White Heat (Lost Kings MC 5)

“What? Hope knows he was married before. It’s not a fucking secret. She fuckin’ met Carla. Man, I was busy protesting that shit right up until the end, too.”

Hope bursts out laughing. “Really?”

“Fuck, yeah.”

Hope turns to me for confirmation. “I guess.” I shrug.

A hurt look spreads across Hope’s face. “You’re not going to—”

Wrath cuts her off. “No, sweetheart.”

My supposed best friend hit on my fiancé.

I know Sophie’s been acting strange for a few months now, but I never expected that was the reason. I thought it was me. That she was tired of me being a whiny pain in the ass.

“Hope?”

Rock left for his office down the hall and Trinity followed to ask about a few things she wants to do around here. I’d been so caught up I forgot it was just Wrath and me in the kitchen.

“Can I ask you something?”

The tone of his voice is what finally pulls me out of my kicking-Sophie’s-ass fantasies.

Focusing on him, I note that it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Wrath not one hundred percent cocky and sure of himself.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He rubs his hand over his head in a move that’s very similar to what Rock does when he’s uncertain and it tugs the corners of my mouth up. By blood or not, they’re truly brothers. “Would you mind if I patched Trin at your engagement party?”

“What? Ohmygosh, that’s awesome! Of course not. Why would I mind?”

My enthusiasm seems to have shocked him because he stares at me for a few seconds before answering. “I don’t know. I figure some chicks would get pissed that their thunder’s being stolen or something.”

I guess that’s true and I stop to think about whether it bothers me. It doesn’t. “I’m not just any chick.”

He finally laughs. “No kidding.”

“How are you going to do it?”

His massive shoulders lift. “On my knees?”

That’s too much. A few snort-giggles escape me.

“It’s a thing—never mind.” He waves it off. “It’s just everyone—the whole family—and people from other chapters, will be in one place at the same time and Trinity will be so busy, she won’t expect it.”

“Makes perfect sense to me.”

“You know Kings will close that party down. I’ll wait until your friends leave, so I don’t embarrass you or anything.”

That knocks the breath out of me. Never in a million years would I expect Wrath to be so sensitive or thoughtful to something like that. Especially about a club ritual. While I love Rock enough to accept their strange custom of giving their women the property patch, it’s true people in my world might not as easily understand or accept something that on the surface seems demeaning.

“I’d never be embarrassed. Yes, it seemed odd and confused me at first.” Oh, hell, let’s be honest it still does. “I understand what it means to you guys.”

“Thanks.”

“But you’re also right, and it’s an important moment for you two. I wouldn’t want anyone—even without meaning to—to ruin it for Trinity, so yes, that’s probably best.”

He stares at me for so long, I end up looking away. “I’m sorry,” I mumble.

One of his big, warm hands closes over mine. “Nothing to be sorry about.” He stands and stretches, rolling his shoulders. “Think those two are done discussing whatever it was?”

I snicker at that. “Probably. I think she just wants to put lockers in the girls’ bathroom or something.”

He laughs too.

“Hey, Wrath?” I stand and before I can change my mind, wrap my arms around him and squeeze. “I’m so happy for you two.”

A second or two later, his arms envelope me. “Thanks.”

My chin barely clears his chest and I tip my head up. “Gosh you’re big. You and Trinity will have very tall children.”

He laughs so hard I get jostled back a few steps. “I don’t know what we ever did without you, Hope.”

“Hey, angel. What was so important you took off before?” I ask Trinity when I spot her in the hallway.

She tips her head back and smiles. “Missed me that bad?”

“You know it,” I say, sweeping her up and planting a kiss on her forehead.

Love the way she easily wraps her arms and legs around me. Even better when she runs her hand over my cheek. “I needed to ask Rock about getting some lockers in the girls’ bathroom.”

“Ah. That’s what Hope thought.”

“I’ve been meaning to do it for a while.”

