Page 23 of White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC 7)

  After Krystal gives her a quick explanation, Hope still seems hesitant. “Do it, Hope. Pretty please, it’s my wedding, you have to. You’ll be adorable.”

  “Fine,” she grouches, plopping down on the bench next to me. She squirms and runs her hands over the bench. “All this stone looks pretty, but it’s hard on the ass.”

  “Stop making her laugh, Hope,” Swan complains, sweeping make-up remover over my eyelid and starting over.

  The Victory Rolls turn out perfect, but since Swan still isn’t finished, Krystal decides Hope needs more dramatic lipstick. After throwing me an I’m-only-doing-this-because-it’s-your-wedding-day face, she agrees.

  Since her mouth is occupied, I quiz Hope about the food. If the games were set up for the kids. Who organized a hike down to the waterfall after the ceremony.

  “Trinity, chill,” she says as soon as Krystal’s done. Her tone stops me from spiraling into a full-on freak-out. “This is your day. Relax. I know I’m not the most organized person, but I swear it’s all handled.”

  “I’ll try. Just tell me everyone’s going to be fed. That’s the most important thing at a wedding.”

  An indulgent smile curves her bright red lips. “Grills are going now. Rock went through the checklist with the caterer. No one will go hungry.”

  “The food needs to be good since there’s no alcohol.”

  “Someone needs some liquor,” she grumbles.

  Ignoring that, I ask where everyone’s going after four when we get kicked out of the park.

  “It’s all taken care of,” Hope answers.

  I catch Swan’s mouth turning down in the mirror and decide I don’t care for Hope’s evasive answer. Swan starts poking at me with her makeup brushes again, so I don’t have a chance to question Hope further.

  The longer we take, the more worried I am about Wyatt. He texted me earlier to say everything went fine with Brand. But if I know him, he’s probably tense, and the guys are ragging on him, only annoying him more.

  “Hope.” Krystal’s ready to work on my hair, so it’s a good time to ask. “Will you go check on Wrath for me?”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Because, you’ll calm him down, when the guys are probably trying to piss him off.”

  She snorts then thinks about it. “I think I annoy him more than anyone.”

  “I doubt that. Please?”

  “Okay.” She leans in and gives me one last hug. Swan receives a brief embrace, as well, and then Hope leaves.

  “Are you really worried about Wrath?” Swan asks, dusting the last bit of powder over my cheeks.

  “Trinity, I forgot my light bobby pins, I’ll be right back,” Krystal says, dashing out the door.

  I turn my attention back to Swan. “A little.”

  Swan squats down in front of me and takes my hands in hers. “Can I tell you something without you thinking I’m weird?” Whatever she wants to say must be making her nervous, because her accent is much more noticeable than usual.

  Curious, but unsure, I answer carefully. “It depends.”

  She lowers her head and blows out a breath, ruffling the ends of her hair. “I’m so happy for you. For both of you. I know it took you…a while to get here.” She finally glances up and must interpret the frozen smile on my face as annoyance. “I’m sorry.” She drops my hands and straightens up, grabbing the makeup bag off the counter and stuffing items inside. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad stuff or make you uncomfortable.”

  Reaching out, I touch her arm. “Swan. It’s okay. I’m not mad.”

  “I admire you a lot.”

  I’m not sure what to say to that, so I motion her closer for a hug. “Thank you,” I murmur against her hair.

  She pulls back. “Thank you for having me here and letting me help you out.”

  “I should thank you. You’re probably the first person who pointed out how Wrath felt about me. You know, said it point blank.”

  Her eyes widen and she laughs. “Really? Well, I’m glad.”

  My nose twitches, and I refuse to cry after she spent so much time on my makeup. “So,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows. “Did Dex drive you up today?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Isn’t it Hope’s job to be nosy?”

  “I’m back!” Krystal shouts, bursting into the room. Swan snickers and backs away, giving Krystal room to work.

  Krystal grins as she picks my hair up. “Now, I know you said you wanted something simple, but your hair would look so pretty in this big French side braid that we can pin in the back and then have all these long loose curls that show off all the pretty blues in the ends of your hair. What do you think?

