“Now it’s time to really celebrate. Go, enjoy this time with your club, with your girl,” Finley states.
I dip my head to her, then she walks off, and I turn pulling Prinie to me, wrapping myself around her. “He’s coming home, baby.”
Prinie sniffles as she pulls back, her eyes sparkling with so much light. “Thank you… for everything you’ve done… for me, for him. I just hope he understands us when he finally comes home.”
“If he doesn’t, we’ll make him. I promise. He has no choice… I’m not going anywhere.”
Prinie leans in kissing me quickly as Fox whistles around the room. “I’m putting a slab of ribs and some brisket in the smoker, Bub’s getting the sides ready, and we’re gonna celebrate. You good with that, Wraith?”
“Fuck, yeah! Celebrate tonight ‘cause the rightful pres is coming home. And it can’t be soon enough for us all.”
PRINIE
Two Weeks Later
The preliminary hearing went exactly as we thought it would. I can’t believe how fucking happy I am right now as we stand out the front of the courthouse waiting for Zero to come out a free man. My foot taps impatiently as the rest of us stand around as anxiously as I am.
Finley was amazing in the courtroom hearing.
I’m glad she’s a part of our team.
But for now, I just want to hug my brother. It’s been so fucking long since I’ve even seen Zero.
The doors to the courthouse swing open, and Finley and Zero walk out. He’s wearing black slacks, a button-down white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It almost makes me laugh seeing him dressed up as Cherry and I take off racing toward him. I want to run into his arms, but I know I’m second on his list, and I’ll need to wait.
Cherry slams into him, he lifts her, twirling her around, their lips locking in a tight embrace. I cringe a little seeing my best friend and brother kissing so frantically in public. I look back at Wraith, and he’s chuckling.
Zero finally lowers Cherry, whispering something to her that makes her blush.
I cringe again, but then he turns to me. His eyes narrowing in on the sutures on my neck and his excited expression changes. “What the fuck? Prinie?” His head snaps to Wraith for an explanation as his finger gently runs along the edge of my wound. “Long story… involves your cellmate.”
His eyes widen, and he lets out a long breath like he’s relieved this wasn’t done at Wraith’s hand. Zero always jumps to conclusions. Opening his arms, I race into them. “I missed you, brat.”
“Missed you so much, ogre.”
“It’s good to be free. I hope you’ve been taking care of my clubhouse, Wraith?” Zero calls out as we walk back to the group.
“We’ve had a few hiccups along the way, but nothing we couldn’t fix… together,” Wraith answers.
“Glad to hear it. Now, let’s get me home. I need some booze, some brisket, and a real fucking bed.”
I’m not so sure we should tell Zero now.
He’s in a good mood.
Wraith subtly shakes his head at me, and I take it that he’s on board with that.
Wraith will know when the time’s right to tell Zero about us.
I need to bide my time.
“Let’s get you home.”
As we walk into the clubhouse, Zero’s eyes widen in surprise. Streamers line the ceiling with balloons dangling from them. A welcome home banner runs along the back wall, and we’re all in for a real big-ass party tonight.
“Welcome home, pres!” the club girls all call out in unison as they explode party poppers on our arrival.
Mack lifts his sleeping head from his bed by the bar with a huff, then promptly goes back to sleep.
All that dog does is sleep.
Zero walks in and gives everyone a back-slapping hug. It’s so great to see him back in his own element and environment. He’s still favoring his side, though, the side where he was stabbed by Damir. He needs to rest and recover.
Wraith walks over with Cherry, and they stand in the middle of the room. “It’s so damn good to have you back, pres.”
“It’s so fucking good to be back. I didn’t realize how bad I missed this place until I walked through those damn doors. This place means so much to me. It’s great to be back with family again.”
Cherry moves forward with Zero’s cut in hand, smiling so wide her cheeks must hurt. My chest squeezes at how Zero’s face lights when he sees it. “You should never have had to take this off, pres.” She slides it over his arms, and he hoists it over his shoulders.
“Damn, that feels good.” He turns to Wraith gripping his shoulder. “We have a lot to talk about, but I want to thank you for stepping up while I was gone. You did good.”
Wraith tilts his head toward me.
I widen my eyes but stride up to them.
“There’s something you need to know,” Wraith adds.
My breath catches as Zero narrows his eyes on Wraith. “Okay… spill.”
Wraith reaches out, grabbing my hand while my heart thuds, then stops for a beat as the room falls silent.
Zero stares at our joined hands, and a scowl ignites over his features almost immediately. Then his face turns a bright shade of red, the vein in his neck pulsing in obvious anger. He takes a step forward, getting right into Wraith’s face.
Cherry pulls back on Zero’s arm to no avail, as I cling onto Wraith, who isn’t making any motions of rebuttal.
“What the fuck kind of game are you playing at?”
“This isn’t a game, Zero. I love her. I know I’m not the perfect guy for your sister, but I’m working on it.”
Zero brings his hands up,
