“Tawny says I can come home to recover, but I’d still like to…”
“Sway, it’s your clubhouse. You come and go as you want.”
He sorts of grunts in agreement.
“You need me to pick you up or do anything?”
“Nah, Tawny and the kids are taking care of everything. Stella’s…helping out.”
That should be interesting. Christ, I hope he doesn’t land up back in the hospital with another gunshot wound.
I let Rock know the good news, then decide I better call our national president and keep him in the loop. Maybe he’ll decide to send me home.
“That’s great news.” He hesitates and there’s shuffling in the background. “How’s your new VP working out?”
“Good.”
He’s silent, waiting for details I’m not about to give him over the phone. “Rooster’s a good fit for the job. Things are already running smoother with him as VP.”
“Good, good.”
“We’re actually having a party next weekend. I’d be honored if you want to attend.” Man, my suck-up skills have really improved, haven’t they? “My girlfriend and I tied the knot and Sway’s coming home. Seemed like a good time for upstate and downstate to come together and celebrate.”
“That’s what I want to hear, Z.” More shuffling. “You know what, I think Valentina and I will come. Not sure Blink can make it, but I’ll get a few brothers and we’ll ride up.”
Big improvement over the last trip Priest made up here when he brought his enforcer. “The weather’s been great, Prez. Should be a good ride.”
It’s going to be a hard ride if they don’t leave soon, but I leave that up to Priest. Our door’s always open to him.
Lilly
“I cannot believe you two got married without telling me.” Hope’s still fuming mad about our surprise nuptials.
I give her a helpless shrug. “We were in all the way in California, Hope.”
“I would’ve flown across the country to be there for you and Z.”
I know she means every word and love her for it. “That’s sweet, but he sprung it on me. I didn’t even know until we got to the clerk’s office what he had planned.”
Finally, she brightens up. “That sounds like my Z.” She waves her hands at the row of dresses in front of me. “Okay, I forgive you. Now what are you going to wear for the reception?”
“What reception?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “You got married without the club there. Don’t think you’ll evade a party to celebrate your union.” She tilts her head toward Trinity. “She’s planning it right now, I guarantee it.”
“What’s that?” Trin asks without looking up from her phone.
“Nothing,” I shout.
Birch and Stitch have been tasked with following us around today. I don’t even question it anymore. I’m thankful for their ever-watchful presence.
“This,” Hope announces, pulling out a short, black leather dress, “is perfect.”
“For a wedding reception?”
“In your husband’s MC clubhouse,” Hope adds.
“You have a point.” I spot a similar one in bright, hunter green farther down the rack. “Only if you try that one on too.”
“Uh, I haven’t exactly gotten my pre-baby body back yet like you have.”
I snort. “Trust me.” I run my hands over my sides. “It’s never coming back, Hope. Still gotta show off those hips and boobs. You worked hard for them.” I give her a tap on the ass to motivate her and she yelps. “Some good ol’ Spanx will take care of the rest.”
Trinity’s gasping for air she’s laughing so hard. “I already have a dress picked out, so don’t ask me to join your leather gang.”
Hope wiggles a dress hanger at her. “Are you sure? They have one in red.”
“No red dresses. With my hair, I’ll look like fourth of July Barbie.” Trinity tugs at her long blonde-and-blue ponytail. “No way.”
“Wrath might like that.” Hope pulls out another dress in blue and waves it at Trinity.
Trinity swipes it out of her hands. “What are we? Sorority sisters now?”
Hope pouts at her.
“Fine. I’ll try it on, but you can help me squeeze my ass into it. You know what a pain leather is to get on?”
“Fine, fine.” Hope pushes Trinity out of the way to get to another dress.
“Lilly,” Hope calls. “Look at this one.”
She pulls out a black leather corset style dress, similar to the one in my hands. Except the leather skirt extends past knee length, then ends in a black lace trumpet hem.
“Leather and lace mermaid dress. It’s perfect!” Hope says, jiggling the hanger in my direction.
“It’s kind of…dramatic. You don’t think it’s overkill for a clubhouse party?”
“You’re the president’s wife. You’re supposed to stand out.” She bites her lip and says in a lower voice, “Although, I’ve heard Tawny’s back. Be careful when she finally shows up.”
“So, don’t get the dress?”
“Oh no, definitely get the dress.” She turns me and pushes me toward the dressing rooms. I reach out and snag the green dress from where she left it.
“Don’t forget this!”
She groans, but follows.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Z
The kids are next door with Carter for the night. All of us are supposed to be at the clubhouse to welcome Priest and his crew when he arrives later tonight. Tomorrow Sway comes home and we’ll have to do it all over again.
“Wait, you didn’t say your national president is coming,” Lilly says after I remind her we need to get moving. “Now I’m nervous. What the heck should I wear?”
“Whatever you want. You’re always sexy as fuck.”
“Is sexy okay or will he think—”
“Lilly, you’re always beautiful.” My gaze roams over her. “Wear one of those hot fucking dresses of yours.”
