Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC 14)

“I know his son-in-law better. We have more in common.”

“Harley enthusiasts.” The one against the wall rolls his eyes. “Yeah, we know.”

“I don’t tend to hang out with a lot of suit-wearing motherfuckers.” I cast a contemptuous look over their cheap, ill-fitting suits.

“So, you’ve never met DeLova?” the one in front of me prods.

“I didn’t say that. I’ve met him more than a few times over the years.”

“Take on some side jobs for him?”

“No,” I growl.

“Malone was in debt to DeLova. For a lot. You know anything about that?”

“No.” Last I knew, his debt had been paid.

“You and your club are just a bunch of poor, innocent motorcycle lovers, aren’t you?”

I’m not going to dignify his mocking comment with an answer.

He leans in closer. “Except somehow the evidence proves wherever there is a strong MC presence, violence will eventually follow.”

“Bullshit. Not every MC. Don’t lump us all in together.” I lean in, meeting him almost halfway across the table. “You can call anyone in Empire PD and they’ll tell you we help keep the city safe and the trash out.”

“Sure. I’ll get right on that.” He slaps the folders in front of him closed. “I think we’re done.”

“Good, can I go home now?”

He laughs. “Not any time soon.”

Finally, they release me from the interview room. “When am I getting my phone call?” I ask the guard on the way back. Sure, I should’ve had one yesterday. Or before I got questioned today.

Who the fuck knows when it’ll actually happen. I’m sure they’ll make up some bullshit excuse. It doesn’t honestly matter. There’s no fucking way I’m calling Lilly. And I don’t need to call a lawyer, because I know Rock has already taken care of that by now.

“Phone’s broken.” The guard walking me back to my cell smirks, like he’s a fuckin’ comedian.

Murphy stands up when he sees me coming. The guard hesitates and looks at the cell next to ours. Yeah, I’d been shocked they put us together too, but we both figured they were probably listening in on our conversations. If that’s the case, I hope they enjoy the royal fucking around we plan to give them.

Chapter Two

LILLY

I thought agony and I were already good friends. Apparently, I had no idea. Watching the man I plan to marry shoved to the ground, handcuffed, thrown into the back of a cop car…Each moment gutted me. Stole a piece of me.

Every second keeps replaying on a constant horrifying loop.

Chance’s screams—more violent than any tantrum he’d ever let loose before—lodged permanently in my soul.

It took forever to calm Chance down. This was not an experience I ever wanted. For myself or for my son.

Or for Z.

A voice in the back of my head keeps trying to warn me that this is only the beginning of the life I’m in for if Z and I stay together.

Heidi had been stoic all night. As if it was totally normal to see her fiancé handcuffed and thrown in the back of a police car.

Maybe I’m not cut out for this?

Rock had helped me carry a hysterical Chance into the house last night, so he knows everything. From what I could tell, he’d been on the phone with one person or another most of the night.

The next morning, Hope and I are up early. Sitting together at the kitchen table, sipping tea. Not really talking. I think we’re both still numb from shock.

Rock joins us without a word, gently setting his hands on Hope’s shoulders. She tips her head back and they share some sort of unspoken communication I’m too exhausted to decipher.

“I’m going to go up and check on Grace.” Hope stands and reaches over to squeeze my hand. “I’ll look in on Chance too.”

“Thank you.”

Rock gives her a quick embrace and kisses her forehead before releasing her. Once she’s gone, his steady gray eyes drill into me. “We need to talk.”

Saw that coming.

Without saying anything, I take my tea and head toward the living room. I’m too tired to play hostess and ask if he’d like some coffee before grilling me.

He sits down in the chair across from me and doesn’t waste time getting to the point. “I don’t think this has anything to do with your situation.”

My situation.

All at once it hits me. The club. Why didn’t that occur to me? Z didn’t blow up Senator Kelly on his own. My fearful gaze lands on Rock. Well, technically I’m staring at his arms. I spend a lot of time studying the ink covering his hands and thick forearms. The wedding band encircling his ring finger. I remember the excitement in Hope’s voice when she told me she’d picked out Rock’s wedding band. He’d been in jail at the time too.

Things worked out for them.

What kind of wedding band does Z want?

“Lilly.” While Rock’s voice is gentle, it doesn’t lack authority. It brings me right back to my present situation.

I’m too ashamed to look Rock in the eyes.

Did he help Z with the car bomb? Is Rock in danger too? Because of me. Worse, how much did Z have to tell Rock to—

“Lilly.” His firm voice pulls me out of the shame tunnel I’m spiraling down. “I don’t know how much Z explained—”

“He said not to ask questions I didn’t want the answers to,” I whisper. “So I didn’t.” God, I sound like a coward.

“Good. It’s better that way.”

“What did he tell you?”

“Enough to know Kelly had it coming.” He reaches over and taps the arm of my chair. “Look at me, Lilly.”

Slowly, I raise my eyes to meet his stare.

“Are you with him? I need to know now if you’re going to bail.”

My heart’s thudding so loud, I can’t make sense of anything. “I can get money for bail.”

He shakes his head. “Club will take care of that. Are you staying? This shit isn’t easy. I understand. We all do. The club will do everything to help you through this. If you’re with him.” He glances at the staircase. “I’ll do what I can for you two no matter what you decide.”

The fear that seized my heart last night finally shatters. “I’m not going anywhere, Rock.”

I probably should. It’s not just about me. I have to worry about Chance. The kind of damage this lifestyle might inflict.

But is it worse than the damage of being away from his father?

I don’t know.

God help me, I can’t leave Z again.

“I’m here.” This time, there’s more conviction in my tone.

Rock nods, apparently satisfied for now.

The soft jingle of the dogs’ collars calls my attention to them. Ziggy throws himself down on the carpet in front of me while Zipper jumps on the couch and curls into a ball, placing his head in my lap, seeking a few scratches behind the ears.

“Z’s not going to be thrilled I let them on the furniture,” I mutter.

Rock huffs out a tired laugh. “He’ll understand.”

Apparently, we’re not done with our conversation. “Did you give your name to the officers last night?”

I have to stop and think about it. They’d mostly been focused on Z and then Murphy. One of them tried to speak to me, but I never answered. As soon as possible, I slipped out of the parking lot and came home, just as Z wanted me to do.

“I don’t think so.”

“Good. Whose car were you driving?”

“M-mine,” I stammer out.

“Murphy switch over your plates yet?”

“I don’t know.” How can I not pay attention to something as simple as my license plates?

“I’ll check.”

“The plates were in my brother’s name before. It wouldn’t get traced to me right away.”

“Okay, that’s good.”

Someone knocks on the door, stirring the dogs up. Rock leaves me to answ

er it and Ziggy trots along next to him.

“Pop-pop!” Alexa yells.

By her happy squeals, I assume Rock picked her up.

Zipper jumps down to check out the commotion.

The dogs follow behind Rock. He’s carrying Alexa in one arm and has his other curled around Heidi’s shoulders. Today, she looks less tough biker’s old lady and more twenty-something college student in crisis.

To my surprise, she drops down next to me and gives me a big hug. “Are you doing okay, Lilly?”

“So far.” My answer’s lame. But I don’t have a better one. “You?”

“Just worried.”

Rock shakes his head and forces a hint of a smile. “If I expected anyone to get carted away for running their mouth, it’s your brother. Not Murphy.”

“Right?” Heidi snorts a sad laugh. “Charlotte said the same thing.”

“It’s going to be fine, Heidi-girl.” Rock says. “Murphy was protecting a brother. Like he’s supposed to.”