Dex saw it too and didn’t think I was crazy?
He handed over a card with a name and address.
“What’s Crystal Ball?” The address was way the fuck down in the city of Empire. Not sure how he expected me to find my way there.
“Club owned by my MC. Come down and see me. I’ll find you some work.”
“Uh,” I hesitated and considered handing the card back. “Whatever the job is, it has to be legal, and I have to get it approved by my caseworker. Plus, I have no way to get there.”
He stared at me for a second. “You always such a rule-follower, Roman?”
“No, but I’m not really in a position to do anything about it unless I want to get moved to another home, which I’d rather avoid.”
He nodded as if he approved of my answer. “You’re awfully level-headed for your age.”
“Sometimes.”
“Give me a time to come up with another lead. In the meantime do me a favor.”
Finally, the reason he came to see me. I lifted my chin and waited for him to continue.
“Look out for Juliet. Her uncle’s nastier than ever. Make sure everything’s okay there. If it’s not let me know and I’ll handle him.”
“I noticed he’s a prick. You think he’d hurt her?”
“Don’t know. Not sure she’d tell me if he did.”
“But you think she’ll tell me?”
“If she trusts you.”
He picked his helmet up off the seat of his bike and strapped it on.
“Wait,” I said. “When’s her birthday?” It had been bugging me all night that I didn’t know.
Dex smirked and gave me the date which was three weeks from today. That made her younger than me by about eight months.
“My cell’s on the back of that card,” he said. “Call me if she needs anything.”
* * *
Cards of Love: Knight of Swords is available now. Order it here.
Note From Autumn
After that epilogue, there’s no need for a preview of Zero Tolerance, right? You can however, pre-order it by going here.
As promised, you finally know who both Grace and Chance are. YAY!
Now I can finally tell you how this Rock/Teller storyline came to be.
As I was finishing up More Than Miles, Mr. Lake and I were discussing “the baby book” as I also referred to After Burn at the time. I knew I wanted to bring Inga back one more time. Maybe a paternity issue…and boom! Mr. Lake said, “What if Rock is Teller’s father?”
I immediately said, “No that’s dumb. He’s not old enough to be Teller’s dad.”
But the seed was planted.
I ran back and looked at my timeline and all the birthdates of my characters and realized, yes, Rock could be Teller’s father. You’d be surprised how many male celebrities brag about losing their virginity at a young age—I started my research there. I actually wrote the scene in Kickstart my Heart where Rock hits on Mallory, long before I finished After Burn/After Glow. I plan to release Kickstart in chapters through my newsletter very soon, so definitely check that out for a glimpse of a young, cocksure Rock!
So back to Teller’s paternity.
Hadn’t Wrath been cracking mini-me jokes about Teller and Rock for years? Didn’t the guys, especially the younger guys (Murphy and Teller) look up to Rock like a father?
I really, really warmed up to the idea.
After I knew this fact about Teller and Rock, it made more sense to write Teller’s story next. Plus, after all the things Teller went through in More Than Miles and his heartbreaking scene in White Knuckles, I needed to give Teller his happily ever after. Plus, I just loved Charlotte so damn much, I wanted to bring her into the MC. So those of you who have been waiting all this time for Z’s book, you can blame Teller, and of course, Mr. Lake.
I could’ve gotten bogged down in those pesky DNA-paternity testing details, but um, yeah, I chose not to. So, once again, I bent reality to suit the needs of my fictional world, and I don’t apologize for it. You’re here for the romance, not the science, right?
I know a lot of my readers were really speculating that Chance was Inga’s son. And I guess that might have made sense and I could have had fun with that, but in my heart, I’ve always known Chance was Lilly’s. You have no idea how proud of myself I am for not letting that slip, no matter how many sneaky ways some of my dear readers tried to pry it out of me!
I also had the epilogues in Beyond Reason wouldn’t have made a lot of sense if Chance was Inga’s son. So, we still have no idea who the father of Inga’s child is. Sorry, Inga!
While I don’t think the cast of characters for After Glow was as big as After Burn, I had a lot of fun hanging out with Chaser again. I hope you enjoyed catching up with Liam, Keegan, and Jake from Bullets & Bonfires and Warnings & Wildfires too!
What does the future hold?
Well, Z’s story, obviously. I’m feverishly working to finish that. Fair warning: I think it will be two books. It’s only fair since Z has waited this long! Of course now that I’ve said that, it probably won’t be. Oh, the joy of being a bad planner!
After Z…well, Jake’s book, Matches & Misfires is very much on my mind. Cards of Love: Knight of Swords changed some things, so I’m not sure how to finish Vapor’s book now, even though I really want to. Murphy deserves his wedding book. I have this certain fighter whose story I want to tell (you met him in Warnings & Wildfires.) And damn, I think it’s time for Grinder to be released from prison and find his HEA too. I even think I know who he’ll end up with. We’ll see who ends up winning!
