“Thanks,” Scribbles mumbles. Poor kid hates having attention on him.
“All right. I think we’re done,” Rock says. “Thanks, everyone.”
The chatter increases as everyone breaks into smaller groups to catch up with each other.
I walk over to Rock and Hope’s end of the table. “Why so quiet, Cinderella?”
She shrugs. “I think you covered all of it.”
“Are yousuuuure?” I ask, drawing out the question. “I’m surprised you didn’t suggest better locks for the bedrooms at the new clubhouse.”
She glares at me.
Rock kicks my leg.
“All right. Stop causing trouble.” Trinity slides up next to me and takes my hand. “Time to go home.”
“So soon, Angel Face?”
“Yes, Wrecking Ball.”
“Before I wreckyou,” Rock warns.
Trinity and I circle the room, saying goodbye to everyone before leaving.
“Think you’ll be an angel for me again next year?” I ask Trinity. “You kept that red suit, right?”
“Of course I did.” She curls her arms around my forearm and snuggles up to my side. “I don’t have to wait for Halloween to wear it again, though.”
“How about now?”
“I could be convinced.”
Together, we step out of the clubhouse and into the chilly November night and head toward home.
EXCERPT FROM RUST OR RIDE (LOST KINGS MC #22)
Chapter One
Dex
First rule of life: Never let anyone get the jump on you.
Especially in a cemetery.
I take another look around. Rows and rows of headstones. Not another person in sight.
Above me, a crow circles and lets out a mournful caw.
“Me too, buddy,” I whisper, and I sink to my knees on the hard, frosty ground.
Cool air drifts over my face—another cruel reminder of all the things we’ve missed. Fall, then the holidays, riding down to Florida. So many things.
Cold, damp earth soaks through my jeans, chilling my knees and shins. The familiar itch to outrun bad memories tingles in my hands—the urge to twist the throttle, ride the wind, and remind myself thatI’mstill alive.
After this visit, it’s time to hit the road. Concentrating on the pavement ahead always eases the pain of my past. Quiets the noise in my head. Never quite fills the hole in my heart, though.
“Dex?” A soft voice breaks the silence.