Page 57 of Lost King

"Alright," he casually sticks his hands in his front pockets and relaxes his posture and waits for me to say what I want to say.

I clear my throat before speaking. "Mr. Evans, I love your daughter. My happiness feeds off of hers." He nods as I continue. "I want you to know I'll always take care of her and our family—I'll always do whatever it takes to keep them safe."

"I believe you," he says with confidence.

"Martin, I want nothing more than to make Emerson my wife."

He studies me for a moment. "Son." The word comes from his mouth for the first time. I wasn't expecting it to feel as good as it did to hear him say it. "She's always been yours. I'll be damn proud to have you marry her." Stepping forward, he puts out his hand, which I happily accept.

After the thirty-minute conversation that followed has wrapped up, I head towards my bike. My phone rings. Digging it from the inside pocket of my cut, I swipe the screen answering a call coming in from Easton. "Hey, brother. What's the word?"

"It's a go, my man. Fuck bro, this is gonna be epic," his voice sings with excitement. "Shit, gotta run—see ya soon."

Sticking the phone back in my pocket, I swing my leg over my bike. There's several more things to take care of and a few more people to see before the sun sets.

* * *

"One thing I've noticed since being around the club is you guys like to throw parties. What is this one for?" Emerson asks as she shimmies on a pair of jeans, then slips her boots on.

I've been awake since before the sun rise helping the guys set things up out back. Easton's road crew showed up roughly three hours ago and started to set up a small venue stage. Emerson has no idea any of this is going on since I didn't wake her. She has no idea her brother will be here today either. All my woman knows is Jake decided we needed to celebrate the club and family. Emerson is right though, we never need a reason to have a good time. Walking up to her, I snake my arm around her waist. "Life is good, Sunshine. That's what we wanna celebrate," I kiss her.

There's a light knock on the door followed by Lisa's voice. "Quinn? The guys need you outside."

"I'll be down in a minute," I call out. "Come on, beautiful." Dropping my arm, I grab her hand in mine, and we head downstairs together and walk into the kitchen. "Our moms have been cookin' up a storm this morning." Pulling a chair from the table, Emerson sits.

"My mom?" she says stunned.

"Yeah, babe. Right alongside all the other women." I set a plate of scrambled eggs and jellied toast on the table in front of her.

"There's a lot of food in here, Quinn. How many people are you guys expecting to show up? The whole town?"

"Everyone—the whole family."

"You should have woke me up sooner. I could have been down here helping. I'm surprised I slept through all the hustle and bustle. It's nearly noon," she bites into her toast.

"I wore that ass out last night, Sunshine. You snored all night too," I grin.

"I don't snore."

"You do, and it's cute," I chuckle when she rolls her eyes.

Finished with her meal, Emerson stands at the sliding glass door that leads to the back and peers out. "Holy shit. There's a stage back here."

"Yeah, we put some money together and hired live music for tonight." Grabbing her sweater hanging on a hook beside the door, I slip it over her shoulders because the air is a little chilly today and we walk outside. Tables are spread out across the yard. We have a few outside heaters and a large fire pit with wood ready to burn to keep people warm as the afternoon turns into night. Off to the far side of the yard we even have a bouncy house set up for the kids.

When I say the entire family has come out today that's no lie. I spot Gabriel towards the end of the building quietly talking to his sister Leyna and I wonder if Lex came with her. I scan the yard locating them all one by one. Sam, Sofia, Leah—and there's Nickolai along with his and Logan's dad Demetri talkin' with Jake and Reid. All the King's women are standing around laughing at the little kids actin' like goofballs inside the bounce house.

"I'm gonna go say hi to the girls." Leaning on her tiptoes Emerson's lips press against mine. I watch her cross the yard and hug all her friends.

"Big day today, brother." Logan appears from out of nowhere and slaps my back. "You ready?"

My eyes connect with Emerson's when she looks my way. "Been ready."

The family begins to cluster around the stage. I stride over to Emerson who has her hand over her mouth shocked to see her brother. "How did you get my brother here?"

"It's about family today, babe. He's part of the family."

"Alright," Easton's mellow laidback voice comes through the large speakers at each end of the stage. "I'm here to perform for an extraordinary person—my twin sister Em," he points in our direction. All heads turn our way. "But I'm gonna need a little help. Quinn, my man, get your pretty ass up here," he ushers me with a wave. The women gather around us. Emerson looks at me confused.