Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC 14)

“Not yet, baby. Hopefully in a few more days he’ll be home.”

He ducks his head.

“Let’s go check out the jungle gym.” Wrath scoops Chance up, placing him on his shoulders. “You been on it yet?”

With the melancholy mood broken by his giant of an uncle, Chance giggles and throws his arms wide. “Yes!”

Murphy, Heidi, and Alexa follow them around back.

I duck inside to use the ladies room.

Apparently the “no party” message wasn’t conveyed to everyone. Angie’s here, supervising some of the club girls. They’re throwing a party for Murphy whether he wants it or not, I guess.

“I’m so glad to see you, Lilly!” Angie throws her arms around me, hugging me tight. “How are you holding up?”

“All right.”

“Any word on how much longer he’ll be inside?”

“Not yet. Hoping to get a bail hearing soon.” Rock had lectured me about not giving details to anyone, but surely that’s not exactly top secret.

“Well, I’m praying for him.”

I’m not much of a prayer person, but the sentiment touches me. “Thank you, Angie.”

“I’m trying to keep everything low-key around here tonight.” She glances around the room. “You know how it is, though. Any reason to celebrate.”

“Well, everyone’s happy Murphy’s out and the charges were dropped so we should celebrate that.” My voice seems to hold more courage than I possess.

She nods vigorously. “Absolutely. And I don’t want you to do a thing. I’ll take care of all the details so you don’t have to worry.”

“Thanks, I’m probably heading home with Chance soon.” At least I hope so. I can’t imagine Rock and Hope wanting to stick around for a party. And since they’re my unofficial babysitters, I go where they go.

Lala stops setting up the bar and runs over to give me a tearful hug as soon as she sees me. “I’m so sorry, Lilly. If you need anything, please let me know.”

Not expecting that level of emotion from her, I’m not sure how to respond. “Thank you. We’re doing okay.”

“Poor Chance.” She dabs at her eyes, making me feel somehow worse even though I know that wasn’t her intention.

“He’s out back with the guys if you want to say hi.”

Her eyes widen, as if she’s surprised I’d allow her around my son. She’s never been anything but nice to me, so why wouldn’t I?

“Sure.”

On our way out, Rock asks me to send Wrath and Murphy inside.

“You’re friends with his wife, right?” Lala asks me once we’re outside.

“Yeah, I’ve known Hope for years.”

“That’s nice. Serena always said kind things about her. Everyone at upstate, really.”

Shit, I haven’t seen Serena since the night Shadow attacked her. “How is she doing? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“I don’t know.” She lowers her voice. “I told her Shadow was…gone but she says she’s done with MCs. She just finished school and she’s trying to focus on finding a job, you know?”

Honestly, I’m happy to hear that. She always seemed so sweet and too timid to be passed around by a bunch of bikers. “Sure. What’s she do again?”

“Sports medicine or occupational therapy, something that sounded like it had a lot of science involved.” She laughs. “Not my thing.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, not mine either.”

“No? Everyone says you’re like super smart.”

Everyone, huh? “Well, my area was more languages, history, government. That sort of stuff. My master’s is in public policy.”

“Oh.” She gives me a blank look. “I keep saying I’m going to go back to school, but I still don’t know what I want to do.”

“Well, you’re never too old to change paths.”

“You really think so?”

“Absolutely.” Look at me. I’ll never work in government again and, eventually, I need to figure out what I want to do with my life. It can’t be all baking blini and watching cartoons.

“Thanks, Lilly.” She waves at Chance. “Hi, big guy!”

“Hi!” he chirps back.

She says hi to Alexa too, then climbs right into the sandbox with the kids.

Wrath raises an eyebrow at me. “Goodie, another kid to watch.”

I shrug. Lala’s always been decent to me. It doesn’t hurt to have one more adult looking out for the kids. “Rock asked me to send you guys inside.”

Murphy groans and pulls Heidi in for a kiss. He touches his forehead to hers and they whisper back and forth for a few seconds.

Teller shakes his head. “I promised Heidi I wouldn’t give him shit today, but, damn, he makes it difficult.”

“Tell me, who do you enjoy picking on more, Murphy or Heidi?” I ask.

His mouth curls into a playful smile. “It’s kind of a two-for-one deal, you know?”