I can’t answer, because she leans in close, brushing her lips against mine for just a second. Then she unwinds herself and slides down my body. “All the trouble makers are gone, now. But it’s still a good idea I think.”

“What is?”

She laughs at my question. “The lockers.”

“Oh. Sorry. All my blood rushed down to my dick when you kissed me.”

“You’re nuts.”

I am. About her. She makes me fuckin’ nuts.

Z worked his magic and Trinity’s patch showed up this morning. Hope doesn’t mind me doing it at the party, and I’m stupidly excited thinking about Trinity wearing my property patch and nothing else.

CHAPTER TWO

My best friend hit on my fiancé.

The thought is still on my mind the next morning.

Sophie. Who was there for me when Clay died. Who helped Rock and I hook up.

Betrayed me?

The last few months play over in my head. She was drunk at the fundraiser. But I’d partied pretty hard with Sophie when we were in law school. Or rather watched her party hard. Clay and I picked her up and poured her into the back seat of our car many times. I don’t think she ever tried anything with Clay. Maybe she did. And maybe Clay wanted to spare my feelings the same way Rock did, so he never told me. I guess I’ll never know.

All of this sort of runs through my semi-conscious brain before I’m fully awake.

Rock. My anchor.

Turning over, I find his side of the bed empty.

Well, that’s disappointing.

Rolling back the other way, I check my phone and find a reminder waiting on the screen. Dinner with Mara. Tonight.

Crap.

I can’t back out. It’s the dinner to celebrate Mara’s birthday. She’d spent the actual day with her family, and I know how much she’s looking forward to going out with her friends. But I don’t think I can look at Sophie without puking. Or punching her.

I’m not angry. I’m hurt. Sophie and I have been friends for a long time. Drunk or not, I can’t comprehend her actions. It’s so out of character for her.

Maybe I don’t know her as well as I thought.

I don’t doubt for one second Rock’s version of the story. And the reason he didn’t tell me rings true. As always he was trying to protect me from getting hurt.

Normally I’d talk to, well Sophie, about something like this. I could call Lilly, but she and Sophie have been friends since childhood. It’s not fair to stick her in the middle. I can’t ruin Mara’s birthday celebration with this either.

Honestly, I wish Wrath hadn’t opened his big mouth.

“What’s wrong, Baby Doll?” Rock calls from the doorway.

He enters and shuts the door behind him before I answer. “Nothing…I’m supposed to go out to dinner with Mara tonight. I really hope Sophie doesn’t show up. I don’t know what the hell to say to her.”

“I’m so sorry,” he says as he rounds the bed, sitting next to me. He brushes my hair off my cheek. “I didn’t want to—”

“I blame Wrath and his big mouth.”

The corners of his mouth lift. “Yeah.”

“How come you’re up so early?”

“Contractor’s coming. Need to let him in the gate and show him out to the house.”

“Oh. You need my help?”

“N

ah, you look nice and cozy.”

My hand settles on his leg, idly stroking. “I don’t like waking up without you.” My lips purse into a pout to emphasize just how much I dislike it.

He chuckles and covers my hand with his own. “Don’t be bad. They’ll be here any minute.”

A bunch of unhappy grumbles tumble out of my mouth. Rock chuckles and moves so I can get up.

When I emerge from the bathroom, he’s gone

The morning’s barely started and already this day is pretty sucky.

My mood improves once I arrive downstairs a few hours later. Wrath and Trinity are wrapped up together on one of the couches and happiness at the sight of them kicks my mouth up into a smile.

“Morning, lovebirds.”

“Nice of you to join us. It’s almost noon,” Wrath teases.

“It’s Saturday.”

Trinity unravels herself from Wrath and sits up. “You want anything?”

“No. Well, I just wanted to talk to you for a second.” My gaze lands on Wrath, hoping he’ll take the hint and get lost. No such luck.

Trinity glances at the envelope in my hands. “What’s that?”

My voice falters, it’s really too hard to explain. And Wrath’s still here. “Shouldn’t you be helping Rock?” I ask.

