Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC 14)

Hmm, I have a feeling she’s trying to respectfully tell me she’s slept with Z at some point. Since it’s obviously in the past and she’s not a bitch about it, I really don’t care. Nor do I want details.

“You’ve been part of the club, for a while, right?”

Her smile turns a little more wry. “I’m sure you’ve noticed they don’t have female members.”

I laugh because I remember having this discussion with Z years ago. Damn, I like this chick. “I mean, you’ve been hanging out at the clubhouse for a couple of years, right?”

“I take care of the house. Cook for the guys.” Her cheeks turn pink. “I dance at Crystal Ball too, but I’m trying to retire.”

“Been there. It’s not easy to give it up when you’re making good money.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, I didn’t realize. That’s not how you and Z met though, right?” She hands me a bowl of macaroni salad and picks up her a tray, motioning for me to follow her outside.

“My dancing days were long over by then.” At least it’s not awkward talking about this with her. “I met him when Rock and Hope first hooked up.”

“Aw.” She sighs. “That’s sweet.”

“Hope says you teach yoga too, right?” I ask after we set everything out on the table.

Finally, her nervousness seems to vanish. She straightens up and gives me a more genuine smile. “Yup. Most MCs would make me keep dancing until my nipples were at my knees, you know?”

“Uh, I guess.”

“I mean, Z says he doesn’t want me to leave and Dex gives me a hard time about abandoning the club, but they also give me whatever time off I need and paid for my training.”

“That’s sweet.”

“Wrath added yoga classes to Furious too. He said he always planned to have them, but he gave me first dibs on teaching and setting up the schedule.”

“You’re the one interviewing any other teachers from what I’ve heard too,” Trinity adds, joining us.

“I have someone in mind who’s moving here from Texas. I’m hoping winter time doesn’t scare her away. She’s really good.”

“You’re the one I’m supposed to talk to about yoga,” a dark-haired girl I haven’t met yet says to Swan.

“Sorry. My best friend has no manners.” Charlotte turns her friend in my direction. “Mercy, this is Lilly. Lilly, my friend, Mercy. You’ve met Trinity. And, yes, this is Swan, our yoga guru.”

The girl actually looks familiar, but I can’t quite place her

Swan blushes again. “I don’t know about guru, but yes, I teach.”

“Excellent.” Mercy rubs her hands together. “Charlotte swears it will improve my sex life.”

“Sweet Jesus, that’s not what I said.” Charlotte rolls her eyes.

As if they have radar for the word sex, some of Z’s brothers focus on us. “What’s that one pose you do that’s so hot, Swan?” Ravage asks.

Swan rolls her eyes and laughs. “Cat-cow?”

“No, the one that should be called dick-in-pussy.”

Z slaps him. “Can you stop creeping on our old ladies, please.”

“Before I’m forced to murder you,” Rock adds.

“Not the old ladies.” Rav frowns. “Did you know they put a lock on our champagne room door?”

“Yes,” Wrath answers in a bored tone.

Ignoring him, Rav continues. “Swan was giving lessons at Crystal Ball.” He throws his arms wide. “Like dying and waking up in heaven.”

“Because the naked dancers at the strip club aren’t enough?” Charlotte asks.

“No, that’s hot too—”

“Just stop,” Dex says. He sits up and reaches for Swan, pulling her into his lap and tucking her hair behind her ear. “Stop reminding me that we’re losing our best dancer.” He glares at Rav. “And stop harassing our employees, you fuckwit.”

“Not my fault a brother poached our best dancer,” Rav mutters, grinning at Wrath.

“He didn’t poach me,” Swan says, struggling to sit upright.

“I offered her an opportunity,” Wrath corrects with a shit-eating grin. “Trinity says Swan is the best and if I’m going to be forced to offer classes, I want the best.”

Murphy snorts. “Forced. As if anyone can force you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

The guys continue to joke around and harass each other. Swan finally wiggles her way out of Dex’s lap. I lose sight of her for a few minutes but end up bumping into her in the kitchen again.

“You and Dex looked…cozy,” I say as tactfully as possible because now I’m curious.

