Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC 14)

Alex flicks his hand toward the house. “I thought he was bringing you down here to be his, I don’t know what they call it, citizen wife? While he has other girls at the club.”

“I spend plenty of time with him at the clubhouse.”

His jaw locks as I’m sure he’s imagining what those parties are like, and since he’s probably not too far off the mark, I don’t bother defending myself. I’m a grown ass woman who goes where she damn well pleases.

“I don’t want you dragged into his crime stuff. I don’t want you and Chance ever hurt by whatever he’s into.” He pauses and glances away. “But the fact that he doesn’t want you to visit, honestly makes me dislike him a little less. He’s worried about what’s best for you.”

“More than you know.”

He jerks his head at the closed front door. “And I’m glad he’s tight enough with his friends that they’d help you out instead of shunning you.”

“Rock and Z are truly like brothers.”

“I don’t like it, Lilly. I don’t want this for you. But you love this guy?”

My throat’s too tight to answer, so I nod.

“You promise he treats you well?”

“Yes.”

He shrugs. “It’s your life. Is Chance okay?”

“He misses Z, but otherwise, yes. He’s totally enamored with baby Grace, so having them here has been a good distraction.”

“Well, that’s good, I guess.” He stares at the door again.

“Come on in. I just wanted to explain it to you so you didn’t say anything—”

“That might get my ass kicked?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Great,” he mutters. “I’ll behave.”

“And for god’s sake, do not hit on Hope.”

“One time, Lilly. One time,” he mumbles, following me inside.

“Aleth!” Chance yells, running toward the door.

“Hey, little man!” Alex sweeps him up in his arms and peppers his little cheeks with kisses. “Missed you.”

Chance babbles on about the pool and the dogs and Grace and so much stuff Alex can barely keep up. Chance squirms to be set down and drags his uncle into the living room first to show him the race track.

Rock stands and gives Alex the sort of once-over any sane man would have nightmares about, but my brother endures it with his mouth shut. They finally shake hands and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Hi, Alex,” Hope says, sitting forward but not getting up.

“Good to see you again, Hope.” He gives her a clipped wave. “Thank you for staying and helping my sister out.”

Alexa peeks out from behind Hope’s side and says a soft ‘hi’ to Alex.

Chance leans on Hope’s legs and stares up at her with affection. “Can I say hi to baby?”

“In a bit. She should wake up from her nap soon.”

His little face falls, but he nods. “Otay.”

Rock’s phone goes off and he tilts his head my way, silently asking if everything is all right. I nod and he leaves the room to take the call.

“Do you want something to drink, Alex?” Hope stands and motions toward the kitchen.

“I’ll get it, Hope.”

She waves my offer away and yeah, I guess she might not want to be alone with my brother.

“This is something else,” Alex says, nodding to the racetrack and cars.

“Teller helped him set it up one afternoon. They went a little overboard.”

“Another friend?”

“Heidi’s older brother.” I can’t remember if he’s ever met Heidi or not. “Alexa’s uncle.”

“Lexa and I go swimming,” Chance announces.

Once Chance is involved with the cars, Alex glances up at me. “So, you’re just hanging out here…waiting?”

“Pretty much. We’re safe here. If we need anything, someone from the club brings it. Or one of the guys takes us out to get it.”

“And how long is this going to go on?”

I shrug. “It’s only been a couple days, Alex.”

“Until we’re sure she’s safe or Z’s home,” Rock answers, returning to the living room.

Hope curls her arm around his and sets a glass of water on the coffee table for Alex. With a visible tug, Hope drags Rock down on the couch next to her.

“Is my sister in danger?” Alex asks.

Shut your mouth, Alex.

“No,” Rock answers smoothly. “But if the situation were reversed,” he squeezes Hope’s hand, “Z would make sure my wife was taken care of. I’m just doing the same.”

“So, my sister isn’t a hostage of your club then?” Alex challenges.

“Alex!” I snap.

Rock’s mouth curls into a slow smirk that suggests if the two men were alone, Alex would already have a broken bone or two. “Does she look like a hostage?”

Unaware of the tension in the room, Chance glances up at Alex and hands him a truck. “Race me.”

Alex smiles down at him. “Sure.”

I mouth, “I’m sorry” to Rock, but he shakes his head and gives me a not-your-fault-your-brother-is-an-asshole smile that almost makes me laugh.

Almost.

Chapter Ten

Z

“O’Callaghan, let’s go!” The guard squints in at us and sneers. “Sorry to break up the happy couple.”

Murphy groans and gives me a hug. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“Don’t be. I want you out, brother. It’s all good.”

He pulls away and nods. “You’ll be out soon, too.”

I force a smile so he doesn’t feel even worse about leaving me behind. “Take your girls somewhere nice for a few days.”

He shakes his head. “When you get out. All six of us can go.”

“Behave yourself,” I warn him.

Instead of laughing, he nods and moves toward the door. He still gets handcuffed before the guard lets him out of his cell. We watch each other until he disappears behind the big steel door leading to freedom.

Not going to lie, while I want Murphy out of here, I’m definitely going to be bored now.

I stretch out on my cot and stare at the bunk above me. Even though the noise never stops, at some point, I must drift off.

A jarring bang on the cell door startles me out of sleep.

“Got you a new boyfriend, Frazier.” The guard grins as he shoves a tall, scrawny tweaker into my cell.

Just what

I need. I sit up, putting my back to the wall and nod at the newcomer.

I don’t want to start trouble with anyone. No reason to. This case is bullshit and I want to get out of here as soon as possible, not have additional charges added because I injured or killed someone. Even if it’s in self-defense, no one will care.

I’ll watch my back until I figure out if this guy is a threat.

One thing in my favor—I’m president of the Lost Kings MC’s downstate charter. Every criminal in here knows who we are. Hopefully none of them want to make a name for themselves by fucking with me. If they do, it’ll end badly for them. Surviving in here is a mixture of giving off a menacing vibe and a willingness to do what you have to do to survive. Without Murphy to watch my back, I’m prepared for both.

The guy looks me up and down, strutting over with a hint of arrogance. His arms are covered in a blend of artwork and shitty prison tattoos, so this isn’t his first time inside. His squinty eyes and smirk already annoy me, but I lock down any irritation. If he wants to fight, he’ll have to make the first move.

“How’s it going, brother?” he asks, stopping in front of me.

“Fine. And we ain’t bros.” Fucking hate anyone outside my club casually calling me brother.

“It’s like that?”

“It’s like nothing. I’m not interested in a fight or a friend.”

He looks around at our empty cell. “Seems to me you could use a friend.”

I glare at him and he backs off. “I’m Husky. From Union city.”

Unimpressed, I answer, hoping he’ll go away. “Congratulations. I’m Z, president of the Lost Kings MC Downstate.”

Like I waved a magic wand in front of his sweaty face, his whole attitude changes. He relaxes his posture and drops the smirk. “Aw man, heard what happened to Sway. Used to hang with some of your bros back in the day.”

“That’s nice.” Given that I’ve been around since “back in the day” and don’t recognize this peckerwood, I’m not inclined to get all social with him just because he claims to know my club.

“This your first time inside?” he asks.

“No, but it’s my first time inside here.”

“Right. Right. This is nothing. Union Correctional is fucking Thunderdome, though.”