The bastard smirks at me. “No, why?”

A disgusted snort spills out of me, and I plop down next to Trinity. “This is for you.” She frowns as I hand over the envelope.

What I thought was funny-cute, now seems embarrassing with Wrath staring over her shoulder.

Nervous laughter escapes Trinity as she reads the front of the card. “I might pee on you? What is this, Hope?”

“Open it.” When she unfolds the card, the full message reads. I might make you hold my dress as I pee, make you go on silly errands and annoy the crap out of you…

“Turn it over,” I tell her.

But I’ve grown to cherish your loyal friendship and would be thrilled to have you stand next to me on my wedding day.

“Hope?”

My throat’s so tight I can barely get out my question. “Will you be my maid of honor, Trinity?”

Her jaw drops for a second before she shouts, “Oh my God! Yes, of course!” She throws her arms around me and knocks me into the back of the couch. We’re both laughing—well, one of us might have a few tears in her eyes.

“Are you sure?” she asks.

“Yes. You know what a pain in the ass I’ll be, so I won’t be offended if you say no.”

“Oh, stop. I’m thrilled. I’ve never done it before. Thank you.”

Wrath seems a bit queasy from all the girly emotions suddenly taking over his morning. I pin him with an amused stare. “Hey, it’s not my fault you wouldn’t take a hint.”

“What’s up? Bro, you’re supposed to alert me when there’s girl on girl happening,” Z’s voice intrudes on our moment. Trinity and I both scramble to sit up.

“Stop being a perv.” Trinity waves her card at him. “Hope asked me to be her maid of honor.”

“Oh, cool.” He smirks and lifts his chin. “Is Wrath gonna be a bridesmaid?”

Wrath rolls his eyes. “Shut up, dick.”

It’s probably left over nerves, but once I start laughing I can’t stop. The three of them eye me with concern.

“Sorry. I was just picturing Wrath in a dress,” I explain, then fall into another fit of giggles.

“I think I liked it better when you were scared of me,” Wrath grouses as he stands.

Ignoring the guys, I tap Trinity on the arm. “Hey, I’m meeting Mara for her birthday dinner. You want to come with?”

She hesitates before answering, so I try to convince her. “She asked me to bring you—”

“No, it’s not that. I have a class tonight.”

“On a Saturday?”

“Yeah—”

Wrath’s shaking his head before Trinity can get another word out. “Oh, no. No fucking way are you going to Ironworks after what happened—”

“I’m not. This is a different center, up in Saratoga.”

He eyes her suspiciously. “Why are you just telling me this now?”

“I only found out about it this morning and called them to see if I could get in. That’s what I came out here to tell you.”

It looked more like they were about to boink on the couch when I got here, but that’s probably not a helpful observation at the moment.

Wrath’s still eyeing her, but it’s Z who opens his mouth. “You need a ride, Trin?”

“I got her,” Wrath growls.

Z’s mouth twists into a smirk and he turns his attention on me. “Where’s your man?”

“Out at the house. He said there were contractors coming today.”

“Okay. I’ll go see if he needs help.”

Not for the first time, I’m overcome with how much of a family the brothers are. Z thinks nothing of giving up his Saturday afternoon to help Rock build our house. It’s a lot to take in.

“What’s wrong, Hope?” Z asks.

“Nothing. That’s nice. Thank you.”

He cocks his head like he doesn’t understand my words. “Of course.” Then he’s out the door.

“You okay, Hope?” Trinity asks.

How can I explain how much it means to be part of this family? “Yup, I’m good.”

House is looking good. I think we’re on schedule to be done by our wedding. Love the club. Love my brothers. But fuck am I looking forward to Hope and I having our own space.

Z rides up on one of the ATVs and waves as he shuts the machine down.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, checking to see if you need any help.”

“Sure.”

We end up working side-by-side with the contractor. I don’t think this guy is used to his customers being so hands on, but I don’t really give a fuck. The sooner I can get him and his crew off club property, the better.

