Rock meets him at the door, welcoming the Everhart charter to upstate’s kingdom.
Anya’s with them too, casting an uncertain look around the packed room.
Shelby brushes past me, stopping to squeeze my arm before hugging Anya.
“I’m so happy to see you!” Shelby squeals.
“What’s up, brother?” I greet Ice with a handshake.
Pants darts around his president to pick me up in a crushing bear hug. “Couldn’t stay away from you, clucker!”
“Thanks,” I wheeze. “You can set me down any time now.”
Teller, Murphy, Jigsaw, Dex, and the rest of the New York officers crowd around us to welcome Ice and Pants.
Ice takes me aside. “T-Bone asked me to give you this.” He slips an envelope out of his cut and sighs. “Even though the fucker’s right outside.”
My lips curve. I know what’s in there.
I open the envelope and sure enough, a black cat patch with Lost Kings MC, Everhart VA stitched on the bottom, falls out. For winning the pussy patch challenge.
Murphy’s already wearing his patch, grinning like an idiot every time Teller shoots a glare at him.
Guess the meaning of the patch spread. Gotta love it.
“Thanks, brother.” I shake Ice’s hand and tuck my patch in my pocket. I’ll have to sew it on later. Definitely before we leave for Kodack tomorrow.
“No problem.”
“Hey, Rooster,” Anya says, reaching up to give me a quick hug.
“Good to see you up here.”
She glances at Ice, then at the floor.
Shelby links her arm through Anya’s and drags her over to the other girls.
T-Bone struts in the door with Shonda by his side. Trinity’s the one who meets her and welcomes her into the circle of old ladies.
Jiggy leans into me. “You think Shonda and T-Bone are an item now?”
“Seriously?” I groan.
“In case you haven’t noticed, there aren’t a lot of free—”
“Don’t say it.”
“Unattached ladies at this shindig,” he finishes.
“Is your dick so lonely you can’t chill the fuck out for one night?”
He scratches the side of his head. “Is that a trick question?”
“All right!” Z claps his hands together. “Gather ‘round.” He snaps his fingers in my direction. “VP, this seat up here is yours.”
This fucker’s definitely up to something. I glance at the black leather over-sized theater chair.
“Shelby.” Z curls his fingers, motioning her forward. “Come sit with your man.”
Her gaze pings-pongs around the room as she darts past the girls to join me up front.
“What’s happening here?” she whispers as she settles into my lap.
I slide my arms around her. “No idea. But whatever it is, apologies in advance.”
Rock, Z, Teller, and Wrath take up the rest of the front row. Murphy, Jigsaw, Steer, Hustler, and Dex settle into the chairs behind us. Everyone else scatters to the couches. Sparky, Stash, and Willow have created an island of pillows for themselves on the floor.
Murphy leans on the back of my chair. “This wasn’t my idea, just so you know.”
“That’s not at all reassuring,” Shelby says.
A twangy jingle blasting out of the surround sound speakers quiets all the chatter in the room.
“For fuck’s sake,” I groan, recognizing the tune. I’d listened to it over and over while we were at the awards show. “You fuckin’ serious?” I stare daggers at Z.
“What?” he answers with wide, impish eyes. “We’ve been waiting to celebrate with you guys.”
Shelby titters with laughter, burying her face against my shoulder. “Am I being hazed?” she asks.
“No, I think I am.”
“There’s our boy!” Steer shouts.
Yup, there I am on the screen in all my glowering glory standing off to the side on the red carpet. Why the fuck did the cameras focus on me for that long?
In reality, I’m only in the shot for maybe ten seconds, but it’s enough for all my brothers to hoot and heckle the shit out of me.
“Cock-a-doodle-look at those cowboy boots!” Hustler yells.
“Never mind the boots. Check out that spiffy leather blazer.” Steer whistles.
“So dapper,” Sparky adds.
I hang my head, shaking it from side to side. “I hate every one of you.”
“Damn, who’s the smokin’ hot chick in the red dress?” Pants asks.
“She’s tasty!” Stash yells.
“Make sure you tell Chaser his daughter’s tasty tomorrow, Stash.” Heidi laughs.
The guys hassle Stash for a bit.
“Aww, look at the lovebirds!” Jigsaw yelps when the camera settles on Shelby and me.
Someone rips a shrill whistle. “Lookin’ fine, Rooster!”
“That’s a beautiful dress, Shelby,” Hope says.
Shelby ducks her head and pushes her hair behind her ear. “Thank you. Between the open back and thigh slits, I felt kinda naked in it.”
“Did Rooster flip his shit when he saw you wearin’ that for the first time?” Pants asks.
Shelby cups my cheek and chuckles. “Not too bad.”
I lean in, rubbing my cheek against the inside of her wrist.
“That tickles!” She laughs and snatches her hand away.
Z leans over to confer with Wrath—about hell only knows what—then fast-forwards through the remaining red-carpet footage.
The camera pans the lobby and bar area. In the back of the shot, I catch a glimpse of my big ass having what looks like an intense conversation with Glenna. Whoops. Guess someone saw it after all. Although it’s so far in the back of the frame, I don’t think anyone would notice unless they were specifically looking for us.