Reckless Truths (Lost Kings MC)

I keep my expression blank.

Merlin blows out a breath. “Suppose it can’t get any worse.” He fixes his eyes on Charlotte’s face. “I kept my promise.”

“You did.” She gives him a tight nod. “Thank you.”

“Would you hate it if I said I’m thinking of sticking around? And that I’d like to see you and Carter more often?”

“Why?” She tilts her head, studying him. “Another MC sees value in Carter, and you need to figure out why?”

Ouch.Pride flows through me. My woman’s shrewd and not afraid to speak her mind.

Merlin blinks as if he hadn’t even realized that was the reason until Charlotte said it. “No. I’ve had a lot of time to think out on the road.”

Bullshit. I hadn’t bothered to tell Charlotte the shitty way Merlin had talked about Carter when he sat at the table with us. Don’t need to. She knows who her uncle is. Whatever epiphany he claims he had while he was out on the road is pure fabrication.

“I’d like to be closer to family.” His gaze shifts to me. “Your club going to let me settle down in Slater?”

Sure, make me look like a controlling asshole trying to keep him away from his niece. “Depends.”

“I’ll still be a nomad as far as my club’s concerned but that’ll be my home base. Nothing more.”

I shrug, not willing to commit until I’ve talked to my club.

Wrath slaps Merlin’s shoulder. “We’ll find you a room if you want to stay here tonight. We have a new clubhouse down in Empire but it’s a long ride after the night we’ve had.”

Merlin glances at the clubhouse. “Yeah, I’d appreciate that.”

“Good.” Wrath steers him away from us. “I’ll go over the rules of the house with you.”

Charlotte bites her lip as Wrath leads her uncle away. “Oh, Chuck’s going to love that,” she whispers.

“You think he was sincere?” I ask.

“Too soon to tell.” She shrugs. “He’s acted remorseful before. I’m sure right now he believes what he’s saying, but Chuck will always look out for Chuck first.”

“Smartest woman I know.” I curl my arm around her shoulders and try not to lean on her too hard. “Let’s see what’s happening inside.”

“Tell me whoever did this to you is in worse shape?” she asks, steering us toward the front door.

“Last I saw, he had a bullet between his eyes, so yeah.”

I swear she mutters good under her breath.

The front steps send a fresh wave of pain rolling from armpit to ankle. Charlotte turns her head. “Should we go in through the kitchen? Fewer steps.”

“No. We’re almost there. I’m fine.”

She holds the front door open and I hobble inside without further pain. Trinity stops us by the bar.

“Carter’s down in the champagne room with the doctor.” The corner of her mouth twitches. “Bianca’s with him. I helped Swan find a place for June. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Trinity might as well be nominated SAA of the old ladies. Nothing gets by her when it comes to the club’s safety. “Thanks.”

She squints at me. “You all right?”

“I’ll live.”

She squeezes my shoulder quickly, then hugs Charlotte before hurrying down the hallway.