  I catch myself grinning in the mirror. “Go for it.”

  “Oh my Gosh! Look at you.” Hope whistles and wiggles her eyebrows at me as she approaches. Oddly, her reaction lessens some of my annoyance about the stupid suit.

  “Wow, I think Trinity’s going to have trouble getting through the ceremony without jumping you,” she says.

  “Maybe I should go visit her now. She still down at the—”

  She playfully pushes me back. “Don’t you dare. You two have had enough bad luck this week. Besides, she’s having her hair done. Shouldn’t be too much longer.”

  My gaze roams over her again, taking in her purple pin-up dress and colorful make-up. “You look pretty.”

  “Aw. I think that’s the first compliment you’ve ever given me.”

  “Nah. I’ve complimented you lots of times. Just nothing I would say to your face.”

  She snickers and slaps my arm. “Trinity sent me to check on you.”

  “She did?”

  Her shoulders lift. “She was worried you’d be nervous.”

  “Fuck no. I would like to know what her dress looks like, though.”

  “You’ll see soon enough. Now, can I hug you?” she asks as she’s wrapping her arms around me and squeezing.

  “You’re going to mess your cute little wings up,” I say, patting the rolly-curly things she has on the top of her head before hugging her back.

  She backs away. “Ugh, your wife’s friend talked me into this.”

  “No, it’s cute. Like you might fly away at any moment.”

  “Jerk,” she grumbles.

  Rock catches my eye as he sneaks up behind her. She takes a step back and he grabs her around the waist, pulling her against him. “You look like my forties-housewife wet dream,” he says against her neck. She squeals and laughs, while he continues to molest her in broad daylight.

  “Are you two trying to make me throw up before the wedding?”

  Reluctantly, Rock lets her go and throws a glare at me.

  Hope looks him over, then glances at me. “Will you get mad if I want to take a picture of the two of you together?”

  “Of course not,” Rock answers quickly. He’s wrong if he thinks I can’t sit still while Hope snaps a few pictures. After the torture of getting into the suit and wearing it in public, everything else is pretty tame.

  Bricks and Winter approach us next, and Hope waves them into the picture. “Looking good,” he says giving me a hearty handshake. Winter reaches up to kiss my cheek and offer congratulations.

  “When you two gonna start on some babies?” Bricks asks.

  I catch Hope mouth the word “babies” at me and roll her eyes, which lucky for Bricks, lessens my urge to punch him in the throat.

  “I don’t know. Probably the same time you make on honest woman out of this lady,” I answer, wrapping my arm around Winter’s shoulders and smiling. Nervous laughter tumbles out of Winter, but Bricks’s expression says he wants to deck me. I lift my chin at him. “Where’s your brood?”

  He points to the small children’s playground set up near the gazebo. “This was a great spot for the wedding. Family-friendly,” he says, giving me another cheeky wink.

  “Trin wanted everyone comfortable,” I explain.

  “Caleb was smitten with Alexa. You should have seen them earlier,” Winter says to

Hope. Unless there’s an actual baby in front of her, I’ve noticed Hope’s not one for babbling on about kids. She smiles though. “Oh, boy. Murphy will be getting his shotgun ready,” she teases.

  Shrill screams erupt from the direction of the playground. “Oh, shit. Caleb.” Winter takes off to pick her son up out of the sand.

  “Always something,” Bricks says with a smile, taking off after her.

  “Why is everyone obsessed with babies?” I ask Hope.

  She pffts at me. “Welcome to my world.”

  “Yeah, but you’re a chick.”

  “And you’re a good-looking guy in his prime—”

  “Hey—” Rock says.

  Hope ignores him and finishes her thought. “Women’s ovaries start tap-dancing when they see you.”

  “Don’t worry, old man.” I slap Rock’s shoulder. “You’re not too far past your prime.”

  Rock pokes her in the side. “Are yours tap-dancing, too?”

