Page 11 of Sinner’s Torment

“My money’s on Jingles,” Sam said. “He’s got that whole brooding, mysterious thing going on. Women eat that shit up.”

Grace considered this, then shook her head. “Nah. Jingles is too intense. He would scare her off. I’m thinking of someone smoother. Maybe Ace?”

“Ace is a man-whore,” Sam said bluntly. “She’d see right through him.”

“Fair point.”

“What about Jackass?” I asked, unable to resist.

Sam shot me a look. “Jackass is married, thank you very much. And even if he wasn’t, he’s got the charm of a brick wall.”

Grace snorted. “Truth.”

“Okay, okay,” Sam said, holding up a hand. “Dark horse candidate: what about one of the younger guys? Like Johnny?”

“Johnny’s twenty-three,” Grace said. “She’s a doctor. She’s not going to go for a kid.”

“He’s not a kid,” Sam protested. “And age is just a number.”

“Age is a lawsuit waiting to happen,” Grace countered.

I listened to them banter back and forth, their voices overlapping as they debated the merits of various club members and their chances with the new doctor. It was ridiculous and gossipy and completely absurd, and I found myself relaxing into it, the tension in my shoulders easing for the first time in days.

This was normal. This was what women did. They sat around, talked shit, speculated about relationships and drama. It wasn’t heavy or complicated, or terrifying. It was just... easy.

“What about you, Brandy?” Grace asked suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Who do you think will make a move first?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Me?”

“Yeah, you. You’ve been around the club long enough. You know these guys better than anyone.”

I did. I knew exactly how they operated, what they wanted, and how they pursued women. I’d seen it all, been part of it all, in one way or another.

“Honestly?” I said slowly. “I think it’ll be someone unexpected. Not one of the obvious choices.”

“Like who?” Sam asked, leaning forward.

I thought about it, running through the roster of Silver Shadows’ members in my mind. Then it hit me.

“Winchester,” I said.

Both women stared at me.

“Winchester?” Grace repeated, her tone skeptical. “The guy who barely talks?”

“Exactly,” I said. “He’s quiet, respectful, doesn’t come on too strong. And he’s smart. If he’s interested, he’ll take his time, get to know her, and make her feel comfortable. She won’t even realize she’s being pursued until it’s too late.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. You’re right.”

Grace looked impressed. “Damn, Brandy. That’s... actually a solid read.”

I shrugged, feeling a flush of something that might have been pride. “I’ve been paying attention.”

“Clearly,” Grace said, and there was something in her tone, respect, maybe, that made my chest tighten.

The door to the hallway opened, and a nurse stepped out, clipboard in hand. “Brandy Griffin?”

I stood, my stomach flipping nervously. Grace and Sam both rose with me, flanking me like bodyguards.