White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC 7)

Leaning over, he brushes his lips against my ear. “Only for you.”

“Thank you.”

My gaze sweeps over him again. So handsome.

With a cobalt-blue tie that somehow matches my dress.

I raise an eyebrow at Hope as Wyatt and I walk up front together.

She reaches out and squeezes my hand as I take my place. I can almost hear the squee of joy she’s holding back, and her excitement makes me chuckle.

The wedding and words we speak are a beautiful blur.

Before I know it, Damon pronounces us man and wife, and Wyatt’s lifting me up in front of everyone for a searing kiss.

There’s no mistaking who I belong to.

I wrap my arms around my husband and hold on tight.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Where’d Tawny go?” I ask Hope later in the afternoon.

Instead of answering, she bites her lip. “I’m not supposed to say.”

“Are you kidding? Did she and Sway leave? Because I’m totally fine with that.”

We’re wrapping up the party. Making sure to clean up every last scrap of paper so the park service doesn’t level more fines on us.

Not that I think Wyatt cares if they do. He seems happier than ever.

Because of me.

I’m Wyatt’s wife!

“Okay, don’t be mad,” Hope says, touching my arm. “When she heard we had to leave the park at four, she volunteered to set things up at the clubhouse, so the reception could continue up there.”

“What? She did that? For me? For us? Does she have a head injury?”

“I think she feels bad.”

Feels bad my ass.

But Hope’s right. When we arrive at the clubhouse, the parking area and driveway around the clubhouse are blocked off by colorful streamers, forcing everyone to park farther down the driveway. Thousands of tiny white lights are strung up outside for when the sun goes down. There are tables and chairs set up outside. Someone set up a bar with plenty of alcohol and another table full of desserts.

Tawny went all out. Obviously, she and Hope planned this before today.

“Thank you, Hope,” I say, touching her shoulder.

She leans over and hugs me. “I wish I could take credit, but Tawny really did arrange all of this.”

Tawny approaches me slowly.

“Congratulations.” I’ve never seen Sway’s wife look hesitant before, and I’m pretty sure the last time she saw me, she called me a whore. I wasn’t thrilled I had to invite the Queen Bee of our downstate charter to my wedding. But seeing this—even though I’m sure there’s some ulterior motive behind it—dampens my irritation.

“You did all this? Thank you.”

She flips her hair back. “I think it was the least I could do for you, Trinity.”

“True.” I hold her gaze for a moment, and she nods.

“The wedding was beautiful. That was a real nice spot to have it.”

“Thanks. We like it up there.” This is weird. And unbearably awkward. This woman’s treated me like shit over the years. Now, I’m supposed to what? Be friends with her?

Wyatt stops me from having to figure it out, by slipping his arm around my waist. “Thank you for this, Tawny.”

She seems surprised and stammers before disappearing into the crowd.

“Come inside with me?” he asks.

We stop and talk to a lot of people inside the clubhouse before making it into our room.

“Did you lure me back here for sex?”

He grins and tugs at his collar. “No. I love you, but this thing is killing me.”

I reach up and help him undo the tie. He drapes it over my shoulders. “I think we can find a better use for it,” he says with a raised eyebrow.

Next, he slips his jacket off and tosses it on the bed. Once he rolls his sleeves up, he seems more relaxed.

“Jesus,” I mutter. “You’re even hotter like that.”

His mouth curves up, and he runs his hands over his forearms. “Can’t resist these, can you?”

“Nope.”

Glass-clinking and horn-blowing from outside reaches us. A lot of noise that doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon.

“I bet that’s for us,” I say.

“Fuckers,” he grumbles. Before leading me out the door, he grabs my Property of Wrath vest and slips it over my shoulders. He takes a step back and picks up my left hand, nodding at my shiny new wedding ring. “They look damn good together.”

“Yes, they do.”

Since no one spoke up at the park, I thought I’d been spared any wedding speeches. Wrong. They were just saving them until we were back at the clubhouse.

Feeling less constricted without the tie and jacket, I tolerate the emotional abuse from my brothers a lot better than I think anyone expects.

“We all know I’d do anything for my brothers,” Rock begins his speech, glancing at all of us. “That extends to anyone under the club’s protection, but it’s especially true about Trinny.” He flashes a smile I’d call fatherly if he wouldn’t punch me for it. “I wouldn’t hesitate to murder anyone who threatened her.”

Christ, if everyone knew how true that statement actually was.

“She’s dedicated her life to the club and is someone each one of us would take a bullet for. One of the best women in the world as far as I’m concerned.” He turns and faces me, a wry smile tugging the corner of his mouth up. “There’s only one man worthy of her. A man perfect for her, good for her, and good to her.”

Rock’s speech seems to be designed to embarrass me into blubbering all over myself. Fucker.

“It wasn’t an easy ride to get here. They’re both proud, headstrong knuckleheads.” Trinity shakes with laughter and wipes at her cheeks.

I flip Rock off, and he returns the gesture.

“But not even their multiple year-long hostile standoff could keep them apart. They’re truly meant for one another.”

He raises his cup and I nod at him.

