Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“Wait, aren’t you an enforcer’s old lady too? Is that what you do now?”
“Me?” Her musical laughter tinkles over the phone. “Hell no. Trinity’s been with the club for a long, long time, that’s all. She’s protective of the brotherhood. Once she’s confident you’ll be good for the club, she’ll be your biggest supporter.”
“Huh. Okay.” Beware of pretty blondes trying to extract information from me.
“Hope’s really sweet,” she continues. “She comes off as laid-back but she’s perceptive. She used to be a lawyer.”
“That’s the president’s wife?”
“Yup. And you know Charlotte from her wedding.”
“I barely spoke to her.” I was so nervous I barely remember anything from that beautiful day.
“She’s nice. You know Lilly from planning my baby shower. If Z’s there this weekend, she’ll probably be there too.”
“I like her.” She’d had a lot of ideas for Serena’s baby shower. Saying we planned it together is probably a stretch. Lilly did most of the work.
“Heidi’s the VP’s wife,” Serena says in a more serious tone. “And the treasurer’s sister.”
“Let me guess, she’s also protective of the club and will probably grill me?”
“Not grill you. But she’ll definitely size you up and report back to Murphy.” Serena chuckles like this is all normal.
“Do you swear I’m not being lured into a cult?”
“Do you like Dex?” she asks, ignoring my question.
Oh my God, it really is a cult and she’s trying to break it to me gently.
“I do. A lot,” I answer seriously. “Maybe more than like him.”
She squees into the phone.
“Yikes. Settle down.” Why’d I have to admit that to her? “My ears are bleeding now.”
“Sorry. Look, Emily, these guys are Lost Kings for life. If you love Dex, you’ll have to learn to love the club too. They’re a package deal.”
“Um, I’m not like permanently bound to this cult just because I visit their super-secret clubhouse, am I?”
She doesn’t laugh at my weak joke. “No, Emily.”
“What should I wear?” I ask, wanting to move far the hell away from the love and cults topic.
“Well, if you’re riding with Dex, wear whatever he suggests. Some of the girls bring another outfit to change into when they get to the clubhouse. Wear something nice. But not too revealing. You want to make Dex proud but not feel like he has to gouge out his brothers’ eyeballs if they stare at your cleavage for too long.”
What have I gotten myself into?
“You realize I’m offended on several levels here, right?” I ask.
“They’re not the most…modern thinkers.” She sighs. “But the men are deeply respectful and protective of the women they care about.”
I’ve definitely gotten that vibe from Dex. “Well, I do usually say some of the most dangerous men are the ones who loudly proclaim to be feminists.”
She bursts into giggles. “Yeah, none of those guys are going to tell you that.”
“All right. Wish me luck.”
“I’ll check in with you over the weekend.”
“Thanks. And let me know when you’re ready for me to come down and spend time with you and the baby. Libby really wants to meet him too.”
“Aww, thank you.” Her voice falters. “It’s a lot. I’m still figuring it all out. But I’ll have you guys come down soon. Promise.”
Should I be more insistent? I’ve been so wrapped up in my blossoming relationship, I don’t feel like I’ve been paying enough attention to other important areas of my life.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Emily
My conversation with Serena didn’t exactly settle my nerves about this trip.
Friday morning, I help Libby pack a bag for her sleepover. Then I pack my own bag.
“Where are you going?” she asks, standing in my bedroom doorway.
“Dex wants me to visit his MC’s clubhouse. Uh, introduce me to his friends.”
Her eyes widen with interest. “Are you going to be hanging out with Shelby Morgan?” Her voice lowers to an awed whisper.
Libby was still awestruck from meeting one of her favorite singers at Serena’s baby shower.
“Uh, I’m not sure if she’ll be there. Serena mentioned she’s been back and forth from Tennessee while recording her album or something.”
Her face screws into a pout.
“Libby,” I say as gently as possible. “I’m kind of nervous about this. The club is…family to Dex.”
“But you’ve met a lot of them before.”
“This is different.” I aim my big sister stare at her. “You have a big weekend of set-building and chilling with your friends, don’t you?”
“Ugh, no one says ‘chillin’ anymore, Em.” She snorts in disgust and walks away.
“Well, I still say it,” I mutter, listening to her clomp down the stairs.
When I find her in the kitchen a few minutes later, she seems more cheerful. “I forgot to tell you I got an eighty-eight on my math quiz yesterday.”
“That’s great! So, the study sessions with Troy are helping.” I’d been wondering if they were working or flirting but couldn’t think of a way to ask that wouldn’t tick off Libby.