“Girls were having a moment,” Z informs me.

“Oh yeah?”

“Hope asked Trinity to be in the wedding?”

“Good. I know she was nervous about it.”

“Why?”

“How the fuck should I know.”

“You gonna want a bachelor party and shit?”

I nail him with an are you kidding stare. “What do you think?”

“We have to do something for you.”

“No strippers. Seen enough of that shit.”

Z doesn’t know what to do with that information. “We can go skydiving, there’s that place over in—”

“Didn’t someone die there last year?”

“Good point.”

Wrath joins us maybe an hour later.

“Shouldn’t you be picking out a bridesmaid dress?” Z calls out to him and gets a middle finger in return.

“Everyone’s almost here, and the girls kicked me out of my room.”

I snort and finish up what I’m working on. “Church now?”

“Oh, yeah. Dex has a great CB story for you,” Z says.

“Jesus Christ, what now?”

After setting up a time for the contractor to arrive on Monday, the three of us head back to the clubhouse. “I gotta leave by three thirty,” Wrath informs us before we go inside.

“What the fuck for?”

His mouth twists, and I know whatever it is, he doesn’t want to share. Tough shit.

“Need to run Trinity somewhere.”

Z snickers and heads inside after thumping Wrath on the back. And you know, I’d love to make a joke about Wrath being whipped. To pay him back for all the shit he’s given me, but I’m too fuckin’ happy the two of them have worked out their issues and settled into whatever domestic bliss they’ve found to poke at him today.

“Good. Let’s get your business out of the way first, just in case we run long.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly expecting me to hassle him. It’s good to be unpredictable. We’ve known each other so

long, it’s not often I surprise him.

“Prospects invited?” Murphy asks from inside the doorway.

I spot Hoot and Birch out in the garage, but there’s no reason to bring them in today. “Nah.”

Inside, brothers are scattered around the living room catching up. “Did you say Hope’s down in your room?” I ask Wrath.

“She was when I left.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back. Start moving everyone inside.”

“You got it.”

Wrath’s also full of surprises today. Not even a sarcastic smirk.

I’m not sure what the hell I stumble into once I get to Trinity’s room. Door’s open, so I push it wide. My girl’s perched on the edge of the bed, while Trinity’s poking at her with a bunch of different tools.

“Stop squirming. I don’t want to stab you in the eye,” Trinity grumbles.

“I’m trying, but it tickles.”

Sure, it’s goofy, but I sort of enjoy watching them together for a second. “You leaving soon, Baby Doll?”

They both turn my way.

“Yes. Our reservation’s for four o’clock like a bunch of old biddies.”

“Just means you’ll be home earlier for me.”

That gets a smile from her. “You sure you don’t want to come?” she asks as she turns back to Trinity.

I’m pretty sure the fancy-ass place they’re headed has a dress code. No fucking way. “I’m good, thanks.”

“That’s okay. Damon’s not going either.”

Good, then I don’t feel so bad. “You need me to drive you?”

“No. I’m not planning to drink.”

“Well, if you—”

“If I do, I’ll call you. Promise.”

“Good. We’re heading into church. Come give me a kiss in case I don’t see you before you leave.”

Trinity snickers, gathers up her supplies and heads into the bathroom. “Don’t smudge my hard work, Rock,” she calls over her shoulder.

Hope approaches slow and I take my time appreciating the wispy, bright blue dress she’s wearing. “Fuck, you’re fucking beautiful.”

She tips her head down, and I love the way she still shyly takes a compliment. It’s sweet and something else I love about her. When she’s within grabbing distance she stops. “That dress looks delicate and I don’t want to snag it.” I hold up my hands, rough from working all day. Her shy smile turns into a sly one as she presses her hands against my chest and rubs herself against me, taking the longest route possible to lay a kiss on my cheek. I turn and catch her for a deeper kiss. My hands thread into her hair, holding her still.