Just as I think the emotional torture is over, Z jumps up. “I’m not as much of a poet as our prez.” He slaps Rock on the back a few times. My body tenses. I don’t think Z would ever say anything to embarrass Trinity, but he does enjoy being a wiseass. “Usually this is where we’d say ‘welcome to the family, Trinity’ but we don’t have to, because she’s already been a part of our family for a long time. Rock wasn’t lyin’; we’d all take a bullet for you, Trin.”

His words are short but undeniable.

Each one of my brothers shares a few words. Even Teller, who stands and raises his glass.

“Not that I know what I’m talking about, but I think the key to marriage is not to marry someone you can live with, but to marry the one you can’t live without. We all know there’s nothing these two wouldn’t do for each other. We’d all be lucky to find the same thing.” He nods at us before taking his seat. Trinity leans in and kisses my cheek. “Aw, that was sweet.” A little more seriously she adds, “It’s true. I can’t live without you.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “Same for me.”

When the toasts finally end, Sparky stops by and wraps his arms around both of us. “I’m so fuckin’ happy you guys finally made it!” he shouts into our ears.

“Thanks, brother.” I toss his arm off and pull him down into the chair next to me. “Feeling good, bro?”

“The best.” He takes off, pulling Willow into the clubhouse with him.

“When did that happen?”

Trinity shrugs, then giggles, falling against me. “How much have you had to drink?” I ask her.

“Nothing. I’m drunk on you.”

I grab her, pulling her into my lap so I can kiss the hell out of her, which earns us a round of whistling catcalls and dirty comments.

A few minutes—or hours, who knows—later, someone slaps my shoulder. “Hey, happy couple.” I glance up and find Sway leering down at us.

“’Sup?”

“Trinity, do you mind if I steal your man for a minute?” Sway asks. “I think my woman wants to have a word with you anyway,” he says, tipping his head toward the drink table where Tawny’s busy handing out bottles of beer and cups of whatever the hell she’s mixing up back there.

Trin leans over and gives me another kiss. “Sure thing, Sway.”

After she leaves, he jerks his head toward the path through the woods that leads to Rock’s house. “Can we walk?”

Curious, I stand and follow him. “No offense, Sway, but you’re not really who I planned to spend my wedding night with.”

“Don’t worry. You know you ain’t my type,” he jokes back.

After that we don’t say much. He finally stops walking. We’re far from the party but not enough that I can’t hear my brothers still carrying on. Z installed solar lights along the path out to the houses, so there’s enough light to see the serious expression on Sway’s face.

“How long you been upstate, Wrath?”

It’s a stupid question, because he knows the answer. “I’m pretty sure you were at my patch-in party.” My way of telling him to cut the bullshit.

He nods and glances down the path. “You and Rock still get along?”

“Like brothers.”

He huffs a laugh. “So still want to kill each other half the time?”

“Kill’s a little strong.” I’m antsy to get back to my bride. Still got big plans for her tonight. “What’s on your mind, Sway?”

“You know the bullshit that went down with Bull.”

“Yeah.” No need to mention that Bull was a rat and rub Sway’s nose in it. “You got a new SAA though, right?”

“Yeah, but he’s got a sick mother down in Arizona, so he’s talking about going nomad since we don’t have a charter down there.”

“That sucks.”

He runs his hand over his chin for a few seconds. “We got a lot of action. Big stuff coming up. I need someone I can trust.” Finally, he looks me in the eye. “I’d like to have you watching my back. You interested in moving downstate?”

I barely hold back the fuck no on my tongue. “I appreciate the offer, brother. I do, but I’m set here.”

“Fuck.” He shakes his head. “I figured it was a long shot. You sure? I know our gals haven’t always gotten along, but Tawny’ll behave herself.”

“It’s not that.” Actually, it’s a little bit that. I know right now what Trin’s answer will be if I ask her about moving downstate.

“I can help you get set up. Start a new gym down in Orange County.”

The reminder that my business is nothing more than ashes and rubble right now doesn’t make me more inclined to accept Sway’s offer.

“If you change your mind, call me. Rock said you’d probably say no since you just built a house and all, but I’ll always have room for you.”

He just had to slip in that he already asked Rock. I keep my face neutral as I hold my hand out, and we shake. “Thanks, brother.”

“Congratulations. You two seem really happy together.”

It’s an odd observation coming from Sway since he doesn’t seem to have a whole lot of respect for the female population. “We are.”

The walk back to the party isn’t awkward. He asks where we’re going for our honeymoon and surprisingly keeps his dirty comments to himself.

Sway splits for the party, but I hang back at the edge of the woods for a second.

“Have a good chat with Sway?”

Glancing up, I find Rock grinning at me.

“Fuck you. Why didn’t you warn me, dick?”

“He sprung it on me after the wedding.” The laughter dies on his face. “I don’t want to lose you, brother. But I don’t ever want to hold you back, either. We both know you’d probably earn more downstate.”

“And you know some things are more important than money.”

He nods once. “It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t allow him to make the offer.”

I don’t think he was worried I’d accept Sway’s offer, but it’s still obvious how much the whole situation bothers him.