“Well, I did buy this one when I was out with Hope…it’s a little over-the-top.”
“Wear it.”
Rock and everyone else are already at the clubhouse.
It’s still early afternoon, so Lilly ends up taking the dress with her to “squeeze into” as she puts it, later. I can’t wait to see her.
Hope and Trinity are waiting out front with Rock and Wrath.
“The place looks great, Z,” Trinity says. She leans up and gives me a quick hug. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Trin.”
“I can’t believe I had to rag on you for years to do our driveway, and you’ve fixed up this dump in a couple months?” Wrath says.
I hug his big mountain man ass and give him an extra hard thump on the back. “I did it just to annoy you, big guy.”
“Looks good,” Rock says, pulling me in for a hug.
“I didn’t actually do it. I gave them ideas and they carried it out while we were in California.”
“Getting married without telling us,” Hope mutters.
“Not letting that go, are you, First Lady?” I joke.
“Not yet.” Her mouth twitches like she’s hanging onto a secret.
“Walk us around to see the patio,” Rock says.
“Uh, all right.”
“I’m going to go set my dress in the room—” Lilly starts to say.
“We can go in the side entrance,” Trinity says.
The girls disappear around the corner.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Nothing.” Rock shrugs. “Just checking everything out.”
Finally, we go inside.
I’m not sure what they’re up to, but all of my brothers from upstate are gathered with their women in the main area of the clubhouse by the bar. My downstate brothers are also here, some with their old ladies.
I approach Teller and Murphy at the bar first. “Why is everyone here so early?”
Teller turns and sets his drink down. “Waiting for you.”
> “Why?”
He holds up one finger. “Give it a minute.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lilly
“Hope, what are you doing?”
“Please, humor me.”
Trinity finishes the last of the long, deep waves she ironed into my hair and clicks a jeweled barrette into place.
I stand to fix my dress. “It’s kind of early, I wasn’t planning to wear this until later tonight.”
“Well,” Trinity says, standing back to look at me. “You should move around in it and make sure you’re comfortable. Long night ahead, you know?”
She and Hope share a quick look. “We all should. New dresses and all,” Hope says as if that explains why she and Trinity are also wearing the dresses we picked out the other day.
“Uh, I guess. Mine’s so long, though. I don’t want to get it dirty.” I glance down at the delicate black lace skirt. “Or rip it.”
“You won’t,” Trinity assures me.
Hope grips my shoulders and practically pushes me out the door.
“What are you doing?”
“Go.” She gives me another gentle shove.
“Go where?”
I swear Hope and Trinity share an eyeroll.
“Move up and down the hall to see if you can walk in that skirt,” Trinity suggests.
“I already tried it on at the store. You were there, remember?”
Exasperated, Trinity waves her hands at me. “Go.”
“I don’t know what you two are up to…”
They follow me down the hall. Close, like they’re afraid I might bolt. As if I could go far in these heels and tight skirt.
When we reach the main room, all the brothers from upstate and downstate are milling around with their wives and girlfriends.
“Welcome, Mrs. Frazier!” Murphy shouts, drawing some of the brothers’ attention to the hallway.
Next to him, Heidi pumps her fists in the air. “Wooot!”
Now, everyone turns and stares at me.
“Go,” Hope says, nudging my shoulder.
Z swaggers over and stops mid-way. “Holy fuck,” he breathes out. He slows his steps, running his gaze over every inch of me. When he’s close enough, he leans down and kisses my bare shoulder.
“Get it, Zero!” someone yells.
“I thought no one was supposed to know?” I whisper.
He glances over his shoulder. “No one in this room will betray us.”
Strength and assurance radiate through his words.
Z tugs on a long curl. “You look like my beautiful mermaid fantasy.”
I glance down at my dress. “That’s what they call this skirt,” I mutter.
He chuckles and adds, “Biker-mermaid.” He takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Come here. I don’t think my brothers are done embarrassing us yet.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Z
My heart’s thundering in my chest louder than it did when we got married in California. I don’t know why. We’re already married.
Something about sharing this with the club makes it seem bigger. More than just about us.
Wrath stops us on the way to the bar and gives me a bone-bruising hug. “Congrats, Z.”
“You’re not going to tell me—”
“Nope. You’re happy, I’m happy, brother.” He glances at Lilly and back and me. “Nothing better than finding someone who loves your darkness as much as your light.”
“Amen to that, brother.”
He pulls me in for another hug, thumps me on the back and sends me on my way.
Everyone we pass stops to congratulate and hug us. Finally, we’re standing in front of Rock at the front of the room. Hope leans over and whispers something to him and he nods before focusing on us.
“Obviously, I’m not a minister. And you’re already married.” In a louder voice, he adds, “But I want to say a few words.”
I swallow hard. “Of course.” Rock’s one of my oldest and best friends. He was never going to let me rob him of this opportunity to embarrass the shit out of me.
