Beyond Reckless

by Autumn Jones Lake

  Copyright © 2017 Autumn Jones Lake

  All Rights Reserved

  AutumnJLake@gmail.com

  COPYRIGHT

  BEYOND RECKLESS: TELLER’S STORY, PART ONE

  (LOST KINGS MC #8)

  by Autumn Jones Lake

  Copyright 2017 – All Rights Reserved.

  Kindle Edition

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-943950-20-1

  Print ISBN: 978-1-943950-21-8

  Edited by: Ellie McLove

  Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

  Photographer: Meagan Harding

  Makeup/SPFX Artist: Liv Zak

  Cover Model: Jaxon Human

  No part of Beyond Reckless: Teller’s Book, Part One, Lost Kings MC #8, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisher and author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be uploaded without the permission of the publisher and author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is originally published. No part of this book may be translated into any other language without permission of the author.

  BEYOND RECKLESS and the Lost Kings MC series are works of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, actual events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters and names are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  The publisher and author acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.

  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. The only places to legally download Autumn’s books are from online retailers.

  This is an original work of fiction by Autumn Jones Lake. Published by Ahead of the Pack, LLC.

  AutumnJLake@gmail.com

  About Beyond Reckless

  Blood doesn’t make you family, loyalty does.

  Marcel “Teller” Whelan, Treasurer of the Lost Kings MC, has always been two things—honest and responsible. At ten years old, he was already taking care of his baby sister. At eighteen, he patched into the Lost Kings MC and took a major role in shaping the club’s future.

  Three years ago, he thought he’d met the perfect woman, only to have her reject everything he is—a Lost King.

  One bullet is a lifetime supply.

  Now, after an accident that left a girl dead and him almost crippled, he’s struggling through the darkest time in his life. Lashing out at everyone he loves most is how he copes. His niece, sister, and Lost Kings MC family are the only things holding him together, but his reckless actions are bound to drive everyone away.

  Then, in the most unlikely place, he crosses paths with her again.

  Love soothes our inner demons.

  The spark’s still there—for both of them, even with Teller’s many demons still chasing him down.

  She’s not who he thought she was.

  But she is the true ride or die girl he needs by his side.

  Love is worth the chaos.

  As their relationship continues, he stops lashing out at his brothers and starts lying to them. When they find out who he’s falling in love with, it will create a storm of chaos for the Lost Kings MC. But if there’s one thing Teller’s turbulent life has taught him, it’s that sometimes love is worth the chaos.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About Beyond Reckless

  The Lost Kings MC Series Reading Order

  Acknowledgments

  Glossary

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Note from the Author

  Request from the Author

  Other Books by Autumn Jones Lake

  Social Media

  NEWSLETTER

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  Lost Kings MC Ladies

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  www.autumnjoneslake.com

  THE LOST KINGS MC SERIES READING ORDER

  Although Teller’s story can be read as a stand-alone or first in the series, I think you get the most enjoyment from reading the series in order.

  Slow Burn (Lost Kings MC #1)

  Corrupting Cinderella (Lost Kings MC #2)

  Three Kings, One Night (Lost Kings MC #2.5)

  Strength From Loyalty (Lost Kings MC #3)

  Tattered on My Sleeve (Lost Kings MC #4)

  White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5)

  Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5)

  More Than Miles (Lost Kings MC #6)

  White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC #7)

  Beyond Reckless: Teller’s Story, Part One (Lost Kings MC #8)

  Beyond Reason: Teller’s Story, Part Two (Lost Kings MC #9)

  Coming Soon:

  After Burn (Lost Kings MC #10)

  LKMC #10.5

  Zero Tolerance (Lost Kings MC #11)

  White Lies (Lost Kings MC #12)

  LKMC #13

  LKMC #14

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  First, how awesome is the cover for Beyond Reckless? It would not have happened without Liv Zak. Thank you so much, Liv! Thank you to Meagan and Jaxon for the beautiful photos. Thank you Letitia for the design.

  I need to thank Liz Kelley for her excellent feedback and encouragement.

  Thank you, Kari W. Cole for your notes, comments, and fixes. Actually, Kari deserves two thank yous because she’s not only one of my awesome critique partners, but she’s my biggest LOKI fan and her enthusiasm often gets me all fired up to write even when I think I’m fresh out of ideas. Kari, Cara, and Virginia, the four of us have the best group ever.

  Cynthia, thank you for the consistency check and your love of LOKI. Tanisha, my die-hard Z lover, thank you. Tammy D., thank you for always helping out and telling others about LOKI. Johnnie-Marie and Terra, you guys make smile every day!