Motherfuck. Now, I can’t even be pissed at Rock. No, I’m pissed that Sway put my best friend in such an awkward position on my wedding day. “You’re lucky I love your ugly mug so much.”

“Feeling’s mutual, brother.” He gives me the same weary smile from earlier, and the laughter dies in my throat. I stop him with a hand on his arm.

“Rock, no bullshit. You’re not thinking of stepping down, are you?”

My worst fears beat in my chest as I wait for him to answer.

“Not yet. I’ll be at the head of the table as long as you guys need me.”

“You realize that’s probably forever, right?”

“Feels like it.” He grins to let me know he’s kidding. “Come on, your beautiful bride needs you.”

Wrath still hasn’t returned from his talk with Sway. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

I do know how I feel about Tawny chatting me up again.

“So, is the house finished?” she asks.

“Almost. We’ll move the rest of our stuff in when we return from our honeymoon.” As much as it kills me I add, “We’ll have to have you guys over for dinner when we’re all settled.”

“You’re really okay with living up here? Around everyone else?” she asks as if it’s the worst thing in the world.

“I’m used to it.”

She nods vigorously, but her helmet of hair doesn’t even budge, which is just weird. “You and Hope seem tight.”

“We are,” I answer. “She’s been a friend to me since the first time we met.” I’d love to add “unlike you” but I don’t.

She jabs a bony elbow into my side. “He really lets her do that?” she asks out of nowhere.

“What?” I glance up, following her line of sight. Hope’s standing by Murphy’s table, her hand casually resting on his shoulder while she talks to him and Heidi.

“She shouldn’t be touching another brother that way.”

Oh, this is rich coming from her. And a complete surprise since she’s always treated Hope with respect.

Before I get to say anything, Wrath joins them. Relief that he’s done with his conversation with Sway washes over me. Now, how the hell do I get away from Tawny without being rude?

Hope smiles up at my husband and gives him a quick hug. Same thing she’s done a million times in front of me. She says something that makes him roll his eyes and laugh.

“You really okay with her touching your man like that?” Tawny’s low voice comes out laced with fake-sisterly concern.

I snort and then laugh out loud. “Yeah, I’m not worried about it.”

“Oh.” Her eyes widen, and she leans in closer. “Are the four of you, like, a thing?”

It takes a second for me to grasp her meaning. “Ew. God, no.” I glance back at my husband. “Trust me, neither of them…and me and Rock? No. Nope. No way.”

We’re interrupted from this wildly disturbing conversation by Teller heading inside the clubhouse.

I practically yank him over to us. “Thank you for the sweet toast,” I say.

His mouth lifts in a tired smile. “I meant every word.” His shrewd gaze moves between Tawny and me. “How you been, Tawny?”

“Same as always. How’s therapy going, sweetheart?” Tawny coos at him, coming closer to brush a lock of hair off his forehead. “You look great.”

I have the sudden urge to fake-cough “hypocrite” but somehow manage to contain myself.

Teller fixes his pleading gaze on me.

I mouth a silent apology to him and back away. Before I can run from this freak show, a big warm body brushes up against me. Strong arms wrap around my waist. “Mrs. Ramsey, you’re wanted in the bedroom,” Wyatt whispers against my ear.

Heat streaks through me and all I want to do is be alone with my husband. Teller will have to escape Tawny’s clutches on his own.

I turn and loop

my arms around Wyatt’s neck. “I’m all yours, husband.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“It’s our wedding night,” Trinity purrs as I close our bedroom door.

“Fuck yeah, it is. Get changed.”

“What?”

“I want to take you out.”

“We just got home.”

I take a few steps closer, reach for the large, crystal peacock in the center of her braids and curls and pull it loose. She melts against me, placing both her palms on my chest and staring up at me.

“Hi, husband,” she whispers.

I plant a quick kiss on her lips. “Hi, wife. Come on, hurry up.”

Her lips push into a pout. “I thought you said you wanted me in the bedroom?”

“Yeah. So you could get changed.”

“I need your help with the zipper.” She turns and picks up all the hair I just freed.

“What made you decide on this dress?” I ask, tracing the large embroidered peacock feather that stretches from her hip to the opposite shoulder of the dress.

She taps her shoulder, right where the peacock feather tattooed up her back ends. “You know I like peacocks. Some people think they’re a symbol of renewal or new beginnings, so I thought that was appropriate.”

“It’s beautiful.” I place a gentle kiss on her shoulder after I work the zipper down, and she sighs.

“What’s wrong, angel?” I whisper against her ear. “Need your husband to fuck you?”

“Yes,” she answers in a frustrated voice. “I want to consummate our marriage.”

I pull back, shaking with laughter. “Oh, we’re going to consummate like motherfuckin’ bunnies. Don’t worry.”

“Bunnies? Did you really just say that?” she teases, stepping out of her dress.

She bends and arches in the sexiest ways possible, until my control snaps and I tackle her onto the bed.

Triumphant giggles spill out of her, and she presses both palms against my cheeks, pulling me down to her for a kiss. “Gotcha.”

“You’re ruining my plans.”

Her mouth turns down even as her hands go straight to my belt, helping me free my cock. Except, I can’t get it in her.