30. King

Chapter 30

King

One Week Later

I walk into the chapel, feeling completely out of place. It has been a week since we left North Carolina. I came back home to an empty house and my divorce finalized. How she managed to get a divorce through in three business days, I don't know. Turns out, I just had to sign the agreement she served with the divorce petition, send it back and they attached that to a decree and had the judge sign it. It doesn't take that much time, I guess, when a respected nurse in the community wants to kick a worthless biker to the curb and marry one of the boys in blue.

I'm only a little bitter.

I was actually glad to come to Kentucky for Rock's funeral. I don't like the reason we're here, but I'd definitely rather be here than in Virginia. It has become so hard being there that although I told Ford I was going to stay for the month to help him get caught up on shit, I'm traveling back to North Carolina from here. I'm not saying the woman has run me out of town, but the memories are definitely hard to take.

I look over at T and Lyla. T is a mess. Apparently, he and Diego were kind of tight at one time. I slap him on the back. "You look almost as uncomfortable as I feel here, T."

"Not quite. You look like you're afraid you're going to b-b-burst into flames," he responds, making me smile.

"He just might," Ford mutters. "Of course, I might beat him to the punch."

"Daddy," Lyla laughs.

"Don't you Daddy me. Where's my grandbaby?"

"Dragon," she says, pointing over to Dragon, who is currently holding little Tamsin in his arms and feeding her a bottle.

"Damn it, you let the big oaf feed her? She's going to forget all about her Papaw Ford like that. You know feeding her is my thing!" Ford whines and makes a beeline for Dragon.

"He's so pitiful. The first time Tamsin asks to stay all night with Dragon and Nicole, we'll have to lock him up until she gets back home."

"Maybe by then we'll have an-nother to occupy your d-dad," Thomas says with a grin.

"Um … let's get Tamsin old enough to potty train and then come at me with that suggestion, big boy," Lyla laughs. T bends down and kisses her briefly on the lips.

I used to love to watch how happy T and Lyla were. These days, it's just too painful. I clear my throat. I see Grunt and Jazz are here. "Who are they talking to?"

"That's Chains and?—"

He doesn't finish because the girl in question takes off running when she spots T. She's a beautiful woman, but I know immediately that she's Kayden—Dragon's daughter. My gut burns. I'm not sure how she's going to react to me. Chances are she's never heard of me. I find myself hoping that's the case.

"T, we just got back yesterday. I can't believe this."

"I kn-know, Kay-Kay," T holds her close.

"How are Carlos and Gabby holding up?" she asks.

"We just got here, so I don't know."

"I'll go check on them in a minute. Lyla, it's so good to see you, although the circumstances suck."

"That they do. Did you enjoy your vacation?"

"Immensely. I hated to come back, but I figured if we didn't, Chains would have me knocked up with baby number two."

"You say that like I haven't already."

"You don't know that you did."

"Babe, we both know I have. Your eggs can't resist my super sperm." The guy is huge, covered in ink and carrying a little boy who might be tiny, but I swear he looks just like Dragon. Damn, are the motherfucker's genes that strong? I already see too much of him when I look in the mirror. Apparently, I'm going to be around a bunch of people who look like him.

"I refuse to talk to you about this here. You're going to get us kicked out of the church."

"Bullshit. Sex is a gift given to us from above."

"I don't remember reading that in the Bible," she mutters.

"Take my word for it. Sex with you is so good, it has to be sent straight from heaven."

Kayden rolls her eyes but does it while grinning. I'm afraid to move when she turns her attention to me. "You're King," she breathes like she just discovered gold.

"Uh, yeah."

"You're King."

My forehead furls in confusion. I have no idea what I'm supposed to say to that.

"Kay-Kay?—"

Before Thomas can finish—or I can run away—Kayden wraps her arms around me and hugs me so tight I'm wondering if she's going to break my ribs.

"Babe, let him breathe," her husband says. I'm in complete agreement.

"Chains, this is my brother!" she exclaims and fuck me, it sounds like she's proud of that fact. She doesn't even know me. What the hell am I supposed to do here? She pulls back to look at me. "Oh my God, you look just like our dad."

Our dad. I'm definitely not ready for this.