The sadness in her expression makes me wish I’d kept my mouth shut. “He’s a good boss,” she finally says without elaborating on anything more personal. “I’ll miss working for him.”

“Well, yeah. I imagine Wrath will take some getting used to.”

She chuckles. “I’ll probably deal with Murphy and Jake more.”

“Well, congratulations. It sounds like a great career switch. I’ll definitely stop in for a class.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. Hope, Trinity, and I have a session a couple times a week at the clubhouse. You’re always welcomed to join us. Charlotte and Heidi come too when they can.”

“Thank you. I’m not sure when we’ll be moving back but I’ll definitely take you up on that.”

Her mouth twists down. “You think Z will be moving back?” she asks in a voice barely above a whisper.

“I…” Huh. “I always assumed the president job down there was temporary.”

She shrugs. “No one tells me anything. I just figured…you know, Z’s a hard worker. He’s earned it, cleaning up after Sway and all.”

“I guess.” Uncomfortable talking about club politics with her, I shrug. “I’m more than happy to go wherever he goes.”

She rests her hand on my arm for a brief second. “That’s good, Lilly. With everything going on in the club right now, he needs that.”

Again, I can’t help wondering how close she and Z are. Although, I guess if she works with him at Crystal Ball and knows him from the club, they might be friendly. She seems genuine in her concern for him which makes me like her even more. “Thanks.”

The guys have moved on to discussing the benefits of cryotherapy when we return. Ravage shakes his head and wraps his arms around his middle. “Are you fucking insane? If a cold shower shrivels my dick, what the hell would subzero temps for a few minutes do?”

“One of the benefits is increased testosterone,” Murphy says.

“For the sake of our hoo-has.” Hope waves her hands in the air. “None of you need that.” She snuggles up closer to Rock and mutters, “You certainly don’t.”

“What’d we say about that, Mom and Dad?” Murphy jokes.

Rock stretches his leg and presses the sole of his boot into Murphy’s side, pushing him off the stump he was perched on.

Unharmed, and apparently amused, Murphy rolls around in the grass for a few minutes before pulling Heidi down with him.

Z sneaks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Maybe I’ll try that out so I can knock your ass up.”

Seems Z isn’t going to let this one go. “I’m pretty sure your swimmers are just fine.” I pat his arm. “Ease up, caveman.”

“I want to add to our family before he gets much older,” he says, turning us in Chance’s direction.

“He seems content hanging out with Alexa.”

“True.” He turns me so I’m facing him. “You want more kids, right?”

Why is my skin warming up? This conversation shouldn’t be turning me on. “Yes, but let me get settled into this role first.”

“What’s that?”

“Your…ol’ lady.” I pat his cut. “The president’s wife.”

He growls an unhappy noise. “You’ll still be happy being a VP’s wife, I hope.”

I raise up on tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Being your wife will make me happy. No matter what patch you’r

e wearing.”

Even though Teller’s property is far enough away from the main road that we can’t see it, the rumble of what sounds like dozens of motorcycles still reaches us.

“Must be other brothers headed to the clubhouse,” Z says. He lifts his chin at Rock. “Should we head up there?”

“Yeah.”

“Am I allowed to join you?” Mercy asks Charlotte.

Charlotte turns to Teller who shrugs.

“You have to go blindfolded,” Ravage says with such a straight face, it’s impossible to tell if he’s joking.

“I’m up for that.” She bats her lashes.

“Oh boy,” Charlotte mutters.

“How are you still single, Mercy?” Winter asks.

“I’m really not interested.” She yanks her cell phone out of her pocket and taps the screen. “You should see some of the bullshit I get sent on Plenty of Studs,” Mercy says. “Doesn’t give a single girl much incentive to get married.”

“Plenty of Studs?” Hope asks.

Charlotte rolls her eyes. “It’s a dating app for those seeking one-night stands.”

“Why do you know this?” Teller asks.

“From her!” Charlotte pokes Mercy in the side. “She never shuts up about it.” She nuzzles up to him and kisses his cheek. “You’re already too much stud for me.”

“Is there a bucket I can barf in around here?” Carter mutters. “And Mercy, you must’ve passed on my profile because I’ve never seen you on there.”