White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC 7)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, thank you to my readers. Your love of my characters, continued support, and eagerness for each new book continues to amaze, humble and inspire me. Thank you.

My critique partners, Cara Connelly, Kari W. Cole, and Virginia Frost, I don’t think you were able to see a lot of White Knuckles—here it is! Be kind.

Thank you to Cara and K.A. Mitchell for helping me nail the blurb!

Clarisse, Elizabeth, Amanda, Tamra, Shelly, Angi J., Iveta, and Robin thank you for sticking with me for another Wrath and Trinity book!

Belinda, thank you for jumping on board and giving me your early assessment of White Knuckles!

Andrea De Palma Florkowski, thank you for looking over White Knuckles and letting me pester you with follow-up questions.

Sue, thank you for being so awesome.

Jezzie, thank you for taking one final look.

Vanessa Bridges, thank you for everything.

Becky, I’m so happy you finally know my deep, dark secret and I’m thrilled you love the Lost Kings too!

Iza, aka Mistress Ramsey, thank you for always cheering me on and being such a calming, positive force of nature.

My Lost Kings MC Ladies Facebook group, thank you so much for being there. There are now over 1,000 of you and it blows my mind. Thank you for loving the Lost Kings so much. Your questions and theories fuel me and your demand for the next book keeps me motivated. And of course the hot man pics Sammi provides every Wednesday are pretty awesome too! Thanks, ladies!

Mr. Lake—my own personal demon-slayer and biggest fan. I’d be lost without you.

If you’ve found the one whose demons play nice with yours, then this is for you.

GLOSSARY

I’ve only made a few changes to this glossary since publishing More Than Miles…but you may find some interesting information here.

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 th

e 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 one prospect that we know of, Twitch, who was brought into the club by Wrath.

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 Winter in Slow Burn, Corrupting Cinderella, and Tattered on my Sleeve. 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 and gotten to know him better in Strength From Loyalty (Lost Kings MC #3). He co-manages Crystal Ball.

Sam “Stash” Black: Lives in the basement with Sparky and helps with the plants. We got to know him a little bit in Tattered on My Sleeve (Lost Kings MC #4). Otherwise, we’re not really sure what he’s up to downstairs.

Thomas “Ravage” Kane: We got to know him a little better in Tattered on My Sleeve. Ravage is a general member who helps out wherever he is needed.

The Lost Kings MC Ladies

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: 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).

Heidi Whelan: Teller’s little sister. You have seen glimpses of Heidi through Corrupting Cinderella, Strength From Loyalty, Tattered on My Sleeve, and White Heat. She is also featured in a short story in Three Kings, One Night (Lost Kings MC #2.5) and Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5).

Lilly Volkov: One of Hope’s best friends and frequent “booty call” of Z. You’ve met her in Slow Burn, Corrupting Cinderella, Strength From Loyalty, Tattered on My Sleeve, White Heat and two short stories, “Z and Lilly” in Three Kings, One Night. We last “saw” her in Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5)

Mara Oak: Friend of Hope. Also an attorney. She’s appeared in Slow Burn, Corrupting Cinderella, Strength From Loyalty, Tattered on My Sleeve, and White Heat. 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. Run Ironworks which borders the Lost Kings’ territory. Their president, Ransom, and his SAA, Killa, appeared in Tattered on My Sleeve and White Heat.

Wolf Knights MC – Rival and sometimes ally of the Lost Kings. Their president, Ulfric, appeared in Slow Burn. Their SAA, Whisper, is a partner in Wrath’s gym and appeared in Tattered on My Sleeve as well as Slow Burn. Actions taken by the Wolf Knights have had a serious impact on the Lost Kings in recent times.

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 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.

CHAPTER ONE

Ten days before the wedding…

“Since I can’t see the wedding dress, show me the wedding underwear.”

Trinity flashes a wicked smile at me, not at all fooled by my effort to get her naked. “Who says I’m planning to wear underwear?”

As always, her husky voice goes straight to my groin. “Get over here.”

She knows damn well as soon as she’s within grabbing distance I’m yanking her on top of me, so she t

akes her time crossing the room. “Honestly, what I’m planning to wear isn’t all that sexy.”

“Babe, you could wrap some duct tape around your tits and still be the hottest fucking woman I’ve ever seen.”

“You’re such a sweet-talker this morning.”

“Just trying to be helpful. You need to know if it fits, right?”

This time she levels a sterner look my way. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

She’s fucking with me. Trinity doesn’t waste energy worrying about stuff like that. “No. Now get over here. Don’t make me ask again.”

Instead of getting the fuck over here, she teases me by pawing through the bag she claims has all sorts of lacy goods in it.

“Hmmm…this? Or this?” she asks, holding up two tiny scraps in the air.

“You pick.”

“Close your eyes. It’s not as exciting if you watch me wriggle into it.”

“Oh, trust me, it is.” I don’t even pretend to close my eyes, so she turns around. “Even better, you have the most perfect ass.”

She heaves out a dramatic sigh and bends over, giving me an eyeful. I’m not even sure what the hell she’s putting on. Some sort of bra top. White lace cups barely hide her breasts. The rest of the material is completely see-through. A bunch of sexy strings wrap around her ribcage down to a tiny thong made up of more sheer material and thin straps. She turns and raises an eyebrow, seeking my approval.

“Hot. Now get over here.”

Her hands fiddle with the laces around her midsection. “You’re the one who’s hot. All half-naked and sexy first thing in the morning.”

I stretch out, tucking my hands under my head to give her a better view. The way she runs her gaze over my body—fuck, I can’t even explain what it does to me. What she does to me.

When she’s close enough, I grab her arm and pull her down onto the bed. “Stop messing with it. It’s hot just like that.”

“But my boobs are spilling out of it.”