Twist the Knife (Lost Kings MC #24)

So, everyone knows I’m the body disappearing service lady?

My father turns and Teller makes the introductions again. Charlotte shakes his hand politely, but he doesn’t get a hug. I guess I’m special.

Eventually, I gravitate toward the table of food, picking up a can of soda. I pull the brownie out of my purse and pop the rest in my mouth, then wash it down with Sprite.

I’m staring off into the woods, wondering if I can hide until it’s time to go home when a shadow falls over me.

“Look who it is, our little last responder.” Jigsaw’s rich, low voice slides over my skin like velvet. “What are you doing over here?”

I glance up into his amused eyes, my breath stuttering in my lungs. My heart pitter-patters faster and heat races over my skin. This is ridiculous. I’ve never responded to any man this way before.

“Thirsty.” I hold up the half-empty can.

His lips quirk. “Sprite?” He chuckles. “You want wine or something? There’s a table over there.” He lifts his chin toward one of the barns.

Is he making fun of me? “I don’t drink.”

“Ever?”

“Not when you’ve had as many results of DWI on your table as I have.”

“Shit.” He runs his hand through his hair. “Yeah. Makes sense.”

“Where’s your wife?” I sip my soda casually while watching his face.

“My what?” His eyebrows draw down and he rears back. “Why would you think I’m married?”

“Or girlfriend.”

“You’re misinformed.” He snorts. “I don’t do relationships, sweetheart.”

I turn, scanning the backyard, but it’s so crowded now, it’s hard to search. “The pretty blonde.” I curve my hand in front of my stomach. “Who looks ready to give birth any day.”

“Serena?” He laughs, then quickly looks around. “Jesus. She’s my SAA’s ol’ lady.”

“She wasn’t old.”

He shakes his head quickly. “That’s just what we…never mind. Serena’s my friend. She’s Grinder’s fiancée. Christ.” He casts another quick glance around our immediate area. “He hears you say that, the grumpy old goat might gut me.”

I can’t tell if he’s joking or actually afraid of one of his brothers sticking him with a knife.

“Wait.” I clap my hand over my mouth and giggle. “I thought he was her dad,” I whisper.

His mouth flattens. “Whatever you do, don’t say that to him. Please.”

I nod quickly, unsure of why that seemed so funny. “Of course not.”

Jigsaw tilts his head. “Are you okay?”

Suddenly, my legs feel kinda rubbery. “I think so.” I clutch my stomach, willing the swirly sensation to go away.

“You get too much sun?” he asks.

Burning shame pulses over my cheeks. Is he making fun of me the way people have my whole life? “Just because I live in a funeral home doesn’t mean I’m a ghoul who never sees the sun.” Why did that sound sad rather than the angry I was going for?

He stares at me with comically round eyes. I’d laugh if I wasn’t so itchy with embarrassment.

“No. It’s hot.” He waves his hand toward the chairs we sat in for the ceremony. “That’s why Serena said she didn’t feel well.”