After Burn (Lost Kings MC 10)

“Yeah, I hear ya, Prez.”

I’m guessing Sway didn’t leave our meeting the other day and explain to his crew that the future of their charter isn’t looking too bright. Even if that wasn’t the case, Sway shouldn’t have a VP mouthing off to our national president in front of everyone. Not unless he’s developed a sudden death wish.

“I’m mildly insulted you look so surprised that I’m ready.” I stare at Rock with my hands on my hips. The twitching at the corner of my mouth betrays my stern face.

He sighs and gives me a weary smile.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, baby. Come here.”

“Excited to get on the road?” I ask.

“Yeah. We’re making a stop along the way.”

I peer up at him but glean nothing from his somber expression. “You’re meeting up with another club, right?”

His mouth twists in amusement. “Been talking to Sparky?”

“He can’t contain his excitement.”

Rock rumbles with laughter and I’m happy I managed to chase away the tension he returned to our room with.

An hour later, we’re on the highway again. I never thought I’d enjoy moving from place to place every couple days, but I could get used to this.

Maybe two hours into the ride, we pull away from the rest of the pack. Priest salutes us as we exit the highway, so I assume we have his blessing to deviate off course without him.

At first, the exit appears to lead to a country road. Rock signals Murphy to take the lead and seems confident Murphy’s headed in the right direction.

We pull into a huge twenty-four hour truck stop diner and travel station. Rock backs the bike into a spot off to the side where he has a view of the road and entrance to the parking lot.

The rest of the guys line up to his right.

“This okay?” Carter shouts out of the truck window and Murphy goes over to help him out.

“I probably should’ve told Carter to go on ahead,” Teller says, glancing at Rock.

“Nah. I’m sure Alexa needs a break too.” He cocks his head. “You really think he can’t control his mouth?”

“Guess we’ll see.” Teller grins. “He’s been okay so far.”

“Are you planning to ask him to prospect, Teller?” I ask. Charlotte says her brother has no interest, but I also know Rock’s looking to recruit members.

Teller snorts. “No.”

Wrath and Z join us. Teller leaves to check on Carter.

Trinity pokes me in the side. “I’m starving. Will you grab lunch with me while they do their thing?”

My stomach rumbles at the mention of food and I nod.

“I’m hungry too,” Sparky says.

“You’re always hungry.” Z rolls his eyes. “You’re fucking king of the munchies.”

Sparky rolls up his shirt and pats his stomach. “And yet somehow I stay svelte and sexy.”

“Put that away before you blind someone, you pasty bastard,” Wrath says.

“That lack of muscles isn’t anything to brag about, Sparky,” Z adds.

“You’re both dicks.”

I pat his shoulder. “You look fine, Sparky.”

He beams at me. “Thank you, First Lady. Your opinion’s the only one that counts anyway.”

Rock side-eyes Sparky but remains quiet.

“Uh, okay.”

“Because you’re a chick.” He points at Wrath and Z, who are busy laughing at us. “Why should I give a shit what they think?”

“They’re just jealous they have to spend so much time working out,” Trinity assures him.

The guys must be wound up from a long weekend conducting serious club business. Murphy’s the next victim of their brotherly hostility.

“Whatcha got going on there, Yeti-beard?” Wrath calls out.

Murphy looks up and scowls. “Don’t fuck with me, asshole.”

“Oooh! What’s wrong, ginger Yeti?” Z asks.

Wrath slaps Z’s arm. “Good one.”

Teller walks over, carrying a sleepy-eyed Alexa with Heidi, Charlotte, and Carter trailing behind him.

“There’s our princess!” Z shouts.

Alexa bursts into tears.

“Now look what you did,” Sparky mutters to Z.

“Aw, come here,” Heidi coos.

“Mama!” Alexa wails even louder.

Most of the guys back away as if they’re allergic to a crying baby.

“What’s the matter, Alexa?” Rock asks, holding out his arms.

She stops crying and stares at him with wide eyes and pursed lips, then shakes her head and rests her cheek on Heidi’s shoulder.

