges him out of the way. “Don’t go getting a boner. We’re not waiting to leave while you jerk off over it.”

“Fuck,” Spark mutters. “Might as well burn the twenty. We all know Cat’s gonna take it. I’ll take Iris for the exact same reason Clutch is taking Gwen.”

Everyone puts their twenty down, as do I. I guess this is why Sophia didn’t answer her phone.

“I hope they haven’t been drinking,” Saint says.

“Ari gets drunk at the smell of liquor. Glad I got a sitter for the whole night.” Halo unfolds a twenty.

Vex presses Play, and we watch the shootout unfold. Catalina holds up three fingers, and it looks like she’s teeing up rules. Gwen whispers something to Rae, who laughs, and I see King smile at his twin sister and old lady getting along.

He was always so obsessed with the idea of the club. What it stood for. Never thought I’d see him settled down, loyal to an old lady, but I like it.

Iris goes first and totally misses.

“Fuck,” Spark curses. “I told her that stance of hers was gonna get her into trouble.”

Niro grins. “You give her feedback like that in bed too?”

I can’t help but laugh when Spark nails Niro’s shoulder with his fist.

Rae goes next and punches the air when she manages one can with her three shots.

“Color me surprised, Duchess,” King says. “Don’t doubt her courage but figured her aim had just been lucky in the past.”

Catalina makes sure the safety is on in between every round and takes the gun with her when she goes to line the cans back up.

Briar goes next and hits two.

“Atta girl,” Saint says. “Gonna tell her she can get the bookshelves she wants in her little library for that.”

Vi raises her arm too high, and Catalina lowers it. Whatever Vi says makes Catalina go stand behind Vi to help her aim.

“Our girls are hot,” Niro says.

“That they are,” Bates concurs.

“Together, they’re even hotter,” Vex says.

Both Bates and Niro look at him with the same glare, and I can’t help but laugh. “Not up for fueling Vex’s threesome fantasy?” I say.

“Fuck you,” Niro says, but there’s no menace in it.

With Catalina’s help, Vi gets two. They high-five each other when they are done.

Gwen gets none and Clutch groans. “Made me feel better knowing she carries a gun. Now I’m terrified she can’t shoot it.”