  Angi, Jezzie, and Andrea, thank you for your help and feedback.

&n
bsp; Amy A., you’re crazy-awesome and so damn funny. Thank you.

  Iza, thank you for always cheering me on and checking in to make sure I’m still alive.

  Tanya, I always love our chats. Thank you for all of your help and spreading the word about LOKI.

  The Lost Kings MC Ladies. You don’t even know how awesome you guys are and how much I love hanging out with you.

  Ellie for taking me on kinda last minute and working with my fluid adherence to deadlines.

  My awesome readers, I always love hearing from you. Thank you for all the smiles you’ve given me. Thanks for the awesome notes you leave on all the little forms I make you fill out. Thank you for always indulging my curiosity about who your favorite Lost King is.

  I just know I’m forgetting someone and I apologize.

  Mr. Lake, we’re celebrating fifteen years of marriage in a few weeks and I’m still excited to see you every day. I’m so lucky that you love maintaining me.

  GLOSSARY

  If you’re new to the Lost Kings MC series, this might be a good place to start…If you’re familiar with the world of the Lost Kings MC—welcome back!—I’ve made a few changes to this glossary since White Knuckles. You may find some of the information useful if it’s been a while since you visited the Lost Kings.

  THE LOST KINGS MC ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

  President: Rochlan “Rock” North. Leader of the Upstate NY charter of the Lost Kings MC. His word is law within the club. He takes advice from senior club members. He is the public “face” of the MC. Much to his annoyance, Rock is seen as the “father figure” in the club, especially by the younger members.

  Sergeant-at-Arms: Wyatt “Wrath” Ramsey. Responsible for the security of the club. Keeps order at club events. Responsible for the safety and protection of the president, the club, its members and its women. Disciplines club members who violate the rules. Keeps track of club by-laws. In charge of the club’s weapons and weapons training. Will challenge Rock when he deems it necessary. Outside of the MC, Wrath owns a gym, Furious Fitness. He is experienced in underground MMA-style fighting.

  Vice President: Angus “Zero” or “Z” Frazier. In most clubs, I think the VP would be considered the second-in-command. In mine, I see the VP and SAA as being on equal footing within the club. Carries out the orders of the President. Communicates with other chapters of the club. Assumes the responsibilities of the President in his absence. Keeps records of club patches and colors issued. Z also co-manages the MC’s strip club, Crystal Ball.

  Treasurer: Marcel “Teller” Whelan. Keeps records of income, expenses and investments.

  Road Captain: Blake “Murphy” O’Callaghan. Responsible for researching, planning and organizing club runs. Responsible for obtaining and maintaining club vehicles.

  Prospect: A prospect is someone who has stated a clear intention of being a full patch member of the Lost Kings MC. The Lost Kings vet their prospects for two or more years. To vote a prospect in as a full patch member, the vote must be unanimous. Not all prospects will become full patch members. Some will realize the club is not for them. For others, the club will realize that the prospect is not a good fit for the club. Prospects are expected to show respect to all full patch members and do whatever is asked of them. The Lost Kings MC currently has no prospects.

  Other members

  Cronin “Sparky” Petek: Sparky is the mad genius behind the Lost Kings MC’s pot-growing business. He is rarely seen outside of the basement, as he prefers the company of his plants.

  Elias “Bricks” Serrano: We saw Bricks and his girlfriend throughout the series. One of the few members who does not live at the clubhouse, he performs a lot of general tasks for the club.

  Dixon “Dex” Watts: We’ve also seen Dex throughout the series. He co-manages Crystal Ball with Z.

  Sam “Stash” Black: Lives in the basement with Sparky and helps with the plants. He came out of the basement to help out in White Knuckles. Other than that, we’re not really sure what he’s up to downstairs.

  Thomas “Ravage” Kane: We got to know Rav and his snarky humor a little bit better in each book. Ravage is a general member who helps out wherever he is needed.

  THE LADIES OF THE LOST KINGS MC

  Hope Kendall, Esq.: Nick-named First Lady by Murphy in Corrupting Cinderella (Lost Kings MC #2), Hope is the object of Rock’s love and obsession. Their epic love story spans four books: Slow Burn, Corrupting Cinderella, Strength From Loyalty, and White Heat.

  Trinity Hurst: She was the caretaker of the Lost Kings MC clubhouse and the brothers. She and Wrath have a long, tattered love story full of lust, fury, and forgiveness in Tattered on My Sleeve (Lost Kings MC #4). She and Wrath are also featured in White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5). They finally tie the knot in White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC #7).