I sure wish I could write as fast as the ideas come to me.
Love and Gratitude,
Autumn
Also by Autumn Jones Lake
Click on each title to purchase.
THE LOST KINGS MC SERIES
* * *
SLOW BURN (LOST KINGS MC #1)
President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, hasn't managed to find a woman capable of making him want to curb his wild ways—until he meets sweet, innocent, married lawyer Hope Kendall.
Forced to represent the outlaw biker, Hope is rattled by her immediate attraction to Rock. Hope is a good girl in a good marriage. Rock thrills her, but she's not going to throw away everything she's built on a fling with her criminal client.
* * *
Rock respects Hope enough to leave her alone, even as he realizes he's become a little obsessed with her. When their connection endangers her life, he'll have to destroy her in order to save her.
* * *
After tragedy strikes, Rock is determined to earn Hope's forgiveness and convince her that even with their staggering differences, they're meant to be together.
CORRUPTING CINDERELLA
(LOST KINGS MC #2)
Although widowed attorney Hope Kendall cares deeply for President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, the truth is they come from completely different worlds. Add to that the fact that they are also both headstrong people, and they have a very rough road ahead of them.
Real love isn't a fairy tale.
For Rock that means introducing Hope to what it really means to be part of his brutal and shady world, where the Lost Kings Motorcycle Club is his main focus. For Hope it means accepting the things she can't change, and understanding that Rock is a man who will do anything to keep her safe.
Love doesn't follow any rules.
As Rock continues to draw Hope deeper into his world, painful misunderstandings, past relationships, and opposition from the members of his club will threaten to drive them apart.
How do a lawyer and a badass biker with a heart of gold keep their love alive while their opposing worlds collide?
THREE KINGS, ONE NIGHT
(LOST KINGS MC #2.5)
Three short holiday stories featuring Murphy, Wrath, and Zero.
STRENGTH FROM LOYALTY
(LOST KINGS MC #3)
As a dark cloud descends over Hope and Rock’
s already precarious future, will a long-hidden secret push them both past the point of no return?
Struggling attorney Hope Kendall loves her outlaw biker boyfriend Rochlan “Rock” North with all her heart, but the questionable activities his motorcycle club is involved in threaten her legal career.
But does she even want this career anymore?
As a near-death situation makes their professional differences seem insignificant, a cloud descends over their personal relationship’s already unsteady future.
Even though Hope seems to have finally found her niche in the club as Rock’s ol’ lady, can she mingle in politics with neighboring clubs as well? A trip to the Lost Kings MC downstate charter will put her to the test.
While Rock works hard to give Hope the honesty she craves without betraying his loyalty to his brothers, tension from outside forces threatens to push him to the brink. But it’s the one secret Hope has hidden all along that may finally drive them apart for good.
* * *
TATTERED ON MY SLEEVE
(LOST KINGS MC #4)
Tattered on my Sleeve isn't a "typical" romance. It's not even a typical MC Romance. Prepare yourself for Wrath and Trinity’s long, tattered tale of lust, fury, and ultimately forgiveness.
Lust.
Eight years ago, the Lost Kings, MC was recovering from turmoil within the club Wrath and Trinity met. Their connection was instant and explosive.
Fury.
After three perfect nights, Wrath knew she was the one. But Trinity's dark past was about to catch up to her and the Lost Kings MC was her only hope for protection. One misunderstanding leads to a mistake that locks both of them into a war to see who can hurt who the most.
Forgiveness.
Once Wrath learns the dark secret that's been fueling Trinity all this time, he'll stop at nothing to prove they're meant to be together and that she's worthy of the love she keeps denying. Can they move past their horrible pasts to become better people and ultimately forgive each other?
WHITE HEAT (LOST KINGS MC #5)
THE QUEEN ALWAYS PROTECTS HER KING.
For straight-laced attorney, Hope Kendall, loving an outlaw has never been easy. New challenges test her loyalty as she discovers how far she’s willing to go to protect her man.
IF YOU HAVE HOPE, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING.
MC President, Rochlan “Rock” North finally has everything he’s ever wanted. Hope as his ol’ lady and his MC earning money while staying out of trouble. The only thing left is to make Hope his wife. But as their wedding day nears, an old adversary threatens Rock’s freedom, the wedding, and throws the Lost Kings MC into chaos.
LOVE MAKES THE RIDE WORTHWHILE.
While the club waits for Rock's fate to be decided, Wrath has to balance solidifying his new relationship with Trinity and fulfilling his president's orders.
LOYALTY GIVES AN OUTLAW STRENGTH.
Threats from unexpected places will challenge every member, but in the Lost Kings MC, brotherhood isn’t about the blood you share. It’s about those who are willing to bleed for you.
BETWEEN EMBERS (LOST KINGS MC #5.5)
A companion to White Heat. Three short stories featuring Murphy, Teller, and Zero.