“Pity his kids, Lilly,” Trinity says. “He’s always been overprotective of his sister. Imagine what he’ll be like as a dad. Let’s pray he has all boys.”

Teller side-eyes her.

I wink at Trinity. “I guess it will be up to us to rein Heidi in if he has girls. She’s going to want to be the cool aunt that lets them do all the stuff their dad says no to.”

“Ooo!” Heidi joins us, rubbing her hands together and grinning like a little devil. “I never thought of that. The possibilities are wonderful!”

Teller stares at us and I give him a sweet smile in return.

“Thank fuck Charlotte’s not here to join in on this,” he grumbles.

Wrath just shakes his head and walks away.

After the guys are gone, we fall into a fit of laughter.

“Thanks, Lilly,” Heidi says.

“Thank you for making me laugh.” My voice cracks on the last word.

The joy seems to evaporate from Heidi’s expression, which wasn’t what I wanted. “I’m sorry, Lilly.”

“It’s okay, Heidi. Believe me, I’m so happy Murphy’s out.” I reach out and squeeze her hand. She hugs me before wandering over to the sandbox.

“Everything will be okay.” Trinity bites her lip. Her gaze darts to Lala and the kids. “You all right with one of the club girls playing with Chance?”

I shrug. “Sure. She’s always been polite. Helpful.” I laugh at the memory. “Came over and thanked Z when he put Shadow in his place.”

“Shit, really?” Trinity chuckles. “Girl has grit. That’s good.”

“Only one I’ve had an issue with is Josey. If she never shows her face again, it’ll be too soon.”

As if she overheard our conversation, Lala wanders over to us. “Josey said she might stop by tonight. I’m sorry, Lilly. I should’ve told you right away.”

“That’s fine, Lala.” It’s not like I am or want to be the club girls’ social activities coordinator. “Don’t worry about it.”

Trinity holds out her hand. “I’m Trinity. Wrath’s ol’ lady.”

“Right.” Lala laughs. “Everyone says upstate’s all settled down now, so this is the clubhouse to come to.” The smile slides off Lala’s face. “Shit, sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No.” Trinity smiles. “We still have a few single brothers who keep bitching not enough girls come

up anymore.”

Ignoring me, she focuses on Lala. “They’re opening up a second clubhouse down in Empire. I’ll let you know when we’re doing the grand opening party.”

“Thanks,” Lala says. “That sounds cool.” She brushes her hands over her sandy jeans. “I’m going to go clean up. If you need me, yell.”

I side-eye Trinity. “What are you, their recruiter now? Are you actually inviting girls up for the guys?” I ask once Lala’s gone.

“Hell, yes. The sooner that new clubhouse is open and full of girls, the quieter our compound will be.”

“Aren’t you sneaky.”

“Sneaky, nothing. Wrath asked me to spread the word to any girls I ran into. He wants the parties at the property shut down more than anyone.”

I burst out laughing because, given Wrath’s general grumpy demeanor, that doesn’t surprise me.

“It’s not the debauchery he objects to, trust me.” Trinity rolls her eyes. “The man has more kinky fuckery going on in his sexy blond head—”

“Now that you need to elaborate on,” I tease.

She ignores my interruption and continues. “It’s the risk of having so many unfamiliar faces on our property. Now that so many of us have houses there and stuff, you know? It’s a security issue.”

“Ahh, yeah. That makes sense.” I glance around but except for Heidi and the kids, we’re alone now. “Do you worry about that a lot? I know Rock was in jail too a couple years ago and now this…”

She sighs and gazes over my shoulder. “Sure. Any of the officers have more risk. Cops are always eager to go after a president. Makes ‘em look good.” She pulls a face. “Wrath’s in a vulnerable spot too. The enforcer protects the club and sometimes that can turn…violent which brings the club heat. Treasurer…shit cops would love to get a look at the financials of any outlaw club. Road Captain isn’t usually as much of an issue unless they’re on a run.” She stops and seems to consider her words. “Honestly, all the brothers are vulnerable. Cops would probably be happy to bring a brother in on some bullshit charges to see if they can get him to flip on the whole club. Back when my dad was part of a club, that didn’t happen often but I think it’s more common now.” She meets my eyes. “Not our club, but others.”