After Burn

by Autumn Jones Lake

  “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.

  “Not yet,” Wrath answers with only a hint of annoyance coloring his tone.

  Another biker approaches and Sparky runs over to embrace him.

  “They could be twins,” I say to Z, who laughs.

  Unfortunately my comment draws Romeo’s attention my way. Rock wraps his arm around my waist in a proprietary way strong enough to negate the need for the property patch on my back.

  “Romeo, this is my wife, Hope.”

  He gives me a respectful nod, but doesn’t offer to shake my hand, which is fine with me. Dante gives me a polite once-over and chin lift.

  Wrath introduces Trinity with the same result.

  “Where’s your girl, Murphy?” Dante asks.

  He tips his head toward the restaurant. “Inside with our daughter.”

  “Fuck me.” Dante’s eyes light up giving him a maniacal air. “There’s a little gingersnap running around?”

  Murphy grits his teeth while Teller shakes with laughter. This gingersnap thing might end up sticking after all.

  Romeo curls his arm around the blonde at his side. “My ol’ lady, Athena.”

  Dante introduces the brunette I thought was his daughter as Karina. Both girls are around Heidi’s age. Maybe younger.

  Rock gives me a subtle squeeze that I assume is my cue to take the girls inside.

  “Trinity and I were going to grab something to eat,” I offer. “You’re more than welcome to join us.”

  Both girls nod and the four of us head inside.

  “Aw, you really are momma bear,” Trinity whispers in my ear.

  “Shut up,” I mutter back.

  Heidi and Charlotte have a large corner booth all to themselves. Alexa’s on Heidi’s lap, happily shoveling Cheerios into her mouth.

  “She seems much calmer,” I say as I slide in next to Charlotte.

  “I think she was hungry.”

  “Where’d Carter go?” Trinity asks.

  Charlotte points toward the wall. “There’s an arcade next door.”

  I introduce the girls and Karina smiles at Heidi. “Gingersnap’s girl, right?”

  Heidi narrows her eyes, maybe getting the wrong impression about Karina.

  “Ah, Murphy’s her fiancé,” I explain. “I think your old man’s the only one who calls him that.”

  Karina laughs and nods. “That sounds like Dante.” She swings her gaze back to Heidi. “Sorry.”

  Heidi shrugs but seems relieved she’s not about to have lunch with one of Murphy’s ex-bunnies.

  Our waitress stops by and we place our orders. After she leaves it’s uncomfortable for a minute. Everyone seems to be waiting for me to initiate conversation.

  Charlotte stands and says she’s going to check on her brother. “Be right back.”

  “So, what do you girls do?” I finally ask. Please don’t say you’re still in high school.

  “I’m pre-med at Arizona State,” Karina says.

  Heidi perks up. Finally, at least they’ll have stuff to talk about.

  “I’m a sometimes-employed actress,” Athena answers in a funny self-deprecating way I can relate to.

  “I thought you looked familiar!” Trinity says.

  Athena blushes. “I’ve had a few small parts here and there.”

  “Midnight Blue.” Trinity snaps her fingers. “Right?”

  “Yup. Girl Who Drowns. That’s me.”

  “You were good, though. Looked so real, you had me holding my breath through that whole scene.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you have headshots?” Trinity asks.

  Athena wrinkles her nose and whips out her cell phone. “Yeah, but I don’t love them.” She tilts the screen to show Trinity and scrolls through several photos.

  “I’m a photographer. We could try to get some beach shots while we’re in Florida.”

  “Oh my God, I’d love that!”

  Trinity glances at Heidi. “I don’t have all my lighting equipment, but we can make something work.”

  Heidi widens her eyes as if she hadn’t expected this to be a working vacation, but she nods. “Sure. We’ll figure something out.”

  Karina moves closer to Heidi so they can talk about school stuff. Alexa reminds everyone she prefers to be the center of attention by throwing her arms in the air and squeeing.

  “Oh my God, you’re the cutest!” Athena says, reaching over to tickle Alexa’s feet.

