Page 177 of Claimed By a King

He laughs. “But let me guess, you’re not going to?”

I grin. “I will when you walk back through the clubhouse door.”

Both he and Cara burst into laughter, but he doesn’t look away from me. And I feel like a mutual understanding of respect and duty passes between us. Or maybe that’s just me.

“Were you even going to say goodbye?” Gray asks as he joins us, slapping Rocco’s shoulder.

“Honestly,” Cara says. “No. You know I hate goodbyes. And it’s not forever. We’ll be back one day.”

Gray nods and mumbles something that sounds like him, almost wishing he didn’t know.

Since the cat’s out of the bag now, everyone at the table says their goodbye, and expresses sadness that not all the Kings are here. But in the end, that’s life, isn’t it? Not everything gets wrapped up in a happy ending with a pretty bow on top.

When it’s time, Gray’s the one who pushes Rocco’s wheelchair out, taking him to the back entrance where Dante and Baz are waiting.

Cara and I trail behind. I’m so caught up in wondering if I should ask her about this and that, but in the end I don’t ask a single question about the club or the life as a Mama. I just walk next to her, trying to feel like this isn’t the end of an era.

“You and Rocco,” I say. It might not be my business, but I’m dying to know what’s going on there.

“I’m his wife,” she says, simply, deciphering where I was going with those three words. “And he’s my husband. Until death do us part, Zoe. Since death hasn’t come for either of us yet, those vows remain.”

“Good for you,” I say, meaning it. “I’d hate to think about what it would mean for all of us if we had to pick a side.”

Cara laughs. “Not likely. I knew what it might cost me when I went behind Rocco’s back and set you free. I could have talked to him, but I didn’t. So it was me who sealed my fate.” She looks almost wistful for a moment. “Not that I regret it. Setting you free was the right thing to do. But in hindsight, I should have demanded he did it instead of making it a club matter. Keep that in mind if Gray ever does something similar.”

I can’t contain my snort at the idea. “If something similar ever happens, I’ll interfere long before it gets that drastic.”

It’s not a dig at Cara as much as it’s a promise to myself. Not that I can ever imagine a similar situation arising. But if it does, I won’t sit by and twiddle my thumbs while the Kings torment an innocent woman.

Cara pulls me in for a hug that I immediately return. “Take good care of yourself, Mama Z.”

“You too, Mama C,” I say, loving the sound of it even if it isn’t her title anymore.

“And for God’s sake, send us fucking postcards,” Cain says from behind us. His voice startles me since I hadn’t noticed him following.

Rocco chuckles. “I’ll personally send you one that says ‘I’m glad you aren’t here.’”

Those are the last words said before Dante and Baz help Rocco into the waiting SUV. Cara climbs into the back withher husband while the other two take the front. The windows are dark, so I don’t know if they’re waving, but I am.

Gray pulls me to his side, and we remain outside like that until the car disappears, nothing more than a black speck in the distance. Then we slowly make our way back inside.

As soon as we’re back in the bar area, Titch’s groan floats through the air. “Not this again.”

Rose giggles. “Why not?”

He rolls his eyes. “Fuck. You’re like the annoying little sister I’m happy I never had.”

“That you know of,” Cilla chirps, which earns her a playful glare from Titch.

I’m glad the mood has changed and that the Kings and Cunts are no longer at each other’s throats. It’s… wait…

Coming to a crashing halt, I snap my head in Titch’s direction. “What did you just say?” I ask, anxiety unfurling in my stomach. “Repeat it.”

“Princess?”

Ignoring Gray’s question and probing eyes, I wait for Titch to answer me.

“Umm, I said that Rose was like the annoying little sister I never wanted. Why?”

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