After Burn
Page 1
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved.
COPYRIGHT
After Burn (Lost Kings MC #10)
by Autumn Jones Lake
Copyright 2018 – All Rights Reserved.
Google Play Edition
Digital ISBN #: 978-1-943950-24-9
Paperback ISBN #: 978-1-943950-25-6
Edited by: Erika Orrick
Cover Designed by: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs
Photography: Wander Aguiar Photography
Model: Kaz Vanderwaard and Andrea M.
No part of After Burn (Lost Kings MC #10), 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.
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.
This is an original work of fiction by Autumn Jones Lake. Published by Ahead of the Pack, LLC.
AutumnJLake@gmail.com
After Burn (Lost Kings MC #10)
Digital ISBN: 978-1-943950-24-9
Paperback ISBN# 978-1-943950-25-6
The lure of the open road never fades.
Bumpy, cracked, and full of obstacles.
In the end, it’s the cure for life’s complications.
My brothers behind me and our future in front of us.
Loyalty above all else.
A vow made to my brothers.’
’Til death do us part.
A vow made to my wife.
Together we’ll race the rain, chase the sun, and ride the wind.
Leave no road untaken.
An unexpected truth no one ever saw coming.
Are we strong enough to survive it, or will it incinerate everything we’ve built?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
About After Burn
The Lost Kings MC Series
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
PART TWO
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
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Author Notes
Pre-Order/Release Week Bonus Scene
Also by Autumn Jones Lake
Social Media
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THE LOST KINGS MC
ULTIMATE SERIES READING 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)
Bullets & Bonfires (standalone in the LOKI world)
More Than Miles (Lost Kings MC #6)
Unhinged (Iron Bulls MC #5) by Phoenyx Slaughter
Warnings & Wildfires (standalone in the LOKI world)
White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC #7)
Beyond Reckless (Lost Kings MC #8)
Beyond Reason (Lost Kings MC #9)
One Empire Night (Lost Kings MC #9.5)
After Burn (Lost Kings MC #10)
After Glow (Lost Kings MC #11)
Cards of Love: Knight of Swords (standalone)
Coming Soon
Zero Tolerance (Lost Kings MC #12)
White Lies (Lost Kings MC #13)
Matches & Misfires
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
After Burn has been a long time coming. I’m so excited to finally share it with you!
This story is everything! I love it with everything in me and I hope you do too!
This book wouldn’t have been possible without my critique partners, Cara, Kari, and Ginny encouraging all the wild ideas Mr. Lake planted in my head.
I need to thank Liz Kelley, Jezzie, and Daniele for their feedback.
The Lost Kings MC Ladies. Thank you for your kindness, theories, and all the half-naked man pics. I love spending time with you!
My awesome readers, there are so many days I can’t believe how lucky I am and I have you to thank for that. There are other days when I’m ready to give up, and one of you reaches out to tell me how much you love my stories. I am forever grateful.
Rock, the best imaginary friend an author could ask for. Apparently you never plan to shut up and I love you for it.
Finally, my one true love since the age of seventeen. Mr. Lake planted the seed for one of the major things that happen in this story and has been smug about it ever since. I still love him!
GLOSSARY
Welcome back to the world of the Lost Kings MC!—I’ve made minor changes to this glossary since Beyond Reason. 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 Pr
esident: 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 charters 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 six and a half books: Slow Burn, Corrupting Cinderella, Strength From Loyalty, White Heat, One Empire Night, After Burn, and After Glow.
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-Ryan: 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).
Alexa Jade Ryan: Heidi and Axel’s daughter.
Swan: Lost Kings MC club girl and dancer at Crystal Ball. She’s recently started teaching yoga classes with Hope and Trinity as her first students.
Willow: Bartender at Crystal Ball. Has befriended Hope, Trinity, and Swan. Frequently seen with Sparky these days.
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. Charlotte’s uncle, Merlin recently stepped down as president and Whisper took over. Merlin is now on the road living the life as a Nomad.
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 –The 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 U
rban 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
It’s never too late to steer your future in a new direction.
CHAPTER ONE
Everyone sees what you appear to be. What you allow them to see. Few people ever experience who you really are. Even fewer will ever know who you are deep down in your soul.
People who fall into each of those categories surround me tonight.
“You know she’s your wife, right?” Z taps my shoulder with his fist, but it barely registers. “You look like a lion about to pounce on a ham sandwich.”
I doubt she heard him over the loud music pumping through the clubhouse, but Hope drags her gaze across the room to where we’re standing. The corners of her mouth turn up and pink races over her cheeks as she meets my stare.
“Christ, after all this time, you can still make her blush with a look?”
Fuck yeah, I can, and it’s still one of my favorite things about my wife. If I still get that reaction out of her when I’m eighty and gray, I’ll consider it one of my best achievements.
“Girl practically melts when she looks at you.” Z shakes his head. “Just go,” he says, clearly exasperated with my lack of attention. “We can talk about the run tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks,” I mumble before I stalk across the room, brushing past people, impatient to get to my wife. Hope doesn’t break her conversation with Teller and Charlotte when I wrap my arms around her waist and mold myself to her back, but she acknowledges me by running her hands over my arms.
Not enough.
I lean down and nuzzle her neck. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“Rock.” She squeezes the arm that’s wrapped around her like a python. “Teller and Charlotte want to have us over for dinner so we can see all the work they’ve done to their house.”