"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" Dom asks, and I've never been so glad to see the motherfucker. I look at him and I'm sure my face resembles a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi—mostly because that's exactly what I feel like.

"Dom! Thea!" Kayden whisper-yells. "I've missed you."

"Missed you, too, squirt. Are you giving King a hard time?"

"Of course not. I just haven't got to hug him, or talk to him, or introduce him to his nephew. Oh my God, King. You haven't met Little D!"

"Little D?"

"Yeah, she named him after Dad. I think she's trying to make sure we're all kicked out of the family inheritance," Dom explains.

"I think I should probably go talk to Ford," I invent, needing a break.

"He's over there fighting with Dad. When things calm down, you have to come to dinner, King. I want time to get to know you. Here, take Little D with you. That will give Dad a baby to play with while Ford tries to hog my niece."

She takes her son from Chains' hands and thrusts him into mine. I take him out of fear he'll fall if I don't, but fuck, surrounded by all of Dragon's kids and having them claim me as their brother has my heart beating harder it ever has. I didn't react like this even when I was staring down the barrel of a gun.

"Actually, we probably all should get a seat," Dom says.

I expect them all to go in front of me. I'm more than happy with bringing up the rear. I don't even get that small favor, though. Kayden wraps an arm around my back and walks with me. "I've heard so much about you through Thomas. I know this couldn't be easy for you, but I'm so glad to finally meet you," she rattles.

"Thanks," I say. "It's n-nice to m-meet you, too." I add, so I don't come off being a total asshole.

We all sit down and somehow, I find myself in the middle with Dom, Thea, Chains and Kayden on one side of me and Thomas and Lyla on the other, with Ford beside them. Dragon and Nicole are right in front of me. Nicole stands up, leans over the seat, puts a hand on each side of my face and kisses my cheek. "King, sweetheart, it's so good to see you again."

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"You too, Nicole," I answer, feeling lame.

"There's Nee-Nee's cutie pie. You getting to know your uncle, little one?"

"Little D is here?" Dragon asks, looking around. His gaze lands on me. I guess he was so wrapped up in Tamsin that he wasn't paying attention. I expect his scowl, but damn it, to continue the crazy that tonight has become he smiles at me. "Hey, King, it's good to see you." I moisten my lips and manage to nod. I couldn't get words to come out of my mouth right now if I wanted to. Luckily, Little D comes to my rescue. He starts reaching for Dragon. "My boy wants his Papaw," Dragon croons.

"Good motherfucker, I'll take my granddaughter that you wouldn't let me have," Ford growls.

"Not if you don't watch your language," Nicole snaps, slapping Ford's hand like an angry librarian.

"Sorry, Nicole," Ford responds, looking ashamed. I notice it doesn't keep him from taking Tamsin.

"I could have held both of them, asshole," Dragon hisses.

"You're too old. Your hands might start shaking and you'd drop one of them."

"I really hate you. I'm just looking for a reason," Dragon complains, making Ford laugh.

I take a minute to enjoy not having a kid in my lap. I like kids, but considering the kid comes with all this long-lost family that I'm not sure of just yet, I need a second to breathe. My gaze travels around and light on ice blonde hair. Gabby. She's sitting about three rows in front of us beside Torch and a blonde that I assume is his wife. I notice Torch isn't wearing a T-shirt tonight. I kind of wish he had. I need something to break the tension in me.

Gabby must feel my eyes on her because she turns, giving me a small smile. I return it, but I can't help but notice her eyes are vacant. Before I can do anything else, her gaze drops, and she turns back around. She looks so broken. It makes me wish I knew how to help her. I notice Skull and her brother are in the front pew with, who I assume is, Gabby's mother. Why the hell is she sitting behind them? It's not like there isn't plenty of room on their pew for her. I shake my head. It bothers me, but I don't know the family. Maybe Gabby is just really close to her aunt?

I don't have time to think about it any longer, because the preacher stands up to begin the service. I try to listen to what he has to say, but my surprises for the night aren't finished. Nope. I look down and find Kayden's hand in mine. I look over at her and she grins at me and squeezes my hand tighter.

"L-Let her have her way. It's easier," T whispers.

I find myself smiling at Kayden and squeezing her hand back. She grins at me like I just gave her a dozen roses.

Shit.