“She didn’t appreciate being woken from her nap,” Heidi explains, rubbing her daughter’s back. “At least you got her to stop crying, Uncle Rock. Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking him for terrorizing your kid into silence?” Z asks.

Heidi shoots a glare his way.

Ignoring Z, Rock nods at Charlotte and Heidi. “Go on and grab a table. Hope and Trin will join you in a few.”

Carter follows them inside. When they’re gone, Rock slings his arm around Murphy’s shoulder and pulls him in. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, she’s just tired.”

“You good?”

“I’m here, Prez.”

“All right.”

Finally, the loud rumble of multiple bikes reaches us and a few minutes later, a line of Harleys pull into the parking lot. They circle the building once and end up parking on the other side of the lot. Their patches identify them as two separate clubs. One black and red with an angry bull in the middle and the other green and gold with a fire-breathing dragon in the center.

My heart beats faster. Was Rock expecting the other club?

Dex nods to the group. “Dante’s brother-in-law’s club is riding with them.”

“He’s their VP?” Rock asks.

“Yeah. His dad’s the president, but he’s not coming. Blaise will probably take over soon anyway.”

“Legacy asshole?”

“Nah, from what I hear he’s a smart kid. Smarter than his old man, anyway.”

Rock nods without taking his eyes off the other group. “Thanks, Dex.”

The tension’s so thick, I want to crack a joke about what a useful fountain of information Dex is when it comes to the local outlaw biker club scene. One glance at the grim faces surrounding me keeps my lips zipped.

The other guys take their time. We stay right where we are. Rock leans back on his bike and pulls me against him. It seems like a casual pose, but he’s coiled tight with tension and I’m aware of him scanning the area every few seconds.

Apparently we’re waiting for them to come to us.

The biker at the front of the line dismounts first. After a quick survey of the parking lot, he nods our way.

“Jeez. I didn’t think anyone could be almost as terrifying as Wrath,” I mutter.

“Good thing you said almost or I’d be worried I’m getting soft,” Wrath says from behind me.

I tip my head back. “No. Definitely not soft.”

Trinity laughs and Wrath lets out his own dirty chuckle.

“Is that his… daughter?” I ask, spotting a dark-haired girl climbing off the back of his bike.

“No. And for fuck’s sake, don’t say that to him,” Z warns me.

“I’m not that—you know what, never mind.”

Z laughs and pats me on the shoulder.

Three men and two young women approach our group. The rest of the bikers stay behind. I’m not sure if they’re trying not to intimidate us or trying to show us they’re not intimidated by us.

Rock shifts me out of his lap and stands to greet the other bikers, keeping me somewhat behind him. Z’s shoulder brushes against mine as he moves to stand next to me.

The one I’d said was almost as scary as Wrath, is naturally the Sergeant at Arms.

His intimidating face breaks into a grin as soon as he sees

Murphy. “Gingersnap!” he bellows.

Murphy groans and steps forward to accept a big brotherly embrace and hard thump on the back from the SAA. “Good to see you, Dante.”

“I didn’t know Murphy had another name.” I rub my hands together and let out a little cackle.

“Don’t get any ideas,” Z says. “He really hates it. Dante’s the only one who gets away with calling him that.”

“Aw.” I don’t like Murphy being picked on and Z seems to sense it.

“He’s a big boy, Hope.”

“I know.”

“Romeo, long time,” Rock says, holding out his hand to the other president. I’m terrible at guessing ages. Romeo could either be a well-preserved forty-five years old or a road-hard twenty-nine. It’s hard to say. His enforcer, on the other hand, I peg for about my age, maybe younger.

“You need to come pay us a visit one of these days,” Romeo says.

Rock nods. “We’ve been talking about it. I’d like to get down that way again eventually.”

Romeo glances over his shoulder. “Between our two clubs, we got most of Arizona and New Mexico locked down. Your club’s always welcomed.”

“Appreciate that.”

“Wrath, you big bastard. Haven’t seen you in so long. Figured Rock got sick of your mouth and shot your big ass,” Romeo says with a wide grin as he shakes Wrath’s hand.