After Burn (Lost Kings MC 10)

I burst into giggles and roll to the side. “Oops. I thought they were still out.”

Rock lazily tucks one arm up behind his head and turns to look at me. “You think that would’ve stopped me?”

“No.” I slide closer and run my fingers over his chest, stopping to look at the bruises blooming over his right shoulder. “Did I hurt you?”

He blows out a breath. “You’re the cure for everything that ails me.”

“That’s sweet, but I’m worried about you. We have a long ride home.”

“I’ll be fine in a day or two.”

“If we stay out of trouble.”

“Yes,” he agrees. “If we stay out of trouble.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The last day of the rally finds us strolling down Main Street checking out a new crop of custom bikes on display. Yesterday, Rock and I spent most of the day in bed so he could “rest” and “heal” his shoulder. Today he seems to be moving more freely and I don’t catch him tightening his jaw in pain when he thinks I’m not looking.

We’re a rather large, rowdy group walking down the street, which keeps people out of our way.

“Oh wow, look at this one.” I point out a large Harley painted matte black and glowing green. On closer inspection, fire, devils, and ghosts shimmer in the painting. Pearl blue flames that can only be seen when the sunlight hits the paint just right dance along the fender.

Rock’s mouth curls into a satisfied grin. “I recognize this one. Bricks,” he calls out.

“Is this one of yours?” I ask.

“The paint. The rest the owner did himself.”

“It’s really beautiful.”

Bricks nods. “Mixed that paint myself. Where’s he at?”

“Vapor!” Dex shouts, striding over to meet a tall bearded guy and the slight woman at his side.

The man with the beard jolts and steps in front of his girlfriend. Only when he recognizes Dex do his hard features seem to relax. The couple follows Dex to our little group.

“Vapor,” Rock greets. “Was hoping we’d run into you down here. How’ve you been?”

“Not bad.” He introduces us to his wife, Juliet, and we chat about the rally, the weather, and how long our rides home are. After a round of small talk, Rock gives me a subtle head tilt. I take it as he wants a second alone with this man for some reason.

“The girls and I were going to grab milkshakes, do you want to join us, Juliet?”

She glances at Vapor before answering. “Sure.”

Trinity and Charlotte are actually up ahead, checking out some store windows. I wave to them and point to the ice cream shop.

“Phew.” I fan the shop’s menu over my heated skin after we step inside. “I don’t know why I expected Florida to be cooler in the fall.”

Juliet laughs. “It’s hot pretty much year-round. We’re actually thinking of moving back to New York.”

“Then you have to deal with our winters.”

She shrugs.

When our shakes are ready, we take seats near the window.

Alexa spills milkshake all over the front of Heidi’s shirt. Stunned, Heidi stares down at the mess for a few seconds before letting out a loud sigh. “I knew I should’ve grabbed more napkins.”

“I’ll hold her, so you can clean up,” Juliet offers.

Heidi glances at me as if to make sure I’m not going anywhere before handing Alexa over.

Alexa’s fascinated by Juliet’s long hair and immediately wraps her sticky fist in it.

“Sorry, I’ll take her,” I offer.

She waves me off. “It’s fine. She’s so adorable. Love the little vest.”

“Present from her daddy.”

“Oh, I bet you’re a daddy’s girl,” she coos, and Alexa squees in response.

“We’re not telling anyone yet,” Juliet says in a whispery voice, “But since we just met, why not?” She rests her hand over her stomach. “We’re having a baby. I found out just before we left, so we decided to make it a longer trip, since I probably won’t be able to ride in a few months.”

“Aw, congratulations.”

Alexa seems fascinated with Juliet’s bracelet—a wide, green leather cuff with what looks like daisies embossed in the middle—and keeps trying to unsnap it from Juliet’s wrist.

“No, no, Alexa. Look, don’t touch,” I say.

“It’s okay.” Juliet shows her the bracelet and Alexa runs her fingers over the design. “This is the first gift Roman ever gave me. I never take it off.”

“That’s so sweet. How long have you been together?”