MORE THAN MILES (LOST KINGS MC #6)
Forbidden love is the hardest to forget...
Blake “Murphy” O'Callaghan, Road Captain of the Lost Kings MC, has the world by the balls. Money. Women. The wide-open road. It’s all his, everything he wants…except the one girl he loves, the one girl who’s off limits. His best friend’s little sister, Heidi.
Abandoned by her mother when she was little, Heidi Whelan’s familiar with heartbreak. Especially the heartbreak of falling in love with her big brother’s best friend. When Murphy pushed her away, it broke her heart. Now, on her eighteenth birthday, he claims he loves her? Growing up around the Lost Kings MC, Heidi’s witnessed his manwhoring ways. He’ll never give that up for her. Besides, he’s too late: Heidi’s in love with her high-school boyfriend Axel.
Axel Ryan loves two things—motorcycles and Heidi. He signed up to be a prospect for the Lost Kings MC because it seemed like a fun way to get closer to her. Now that he’s gotten a taste of MC life, he’s not so sure this is where he belongs. He’s confident Heidi shares his dreams for the future, so even if he chooses another road, their relationship will survive the detour.
With more than miles between them, will the deceptions they’ve lived with for so long be too much to overcome? Can Murphy convince Heidi that the hard roads they’ve traveled will lead to the most beautiful destination of all, or is he destined to ride the open road alone?
WHITE KNUCKLES (LOST KINGS MC #7)
TWO TATTERED SOULS
After countless detours, Wrath and Trinity’s wedding is only ten days away. Together they’ve battled their demons and are ready to declare their commitment to each other in front of their entire Lost Kings MC family.
ONE BITTER ENEMY
No one is prepared for the threat that crawls out of the shadows and issues an evil ultimatum. One that places Trinity’s future in danger and jeopardizes the entire club. Trinity’s more than ready to put her life on the line to save the club. For her it’s not a question.
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
Wrath’s role as protector of the club forces him to choose between the safety of his angel or the future of the Lost Kings MC and all they’ve built together. But Trinity won’t relent. A queen always fights for her king. She’ll risk everything to hold on to the peace she shares with Wrath.
FAITH IS STRONGER THAN FEAR
When evil takes her for a ride, will Trinity’s faith in Wrath and her faith in the Lost Kings MC be stronger than her fear?
BEYOND RECKLESS: TELLER’S STORY, PART ONE (LOST KINGS MC #8)
Blood doesn’t make you family, loyalty does.
Marcel “Teller” Whelan, Treasurer of the Lost Kings MC, has always been two things—honest and responsible. At ten years old, he was already taking care of his baby sister. At eighteen, he patched into the Lost Kings MC and took a major role in shaping the club’s future.
Three years ago, he thought he’d met the perfect woman, only to have her reject everything he is—a Lost King.
One bullet is a lifetime supply.
Now, after an accident that left a girl dead and Teller almost crippled, he’s struggling through the darkest time in his life. His niece, sister, and Lost Kings MC family are the only things holding him together, but his reckless actions are bound to drive everyone away.
Then, in the most unlikely place, he crosses paths with her again. The woman he once thought might be his perfect match.
Love soothes our inner demons.
Sparks fly for both of them. She’s the ride-or-die woman he needs, able to calm his many demons, and bring the light back into his life. But she has a secret—one that forces him to lie to his brothers.
In chaos we trust.
When Teller’s brothers find out who he’s falling in love with, it will create a storm of chaos for the Lost Kings MC. But if there’s one thing Teller’s turbulent life has taught him, it’s that sometimes love is worth the chaos.
BEYOND REASON: TELLER’S STORY, PART TWO (LOST KINGS MC #9)
When the most toxic people come disguised as family, who can you trust?
* * *
Betrayal by blood cuts the deepest.
Teller’s found his ride or die girl. The light Charlotte brings to his life has touched the darkest parts of his soul. But a devastating secret from her past resurfaces to threaten their future.
Every truth can be erased with one lie.
When a sinister truth is exposed, it forces Charlotte to question everything about herself. Even whether she’s worthy of Teller’s love.
The darkest betrayals never come from your enemies.
With Teller’s love roaring louder than the lies, Charlotte can finally put her demons to rest. But has too much damage been done for her to prove her loyalty to the
Lost Kings?
One Empire Night (Lost Kings MC #9.5)
Holiday novella featuring your favorite Lost Kings MC couples.
AFTER BURN (LOST KINGS MC #10)
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?
AFTER GLOW (LOST KINGS MC #11)
With her by my side, my reign is complete.
Until one uncovered truth shines a light on the throne of lies I’ve been sitting on for years.
A revelation with the power to test the bonds of brotherhood like never before.
My ruthless obsession to protect what’s mine burns hotter than ever.
Promises I’ve made to my brothers I burn to keep.
Vows made to my wife I swear to honor.
Through the web of tangled loyalties, one thing remains clear.
After Glow Page 25
