Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC 14)

“Tawny says I can come home to recover, but I’d still like to…”

“Sway, it’s your clubhouse. You come and go as you want.”

He sorts of grunts in agreement.

“You need me to pick you up or do anything?”

“Nah, Tawny and the kids are taking care of everything. Stella’s…helping out.”

That should be interesting. Christ, I hope he doesn’t land up back in the hospital with another gunshot wound.

I let Rock know the good news, then decide I better call our national president and keep him in the loop. Maybe he’ll decide to send me home.

“That’s great news.” He hesitates and there’s shuffling in the background. “How’s your new VP working out?”

“Good.”

He’s silent, waiting for details I’m not about to give him over the phone. “Rooster’s a good fit for the job. Things are already running smoother with him as VP.”

“Good, good.”

“We’re actually having a party next weekend. I’d be honored if you want to attend.” Man, my suck-up skills have really improved, haven’t they? “My girlfriend and I tied the knot and Sway’s coming home. Seemed like a good time for upstate and downstate to come together and celebrate.”

“That’s what I want to hear, Z.” More shuffling. “You know what, I think Valentina and I will come. Not sure Blink can make it, but I’ll get a few brothers and we’ll ride up.”

Big improvement over the last trip Priest made up here when he brought his enforcer. “The weather’s been great, Prez. Should be a good ride.”

It’s going to be a hard ride if they don’t leave soon, but I leave that up to Priest. Our door’s always open to him.

Lilly

“I cannot believe you two got married without telling me.” Hope’s still fuming mad about our surprise nuptials.

I give her a helpless shrug. “We were in all the way in California, Hope.”

“I would’ve flown across the country to be there for you and Z.”

I know she means every word and love her for it. “That’s sweet, but he sprung it on me. I didn’t even know until we got to the clerk’s office what he had planned.”

Finally, she brightens up. “That sounds like my Z.” She waves her hands at the row of dresses in front of me. “Okay, I forgive you. Now what are you going to wear for the reception?”

“What reception?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “You got married without the club there. Don’t think you’ll evade a party to celebrate your union.” She tilts her head toward Trinity. “She’s planning it right now, I guarantee it.”

“What’s that?” Trin asks without looking up from her phone.

“Nothing,” I shout.

Birch and Stitch have been tasked with following us around today. I don’t even question it anymore. I’m thankful for their ever-watchful presence.

“This,” Hope announces, pulling out a short, black leather dress, “is perfect.”

“For a wedding reception?”

“In your husband’s MC clubhouse,” Hope adds.

“You have a point.” I spot a similar one in bright, hunter green farther down the rack. “Only if you try that one on too.”

“Uh, I haven’t exactly gotten my pre-baby body back yet like you have.”

I snort. “Trust me.” I run my hands over my sides. “It’s never coming back, Hope. Still gotta show off those hips and boobs. You worked hard for them.” I give her a tap on the ass to motivate her and she yelps. “Some good ol’ Spanx will take care of the rest.”

Trinity’s gasping for air she’s laughing so hard. “I already have a dress picked out, so don’t ask me to join your leather gang.”

Hope wiggles a dress hanger at her. “Are you sure? They have one in red.”

“No red dresses. With my hair, I’ll look like fourth of July Barbie.” Trinity tugs at her long blonde-and-blue ponytail. “No way.”

“Wrath might like that.” Hope pulls out another dress in blue and waves it at Trinity.

Trinity swipes it out of her hands. “What are we? Sorority sisters now?”

Hope pouts at her.

“Fine. I’ll try it on, but you can help me squeeze my ass into it. You know what a pain leather is to get on?”

“Fine, fine.” Hope pushes Trinity out of the way to get to another dress.

“Lilly,” Hope calls. “Look at this one.”

She pulls out a black leather corset style dress, similar to the one in my hands. Except the leather skirt extends past knee length, then ends in a black lace trumpet hem.

“Leather and lace mermaid dress. It’s perfect!” Hope says, jiggling the hanger in my direction.

“It’s kind of…dramatic. You don’t think it’s overkill for a clubhouse party?”

“You’re the president’s wife. You’re supposed to stand out.” She bites her lip and says in a lower voice, “Although, I’ve heard Tawny’s back. Be careful when she finally shows up.”

“So, don’t get the dress?”

“Oh no, definitely get the dress.” She turns me and pushes me toward the dressing rooms. I reach out and snag the green dress from where she left it.

“Don’t forget this!”

She groans, but follows.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Z

The kids are next door with Carter for the night. All of us are supposed to be at the clubhouse to welcome Priest and his crew when he arrives later tonight. Tomorrow Sway comes home and we’ll have to do it all over again.

“Wait, you didn’t say your national president is coming,” Lilly says after I remind her we need to get moving. “Now I’m nervous. What the heck should I wear?”

“Whatever you want. You’re always sexy as fuck.”

“Is sexy okay or will he think—”

“Lilly, you’re always beautiful.” My gaze roams over her. “Wear one of those hot fucking dresses of yours.”

“Well, I did buy this one when I was out with Hope…it’s a little over-the-top.”

“Wear it.”

Rock and everyone else are already at the clubhouse.

It’s still early afternoon, so Lilly ends up taking the dress with her to “squeeze into” as she puts it, later. I can’t wait to see her.

Hope and Trinity are waiting out front with Rock and Wrath.

“The place looks great, Z,” Trinity says. She leans up and gives me a quick hug. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Trin.”

“I can’t believe I had to rag on you for years to do our driveway, and you’ve fixed up this dump in a couple months?” Wrath says.

I hug his big mountain man ass and give him an extra hard thump on the back. “I did it just to annoy you, big guy.”

“Looks good,” Rock says, pulling me in for a hug.

“I didn’t actually do it. I gave them ideas and they carried it out while we were in California.”

“Getting married without telling us,” Hope mutters.

“Not letting that go, are you, First Lady?” I joke.

“Not yet.” Her mouth twitches like she’s hanging onto a secret.

“Walk us around to see the patio,” Rock says.

“Uh, all right.”

“I’m going to go set my dress in the room—” Lilly starts to say.

“We can go in the side entrance,” Trinity says.

The girls disappear around the corner.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Nothing.” Rock shrugs. “Just checking everything out.”

Finally, we go inside.

I’m not sure what they’re up to, but all of my brothers from upstate are gathered with their women in the main area of the clubhouse by the bar. My downstate brothers are also here, some with their old ladies.

I approach Teller and Murphy at the bar first. “Why is everyone here so early?”

Teller turns and sets his drink down. “Waiting for you.”

> “Why?”

He holds up one finger. “Give it a minute.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Lilly

“Hope, what are you doing?”

“Please, humor me.”

Trinity finishes the last of the long, deep waves she ironed into my hair and clicks a jeweled barrette into place.

I stand to fix my dress. “It’s kind of early, I wasn’t planning to wear this until later tonight.”

“Well,” Trinity says, standing back to look at me. “You should move around in it and make sure you’re comfortable. Long night ahead, you know?”

She and Hope share a quick look. “We all should. New dresses and all,” Hope says as if that explains why she and Trinity are also wearing the dresses we picked out the other day.

“Uh, I guess. Mine’s so long, though. I don’t want to get it dirty.” I glance down at the delicate black lace skirt. “Or rip it.”