  “Nope.” She leans in and whispers something in his ear that makes him start molesting her again. I tilt my head back and stare at the sky. While I enjoy making fun of them, I also appreciate having them as a distraction.

  Not that I’m nervous.

  Eager.

  Impatient as fuck.

  “Go hurry her up, Hope. I don’t think I can wait much longer.”

  She pretends to huff about all the running back and forth, but she’s smiling as she takes off to grab my wife.

  “You’re antsy,” Rock says after she leaves.

  “Can’t help it. I just don’t want one more thing to delay us, you know?”

  His grin falters. “Brother, I will straight-up murder anyone who gets in your way today.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The power-tripping park ranger’s lucky I didn’t want to stain the new shirt Heidi insisted I wear to the wedding, or I would have gutted the bastard.

  “Rock said you had it covered,” Wrath says when I approach him.

  “The guy was being an asshole. Bikes ride through here all the time.”

  “Thanks for handling it. I don’t want anything upsetting Trinity today.” He doesn’t give me any meaningful look to make his point stick. Doesn’t have to. After our “chat” last week, things clicked in my thick head. Trinity was never mine, and that’s okay. She’s not supposed to be.

  “No problem.” I slip the piece of paper the ranger gave me out of my pocket. “You guys did get fined though.”

  “What?” he snaps, tearing the paper out of my hands. “Four hundred dollars? Fucker.”

  I wave the cane my sister demanded I use today because of all the walking and uneven ground. “I tried using the cripple pity card, but he wasn’t having it. He’s probably going to write another one when we all leave.”

  For a second, murder shines in his eyes, then he shrugs. “Whatever. As long as he doesn’t bother us now. I’ll take care of it later.”

  “I tried paying it, but he wouldn’t take cash on the spot.”

  “Thanks.” He stares at me for a few seconds. “How you doin’ today?”

  I know Wrath well enough to know he’s not asking about the cane in my hand, and he’s definitely not asking how I feel about him marrying the girl I once thought I was in love with. No. He’s asking if I’ve got my head on straight after murdering Ransom last night. “Brother, it’s your wedding day. I don’t want to talk about me.”

  “Magic words there, little brother. My wedding day. So you have to talk about whatever I want to talk about.”

  “Christ, then every day must be your wedding day.”

  “Fuck off. I’m serious.”

  I heave out a breath and force myself to come up with something acceptable to say to Wrath, besides “there’s a block of ice in my chest so big I can’t feel anything else” because that’s how I really feel.

  “Honestly?” I finally answer. “I’m fine. Slept like a baby for the first time in months. No pesky remorse.” Pure truth.

  He snorts and claps me on the shoulder. “Good. Glad to hear it.”

  One thing has bothered me. “Do you think this is finally the end of it with them?”

  “Jersey swore up and down they had nothing to do with him.” He lowers his voice. “No one’s finding that body. I wouldn’t worry about it.” For a second he’s silent, seems to be searching for someone. “We should keep an eye on Loco, though.”

  “Yeah, no shit. That was fucked up.”

  We’re interrupted by Damon, the judge marrying Wrath and Trin today.

  “How do you feel?” he asks Wrath.

  “Good. Want to get started.”

  “That’s a good sign.”

  I tune them out and search the grounds for Trinity. Every one of my club brothers is here. Almost everyone from Sway’s club also came. The guys from Wrath’s gym. Whisper and his ol’ lady. Merlin, the president of the Wolf Knights MC. Stump and Chaser from the Devil Demons MC are also here. Chaser’s wife and son are with him. I recognize Dylan from the gym, and we nod to each other.

  We’re a rowdy, festive bunch. There’s a lot of excitement in the air today. I’m sure lots of people assumed Wrath would never want any of this.

  I glance at him again and have to admit he looks happier than I’ve ever seen him.

  Love for my brother and my club chips away at some of the ice in my chest. I’m happy for him. For both of them.

  “Girls are on their way,” Z says, clapping Wrath on the back. “Ready? Don’t chicken out now.”

  “Fuck, yeah, I’m ready.”

