Twist the Knife (Lost Kings MC #24)

I cock my head, trying to make out any words.

Shrill screams rise above the other noise.

“Fuck this.” I twist the knob and enter the house as silently as possible.

“Dad wanted to be cremated!” a woman screams. “He would not stand for this! He would hate this!”

“He’s not here!” a man roars. “We need to honor him.”

Two more people add their grievances.

Holy shit, is this the kind of fuckery Margot deals with on the regular?

Her soft voice murmurs soothing words I can’t make out from here. Is she alone with these crazy people? I creep along the hallway toward her father’s office where the voices are coming from.

Mr. Cedarwood’s calm, authoritative tone rises above the rest of the chatter. I slow my steps. Thank fuck Margot’s not dealing with that by herself.

Still, I continue until I’m right outside Cedarwood’s office. The door’s open and I quickly walk past, sneaking a look inside. Margot’s on the small couch holding the hand of a sobbing woman. She looks up and our eyes meet. Her jaw drops, then she quickly composes herself and returns her attention to the woman. Three other people are either sitting on chairs or standing.

Margot’s okay. That’s all I care about.

“Can you go see who that is, Margot?” Cedarwood says. “Were we expecting someone else?”

“Ah, sure.” Margot murmurs something I can’t make out and a few seconds later steps into the hallway.

Her flaming eyes land on me and she marches my way. God damn she’s cute when she’s riled.

“What are you doing here?” She grabs my arm and pushes me toward a large room with a hideous patterned rug and lots of chairs.

She reaches behind her and slides a pocket door shut.

“Why did you come back?” She crosses her arms over her chest and glares. “I’m with a family.”

“I heard.” My gaze skims over her, noting she removed her clever little pins. “Where’s your fuckboy repellent?” I flick my finger against the collar of her pink-and-black cardigan.

She lifts her chin. “I didn’t need it for this consultation. Why are you here?”

Because I think I’m falling in love with you, you adorably bonkers woman. “I want to talk to you.”

“So. Use. The. Phone.” She enunciates each word slowly, like she’s speaking to a toddler.

“You know I only said that shit before so Dex wouldn’t think anything’s going on between us.”

“Nothing’s been going on between us for weeks.” She lifts her chin and huffs. “But you’re right. You were honest from the beginning that you don’t do relationships. I’m sorry if something I did made you feel like I wanted you to be my boyfriend.”

Boyfriend. My entire body cringes. I’m not boyfriend material.

But I want her so fucking much.

A spark of mischief lights up her eyes and tilts her lips to the side. “Your little fuckboy dissertation was flawed, though.”

“Is that right?” I take a step closer, staring down at her, closing in like a predator. “How so?”

“‘Stellar in bed’ means you would’ve left me satisfied, and, well…” She raises a mocking eyebrow and shrugs.

“The fuck I didn’t.” I lean down and whisper in her ear, “Last time I left here, my chin was dripping with your scent, you little liar.”

Her chest rises and falls faster, and she braces her hand against my chest, as if she wants to push me away but can’t find the strength.