After Burn (Lost Kings MC 10)

“Very nice to meet you, Hope. I’m sure we’ll talk more later.” He glances at me. “Go get settled. Meet us down here at five.”

“All right.”

I check with Wrath before leading Hope upstairs. She’s bright-eyed and buzzing with nervous energy. “Who knew outlaw bikers held a convention like this.” She places her hands on her hips. “I find it hard to believe there won’t be a single muffler bunny, though.”

“Oh, they’ll show up. Don’t worry. Just because we didn’t bring any doesn’t mean others left them behind.” I give her a more serious appraisal. “Sure you’re okay with this?”

“I’m great. It’ll be nice to meet other experienced old ladies besides Tawny. I like Mallory a lot, but she’s part of a different club, so I’m not totally comfortable talking with her.”

“Same rules apply here. Don’t talk about shit I tell you with anyone. King’s ol’ lady or not.”

Her face scrunches into a pissy expression that I probably enjoy too much. “Gee, that hadn’t occurred to me.”

“Especially Valentina.”

She rolls her eyes. “I figured.”

“Get over here.”

She thrusts her chin up. “No.”

“Don’t mess with me right now. I don’t have time to fuck you properly.”

“Then do it improperly,” she sasses back. She grabs her stuff and dashes for the bedroom, knowing I can’t resist chasing her down.

Pinning my wife to the shower wall and fucking the hell out of her was the only way to prepare for this meeting.

I’m certainly calmer.

This is just a brief introductory meeting where Priest and the other board members will lay out their expectations for the weekend.

Numbers. Recruitment.

I’m sure that will come up a lot.

All the patched members fill up one huge meeting room. Wrath, Z, and I end up toward the front of the room against the right wall.

Wrath leans down. “Blink’s already given me the heads-up he wants a private sit-down.”

“How fun for you.”

His mouth twists in annoyance. Yeah, Wrath enjoys being told what to do about as much as I do. But an invitation from the national sergeant at arms can’t exactly be ignored.

“I’m sure I’ll get my own grilling from Priest. So don’t feel too special.”

“Niner’s looking old.” Z bumps me with his elbow and jerks his chin toward our national vice president. “Betcha he’s planning to retire soon and Priest’ll be looking for a replacement. Prez of the most successful charter’s where he’ll probably start.”

I growl out my irritation at what Z’s implying. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Priest slams down his gavel and the room falls silent. He remains quiet, which is a good sign that this meeting will be as short as he promised.

“First, I need to give everyone a heads-up. Not that you’ll be leaving the property much or have time for other activities, but there’s a heavy law enforcement presence this weekend. Came in special just for us.”

A few jeers and curses from the brothers in the crowd.

“Yeah,” Priest agrees. “However, we are not to engage. Do not give them a reason to take you into custody. As usual, they’re gonna be checking registrations and looking for stolen parts.” He levels a cool stare at us. “But I know that won’t be a problem for any of my brothers. Lost Kings are not thieves.”

Lots of clubs were built on dealing in stolen motorcycles and parts. Our charter has never been about that. Weapons back in the day, sure. Drugs, yup. A little murder from time to time—comes with the territory. But something about stealing another man’s bike always seemed too dishonorable to build an empire on.

I’m not one hundred percent positive our other charters operate the same way. Hell help the poor asshole who can’t produce a clean registration this weekend.

After making himself clear on that point, Priest continues. “Local cops have teamed up with the Feds.”

Louder groans and cursing fills the room.

“Yeah.” The bite in Priest’s tone shuts everyone up so he can finish explaining. “They’re looking to identify patch-holders in leadership positions and what territory each one of you came from. I fully expect this to spill over to ol’ ladies as well. I’m gonna assume any ol’ lady you brought is fully informed of how to conduct herself with outsiders. So, any fuckups are on you.”

Wrath and I share a glance. “Girls are going to some spa tomorrow. Sounds like I better check with Blink that’s okay,” he says.

I nod in Birch’s direction. “Planning to send him with them, but maybe another brother should go too.”

“I’ll find someone.” He moves closer and lowers his voice. “This is fucked up. That’s serious intel he has on what the cops are up to. Not just guesses.”

“I noticed.” Nothing surprises me anymore. Priest’s always been a crafty motherfucker. What I’m more worried about is Hope getting picked up and questioned by the cops for no fucking reason, ruining our trip before it barely gets started.

“Are you sure it’s okay for us to go?” I ask Rock the next morning.

“Yeah. Just remember what I said.”

“Don’t talk to anyone. Stick with Birch and the prospect from Priest’s club.”

“You got it.” He pulls me closer and kisses my forehead. “Have fun, but be careful.”

I pull back. “See, when you put it that way, it makes me nervous again.”

He rumbles with laughter. “Come on, let’s go downstairs. Trinity’s probably waiting for you.”

Trinity, Charlotte, and Heidi are all waiting downstairs with Birch. Rock takes Birch aside, probably to terrorize him.

Wrath ambles up with a prospect who keeps eyeing Wrath like he’s waiting for a beating. “Ladies, this is Stitch. He’ll be joining you and Birch. He’s on loan from Priest’s club, so go easy on him.”

“Thank you, Stitch. I’m sure you planned on doing something a little more fun than following us around all day.”

“No, ma’am. I’m just happy to assist wherever I’m needed.”

Wrath pats him on the head. “Good little prospect.” He makes a circular motion at us with his finger. “All four of them are lethal. Don’t let those pretty faces fool ya.”

I grin at Wrath and pat the outside pocket of my purse where my little pepper spray gun rests.

“What time are the appointments?” I ask Trinity once we’re on the road.

“Don’t worry, we’re on time…” She stops midsentence and stares out the window.

Charlotte and I both turn to see what captured Trinity’s attention. Two of what look like unmarked police cars are stationed just outside the hotel’s grounds. “That can’t be good,” she whispers to me.

“Hopefully they leave us alone,” I mutter.

Trinity shakes it off and turns her phone my way. “Ramsey, party of four, expected in thirty minutes.”

“I don’t even know what we’re having done,” Charlotte says. “I’m just excited to go.”

“Me too,” Heidi adds.

Trinity hmms as she scrolls through her phone. “We’re signed up for their “signature package.” Body scrub and massage. Then we’ll be ready for the big pool party.”

“We definitely have someone following us,” Birch mutters to the prospect. Stitch focuses all his attention on his side mirror for the rest of the ride.

While we were told not to wear our property patches, Birch and Stitch are wearing their cuts. Stitch’s only identifies him as a Lost Kings prospect.

Does identifying who we’re with make us safer or put us more at risk?

The spa is small, but neat and quiet. If Trinity hadn’t arranged things ahead of time, they probably wouldn’t have been able to accommodate the four of us.

Rock’s warning last night that we might be approached by law enforcement has me on edge. The treatments help me unwind and chase away some lingering stiffness in my ba

ck from the ride down.

By the time we’re finished, I’m relaxed and invigorated. Then I’m completely shocked when we’re told everything’s already been paid for.

“Trinity, you didn’t have to do that,” I say.

“Wasn’t me.” She holds her hands up in the air. “I swear. It had to be one of the guys.”

The receptionist hands me a Post-it note with Mr. North scribbled on it. “Awww. It was Rock.”

Trinity nudges me with her elbow and wiggles her eyebrows. “Maybe you should go back and get a Brazilian to thank him.”

“Who says I didn’t?”