  Wrath’s getting married. The same guy who years ago counseled me on all the reasons marriage was a raw deal and should be avoided.

  I trail behind them over to the patio where the wedding’s taking place.

  Damon’s standing with his back to the view of the surrounding valley and mountains. Everything’s crisp and green and new. Perfect day for a wedding.

  Hope steps into her place up front.

  Rock walks Trinity to the edge of the patio where Wrath meets them. They talk for a few seconds while Rock takes his place across the aisle from his wife.

  Trinity’s stunning. No surprise there. More importantly, she’s a brave woman who risked her life for the club last night.

  Wrath’s really fucking lucky.

  Next to me, Heidi bounces on her toes. “Oh, her dress is so pretty! I love that shade of blue.” She leans over to Murphy. “Do you care if I don’t wear white?”

  He answers my sister with nothing but love in his voice. “Whatever you want.”

  A suffocating grief fists around my throat making it hard to swallow or concentrate on anything being said.

  At Rock and Hope’s wedding, I had Mariella to look out for.

  Now, she’s gone.

  She had been looking forward to Trinity’s wedding. Spent a lot of time with Trin helping her pick things out.

  And she’s not here for any of it.

  My eyes squeeze shut, and for the millionth time I wish I’d never talked her into going for that ride.

  I told Wrath I wasn’t bothered by ending Ransom. And that was true. I just don’t feel like the fucker’s death was enough. It will never be enough.

  Heidi’s holding her daughter, gently rocking her from side to side. Alexa’s not having it. She gurgles and reaches toward me.

  Heidi glances over. I have no idea if she suspects how I felt about Trinity at one time, or how much I miss Mariella, but a soft look crosses her face. “I think she wants her uncle,” she whispers, handing Alexa over. Murphy reaches behind Heidi’s back and gives me a brotherly pat on the shoulder.

  Murphy. My best fucking friend for most of my life. Closest I’ve ever had to a little brother and he’s settling down first.

  With my sister. Still not sure how I feel about that. Most days I’m happy about it. Other days, I’m not. But I guess my opinion doesn’t matter. As Wrath so helpfully pointed out, Heidi’s an adult now. No longer my responsibility.

&nbs

p; It seems like everyone has found something that keeps evading me.

  Alexa yells a bunch of happy noises and wiggles around in my arms. “Shhh,” I whisper to her, and she settles down.

  She fits her little hand over my mouth, and I pretend to bite at her tiny fingers until she squeals, drawing everyone’s attention to us. Alexa gives me the perfect excuse to step away from the wedding.

  To watch it from a distance.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  It’s time.

  Rock’s waiting for me outside.

  “Trinny, you’re beautiful.” If I didn’t know better, I might think Rock was trying not to cry.

  “Is Wrath okay?”

  “He’s fine. Eager to get this done.”

  My lips quirk. We finally made it.

  Rock takes my hands, and I steel myself. “I knew you were special from the moment I met you.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Hey,” he says, forcing me to look up at him. “Yes, it is. If I’d had a sister, you’re everything I’d want her to be.”

  “Please don’t make me cry, Rock.”

  His mouth curves into a gentle smile. “Don’t cry. I’m just really, really happy he has you. Thank you for putting up with him.”

  “Dammit.” I sniffle and swipe at my eyes at the same time Krystal walks out.

  She chuckles and dabs my tears away. “Good to go, hon.”

  Rock steps back and holds out his arm for me.

  There’s no music. Just the wind blowing through tall evergreens.

  It’s perfect.

  Wyatt meets me at the end of the aisle.

  No matter how many times everyone said I look beautiful, I don’t truly feel beautiful until I’m standing before Wyatt and he takes me in with widening eyes.

  “I…beautiful isn’t enough,” he murmurs.

  His words, more than anyone else’s, warm me from the inside. I’m calm as he takes my hand, and I finally take all of him in.

  “Oh my…” I’m so stunned I can’t finish. Wrath swore up and down no suit. No tux.

  Yet, here he is. In a suit.

  “Wyatt.” My voice comes out all breathy, but he hears me and grins.