  Heidi Whelan: Teller’s little sister. Heidi is a recurring character in each of the books from Corrupting Cinderella (Lost Kings MC #2) on. She also has short stories in Three Kings, One Night (Lost Kings MC #2.5) and Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5) she is a major character in More Than Miles (Lost Kings MC #6).

  Swan: Lost Kings MC club girl and dancer at Crystal Ball.

  Willow: Bartender at Crystal Ball.

  Lilly: One of Hope’s best friends and frequent “booty call” of Z. While she sent Trinity a wedding present in White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC #7), we haven’t seen Lilly since Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5)

  Sophie: Hope’s former best friend. We haven’t seen her since White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5).

  Mara Oak: Friend of Hope. Also an attorney. She’s appeared in Slow Burn, Corrupting Cinderella, Strength From Loyalty, Tattered on My Sleeve, White Heat, and White Knuckles. She’s married to Empire city court judge, Damon Oak. Their story, Objection, will be available one day.

  LOST KINGS MC TERMINOLOGY

  Crystal Ball – The strip club owned by the Lost Kings MC and one of their legitimate businesses. They often refer to it as “CB.”

  “Conference Center” – The clubhouse of the Lost Kings MC. It was previously used as a high-end religious retreat and is sometimes still jokingly referred to as the “Conference Center” or “Hippie Compound.”

  Empire – The fictional city in Upstate NY, run by the Lost Kings.

  Furious Fitness—The gym Wrath owns. Often just referred to as “Furious.”

  Green Street Crew – Street gang the Lost Kings do business with. Often referred to as “GSC.” “Loco” is their leader and frequent nuisance to Rock.

  LOKI – Short for Lost Kings.

  Vipers MC – Rival and frequent enemy MC. Runs Ironworks which borders the Lost Kings’ territory. Their president, Ransom, and his SAA, Killa, appeared in Tattered on My Sleeve and White Heat. Ransom had a major role in White Knuckles.

  Wolf Knights MC – Rival and sometimes ally of the Lost Kings. Their president, Ulfric, appeared in Slow Burn and stepped down in Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5.) Merlin took over as President of the Wolf Knights. Their SAA, Whisper, was a partner in Wrath’s gym. Actions taken by the Wolf Knights have had a serious impact on the Lost Kings in recent times and their relationship is tenuous at the moment.

  OTHER MC TERMINOLOGY

  Most terminology was obtained through research. However, I have also used some artistic license in applying these terms to my romanticized, fictional version of an Outlaw Motorcycle Club.

  Cage – A car, truck, van, basically anything other than a motorcycle.

  Church – Club meetings all full patch members must attend. Led by the president of the club, but officers will update the members on the areas they oversee.

  Citizen – Anyone not a hardcore biker or belonging to an outlaw club. “Citizen Wife” would refer to a spouse kept entirely separate from the club.

  Cut – Leather vest worn by outlaw bikers. Adorned with patches and artwork displaying the club’s unique colors. The Lost Kings’ colors are blue and gray. Their logo is a skull with a crown.

  Colors – The
“uniform” of an outlaw motorcycle gang. A leather vest, with the three-piece club patch on the back, and various other patches relating to their role in the club. Colors belong to the club and are held sacred by all members.

  Dressers – Slang for a motorcycle “dressed up” with hard saddle bags and other accessories. It’s designed for long-distance riding.

  Fly Colors – To ride on a motorcycle wearing colors.

  Mother Chapter – First chapter of the club.

  Muffler Bunny – Club girl, who hangs around to provide sexual favors to members.

  Nomad – A club member who does not belong to any specific charter, yet has privileges in all charters. Nomads go anywhere to take care of business, usually at the request of the club president.

  Old Lady/Ol’ Lady – Wife or steady girlfriend of a club member. Has nothing to do with her age.

  Out Bad –T he shorthand way of saying a club member has been kicked out of the club for some kind of betrayal. Someone who is “out bad” might be in hiding from the club.

  Patched In – When a new member is approved for full membership.

  Patch Holder – A member who has been vetted through performing duties for the club as a prospect or probate and has earned his three-piece patch.

  Property Patch – When a member takes a woman as his Old Lady (wife status), he gives her a vest with a property patch. In my series, the vest has a “Property of Lost Kings MC” patch and the member’s road name on the back. The officers also place their patches on the ol’ lady’s vest as a sign they have agreed to always have her back. Her man’s patch or club symbol is placed over the heart.

  Road Name – Nickname. Usually given by the other members.

  RUB – Slang for Rich Urban Biker. A term generally used by real bikers to describe a person who rides an expensive motorcycle on weekends and never very far. A poser.

  Run – A club sanctioned outing sometimes with other chapters and/or clubs. Can also refer to a club business run.

  DEDICATION