Throne of Scars (Lost Kings MC 20)

He’s almost giddy, well, giddy for Grayson, as he urges me to turn faster. I slip my arms into it. He turns me to the side and fiddles with the laces. “I can adjust these if you want to wear something heavier when we’re riding.” He flicks his smoldering gaze to my face. “For now, I want it nice and tight.”

Whoa. A zip of electricity shoots to my center.

I pat my belly and try to act calm. “You’ll need to loosen it soon.”

He palms my hips and turns me so he can adjust the other side. “My pleasure.”

My heart bursts with happiness and dreams of our future together.

But the scars etched into my soul itch to life, reminding me that my dreams, like my heart, are fragile.

Both have been broken many times before.

Chapter Twenty

Serena

Some of the patched ol’ ladies are waiting for me in the living room when we return downstairs.

“Congratulations!” Hope jumps up to hug me first. Lilly joins her a second later.

“Z told us right after church.” She touches my shoulder. “If you weren’t wearing it yet we were just going to say we were hanging out. But since you are—congratulations!”

Laughing, I let her pull me into an exuberant hug. She hugs Gray next. “I’m so happy for you,” she murmurs. The two of them step aside to talk.

Trinity approaches with a smile. “Buttercup, I like that.” She nods to the “Grinder’s Buttercup” patch on my chest. “Welcome.”

Charlotte squeezes my arm. “Congratulations, Serena.”

“Thanks.” My cheeks are so hot from all the attention, they might catch fire soon.

Hope hugs me again. “I hope this means you’ll be around more often?” She phrases it as a question but it almost sounds more like a gentle scolding.

“I…I’ve had a lot going on lately…and Gray, with parole…we don’t usually go far.”

“I understand. You’re always welcomed, though. You know that, right?”

“Sure.”

“Good.” She glances at Rock. “We still need to have you guys over to our place for dinner. It’ll be quieter than here.”

“Not by much,” Rock says. “Since everyone drops by whenever they feel like it.” He shoots a dirty look Z’s way and Z grins at him.

“I’d like that,” I answer Hope, not wanting to get anywhere near Z and Rock’s conversation.

She squeezes my hand quickly, then Rock pulls her away. The rest of the guys gravitate toward each other, then out to the garages.

Gray takes my hand. “Are you all right if I join them?”

“Yes, of course. Go ahead.”

The chatter over my patch settles and the attention shifts to tonight’s party.

Downstate, I would volunteer to help out. Now, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. Trinity used to be the one to handle household things at this clubhouse. But tonight, she seems laid back, casually joking around with Charlotte and Lilly.

Anxious and uncomfortable, I perch on the edge of the couch and fight the urge to yank out my phone to scroll through it.

“Uh…” Someone taps my shoulder.

I glance up. Heidi’s inquisitive brown eyes meet mine. She flashes a quick smile and nods to the seat next to me.

“Sure, go ahead.”

Anxiety burns through my stomach. Is this where Heidi warns me that no matter whose patch I’m wearing, I’ll never be part of the sisterhood?

“Congratulations.” She nods to my patch.

“Thanks.” I press my hand against the lock and key patch over my heart. “It kind of took me by surprise.” Nervous laughter follows my words and I clamp my lips together.

“I don’t have a ton of memories of Grinder from before he went inside, but he’s not as grumpy as the ones I do have.” She chuckles but her smile wobbles. Is she nervous too? “Um, anyway, I wanted you to have this.” She thrusts a small patch at me and the pink creeping over her cheeks deepens. “It sort of started out as a joke.” She taps the crown, clover, and hammer patch on her own vest. “But Murphy made these up for me, and I gave them to our ol’ ladies.” She rolls her eyes and her tense smile softens. “I know it’s not the same as having the patches of the brothers, but—”

“No, it’s…wow.” I blink away the tears threatening to form. I had noticed extra patches on the other girls’ vests and wondered about the story behind them but didn’t have the nerve to ask. “Thank you, Heidi.” I accept the patch that I now realize is a tiny silver and green hammer from her outstretched fingers.

She blows out a breath and her shoulders relax. “So far, I’m the only one with a ‘sisterhood’ patch but we’ve been talking about getting different ones for each of us. A peacock feather for Trinity, this cool skull with flowers for Hope, a mermaid for Lilly, a sun for Charlotte and a flamingo or a musical note for Shelby. I haven’t found a buttercup yet, just a sunflower or a yellow rose—”