Lilly blinks rapidly and takes my hand.
“Brothers, Lost Kings MC family,” he says loud enough to capture everyone’s attention. “We’re here today to acknowledge the marriage of one of our brothers. To celebrate the commitment Lilly and Zero have made to each other.”
“Woooo!” someone yells.
Rock clasps his hands in front of him and looks at both of us before speaking. He doesn’t need a book or piece of paper to read from. All of this comes from his heart.
“I’m lucky enough to have been there from the beginning, the night these two met. You could feel their attraction right away.”
Lilly glances over and smiles, even blushes a little.
“I’ve known Angus for over half my life, called him a brother and shared a patch with him for almost as long. I’ve been there when these two were apart, and when they’re together.”
Lilly squeezes my hand and I glance over. “You’re stuck with me now,” she whispers.
“Z’s already the best brother. His loyalty and commitment to the club knows no bounds. But with Lilly at his side, he’s an even better man.”
Someone behind us, makes a whip-cracking noise and I shake my head. Guess I had that coming. Murphy and Teller will razz me for the rest of my life to get even for all the times I called them pussy-whipped.
Rock chuckles before continuing. “Even if committing to one person seems terrifying, there is something worse—regret. The best relationships are between two people who refuse to give up on each other. When a couple survives everything meant to tear them apart, you know they’re meant to be.”
My skin prickles from the truth in his words.
“Lilly,” Rock says, turning to her. “You’re part of the Lost Kings MC family now. You should know, these are men who protect their women no matter what. We don’t talk about it, complain, or ask for help, we just get the job done.”
“I know,” Lilly whispers.
“Fuck yeah!” someone behind me—Rooster, if I’m not mistaken—shouts.
“Congratulations.” Rock pulls me in for a hug and gives Lilly a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “Oh my god, I’m going to cry.”
“Don’t cry.” Hope wipes at her eyes. “That wasn’t waterproof mascara I used.”
Lilly bursts out laughing.
Someone jacks up the volume and music pumps through the speakers. Girls set trays of food out on the bar for everyone.
“Priest tell you when he’s showing up?” Rock shouts.
I glance at the door and the clock on the wall before answering. “Sometime tonight.”
Lilly
Even though we eloped, we still got our wedding and reception. Even have lots of photos thanks to Trinity and Heidi.
“Thank you, Hope.” I hug her to my side and she squeezes me back.
“You made it difficult, you know.”
“Well, I didn’t know what you two crazy girls were planning.” I hug and thank her again.
“You’re welcome. I’m teasing about us not being there. I’m happy for you.” She squeezes me again. “I love both of you and just want you to be happy.”
I sniffle and she pulls back. “No tears. This is a happy night, Lilly.”
“I don’t know about happy.” I take a breath and try to compose myself. “Z said the national president is coming?”
“Priest? Hmm, I wonder if Valentina is coming too? That will tell us a lot about the situation.”
I give her a blank look.
“His wife. If it’s a club business trip and she doesn’t show up, it’s probably something serious. If she comes too, it’s more of a social call.” She shrugs. “Probably. Don’t worry, though. Valentina’s lovely. You’ll like her.”
“I keep waiting for the scary old ladies everyone keeps warning me about but so far everyone’s nice.” I nod
to the short blonde by one of the brother’s side. “She’s one of the ones who always seems terrified of me, no matter how nice I am.”
“You’re the president’s old lady. They’re probably trying to show their respect,” Hope explains.
“Ohhhh. Okay.” I hadn’t considered that.
The party continues. It’s a celebration so I indulge in some of the champagne being passed around.
“Are you sure about this dress? I feel a little silly,” Hope says, running her hands over the smooth green leather of her dress.
I lean in closer. “Uh, have you seen the eyes your husband's been making at you all night? I hope you're not ovulating because he looks like he wants to breed you hard.”
"What the...I don't even." She bursts into giggles. "Breed. You're nuts."
"I may have had some champagne."
The front doors bang open and a bunch of the guys start shouting. A crowd forms around the doors so we can’t see who’s coming in. “Is that Priest?” I ask.
Hope steps up on the lower rung of one barstool to see over the guys. An oh crap look flashes across her face before she hops down. “No.”
A hand on my back startles me and I turn to find Z. He gives me a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Is everything okay?”
He runs his hand over my hip and presses against my back. “I can’t stop staring at you, Mrs. Frazier,” he says against my ear.
“We have to stay out here until Priest comes, right?”
“Unfortunately.” His gaze darts toward the door again.
I follow his line of sight and my stomach drops.
Maybe I didn’t recognize her the first time I saw her, but I recognize her now.
Stella, Z’s ex.
I’m sure I’ll run into one of Z’s many exes here and there. It’s a fact not worth worrying about. But Stella, the only one I sense he’s ever been serious about—besides me—at my impromptu wedding reception? Really?
Karma really is a cunt, isn’t she?
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Zero Apologies Page 21