“Since high school.”

I can’t think of a tactful way to ask how long it’s been. She doesn’t look like her high school days are that far behind her, but her mannerisms are of someone much older.

“Where do you guys live now?”

“All over,” she answers vaguely before changing the subject. “So, I finally met Bricks. Roman’s mentioned him before, you know when he had the bike done, but I’ve never met him.”

“Is your husband in an MC too?”

She glances away. “Not really.”

What kind of answer is that? MC life doesn’t seem to allow for vagueness. You’re either in or out. Dex had seemed awfully familiar with the couple, so I try again. This time I’m more direct. “How do you know Dex?”

For the first time, her soft smile falters. “He was married to my cousin. He was kind of like an uncle to me when I was younger.”

Holy shit. I had no idea Dex was married. Or had been married. Wow.

“Oh,” I answer lamely. Before I have a chance to ask any follow-up questions, Heidi rejoins us.

“I look like I’m ready to enter a wet T-shirt contest,” she grumbles as she plops into the chair next to Juliet.

“I doubt Murphy will mind.”

She snorts and holds her hands out for Alexa. “Come here you little monster.” She presses kisses to both of Alexa’s cheeks, making her giggle. “Was she good?”

“Oh yes. She’s a sweetheart,” Juliet says, tugging on one of Alexa’s sandals.

“She’s not so sweet at three in the morning when she decides it’s time to get up.” Heidi grins at her daughter. “Is it? No, it’s not.”

Charlotte peeks inside the shop and waves at me.

“I think that’s our signal that the guys are ready to move on,” I say, standing and grabbing my milkshake. “Heidi, you’re soaked. Let’s run next door and buy a T-shirt for you.”

“I’ll be okay, Hope. It’s hot enough out.”

The guys are still crowded around Vapor’s bike. Well, Rock, Wrath, Z, and Dex are. The others seem to be scattered up and down the street. Except Sparky. He’s having liquor poured down his throat by two scantily clad girls at a drink stand across the street.

“When Sparky goes on vacation he goes hard,” Heidi jokes.

“There’s my girls,” Murphy says, coming up behind us. He cocks his head. “What happened to you?” he asks Heidi.

“Alexa.”

“Ah, here, give her to me.” He kisses her cheek. “Did you spill stuff on Mommy?”

“Yeth!”

“Oh my God, she’s so cute.” Juliet rests her hands over her belly. “I hope ours is as good as she is.”

Juliet seems so calm and sweet, I imagine her baby probably will be too and I say that to her.

She glances down. “I hope so.”

“Have you hit the weird cravings phase yet?” Heidi asks.

“No, everything makes me want to hurl right now.”

Uncomfortable because I have nothing to add to their conversation and probably never will, I move closer to Murphy and Alexa. As if she senses my sudden melancholy, Alexa leans down and makes fishy lips at me until I give her my cheek.

“Aw, thanks, baby,” I say softly, kissing her back.

The girls continue their animated conversation about weird pregnancy cravings and doctor visits. I don’t want to be a downer, so I turn

Murphy’s way.

He gives me a pained smile. I know why their conversation depresses me, but it takes me a second to figure out why he looks so troubled. After Heidi and Axel married, Murphy took to the road for months and didn’t return until after Alexa was born. He missed all the experiences Juliet and Heidi are excitedly sharing.

It’s mean to even think it, but at least if Heidi has any more children, it will be with a man who’ll be more than happy to go on midnight ice cream runs for her. Axel hadn’t been the most sympathetic father-to-be, something that really grated on my nerves as Heidi approached her due date.

Shaking that off, I place my hand on Murphy’s arm and reach up on my tiptoes to get his attention.

He bends down and gives me his ear.

“I’d say you’ll get to do all that pregnancy stuff with her one day, but I don’t want to encourage you two until you’re in your own house,” I whisper.

That does the trick. He rumbles with laughter and holds up his hand. “I can’t make any promises.”

I smack him lightly and he laughs even harder.

“What are you laughing at?” Heidi asks.