  “Watch out! She’s going to have baby fever now.” Karina laughs and her friend wads up a napkin and throws it at her.

  I sit back, listening to the conversation around me. Feeling like I’ve done my job for the afternoon and wondering when Charlotte will return.

  Our orders arrive and we continue talking while we eat.

  The guys are still in the parking lot. I peer out the window. How long are we expected to stay here?

  “They got a police trap up ahead, so this was a good time to stop,” Romeo says.

  “Your guy gonna let you know when it’s clear to get back on the highway?” I ask.

  He turns and glances at the biker he introduced as Luck earlier. “I’ll talk to Thorn. It’s his contact.” Luck strides across the parking lot.

  “How’s that working out?” Z asks, nodding at the other club.

  “We don’t bite,” Wrath adds. “If you want ’em to join us.”

  Subtle for Wrath.

  “We’re tight now.” Romeo smirks. “But I need to keep some of my business separate from their club.”

  Both logical and practical. Something I’ve always respected about Romeo.

  “Makes sense,” Z says.

  “Word is, the Warthogs MC is supposed to lay low for this event,” Dante says. “How many of us believe that?”

  Wrath groans. “We got strict orders from our national prez to avoid ’em at all costs.”

  “We plan to do the same,” Romeo says. “Don’t need the headache.”

  I’m not sure if the Iron Bulls even have a national board like the Lost Kings do. Not every MC operates the same way. And since it’s pretty fucking rude to probe into the inner workings of another MC, I don’t ask. They’re a small club like we are. Only a few charters in the southwest. Even though they might not have the numbers that other clubs have, they’re known for being ruthless in defending their territory. Not many clubs have tried to go up against them and lived to share the experience.

  “LEO will be all over this shit. I just got us off their radar. Want to keep it that way,” Romeo adds.

  “Amen to that,” I mutter. “How’s the grow op coming along?” That I’m okay with asking about, since Sparky�
��s the whole reason they were able to expand their fledgling operation in the first place.

  Dante cuts a sideways glance in Rebel and Sparky’s direction. “Had a few losses, but I think Rebel’s got the hang of it now.”

  Luck returns, shaking his head. “Word is we should stay put for a little longer. They got some poor schmucks pulled over now.”

  “Aw, fuck. They got any idea who?” Murphy asks.

  Luck frowns at the question. “The rest of your club go on ahead?”

  “Yeah, just left our national meeting. All our charters are riding together.”

  “Fuck me,” Romeo groans. “Sorry, brother. If I’d realized that, I woulda mentioned it this morning.”

  “Not your fault,” I answer. It’s not. Whoever was watching the road for Priest probably should’ve known and brought it up at the meeting this morning. I’m just glad we avoided it and hope the rest of my guys who stayed with the pack are all right.

  “I’ll text Ravage,” Murphy says as if he’d read my mind. “Have him check in next time they stop.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Might as well see what the girls are up to,” Wrath says, tilting his head toward the diner.

  Z lifts his chin at the rest of Romeo’s crew. “You only bring ol’ ladies along?”

  I barely hold back an irritated sigh and shoot a glare Z’s way.

  Romeo laughs. “There’s a second group coming a few hours behind us. Couple unclaimed girls with ’em. You looking?”

  “Always.”

  I pull Z back as we head into the restaurant. “What did I tell you this morning?”

  “What? Just making conversation.”

  Wrath runs up and choke-hugs Z, probably realizing if I do it, I’ll leave out the “hug” part.

  Dante stops for us to catch up to him once we’re inside. “Looks like everyone’s getting along,” he says, nodding to the girls.

  “Figured they would.” My wife’s a damn saint and can put up with just about anyone even a couple of teenage ol’ ladies.

  She flicks her eyes our way and a smile I very much need to see right now brightens her face. She sits up and waves—as if she doesn’t stand out anywhere she is as the most beautiful woman in the room.

  “Where’s Charlotte?” Teller asks.